Exploring Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta

While puerto vallarta private boat tours is known for its charming architecture and majestic scenery, the city has always relied on Banderas Bay for survival. Resting in the middle of this sprawling bay off the Pacific Ocean, the city supported itself with the fishing industry long before the tourists arrived. Today, the vibrant culture of this unique destination still relies on the recreational possibilities of the bay's calm waters. From the beaches lining the bay to all the water sport activities possible off the coast, visitors to Puerto Vallarta shouldn't miss Banderas Bay.

In one way or another, all of the activities in Banderas Bay start with the beaches. The bay boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are beaches. From Puerto Vallarta in the middle of the bay to the northern surfing village of Sayulita, the beaches are typically wide and sandy - perfect for relaxing and water sports alike. South of the city, the beaches tend to be rockier and more secluded. However, these beaches represent the exotic ideal known to travelers through movies and magazines - where the mountains spill into the sea and jungles rest above the water.

Lining the bay in Puerto Vallarta, you will find the famous boardwalk - the Malecon. This waterfront walkway is lined with shops, restaurants and the city's unique sculpture collection. The Malecon is a popular destination for visitors of all ages, as families can enjoy the scenery and festival-like atmosphere while couples can shop the luxurious boutiques and hit some of Mexico's best nightclubs.

Out in Banderas Bay, one of the most popular family-friendly activities is a whale watching tour. Each year, families of humpback whales migrate to the warm waters of Banderas Bay from their Artic homes. Here, the whales breed and raise their young in the bay's protected waters. Conveniently, the whales visit the bay during the peak of the tourist season - December to March. There are plenty of tours available tailored to both whale watching and photography. Each tour company will offer unique options for travelers, from privately chartered sailboats to group tours perfect for families with young children. As sorting through the options for whale watching can be difficult, contact your resort for recommendations and reservations.

Not to be outdone by the humpback whale, dolphins also offer plenty of fun for tourists. In addition to boats that tour the bay allowing visitors to observe bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat, some organizations even offer trips to the Marietas Islands for scuba diving and snorkeling with these friendly mammals. Banderas Bay is also a hotspot for dolphin research, so you will be able to interact with gifted marine biologists able to answer all your questions about this vibrant ecosystem.

Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are also great spots to start a scuba diving or snorkeling expedition. There are plenty of great reefs within the bay's calm waters that novice divers and families can enjoy. At the edges of the bay - where Banderas Bay meets the Pacific Ocean - experienced divers can test their skills in the waves. Regardless of where you dive, you will be able to spot numerous species of exotic fish, coral formations and underwater plant life. It is even possible to take scuba diving lessons and earn certification while in Puerto Vallarta.

From sailing and fishing to jet skiing and surfing, pretty much every water sport is possible in Banderas Bay. Even if you aren't the adventurous type, you can still relax on the bay's white sand beaches or on the deck of a boat cruising the calm waters. Just make sure that when you visit Puerto Vallarta, you don't miss a chance to enjoy the peaceful waters of Banderas Bay.

The Snorkeling Tour at Los Arcos Puerto Vallarta

With the approach of summer, and the merciless rays of the sun, every body has one thing in mind. Guess what that is? Well of course water! Drinking chilled drinks, frequent cool showers, water fights amongst friends and swimming; these activities make the most significant parts of our daily routine. There is a special pleasure that an individual derives from just dipping into cool water that is hard to achieve elsewhere. Swimming is the only sport I love the most because it makes one forget about their worries and calms an individual down.

Therefore, Puerto vallarta boat rentals which has wide stretches of sea for swimming and cruising is the perfect place to be in the vacations. Hence, if you are still looking for a place to relax and have a great time splashing away, Puerto Vallarta is your place to be! Los Arcos is one of the finest diving and snorkeling places along the Bay of Banderas. This is situated close to Mismaloya and proves to be the hotspot for all the tourists. Los Arcos is a cosseted marine park which offers access to various other small islands. Over here you will see tunnels and caves, reefs, and arches which give a bold testimony of this beautiful marine life. You will be able to see octopuses, puffer fish, angelfish, clownfish, Eagle Rays and many more.

This Los Arcos Snorkeling tour runs on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. This tour starts around 10:00 a.m. from Puerto Vallarta. It runs four times daily at different timings which are 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The entire duration of this amazing tour is 4 hours; but trust me, once you begin it, time flies by. This fabulous tour also includes lunch and provides snorkeling equipment.

