CONSEJO DE ADMINISTRACIÓNAcceso Vallarta, S. de R. L. de C.V.

Gerente Lic. Héctor Ramírez Betancourt

EditorHeidi Porras

ColaboradoresAlan Yamil Hinojosa

Fotografía Heidi PorrasAgencias

Foto de portadaAgencia

Arte y DiseñoTania Hernández

ComercializaciónKarina YziwuataCel 322 111 1747

Contactowww.accessvallarta.comcontacto@accesvallarta.comTel 322 224 47 54Cel 322 116 9786

OficinasAgustín Melgar 140Col. Valentín Gómez Farías C.P. 48320Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

In this typical mexican town square, centered with a bandstand, you can enjoy the real mexican ambiance with a

and restaurants to choose from.

CITY SIGHTS

MAIN PLAZA

Local band playing every Thursday and Sunday nights. On the ocean side of the plaza you can be part of the free musi-cal and cultural events performed in Los

Arcos outdoor theater on weekends.At the east side of the plaza stands Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, con-sidered the heart of Puerto Vallarta´s downtown. It was built during a 12-year period starting in 1921 and it´s original crown, damaged by an ear-thquake, is said to have been mo-deled after the one worn by Doña Carlota, the empress of the Empe-ror Maximilian in the XVIII century.

MALECON Stroll along the beachfront boardwalk at downtown and be amazed by the impressive bronze sculptures by well known artists, street performances and beautiful sunsets. Paralell to the male-con you’ll find 10 blocks of shops, bars.

& SHOPPING

Recorre de norte a sur la ciudad entera y descubre la historia y las anécdotas de la Iglesia de Guadalu-pe, la Isla del Río Cuale junto con su Mercado de Artesanías, el Malecón y sus esculturas. Para una ex-periencia más citadina, Puerto Vallarta también ofrece grandes centros o plazas comerciales dentro de las cuales destacan Plaza Genoveza, Plaza Marina, Galerías Vallarta, Plaza Península y Plaza Caracol, con tiendas departametales, cadenas de comida y lugares de entretenimiento y en algunos casos cines.

CONOCIENDO VALLARTA

This picturesque little island located in the river cuale, four blocks south of the church of our Lady of Guadalupe, brings out a lively cultural atmosphere during the day and a becomes the perfect place to stroll out on its trails, suspension bridges and plazas. At the center of the island stands the Mercado Municipal Río Cuale, an open door market devoted to artisans shaded with enormous fig trees, where

you can find ceramics, jewelry, a variety of souvenirs and typical Mexican clothing ware. You may also find different local artists displaying and making their own artwork at site but if its food what you´re looking for, you may choose the best view of the river from numerous cafes and restaurants providing diverse cuisine options. For cultural activities you have the Centro Cultural Río Cuale at the eastern tip of the island for afternoon theater performances or the Museo Río Cuale located at the eastern tip of the island to marvel at the collection of pre-Columbian ceramics of the state of Jalisco.

RÍO CUALE ISLAND

Puerto Vallarta is second only to Mexico City as a tourist destination for gastronomy in all of México. With more than 200 restaurants, Puerto Vallarta provides cuisine that is a true delight to the palate of visitors and residents who join in the joy of dining.

A wide variety of flavors, aromas, exotic spices, gourmet dishes, comfort food, as well as, tasty snacks are offered. Eateries, where an array of delicious food is served, begins with traditional Mexican dishes such as sea food and tacos.

However, visitors also can easily discover many international cuisines, inclu-ding Greek, Japanese, Italian, Argentine, Austrian, French, and German.You’ll find most of the best restaurants at downtown, some of them with a spectacular ocean view and others hidden away from the crowds but all of them with something special to offer you!

En la variedad está el gusto, los lugares para comer en Puerto Vallarta van desde la tradicional mexicana hasta la griega, japonesa, italiana, argentina, austriaca, china, francesa, y desde

luego los mariscos, quesadillas, tacos y demás platillos tradicionales no sólo del destino sino de todo el país.

Los chefs de Puerto Vallarta son reconocidos a nivel mun-dial por su calidad al cocinar, sin embargo la belleza de los restaurantes es poco superada por los de otra parte del país ya que la mayoría cuenta con vistas panorámi-

cas, al mar los muelles e incluso a todo Puerto Vallarta.

