Puerto Vallarta is located in the central west region along the beautiful beaches of the Pacific coastline of México known as "The Mexican Rivera". Built where the tropical lush jungles of the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean . The Bay of Banderas has acted as a natural harbor from hurricanes and tropical storms for the people and boats that, at one point or another, have inhabited and sailed in this part of the world.

Puerto Vallarta is located on the tip of the State of Jalisco (one of the 32 States of México). In the past five years Puerto Vallarta has achieved the status of being one of the most popular tourist destinations in México. It is also probably the most visited city in Latin America amongst North Americans and Europeans. Its Marina is considered as one of the best in the whole continent.

Today Puerto Vallarta has over 250,000 Mexican Residents, including close to 6,000 permanent Canadian, American and Australian residents. Its a small, quaint city which blends the tranquillity and enchantment of a "Mexican Pueblo" with the cosmopolitan activities and breathtaking infrastructure of the modern resort area it has become. Puerto Vallarta has a unique architectural style, enhanced by cobblestone streets, white stucco houses topped with red terracotta tiles and highlighted with wrought iron balconies commonly adorned with colorful local flowers.

Unlike other cities in Mexico, such as Guanajuato or Chi-Chen-Itza, which offer a rich historical and cultural background dating back centuries, Puerto Vallartas documented history only goes back to 1850, when Guadalupe Sanchez and his family settled along the mouth of the "Cuale River" to do some farming.

The region that now comprises Puerto Vallarta was discovered in 1541 by Don Pedro de Alvarado. Not long after Alvarado first touched ground in this area, that bay was ractically forgotten for almost 300 years.

Puerto Vallarta was know as "Puerto Las Peñas" from 1851 until 1918 when it was designated as a municipally and received the official name of "Puerto Vallarta, in honor
of Don Ignacio L. Vallarta, a reputable representative of the State of Jalisco at the time. For 30 years this small village remained a fishing village.

International attention was first drawn to Puerto Vallarta after American director John Houston discovered the natural beauties of the town by reading written descriptions
from travelers. This prompted Mr. Houston to visit Puerto Vallarta; the result was the filming of "Night of the Iguana" in nearby Mismaloya.

The film featured Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Puerto Vallarta has experienced massive growth in the northern part of town, including the Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta Areas. Tennis courts, health clubs, golf courses and a large marina with
up-to-date facilities make Puerto Vallarta a truly world class destinations.