Situated on Banderas Bay, the largest bay in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is in the state of Jalisco, home to mariachi and tequila, quaint villages and modern travel destinations. With dozens of small beaches, some developed, some almost hidden, Jalisco and its northern neighbor Nayarit offer a never-ending supply of options.
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Riviera Nayarit: Once you go beyond Banderas Bay to the north, the mountains hide the remainder of the Pacific Coastline until you zigzag through them to once again connect with the shore. Sayulita is first on the road and is recognized for good surfing. And that was long before Internet cafes joined the shops, boutiques and galleries of growingly chic Sayulita. Next on the coast is the Mexican pueblo of San Pancho (San Francisco) where not only do you find gourmet but polo, beaches and boutique hotels. And finally, the popular Lo de Marcos, where Mexican families find their spots on the beach during busy holidays. By John Youden.
North Shore: One of the fast-growing areas of the bay is a region between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita often referred to as the "North Shore". It includes a number of new developments as well as a couple of established ones that are taking on a second wind as prices rise on this fantastic stretch of sandy beaches and coves. While some areas offer beachfront, others provide oceanfront or ocean-view with numerous options for a luxurious but laid-back lifestyle. By John Youden.
Nuevo Vallarta - Flamingos: As one of the fastest growing, most successful investment regions in the state of Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta doesn’t sweat the small stuff. First of all, their new governor is pro-tourism and investment, facilitating federal-state transactions. The area consistently ranks in the top five vacation destinations in the country. Investment opportunities, both national and international, continue to expand over time. Despite the time difference of one hour between Nayarit and Jalisco, time is rarely an issue, since most tourist-related businesses follow the “Vallarta clock,” or Jalisco time. By John Youden.
Bucerias - La Cruz: A favorite area for homeowners for many years, especially when Puerto Vallarta started getting too big for some, people started heading north for the towns of Bucerias and La Cruz. But development has caught up here as well, with a number of large developments now situated between these two towns. By John Youden.
Airport - Valley: Ixtapa is a town just outside of Puerto Vallarta more or less east of the airport. For those who haven't been there, the turn-off to Ixtapa is marked where the major speed bumps cross the road at the intersection with signs not only for Ixtapa but also for the university and Las Palmas. By John Youden.
Marina Vallarta: Marina Vallarta began with a dream of creating a new level of life on Banderas Bay where sailboats, yachts and fishing craft count on a safe harbor. Grupo Situr started building Marina Vallarta in the eighties based on a designed community including residential sites, a shopping mall, a school, condominiums, first-class hotels with landscaping throughout. Work on the marina itself with 450 boat slips began in 1986 and by 1990 the marina was in full swing even though it was 1993 before it was completed ahead of schedule. By John Youden.
Hotel Zone: For native Vallartans, this area along Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio lined with majestic palm trees has marked the northern entrance to the city. The avenue was named after Governor Francisco Medina Ascencio, who extracted the promise to finish the road from his friend, President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. The avenue later played an important role in welcoming President Nixon and President Díaz Ordaz to Puerto Vallarta in 1970. It was a time of great progress, in two short years providing a new international airport, a city-wide electrical system, a new port for ships and the completed road from Compostela in the northeast. Now, with several full-fledged developments, the Hotel Zone is rapidly becoming more residential. By John Youden.
El Centro: There’s no doubt that living in the heart of downtown is attractive for many who move to Puerto Vallarta specifically for the romantic life suggested by walking along the Malecón on a sunny Sunday, surrounded by the friendly faces of Mexico. The description alone rings the bells. Or curls the toes as they dig in the soft sand. But what is life really like on the streets in the hills above downtown? By John Youden.
Amapas - Conchas Chinas: Some say the best view in all of Banderas Bay is from the hills of Amapas and Conchas Chinas. For many, that's the primary reason for living in this exclusive zone just south of Vallarta's downtown area, nestled into the foothills of the Sierra Madre. For many years Conchas Chinas has offered some of the most exclusive homes around the bay. Amapas is following suite, but with high-end condominiums. By John Youden.
South Shore: Combine the boundless green jungle with the surf-splashed rocks of a coast interspersed with private coves, add a place to view the constantly changing palette of the bay, and you have the South Shore, where rugged, low-density residences, as well as villas and other homes, dot the coastline on the curving road toward Barra de Navidad. By John Youden.