La mayoría de los mejores restaurantes se encuentran en el centro de Puerto Vallarta, aunque los hoteles tienen

dignos representantes ante el mundo en esta materia.Más tradicional y vallertense, en algunas esquinas podrá encontrar tostadas de ceviche, quesadillas de carne asada, fruta picada, burritos, snacks diver-sos. Y de beber la tradicional tuba, tejuino, aguas frescas y por qué no, un vasito de tradicional Raicilla.

PUERTO VALLARTA´S CUISINE

Even though Puerto Vallarta is considered the ideal tropical paradise to relax on the beach, it is also the perfect destination for those

who enjoy extreme sports and any other recreational activity you may think of.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

There is always something for every type of traveler, from kite surfing and surfing off the beach to scuba diving, snorkeling and swim-ming with dolphins.

If land is what attracts you, hikes through the jungle, horseback riding and mountain biking could be on your list; and for the more adventurous why not try a canopy tour or drive your own ATV through the countryside!

As Puerto Vallarta prides itself on its frien-dly English speaking Tourist Police who are always willing to assist with directions, aid and present the feeling and reality of securi-ty for guests at its highest level. One will not feel uncomfortable walking the main Male-con along the beach or exploring the interior areas of Puerto Vallarta. Of course one must always use common sense and precautions.

YOU CAN LITERALLY DO ANY IMAGINABLE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY IN PUERTO VALLARTA:

ATV’S Explore Mexico’s countryside on your own semi-automatic, four-wheeled ATV. From the streets of beautiful local villages to off-road dusty trails and scenic rivers of the Sierra Ma-dre mountains, get to know Puerto Vallarta up close.

www.canopyvallarta.net www.haciendadonaengracia.com

www.chicos-diveshop.com

CANOPYZip lining or “tirolesa” in Spanish, consists of hooking yourself to a cable, then jumping off either the top of a tree or the edge of a moun-tain, “zipping” effortlessly through the air over huge tropical trees at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour while enjoying spectacular views, and arriving safely at the other end of the line. If you dare to let the adrenalin pump through your veins zip into this adventure at any of the many series of thrilling zip lines in Puerto Vallarta.

www.canopyvallarta.net

DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERSIf you have dreamed of a chance to swim with dolphins, ever marvelled at their overwhel-ming beauty and intelligence - then Va-llarta is an option. Listed below are ope-rators with captive dolphin programs as well as one with an open-ocean encounter.

www.sealifeparkvallarta.com www.vallarta-adventures.com

www.wildlifeconnection.com

HIKINGAs Puerto Vallarta is nestled between the Sie-rra Madre foot hills, hiking around it promises magnificent views and an unforgettable expe-rience for anyone interested in nature. Hike through picturesque mountain towns, along ri-vers with its fresh waters and waterfalls deep in

the jungle or simply wander around the coast from one fishing village to another. The op-tions are ample and the reward is imaginable.

www.ecotoursvallarta.comwww.haciendadonaengracia.com

HORSEBACK RIDINGExperience the beautiful countryside area of Puerto Vallarta and be part of the breathtaking natural scenery as you ride along rivers or on jungle and mountain trails surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Magnificent views of the Banderas Bay and town below will make your ride even more beautiful.

www.haciendadonaengracia.com www.michaparrita.com

www.ranchoelcharro.com www.ranchojodeagua.com

MOUNTAIN BIKINGExplore the essence of México on a full-sus-pension mountain bike in surrounding sce-nic country locations like Ixtapa, el Río Cua-le and Yelapa or in mountain destinations, such as San Sebastián, Mascota and Talpa.

www.bikemex.com www.ecoridemex.com

www.haciendadonaengracia.comwww.vallartabikes.com

SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELINGPuerto Vallarta’s underwater world is unique, from the tiny invertebrates crawling on the ocean floor to the majestic manta rays gliding through the water. Caves, coral reefs and nu-merous species of colourful fish are also part of the display that you may encounter in popular diving spots such as Los Arcos, Majahuitas and

the Marietas Islands. www.chicos-diveshop.com

PASEOS

hacia el sur de la bahía, hay numerosas playas a las que sólo se puede acceder por mar. Paradisiacos paisajes que conforma la selva, la montaña y el océano se pueden observar fácilmente tomando alguno de los diversos tours que se ofrecen en la terminal marítima o vendedores

ubicados en diferentes puntos de la zona turística.

