Puerto Vallarta Bay Map - Vallarta Information (2024)

FAQs

What is so special about Banderas Bay? ›

Besides being one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Banderas Bay also happens to be one of the deepest bays in the world at close to a kilometer deep. In addition to being one of the deepest, it's also one of the biggest. Stretching over 42 kilometers, it's the largest bay in Mexico.

The crystal clear water of Puerto Vallarta's famous Banderas Bay is 3,000 feet deep and 26 miles across.

Puerto Vallarta - Banderas Bay, one of the most largest bays in Mexico, stretches across 80 kilometers of the Pacific Ocean.

Known for its spectacular beaches, marine life, water sports, and local resorts, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.

Puerto Vallarta is located on beautiful Banderas Bay where the waters are calmer than the Pacific Ocean. The bay and beaches are perfect for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.

Puerto Vallarta's tap water has been declared potable for over 15 years and while you can use it to brush your teeth and for cooking, we do recommend that you drink bottled water.

When there is a shark around, dolphins ram their snouts into the shark until it's killed or leaves the area. There are thousands of dolphins in the Banderas Bay which surrounds Vallarta, therefore there are no sharks in Vallarta.

Diving in Puerto Vallarta is known for close encounters with giant mantas, dolphins and schools of jacks. Lucky scuba divers can swim with whale sharks, eagle rays, hammerhead sharks and sailfish in the open ocean.

We recommend that you walk along the beach to get to town. It is a 10 to 20 minute walk to Playa Los Muertos depending on how fast you walk. Right before you get to Playa Los Muertos you have to go up a path over the rocks about 75 to 100 feet about above the sea.

The Vallarta meaning in English is just that, the last name of an influential person. Puerto, on the other hand, means port, or a town with a harbor where ships can load and unload. Together, the Vallarta meaning in English is Port of Vallarta.

What is the nicest part of Puerto Vallarta? ›

The nicest part of Puerto Vallarta is Zona Romantic, or the Romantic Zone, where many of the best restaurants, boutiques, and attractions are located. With that said, Puerto Vallarta has many nice parts, with other nice areas including Conchas Chinas, Centro Puerto Vallarta, and Marina Vallarta.

Pesos are essential to maximizing the potential of your stay in Mexico as well as its value. There are many ways to gain access to the country's national currency, and while North American dollars are widely accepted in Puerto Vallarta, the fact is that pesos carry more weight in the area.

The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is between April and June when the weather is pleasant and the room rates are affordable. During these months, rain is scarce and there are fewer tourists compared to the winter high season. If you're interested in whale watching, however, visit from December to March.

Humpbacks are the most common whales in the Banderas Bay. Orcas are also seen in the winter and the least common ones include bride and minky whales.

Quite a few of these types of dolphins can be found in the Bay of Banderas. However, some, like the bottlenose dolphin, are more common to spot in Mexico's waters, while others make for a rarer but just as special a treat to view.

Yes, there are poisonous snakes in Puerto Vallarta, but don't worry! You're more likely to encounter these creatures in the wilderness area than in downtown.

If you want to use your phone (or an additional one that you carry with you, unlocked) with local service, you can get a SIM card with an approximate cost of $200 pesos and hire a monthly plan with the Mexican cell company that suits you best.

Almost all servers make minimum wage in Mexico (about $5 USD per day…that's right…. not per hour, per day), so you do right by these people and tip your server in Puerto Vallarta. For breakfast and lunch, or in a super casual place, 15% of the total bill is about right. For dinner and fine dining, 20%.

Most all restaurants and bars use purified ice. The water in PV is also of high quality so many visitors drink it with no problem.

Over 350 species of birds call the jungle home, as well as countless other species of animals including iguanas, monkeys, jaguar, armadillos, ocelots and more.

Are there always crocodiles in Puerto Vallarta? ›

Crocodiles are species that have lived in Puerto Vallarta for thousands of years, they were living in the area before people were here and were present before the area was developed as a tourist destination, crocodile, specialist and handler Armando Rubio Delgado and Jaime Torres Guerrero, director of the El Saldo ...

The couple stayed at the ultra-luxe Imanta Resort, where rooms range anywhere from $1,670 to $6,300 a night.

The swimming season in this location lasts all year round. Average annual water temperature on the coast in Puerto Vallarta is 80°F, by the seasons: in winter 75°F, in spring 76°F, in summer 85°F, in autumn 84°F. Minimum water temperature (71°F) in Puerto Vallarta it happens in January, maximum (87°F) in July.

We'd have to say Puerto Vallarta has better beaches if you want to swim in the ocean. Many of the beaches in Cabo are unsafe for swimming because of strong currents and rip tides. But both have numerous beautiful beaches to walk along or to spend a lazy chillax day, feeling blessed you're on holiday in Mexico.

What dangerous animals are there in Puerto Vallarta? A few species to keep an eye out for are: crocodiles, spiders, snakes, scorpions, and mosquitos.

It´s highly advisable to bring a pair of water shoes if your feet are sensitive. Sometimes you may find irregular rocky formations, branches, and sticks along through the coasts. So to avoid any possible pinch and enjoy the warm waters of Puerto Vallarta, don´t forget to bring them.

