Wildlife
The animals like it too…
Nature, in all forms, abounds in Puerto Vallarta. The Bay of Banderas is the 2nd largest in North America, one of the 10th largest in the world, and is teeming with wildlife. Bottle nose dolphins, humpback whales and giant manta rays frolic and play in these waters; raising their young and interacting with their human cohabitants by putting on acrobatic shows in the wild. Pelicans and Frigate birds soar in formation overhead. Garza Blanca cranes fish the river bottoms. Iguanas sunbathe and munch on leaves in the garden. Green parrots swoop by in flocks and squawk to each other in trees. Rare Blue Footed Boobies roost on the Marietas Islands. It’s like watching the Discovery Channel…but in real life…
Ask your villa specialist about the many Nature Activities and Eco Tours found in Puerto Vallarta:
Vallarta Adventures
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Whale Watching
Sea Turtle and Crocodile Protection Programs
Bird Watching
Canopy Tours
Las Marietas Islands
Los Arcos National Marine Park
Hike from Boca de Tomátlan to Las Animas Beach
Tropical Paradise
You come for the green, not the concrete
Puerto Vallarta loves its trees. You will be pleasantly surprised to see when exploring Old Town that the streets are built around its noble trees, not over them. The same is true with many houses. It is not uncommon to walk into someone’s home and find a tree growing in the middle of it.
The highly prized Parota and Higuera (Banyan Fig) trees are indigenous to the area and are known for their massive trunks and soaring, crown shaped canopies. Primavera and Tabachin trees bloom with dazzling display in spring and summer. Bright yellow Copa de Oro and deep fuchsia Bougainvillea spill over the tops of garden walls.
A green belt runs through the center of Old Town on an island in the middle of the Rio Cuale river. Originating high in the Sierra Madre, the river cuts a swath through the mountains before meandering its way through town on its way to the bay. The Isla Rio Cuale is a cool respite, providing a lush tropical home to a multitude of birds, iguanas and a colony of cats as well as human inhabitants. The shaded pathways feature a cultural center, a museum, a market with Mexican artesanias and several excellent restaurants.
The Bay
Catch a water taxi to paradise...
Another unique feature of Puerto Vallarta are the pristine beaches that dot the southern arm of the bay that are only accessible by boat. Experiencing Vallarta from the water is a must and a water taxi ride to the bohemian jungle village of Yelapa is one of the best ways to do it. Enjoy a whole grilled fish while lounging in the sand under a palapa; afterwards take a hike up to a jungle water fall. You will be amazed at the beauty of the rugged tropical coastline as viewed from the water...
Click on MAPS to see the Bay of Banderas