For this tour you would need biodegradable Eco-Friendly Sunscreen, obviously you would not want to get sun burnt. Protect that lovely skin of yours! A swimsuit of course! You should also invest in getting an underwater camera in order to record all of the wonderful memories that you are going to make. The underwater camera will be a great investment for this tour because it will not malfunction incase there is contact with water.

This tour departs from two different places the first is the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta and the second is the Hotel La Jolla de Mismaloya. If you are departing from Mismaloya you will be picked up by the Mexican-style Panga boats which are a lot of fun. However lunch would not be served for all the people who are from Mismaloya, because of its closeness to the location of snorkeling. All the passengers of the cruise should also bear in mind that the location of departure for the tour that departs at 10:00 a.m. is 30 minutes away from the beautiful cruise pier.

 

Sailing in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a resort city located in the state of Jalisco in Mexico. With a population that measured 177,830 in a 2005 census report, this is the fifth largest city in Jalisco. Tourism makes up half of the economic activity in this popular vacation spot.The peak seasons for tourism runs from late November to March.

One particular draw is their sailing attractions. Day Yacht Charters Puerto Vallarta is a reason that tourists flock here every year. There are a countless amount of adventures available for sailing in Puerto Vallarta. One popular kind if their sunset cruises. One being called Champagne Sunset Cruise. If you have ever heard the phrase a picture is worth a thousand words it would describe sailing in Puerto Vallarta via these romantic, breathtaking ventures! Before sunset, hundreds of tourists and locals alike gather downtown on the Malecon to stroll along, watching the sunsets. Come and enjoy a romantic sunset cruise in a fine yacht. You will enjoy fine dining with classy hors doeuvres. At sunset, participate in a toast by the Captain.

Another popular activity here is whale watching in the beautiful Bay of Banderas. It is known as a breeding ground of Orca and Humpback whales. Hundreds of whales migrate back here every year to mate and give birth to calves. It is quite an unforgettable experience to watch the elegant dance of whales and hear their songs. The whales will actually approach the boats daily. This usually goes on from November through April.

If you are into fishing, and you can fix it so you can go during the fall, September is the best month for the big fish. You can catch a large amount of marlins and sailfish. There are also yellowtail weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. There is an annual tournament held every year November 13-15th. This is always fun because you see a wide variety of big fish.

Snorkeling is a very popular activity here. What is really fun are their snorkeling cruises. There is a business called Snorkeling Unlimited that offers them. You get wonderful personal service, good snorkeling locations and free snacks and beverages. The crew is, thankfully, bilingual and the boats are all insured and licensed. They offer full or half day trips and different boats to choose from.

Sailing Unlimited offers daily charters and bay cruises. You will probably have to watch your waistline as they offer continental breakfast, lunch, dinner plus snacks, including chips and salsa. There is an open bar that serves mixed drinks, coffee, juices and water. There is also a barbecue on the beach two days a week. You are allowed to fish on these trips and you may reel in anything you catch. The cruise stops at Piedra Blanca for snorkeling and swimming. After swimming, lunch is served. Guests can even take the helm and try sailing for a once-in-a lifetime thrill.

Luxury Villas and Condo Rentals in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta Boat Rentals in Mexico's resort city of Puerto Vallarta(PV) are situated at convenient locations where the tourists can get easy access to the essential items of daily needs. Prices of the condo rentals rely on the provided facilities and the season as well. Common vacationers also enjoy at PV as Condos that are optimally priced and decently furnished are also available in large numbers. Puerto Vallarta offers various attractions for the vacationers. Tourists staying in condo rentals get the chance to seek and enjoy many varieties of attractions at the same time. In condo rentals the visitors enjoy subdued life and also relish the adventures of the neighborhood places. PV marine life is very colorful and diverse.

Tourists staying in condo rentals(CR) really enjoy scuba diving. They also get the opportunity to explore the dolphins, sharks and fishes living there as they snorkel in the bay. Calm waters allow the visitors to enjoy leisure of skiing, para sailing and swimming as well. There are vast varieties of water sports in PV that attracts the vacationers. Waters around the city make it a great tourist's destination for fishing. Different types of fishes are found in the waters of Puerto Vallarta like dorado, sailfish and marlin. Tourists can easily catch these fishes by the help of fishing boats. Tourists in PV condo rentals can enjoy both salt water & fresh water fishing.