The most likely explanation for a lack of sharks in the Bay of Banderas of Puerto Vallarta is their over-exploitation. In the 1930's and 40's sharks were hunted for their fins. Shark fin soup is still considered a delicacy but it's not easy to find and we wouldn't be proud to eat it, no matter how good it might taste.

Aside from the fact it is illegal to walk down the street with an open container, beer is sold and consumed on the streets of Puerto Vallarta with little notice. Avoid being visibly intoxicated and you can enjoy your chilled cerveza at leisure.

While both Puerto Vallarta and Cancún are relatively safe due to their nature as tourist destinations, Puerto Vallarta does have less criminal activity than Cancún does. Over the last several years, Cancún has seen an increase in murder rates, making headlines all around Mexico and the United States.

The answer is a resounding yes! Here you'll find less seaweed than in other destinations because authorities clean the hotel beaches regularly. With its own water treatment facility, Puerto Vallarta has great water quality, making it a great place to swim once you get in the sea.

What is unique about Puerto Vallarta? ›

Puerto Vallarta is famous for its unique quality of light. Sunsets are a daily event in the lives of Vallartenses. The flaming orange ball drops into the flat horizon of the Pacific Ocean creating an effect unlike any you have ever seen.

At bars and restaurants most staff speak basic to excellent English as well, but often times people working in the smaller Mexican restaurants, little tiendas and markets do not speak English. Luckily, the locals of Vallarta will do almost anything to try to understand or help you and with patience and a smile.

Spanish is the primary language spoken, but many people – especially those who work in the tourist zone – speak English. It may be both helpful and respectful to know some basic Spanish vocabulary, such as "hello" (hola), "goodbye" (adíos), "please" (por favor) and "thank you" (gracias).

If you are coming to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico we highly suggest you exchange your US dollars for pesos. Although most places around town do indeed accept US dollars, the exchange rate is much less favorable at these places than at a bank.

Puerto Vallarta and Cabo are considered safe to visit; both are bustling tourist destinations with a large number of tourists visiting every day. While you'll still want to exercise caution while traveling throughout Mexico, you won't have to worry about your trip being cut short due to safety concerns.

ABSOLUTELY! Puerto Vallarta is still the cheapest destination in Mexico and it does not compare to how expensive Cancun is.

Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable destination. We stayed at the Villa Premiere, which was roughly 20 minutes from the Malecon, the downtown ocean-side boardwalk that's a hive of activity both day and night. And once in the city, many of the streets are lined with shops, side-walk restaurants, bars and hotels.

Yes! Puerto Vallarta beaches are swimmable, most of them offer crystalline freshwaters without seaweed.

It's up to you how much you tip, but the recommended amount in Mexico is between 10% – 20% (15% is a good standard in tourist areas) of the bill or ticket price.

There are numerous coffee houses and cafés in Puerto Vallarta where you can start your morning off with delicious coffee or tea. We have provided the top five best PV cafés that you should go to when you are visiting Puerto Vallarta.

Should I bring cash to Puerto Vallarta? ›

Let your bank know before you go. Plan B, bring some cash and or pesos along, and plan C, send yourself a MoneyGram or two, for a back-up. Hotels and many finer restaurants and shops will take your credit cards, so there is always that option.

Taxi drivers may accept U.S. Dollars, but typically at a poor exchange rate. However, walking is encouraged, as Puerto Vallarta is a great walking town with lots to see.

Mosquitoes are a common culprit for bug bites in and around Puerto Vallarta, especially in the warmer, more humid months of the summer season.

The month with the most rain in Puerto Vallarta is August, with an average rainfall of 9.9 inches. The rainless period of the year lasts for 3.0 months, from February 20 to May 18.

Hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta lasts from July to October. Most precipitation falls in September, with a monthly average of 340 mm (13.4 in) of rainfall. Heavy rains can cause problems, but the natural geography of the city protects it from the most active hurricane season weather.

Most locals indicate that Banderas Bay is not only the largest bay in Mexico, but it's also the third largest bay in the world.

The horseshoe shaped bay has over 50 miles of beautiful shoreline, ranging from jagged cliffs to sandy beaches, with the city of Puerto Vallarta essentially in the center. The beaches account for approximately 60% of the shoreline thereby providing 30 miles of magnificent beaches lying on the perimeter of the bay.

Though usually found in fresh waters, American crocodiles near Puerto Vallarta swim in the saltwater of Banderas Bay during the rainy season as they head to connecting rivers and upstream habitat. Typically, the long-snouted creatures feed on fish or birds.

The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is between April and June when the weather is pleasant and the room rates are affordable. During these months, rain is scarce and there are fewer tourists compared to the winter high season. If you're interested in whale watching, however, visit from December to March.

Celebrities, however, have made Puerto Vallarta one of their favorite destinations. Puerto Vallarta is perfect for the discerning traveler seeking an escape from the cold. The beaches are lined with lush greens of tropical forests.

Where is The Kardashians beach house? ›

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have purchased a $14.5 million beach house from Conan O'Brien in Santa Barbara, Calif, a real estate source tells E! News. "There are beautiful ocean views from many of the rooms," the source says, noting the place was remodeled in 2015.

We'd have to say Puerto Vallarta has better beaches if you want to swim in the ocean. Many of the beaches in Cabo are unsafe for swimming because of strong currents and rip tides. But both have numerous beautiful beaches to walk along or to spend a lazy chillax day, feeling blessed you're on holiday in Mexico.