Until the 1960s, Puerto Vallarta was a sleepy fishing village along the Bay of Banderas on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Hollywood changed that. In 1963, Elizabeth Taylor accompanied Richard Burton on the set of “The Night of the Iguana.” Paparazzi reels and the resulting film showcased the beautiful beaches and scenery of Puerto Vallarta. A new star was born. Today, Puerto Vallarta is the second most popular beach resort city in Mexico with resorts that follow the beaches beyond the city limits and state lines. Don’t let sprawl deter you – PV still maintains a quiet, clean, small-town feel.

While the beaches are the biggest draw, no visit to Puerto Vallarta would be complete without a visit to the downtown area. Buses make stops near most tourist centers and can take you cheaply (but not necessarily comfortably) downtown. Business owners and residents keep the cobblestone streets clean. Everything to see in the center is easily accessible on foot. The most recognizable architectural part of the center is the Cathedral of Our Lady Guadalupe. It is adorned with a fiberglass tiara as the original was damaged in an earthquake in 1995. Most of the luxury specialty shops are located near the Cathedral.

A walk along the Malecón, a walk along the bay, is a must. You’ll pass several sculptures, most notably one of a boy riding a seahorse. It has become a symbol of Puerto Vallarta. The Malecón underwent major repair after Hurricane Kenna was damaged in 2002. At the western end of the Malecón is the mouth of the Río Cuale. Walk a few blocks up the river and you’ll find two large hawker markets selling food, hats, blankets, and other crafts. Test your Spanish and deal with some handmade souvenirs. In addition, the small archaeological museum of the island of Río Cuale is located in this area. It exhibits artifacts from the area’s pre-Hispanic settlers.

If lounging on the beach only holds your interest for part of your vacation, you’re in luck because the Puerto Vallarta area offers other activities to keep you busy. The land around Puerto Vallarta encompasses several ecosystems. Every tourist sees the tropical coastline, but within a 45 minute drive you can see almost every biome Mexico has to offer. For each ecosystem, there are one or two activities to immerse yourself in. Tour companies offer horseback riding, trekking, jeep safaris, bungee jumping, zip lines, and ATV rides through the jungle and mountains. Along the sea, there are several opportunities for snorkeling, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Puerto Vallarta has several opportunities throughout the year to view wildlife. Bird watchers can view 350 species of birds in and around PV. Whale watchers have high success rates seeing humpback and orca whales on their annual migration from December to March. Some tour boats even have stereos so you can hear the whales sing. Dolphins love to follow the wake of boats in the bay and it is not uncommon to see them play. From late summer through fall, visitors to Puerto Vallarta have the opportunity to watch mother sea turtles lay their eggs on the sand. Those taking the tour will be able to release some newborn sea turtles into the wild. For a chance to see wildlife underwater, Bahía de Banderas also has some snorkeling and scuba diving spots. Los Arcos are islands that have been reserved as a wildlife refuge. The area around you can be explored and lucky divers may see dolphins, manta rays and maybe whales.

If you can’t go to a beach destination without dreaming of catching a lunker, Puerto Vallarta’s world-famous fishing grounds can also fulfill your angling fantasies. Bring a sunhat and sunscreen and one of several charter fishing outfitters can get you tuna, marlin, snapper, mahi mahi, and sailfish. Rental companies can arrange to have your catch frozen to ship home, or make a replica of your fish to display at home.

Depending on what time of year your trip brings you to Puerto Vallarta, you may find an opportunity to participate in one of the few annual festivals. The Festival de Mayo throughout the month of May is a traditional festival that features musicians, painters and other artists from all over the city. In November, Puerto Vallarta hosts the Gourmet Festival. Chefs from across the city and around the world compete for the attention of the judges and culinary experts. Also in November, the Annual Marlin and Sailfish Fishing Tournament takes place. Thousands of participants battle huge fish for cash prizes. The tournament has attracted anglers from around the world for over 50 years.

Whether you come to Puerto Vallarta to enjoy endless sun and relaxation, to get an adrenaline rush, or anything in between, PV has something for you.