Puerto Vallarta, Mexico HyperLocal City Guide featuring Neighborhoods, Zip Codes and Yellow Pages.

A visit to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico combines “Old Mexico” with modern day luxury resorts and exciting round the clock activities.  Puerto Vallarta is bordered by the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains to the south and east, lush and fertile jungle to the north, and the dazzling Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Banderas) teeming with marine wildlife to the west. Environmental diversity and local charm make Puerto Vallarta a travel destination with something for everyone.

The best way to explore Puerto Vallarta (called PV or Vallarta by locals) is on foot in comfortable flat shoes. Cobblestone streets, steep stairways and hillside paths are challenging. Begin your stroll along the boardwalk (Malec?n), bordering the beach and Banderas Bay. The beach is sometimes sandy and sometimes rocky depending recent surf. Venture off the Malec?n and explore the tiny shops along the side streets. The municipal flea market (Rio Cuale Mercado) offers a chance to hone your bargaining skills shopping for trinkets and treasures. Follow Calle Miramar to the brightly colored steps at Calle Zaragoza for an incredible view over the red-tiled rooftops to the sea. From January through March, watch for whales breaching in the bay. A few blocks along Zaragoza look for the pink arched “love bridge” that connected the homes of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor during their infamous affair while Burton was filming “Night of the Iguana.” Return to the Malec?n by late afternoon and watch the sun paint a masterpiece across Banderas Bay as it slips below the horizon.

Ecotourism activities thrive in PV and surrounding water, mountains and villages. Whoosh along two miles of cables through the lush jungle canopy over the Rio Horcones, a geologic wonder. Other popular above the ground adventures include parasailing and hot air balloon rides over the scenic bay and coastline. If going airborne is not your style, hop aboard the Marigalante, a replica of Christopher Columbus’s Santa Maria for a daytime pirate cruise, whale watching, a beach barbeque and treasure hunt. Evening sunset cruises feature swashbuckling performances, dinner and fireworks. Get up close and personal to the whales, dolphins, sea turtles and giant manta rays.  The soft-sided boat, Prince of Whales, operated by Open Air Expeditions is designed specifically for whale watching. Vallarta Adventures also offers whale watching excursions combined with snorkeling.