Puerto Vallarta Neighborhoods
Christina Herdzik
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San Francisco (San Pancho)
A quiet little town 31 miles north of Puerto Vallarta known as the best surf spot on the west coast of Mexico. The beach is big and open, and receives southwest to northwest swells. San Francisco is also known for its natural beauty. This great North Shore destination is easily reached by car, bus through one of the many tour operators.
Punta de Mita
is located at the northern tip of Banderas Bay, 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta on the Punta Mita Highway. This once-remote beachside fishing village is now home of the a major real estate development with an 18-hole Nicklaus golf course and a Four Seasons Resort. The beach here are quite spectacular, however the terrain can be quite dry. It is quite a contrast to the other side of the bay which is rich in green hillside jungle. Next to Punta Mita is the beach community of El Anclote, which offers reasonable rentals in oceanfront condominiums and a few homes.
Bucerias
Located 12 miles north of the airport, Bucerias is popular with Canadian and North American visitors Bucerias, or “Place of the Divers,” enjoys a 5-mile stretch of white sand beaches that is the longest along the entire coastline of Banderas Bay. This beautiful beach comes alive on Sundays when locals bring their families for a day at the shore. Its long shallow shoreline is perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing and shell collecting. Popular rentals for beachfront homes.
Puerto Vallarta - Downtown South
Also known as the Romantic Zone, Los Muertos Beach or Colonia Emiliano Zapata. The main streets, Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo, offer cozy restaurants and bars, trendy boutiques and abundant nightlife. On the beach itself are some of Vallarta’s finest restaurants and nightlife here is abundant. From beach clubs to martini bars, most are open nearly all night. Beachfront condominiums and B&Bs set right on the beach are available to rent.
Nuevo Vallarta
A planned residential-resort community 15 minutes north of the airport, the project was begun by the federal government more than 10 years ago. Today, it is home to luxury villas and estates with lush tropical gardens that line the winding canals, each with its own private docking pier. The area also offers new deluxe resort amenities on more than three miles of beach. There are two marinas, the more modern Paradise Village marina, and the older Nuevo Vallarta marina
Conchas Chinas / Amapas Area
Conchas Chinas, an upscale neighborhood, is the most prestigious and popular residential area of town. It is also known as “the Beverly Hills of Vallarta.” In Upper Conchas Chinas, along steep winding roads, are sprawling villas in the $2-3 million price range built into the jungle side with fabulous views that overlook the city and the Banderas Bay. Below, in Lower Conchas Chinas are some of the grandest older homes on the shoreline of Puerto Vallarta. Luxurious homes and condos for rent.
Sayulita
A very popular little town 22 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Sayulita is located in a cozy cove where the jungle meets the sea. Sayulita is a very tipical Mexican town which attracts many long board surfers because of its rolling waves.
Litibu
Until recently, Nayarit’s Litibú project remained a dream on paper with a lot of dirt being pushed around. With President Vicente Fox’s visit, attention immediately moved CIP (Centro Integralmente Planeado, or comprehensive planned center) to the front page. From what was actually part of a long-range development project by investors and the government of Nayarit, Litibú got the green light. Anyone who has visited in the last few months is aware that the earth is already moving with highway expansion and construction en route to Punta de Mita. Turn right at the sign that says Higuera Blanca and you see further expansion and construction.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a tranquil town north of Puerto Vallarta settled in the 1930s by the Chavez family who built a working ranch north of Banderas Bay.This is where the beautiful and peaceful La Manzanilla beach is located. Here swimmers can safely play in the shallow surf that reaches 100 feet into the sea. There are a number of small real estate developments offering both villa, condominium and bed & breakfast accommodations.
Puerto Vallarta
The area that comprises Puerto Vallarta proper, begins at Marina Vallarta near the international airport and continues through the Hotel Zone that stretches from the marina to the downtown area. Downtown is divided into two areas, north and south, and then follows the coast south through the neighborhoods of Altavista, Amapas and Conchas Chinas, as far as the Camino Real Hotel.
Puerto Vallarta - Marina Vallarta
Home to Mexico’s largest and most sophisticated marina complex, this 500-slip marina is bordered by several condominium projects with a malecon full of shops, art galleries and restaurants, including the El Faro lighthouse bar. It has an 18-hole golf course, water park, and several 5-star hotels. It is one of the biggest communities in Vallarta with beach, golf course and marina homes and condominiums. Popular rentals are condominiums in the marina or on the beach
Puerto Vallarta - Downtown North
The heart of Vallarta, where the Malecon can be found welcoming visitors into the center of town. There are historic buildings, beautiful cathedrals, shops, galleries, beaches, and restaurants galore. Here one can find the famous cobblestone streets that wind there way through the oldest part of town. Wonderful classic Vallarta homes are available to rent, as well as apartments and condos.
Mismaloya
The small bayside village where in 1963 Hollywood director, John Huston chose to make the movie “Night of the Iguana,” which changed the history of Puerto Vallarta forever. It is still a quaint beach location where the Mismaloya River meets the sea. One of the most popular beaches on Banderas Bay, it offers sea kayaking, jet ski rentals, parasailing, and panga launches, and of course a wide selection of beachside restaurants.