También se puede hacer de manera independiente toman-do un taxi acuático desde $30 que lo lleve a las playas de Quimixto, Yelapa o Las Animas. En estos lugares le es-peran actividades como buceo, caminatas, cabalgatas a caballo ó simplemente recostarse en la suave arena de estas playas casi vírgenes.

The jungle terrains of the mountain foothills reach directly down to the shore on the south side of the bay all the way to Cabo Corrientes, creating a more secluded atmosphere on its small coves and attractive b e a c h e s surrounded by large boulders and vegetation. Some of the remote southern

beaches, most easily accessible by boat, include Yelapa, a beach of golden sand set on a fishing village; Majahuitas, a beach with swaying palm trees and crystal clear water ideal for snorkeling; Quimixto, a quaint fishing sea side village with a tropical ambiance and a white sand beach; and Las Animas, a pictures que beach with blue calm waters and beachfront restaurants. Boca de Tomatlán, is a tranquil country village with a unique cove, rustic restaurants, a small beach, and the Horcones River emptying into the ocean; Pangas frequently depart from here for beaches further south. Mismaloya, accessible by road through a gorgeous coastal drive, is a pretty jungle-backed cove where John Huston´s “The Night of the Iguana” was filmed; and Conchas Chinas, also with road access and in proximity to downtown, is a series of small sandy coves separated by rocky formations with luxurious homes, condominiums, and hotels as a background.

DOWNTOWN & HOTEL ZONE BEACHES The most popular beach areas of Puerto Vallarta are at downtown. Los Muertos beach, a 2 km strand of fine sand and calm waters visited often by locals with a great variety of restaurants, beach clubs, and shops; Olas

Altas, an extension of Los Muertos beach, offers

Banderas bay, considered México´s lar-gest and one of the world’s deepest na-tural bays has recorded depths of more than 3,000 feet. Its deep waters shelter a broad spectrum of marine life such as dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays, and sea turtles among others spe-cies, while the 100 mile C-shaped coastli-ne, surrounded by a stunning and diver-se landscape, displays everything from majestic tropical mountainsides to huge mangroves and estuaries full of wildlife.

BANDERAS BAY AND IT´S COASTSOUTH SHORE BEACHES

swiming, waves suitable for boogie boarding; pier fis-hing and Playa Camarones, is a long beach that pa-rallels the malecon and continues to the north end of

downtown.

Along the Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta you´ll find a three mile strand of grainy sand beaches including Las Glorias, Los Tules and El Salado beaches, where you can practice almost any other water activity, except for surfing. Although there is free access to these ho-tel beaches, you might consider getting a non-guests hotel pass ranging from $30-$180 USD.

NORTH SHOREAt the northern end of Banderas Bay, bounded by Punta de Mita, the drier terrain surrounded by lower mountains located further inland which create longer and wider beaches fringed with mangroves, rivers, and estuaries. Some of the beaches include Nuevo Vallar-ta beach, a wide stretch of several kilometers of sand that faces to some of the bigger hotels of the area and continues all the way to Bucerias, a nice little Mexican town with a kicked-back ambiance along golden-sand beach with shallow waters. In Cruz de Huanacaxtle, a

still-sleepy fishing village you can access Manzanilla beach, known by the inhabitants for its calm waters and delicious food offered at its Palapa restaurants. For surfing, drive 40-50 min north of Puerto Vallarta to Destiladeras, Punta de Mita & Sayulita, in the state of Nayarit, where you’ll find great pearl white beaches with good size waves great for beginners and long-board riders.

MARINE PARKSLos Arcos Natural Marine Park is considered one of the most popular sites in Puerto Vallarta to prac-tice snorkeling and scuba diving. Its unique rock formations, which are a breeding site for pelicans and booby birds, create an impressive underwater scene with the various caves, arches, tunnels and the abundant marine life that surround them. Las Marietas is a group of small islands located at the northwest end of Banderas Bay. Declared by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, this small archipe-lago constitutes a sanctuary for different species of coral, tropical fish, and birds as well as for dolphins, sea turtles, giant manta rays and humpback whales.

