Are you curious why Puerto Vallarta is a top tourist destination? While it was originally called Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe in the early 19th century after founder Guadalupe Sánchez, Puerto Vallarta started to become popular during the mid 1950’s when actress Elizabeth Taylor filmed The Night of the Iguana in town. The quiet fishing village quickly gained the attention of international media and more and more people started visiting PV. These days, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations and is located on the Pacific Coast in Banderas Bay. Travelers love the area’s spectacular beaches, marine life, water sports, and luxury resorts.  Keep reading more below to learn why Puerto Vallarta is a top tourist destination.

History of Puerto Vallarta

The history of Puerto Vallarta actually dates back more than 2,600 years. In 1991, an archaeologist named Joseph B. Mountjoy from the University of Carolina conducted a Carbon 14 dating test on a clay pot that estimated that the earliest inhabitants in the region date back to a period between 580 and 320 BC. Centuries later in 1525, Spanish explorer Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura ventured in Banderas Bay where PV is located which is the deepest (900 meters) and longest (42 km) bay in Mexico, and the 7th largest bay in the world.  Later, Puerto Vallarta’s population grew rapidly after banana plantations were added in the surrounding area in the 1920’s. Today, PV is home to beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls, and the Sierra Madre jungle. On top of its natural beauty, Puerto Vallarta also has an inviting small town vibe along with modern conveniences.

Things to Do in PV

Thanks to the area’s excellent climate, outdoor activities can be enjoyed all year long. Some of the most popular activities include sportfishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, mountain biking, hiking, surfing, and more. If you like to be active during your vacations, it’ll be easy to find something fun to do in PV. There is also whale watching during the winter months when the majestic humpback whales migrate down to Banderas Bay from up north to mate and birth their young. If you haven’t already done it, whale watching is a once in a lifetime experience that everyone should try. Also, if you’re a foodie, you will be happy to know that PV also has great restaurants. You can find everything from delicious and cheap street tacos up to high-end gourmet meals. Make sure to stroll along the iconic Malecon boardwalk during your visit to enjoy the ocean views, shops, bars, and more.

It’s easy to see why Puerto Vallarta is one of the top destinations that attracts travelers from all around the world. Are you ready to head to Puerto Vallarta in person? If you’d like to, call Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573. Amazing Mexico is a genuine online travel agency that works with the country’s top resorts. Right now, they have special deals to visit Puerto Vallarta. In addition to PV, they also have travel packages available to visit Cancun, Riviera Maya, Islands of Loreto, and Cabo San Lucas. What are you waiting for? Call Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 and their friendly travel specialists will help you pick the perfect travel package to suit your needs.