Magical Towns to Visit near Puerto Vallarta

Looking for a new adventure in Puerto Vallarta? There are plenty of them! Eco-adventurers can dive and snorkel in the deep Pacific Ocean, take a boating or a sport-fishing tour on Banderas Bay, or explore the coves and isolated beaches nearby. Those keen on adrenaline can drive their own ATV through the Sierra Madre Mountains, take a zip-line tour over the forests or enjoy a surfing safari; and lovers of cultural tourism and history can enjoy fabulous tours through the mountains and the marvelous landscapes of Jalisco and discover two Magical Towns to visit near Puerto Vallarta.

Vallarta’s Tourism Infrastructure:

Puerto Vallarta is the most popular vacation destination by the Pacific, so the tourism infrastructure is well-developed and offers an array of options to cater all types of visitors. The hotels in Puerto Vallarta range from hyper luxurious resorts located in exclusive areas to moderate boutique hotels in the downtown area. There are elegant and expensive restaurants as well as simple and moderate venues, and different types of activities and tours for every taste and budget.

Magical Towns:

According to SECTUR (Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism) there are 83 Magical Towns (Pueblos Mágicos) scattered throughout the country up to date. These towns share the characteristic of being unique in some way and holding some cultural or historical value that tourists may appreciate.
Two of these 83 Magical Towns are located in Jalisco, at relatively short distance from Puerto Vallarta:

• San Sebastian del Oeste:

Located only 37 miles away from Puerto Vallarta, San Sebastian- as it is known by everyone- is an enchanting little town of 600 residents. During the colonial period, it had a population of as many as 30,000 inhabitants who were devoted to the search of lead, silver and gold in the area. Over time, the minerals were exhausted and people left the city.

Nowadays, San Sebastian still retains its ancient colonial charm in its quaint main plaza, its picturesque white houses and its wide cobblestone streets. Here and there during your trip around the town, you’ll see the new plantations of coffee and Agave. Tourists visit the town to explore the Historic Hacienda Jalisco’s mining museum, enjoy the marvelous view of the Pacific from Sierra de la Bufa and buy organic coffee from its very growers.

• Tequila:

The Valley of Tequila is located in Jalisco, around 4 hours by car from Puerto Vallarta and 1 hour from Guadalajara. The rolling hills of the Sierra Madre Mountains are tinted here and there with deep blue agave plantations and adorned by the dormant Tequila Volcano. The Magical Town of Tequila is the country’s main producer of Mexico’s national beverage: tequila, of course. There are several distillery tours and tequila-themed museums to visit during your stay; and the town itself is a beautiful place to walk around.

The main plaza is charming and picturesque, and it is surrounded by the main church and several nice bars and cafes that are worth a visit, too.

Traditions, history and culture are part of these towns’ magic. Take the chance and pay them a visit during your stay in Puerto Vallarta. Taste exquisite organic coffee in San Sebastian and the best Mexican tequila in Tequila. Walk, meet the people, admire the colonial architecture and enjoy the highest peace ever imagined.

Cecilia Vittori
Images: Flickr /authors: San sebastian (appaloosa); Tequila (Alejandro Castro)

Extreme Sports in Huatulco: Action, Adventure and Adrenaline

If you want to enjoy the beach and the sun, plus adventure, nature, great nightlife and plenty of fun by the Pacific, you’re thinking about Huatulco. Located in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico at the Southern coast of the Pacific Ocean, Huatulco offers the best option for those who love peace, nature, sightseeing and extreme sports. The hotels in Huatulco are excellent and inexpensive when compared with other Mexican popular destinations; dining in the area is really good and there are as many attractions as days you will spend there (or more).

Huatulco’s Enviable Geography:

The area’s fantastic terrain diversity makes it an unsurpassable spot for the practice of all types of eco-adventures. When you practice extreme sports in Huatulco, action, adventure and adrenaline will be your faithful companions.

Huatulco boasts 20 miles of beautiful coastline in which 9 bays and 36 beaches offer plenty of impressive sites for diving and snorkeling. The Sierra Madre Sur Mountain Range makes a great scenario for ATV tours, mountain biking, horse riding and hiking; while the Coyula and Copalita rivers are excellent for lovers of rafting, kayaking and canoeing.
 
Extreme Adventure in Huatulco: In Huatulco, there’s a lot to do in many different environments every single day of the year. With temperatures ranging the 28°C all year round and 330 days of sunshine, options are endless. You can even book your tours online to make sure you don’t miss the action!  Want to know some of the best?

• Rafting in Copalita River:

From June to January you can enjoy thrilling rafting tours to Copalita River. This river offers three quite distinctive sections where you can enjoy great rafting according to your experience. The Whitewater Rafting Tour offers a whole day of excitement descending the rapids from 13 miles up the mountains and 800 meters above the sea level. Make sure to check the stunning natural beauty around, as your raft picks up speed at the mouth of the river.

• Rappelling in Huatulco:

Huatulco offers 3 beautiful rappelling spots: Piedra de Moros, Punta Celeste in Parque Botazoo and the Copalitilla Waterfalls. The Adventure at Zimatan River is a 5-hour tour that will take you to explore amazing 40-feet-high canyons and then descend the rocks beside the river in a marvelous and unforgettable experience. You will also stop at Tangolunda Bay and at Bocana Beach to enjoy the sightseeing.

• Diving in Huatulco:

Huatulco offers around 15 diving spots where both expert and beginner divers can catch a glimpse of the most beautiful underwater flora and fauna. La Entrega Beach in Santa Cruz Bay is one of the most popular diving sites as the coral reef is close to the shore and is home to all types of marine life. This place is perfect for the most inexperienced. San Agustin Beach is another great spot located near Santa Cruz Huatulco. Diving tours usually include the diving equipment and a certified guide.

Recommendations:

Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent and to take your camera for all the tours. Huatulco is a natural wonder ready to be discovered by lovers of adrenaline and adventure. Don’t miss it!

Cecilia Vittori
Image: Flickr (author: whatadqr)