Puerto Vallarta. Photo Credit: HBarrison via Flickr.
There is good news and bad news for Puerto Vallarta these days. This extremely popular vacation spot has rightfully been named the best beach in Mexico by U.S. News. But it is hounded by other bad news. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta and urged vacationers to be cautious when traveling outside of cities and resort areas due to drug violence sweeping the country. In February, a group on a bus excursion from a Carnival Cruise ship that was docked in Puerto Vallarta was robbed while inland. Nobody was hurt, but the local tourism industry was definitely dealt a setback. Nonetheless, most people believe tourists at popular beach locations are safe, and vacationers continue to flock to the many resorts that line the beaches.
What makes Puerto Vallarta beaches so special? First, it is the location at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains and in a cove that calms and beautifies the Pacific Ocean waters. Then there is the golden sand that invites you to take a barefoot stroll or just sit back and relax. The most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta is Los Muertos, a busy spot with water sports rentals, restaurants and bars galore. Olas Atlas Beach runs to the north and sometimes has waves large enough for surfing. Puerto Vallarta indeed does have a lot to offer visitors, including scuba diving, parasailing, water skiing, dolphin watching, sunbathing, walking along the beach, and watching gorgeous sunsets. The Puerto Vallarta Convention & Visitors Bureau has a great roundup of the beaches of Puerto Vallarta and what you will see and can do at each: The Beaches of Puerto Vallarta.
Here is a fun video from Lonely Planet that gives a good feel for enjoying family activities in Puerto Vallarta:
Articles about Puerto Vallarta:
- This week's Groupon Beach Getaway: Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort, Mexico
- Mexico opens its first Hard Rock Hotel
- Bali tops U.S. New & World Report list of Best Beaches in the World
- Cancun tops list of Top 10 Spring Break Destinations
- Hit the beach with your true love: Apple Vacations announces top romantic getaways
- Cancun, Cozumel, Riviera Maya not on State Department's travel advisory list
- Palace resorts in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya to transform into Hard Rock Hotels
- Grand Cayman tops TripAdvisor's list of Caribbean destinations
- Top 10 Beach Resorts in Mexico
- 6 Best Beaches in Mexico
Where is Puerto Vallarta?:
View Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in a larger map
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