Besides all these luxuries and entertainments in Puerto Vallarta, there are also other entertaining activities and attractions as well that make the vacations of the tourists more enjoyable and delightful. Near the CR are located the golf courses when the vacationers can play and really have a ball. Tourists can register easily in any of the golf courses and have fun. These golf courses are near the condominiums, so the tourists can go there easily by taking a short walk. Sponsored buses are also available that take the visitors from the CR to the golf courses.

Art galleries, boutiques, shopping malls are found in large numbers situated near the condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta. Everything is available in PV for the tourists to shop including expensive art pieces to low cost ornaments. Tourists in Puerto Vallarta city have easy access to the department stores & the clothing of well known designers from the CR and villas. PV for its famous foods and vast varieties of restaurants is known as the Mexico's "culinary capital". There are about 250 restaurants in Puerto Vallarta that cater to the different clienteles visiting the city. Tourists staying in condo rentals get the chance to relish the Mexican and other international cuisine as well in the restaurants situated near by the condo rentals in PV.

Puerto Vallarta is a dream paradise for the honeymoon couples. Night life in Puerto Vallarta is very delightful and enchanting so those couples who are looking to make their honeymoon more pleasurable should come to PV. Couples staying here in luxury villas and CR enjoy spending their time in night spots and relish all different kinds of drinks and music.

The Best Places to Visit in Mexico With a Yacht Charter

Mexico is known for its warm hospitality and its ancient culture. It is steeped in history and has a colorful vibrancy about it that can leave nobody untouched. The food, culture, architecture and traditions here are all unique and can be quite an experience for someone who has never been here before, a feast for all the senses.

Some of the best places to visit in Mexico are along the coast of Sea of Cortez, there are plenty of beautiful beaches, ports and quaint fishing villages here that can make any holiday a dream vacation. Mexico has so many islands and beaches that perhaps to include them all in your holiday the best way would be through a Mexico Puerto Vallarta Yacht Charters. A yacht charter Mexico would allow you to go island hopping everyday, enjoying a different beach everyday.

Some of the best locations in Mexico are:

* La Paz- La Paz is classic Mexico, old world charm, upscale fashion and a laid back lifestyle. There are plenty of road side cafes and restaurants here, perfect for an evening coffee. The beach here provides a stunning view of the landscape, the bright blue waters against the red cliffs.

* Isla Partida- this beautiful island is one of the most stunning islands in Mexico. There are plenty of things to be done here including water sports, swimming, snorkeling and diving. The reefs, seals, sharks and the manta rays in the waters here make it a perfect location for scuba diving.

* Puerto Vallarta- Puerto Vallarta is one of the liveliest and the most sophisticated towns in Mexico. The city is surrounded by wooded hills on one side and the stunning bay on the other side. The beaches here are stunning with white sand and clear waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

* Acapulco- Acapulco is a round the clock party place, one of the most vibrant places in Mexico. The beaches here have golden sand and are dotted with pubs and cafes. There are several architectural attractions and museums here too for those who are interested in exploring the history and culture of Mexico.

* Manzanillo- Manzanillo is a busy port town that is fast becoming a tourism hub. The golden beaches here are perfect for spending a day relaxing in the sun. There are several nightclubs, pubs and restaurants here to enjoy the nightlife.

* Mazatlan- Mazatlan is a unique destination as a historic town and a popular beach destination. The old town of the city is marvelously charming with its cobbled streets, narrow alleys lined with historic old buildings and small restaurants that serve amazing food. The beach here is one of the most famous beaches in Mexico and there are several museums and architectural wonders here that are basked in ancient history.

What Happens When Tourists Cruise To Puerto Vallarta, Mexico?

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has become one of the most popular tourist resort destinations in the world. Because Vallarta is located along the Mexican Riviera on the Pacific Ocean, a substantial portion of these tourists arrive by boat; the majority in large cruise ships, however many come in their private yachts.

Ten years ago, a cruise ship would arrive in Yachts Puerto Vallarta every other day. At certain times during the "high season" of November through May when the average temperature is 73°F with virtually no chance of rain, cruise ships would arrive two days in a row.

Five years ago, the popularity of cruising and specifically cruising to the Mexican Riviera, reached a point where you could find a cruise liner at the Puerto Vallarta Marine Terminal almost every day, and sometimes, a second cruise liner anchored in Banderas Bay. Passengers from the anchored ship were then shuttled to shore by small tenders.

Two years ago, you could count on at least one cruise ship every day in Vallarta and often find another one or two ships anchored in the bay. The traffic was so heavy at the Marine Terminal that the authorities in Vallarta started construction on the new Maritime Terminal.

