Puerto Vallarta
Mexico is known for warm weather, vibrant Latin culture and delicious food. Puerto Vallarta, a popular Mexican city, is the epitome of all these things … and more. A Puerto Vallarta honeymoon is the perfect choice for the couple who likes to get up-close-and-personal with wildlife, appreciates the scent and beauty of flora, and loves to let loose at night.
Take An Eco-Tour
Nature loving newlyweds can interact with playful wildlife at one of the ecological conservatories in Puerto Vallarta. Many ecological groups in Puerto Vallarta exist to protect the lives and environments of all types of animals, including sea turtles, endangered or not. Walk along the stunning coastline and you may even be lucky enough to witness the birth of a litter of sea turtles. Couples are often able to see frolicking dolphins showing off with their mammalian friends in the crystal blue ocean. You may even encounter whisker faced seals here.
Visit Stunning Botanical Gardens
Couples will be delighted to tour some of the most beautiful flora in existence. The town of Jalisco, a little south of Puerto Vallarta, is home to Vallarta Botanical Gardens, boasting, among other things, many different orchid species. These orchids are propagated and protected at the gardens, where the orchid is at the center of its conservation efforts. Honeymooners will also inhale the sweet, intoxicating aroma of vanilla orchids and vanilla beans at the Vanilla House.
Before You Go: Need-to-know info
Entry Requirements: Passport
Language: Spanish
Currency: Peso
Flight Time: 7 hours from NYC, 3 hours from LA
Getting around: Taxi, car, bus
Puerto Vallarta At Its Best
Best Weather: October to May
Best Prices: May or June through September or December
Festival highlights: Semana Santa, which begins in March or April, leads up to Easter and is celebrated with parades and passion plays; Fiestas de Mayo, a traditional fair, runs through May; Mexico’s independence is celebrated in mid-September with fireworks and parties in the central plaza.
What to do
Surf & Shop
Puerto Vallarta’s golden sands are a major draw for honeymooners and a beach-lover’s dream come true. To shop and people-watch, head for Playa de los Muertos and Sayulita for surfing. You can pay homage to The Night of the Iguana and visit Mismaloya Beach (where the movie was filmed), or go snorkeling at Quimixto, a beach south of Puerto Vallarta that’s accessible only by boat (so it’s remote and romantic). Parasailing for two is also very popular and a great way for couples to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful coastline.
Experience Old-World Ambience
Old Town is a crisscross of crooked cobblestone streets lined with Spanish-style white-washed buildings. Here you can take a tour and catch some city sights. After an exciting day all around Puerto Vallarta, couples will retreat to more intimate settings to enjoy birria, a local culinary favorite, which is a spicy meat stew in a dried, roasted pepper base. In between sips of daiquiris, newlyweds can plan their exciting nights out at any of the local nightclubs in the area.
