Known as a resort location, Puerto Vallarta (also known as PV to English speakers or simply Vallarta) is located on the western side of Mexico on the Pacific coast of Jalisco. This city has a population of just over 250,000, […]
Known as a resort location, Puerto Vallarta (also known as PV to English speakers or simply Vallarta) is located on the western side of Mexico on the Pacific coast of Jalisco. This city has a population of just over 250,000, and it caters to tourists, so there is a lot to see and do.
Puerto Vallarta wasn’t always a hopping destination. In the 1960s, it was mostly a sleepy little town that few Americans had given much thought, but all that changed when actor Richard Burton filmed The Night of the Iguana in the area. His then-rumored, now-confirmed affair with Elizabeth Taylor received extensive media coverage that put Vallarta on the radar. Now, visitors can even stay in the home the couple bought together, which now functions as a hotel with a restaurant named Iguana in honor of the film.
Beginning in the 1970s, the city consciously worked on building its image as a resort destination, and following President Richard Nixon’s treaty negotiations with Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz in the city, many hotels began popping up to take advantage of ongoing interest in the region. Since then, the city has continued to thrive and grow as a popular destination.
It’s no wonder that Vallarta has continued to attract so many visitors. With near-perfect temperatures (it shares its latitude with Hawaii and has comparable weather) ranging from 70-85 degrees and gorgeous beaches and jungles, the city is something of a paradise.
The city has a reputation for being one of the safest in Mexico, which is another reason people are so comfortable getting out and about here. Those who are looking to stay in the thick of things will find plenty of activities and bustling restaurants in the heart of the city’s tourism corridor, but there are also secluded hotels (some that can only be reached by boat) that promise a relaxing and quiet experience.
Because the city is built heavily around visitors, the official tourism site is extensive and features attractions specifically geared for couples, families, business trips, and LGBT visitors.
If you’re looking for hospitality and well-thought-out amenities, PV has you covered. Because of how attractive as the city is for tourists, some just can’t find it in them to go back home.
Puerto Vallarta is home to a large number of expats, and they are happy to sing the praises of their new locale. The city is highly accessible by both air and sea, making it a popular destination for those looking to move to Mexico but would still like to stay connected. While many of the expats who call the PV home are members of the elite celebrity class, there has also been an uptick in average retirees. The cost of living here is higher than other Mexican expat locales, but it is still affordable compared to many American cities.
The city has a great reputation for expats and has been named both the “Friendliest City in the World” and the “Best Place to Retire.” There are private health clinics offering US-quality healthcare, and the plethora of expats and native Mexicans flocking to the city ensure lots of easily accessible opportunities for daily shopping. Those who have chosen to call the city home gush about the art, the food, and the friendliness.
Travis Scott Luther is the best selling Author of The Fun Side of the Wall: Baby Boomer Retirement in Mexico. Luther is also a former Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at MSU Denver. He received his Masters Degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado Denver where he later served as Entrepreneur in Residence.
Luther first became interested in Baby Boomers retiring in Mexico during graduate school. His Masters Thesis research contributed to the content of this book. He continues to be interested in U.S. expatriates retiring all over the world and continues to monitor those who have retired in Mexico.
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