Construction of the new Maritime Terminal in Puerto Vallarta was completed in early 2007, thus tripling the cruise passenger capacity. Today, you'll usually see at least two cruise ships docked at the Maritime Terminal and frequently three. Cruising to Vallarta has become so popular that there are times during the "high season" when a fourth ship has to anchor in the bay! With an average of close to 2,000 passengers per ship, this results in anywhere from 4,000 to 8,000 tourists arriving daily by cruise ship.

(As a side note of interest, the Puerto Vallarta International Airport was recently quadrupled in size in order to accommodate the flights that are arriving and departing all day, everyday.)

Now that we have a feel for the volume of cruising tourists arriving daily in Vallarta by commercial cruise liners, let's consider those arriving by private yachts.

Ten years ago, Puerto Vallarta was the home to a beautiful 400 slip Marina for private yachts ranging in size from 30ft to well over 100ft. There was also a marina in Nuevo Vallarta with 380 slips for smaller boats up to 30ft long.

Due to the recent demand for additional slips, larger slips, and yachting related services, a number of significant new marina construction projects have been undertaken; some of which have been completed, some currently under construction, and some still in the planning stages.

For example, the beautiful Nuevo Vallarta Marina now has nearly 250 slips for yachts ranging from 30ft to 120ft long. The modern $50 million Marina Riviera Nayarit, located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, is approximately 40% complete with nearly 400 berths for yachts ranging from 30ft to 400ft. Fonatur, Mexico's National Tourism Development Trust, has planned a 150 slip marina in their Phase 1 development program just north of Punta de Mita. These marinas will increase the moorage capacity from 400 to well over 1,200 private yachts, thereby tripling the total volume of tourists privately cruising to Vallarta.

Okay, now that we have a feel for the growth of the Vallarta area and the volume of tourists cruising to Vallarta, let's explore just what happens to these tourists as they arrive in Paradise.

As the tourists disembark from the commercial cruise liners or their private yachts, they are first greeted by the friendly faces of English speaking Mexicans. Because the local economy is based solely on tourism, almost everyone is now speaking some degree of English and therefore communication is never an obstacle in Vallarta. Friendly faces as revealed in the Conde Nast survey of its readers, where Vallarta was voted the friendliest resort destination in the world.

Of all things, those arriving by cruise ships first see a Sam's Club, a Mega Wal-Mart, and a huge new modern shopping center; probably not what they would expect to see in a sleepy little Mexican fishing village! They soon discover that Vallarta is no longer sleepy or little, in that its population has exploded to 350,000 inhabitants and is projected to reach 600,000 by the year 2015.

Unfortunately, those arriving by cruise ships are generally allowed only about eight hours in town before the ship cruises out on its journey to the next Mexican Riviera port. While in town, they are given many options in the way of city activities and tours. Some opt to play golf on any of the seven magnificent courses; others might want to take a four hour deep sea fishing trip or play tennis on any of the hundreds of tennis courts. Some take jungle safaris, ATV trips through the Sierra Madre Mountains, or go whale watching, snorkeling, or swimming with the dolphins Those less ambitious tourists take sight seeing bus tours through the city and then into the fine neighborhoods where the multi-million dollar haciendas and villas are nestled among the hillsides overlooking Banderas Bay.

The majority of these cruisers merely catch one of the thousands of taxis and head into town for a day of strolling along the Malecon by the beach, shopping the many boutique stores, or dining in any of the hundreds of fine restaurants.

Regardless of what the cruisers do during their short stay in Vallarta, they are all treated with dignity, respect, and friendliness and therefore are eager to return for a longer visit the next time. The taste of Vallarta is so addictive, that in all probability, their next visit will be by air and will last for a week or longer.

Those that come in their private yachts generally stay for longer periods of time. In fact, the quality of life is so great in Vallarta, that many of those fortunate individuals, who could afford to live anywhere in the world, have just docked their yachts in Vallarta and made this their winter residence. After all, Mexico was recently ranked the top retirement destination in the world by International Living Magazine and Puerto Vallarta is considered by many to be the most desirable city in Mexico for retirement.

To sum it up; what happens when tourists cruise to Vallarta is that they often become so infatuated by the climate, the scenery of mountains and ocean, the people, the cleanliness, the safety, the available activities, and the overall quality of life, that they either return as soon as possible or they just stay, joining the other 50,000 North Americans that have made Puerto Vallarta their retirement home in Paradise.