Travel Guide: Puerto Vallarta - Mexico

Fortunately though, the town has managed to retain some of its charm. Picturesque colonial and whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets that wind in and out, red spanish tile roofs differentiate Puerto Vallarta from other seaside resorts. The main sight is the Church of Guadalupe on the picturesque main plaza. The red brick bell tower is topped by a crown modeled after the one worn by Mexico's 18th century Empress Carlota.

The area around the seaside resort is very diverse. Tropical-forested mountains and mineral-rich volcanic slopes appear to literally rise from the sea. From the rugged Sierra Vallejo to the north and Sierra Cuale to the south, rich lush green slopes overlook the the bay.

Sleepy fishing villages - Punta gorda, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Bucerías, Mismaloya, Boca de Tomatlan and Yelapa - punctuate the coastline to the north and south of the town, offering visitors a glimpse into the real Puerto Vallarta- the way it was, and the way it remains today. Nestled into the verdant valleys and jagged mountains that overlook Puerto Vallarta's narrow cobblestone city streets, the idyllic colonial-era villages of San Sebastian, Mascota and Talpa invite travelers to experience yet another side of the region.

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