Aunque pertenecientes a una misma bahía cada una de las playas de esta ciudad turística del estado de Jalisco, tienen su propio encanto y actividades para satisfacer todas las demandas de quienes las visitan. Ya sea un tranquilo paseo a caballo o la adrenalina del surfing, las playas de este lugar, enclavado en la montaña, son uno de los principales atractivos del destino. En general las playas

descritas se encuentran a la orilla de la zona hotelera y prácticamente cualquier camión de la avenida principal nos llevará a ellas.

PLAYAS DE LA ZONA HOTELERA Durante el día se caracterizan de ambiente familiar, estas playas son unas de las más populares entre los jóvenes para organizar lunadas y la gente de Puerto Vallarta acude tradicionalmente a ellas.

LOS MUERTOS Situada al sur de la ciudad, a un costado del embarcadero de Puerto Vallarta, esta playa es la más concurrida y representativa de las playas en el municipio. Aquí se pueden alquilar lanchas para la navegación, práctica de pesca deportiva o aventurarse en el paracaídas y el esquí acuático.En este muelle se pueden abordar también los taxis acuáticos que lo conducirán a las playas de Las Ánimas, Quimixto y Yelapa.

Al visitar playa Los Muertos se debe probar el pescado ‘en-vara-asados’ (embarazados), muy común por los vendedores de la zona, también la tuba y comprar uno que otro souvenir.

SOL Y PLAYA

SOL Y PLAYA

CAR RENTAL

You can find booths of the main car rental companies at the airport, and maritime port. The rates for the most accessible cars range from 50 to 80 USD a day and 300 to 400 USD a week. The rental fee may or not include the legally required liability insurance in México; the price of partial or full coverage will vary from one company to another. Most of the cars have air conditioning, manual transmission, and unlimited

mileage range. The minimum age for driving is 21; a valid driver´s license and a credit card are required.

BUSES Buss transportation is safe, clean, econimical and add to the adventure of visiting Puerto Vallarta. Bus stops are marked with blue and white signs and are located every two or three blocks in downtown Puerto Vallarta and along the road side of Francis-co Medina Avenue which passes in front of the maritime port and airport. The cost of a city bus in Puerto Vallarta is 6.5 pesos ($0.50 USD) and up to 36 pesos ($3.00 USD) to go farther north or south. You´ll find the bus route on the windshield of each bus, they usually have a specific color per route. When heading north, towards the Puerto Vallarta bus terminal, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Cruz de Huanacaxtle, or all the way to Punta de Mita, go to the bus stop that´s located at Plaza Las Glorias or the one at the Wal-Mart (across the maritime port), both are located on Francisco Medina Avenue; there you´ll take the gray ATM bus. To travel southward from downtown, you´ll depart from the bus stop at the corner of Avenida Insurgentes and Basilio Badillo and take the green bus which will take you pass Conchas Chinas neighborhood, Mismaloya and the riverside village of Boca de Tomatlán.To travel to other cities within México, you’ll find different bus lines, departing throughout the day, at the bus terminal which is located 1.2 miles north of the airport.

TAXIS

The airport and the maritime port have pre-fixed rates per passenger and by vehicle within defined zones. The ye-llow city taxis (found also at the bus station) charge by the ride, but you have to negotiate a price in advance so you don’t get overcharged (regularly these taxis are less expensive compared to the airport and maritime port authorized taxis).

GETTING AROUND

Punta de MitaSayulitaCruz de HuanacaxtleBuceriasNuevo VallartaMarina VallartaHotel ZoneDowntownOlas AltasConchas ChinasMismaloyaBoca de Tomatlán

23 mi/37 km20 mi/32 km19 mi/12 km8 mi/13 km3 mi/5 km2 mi/3 km3 mi/5 km5 mi/9 km

6 mi/10 km7 mi/12 km

13 mi/21 km15 mi/25 km

$9 USD p / pers$6 USD p / pers$7 USD p / pers$7 USD p / pers$8 USD p / pers$10 USD p/ pers$12 USD p /pers

$37 USD p / ride$30 USD p / ride$15 USD p / ride$13 USD p / ride$11 USD p / ride$5 USD p / ride$6 USD p / ride$8 USD p / ride$9 USD p / ride

$11 USD p / ride$20 USD p / ride$22 USD p / ride

$10 USD p / pers$3 USD p / pers$3 USD p / pers$3 USD p / pers$4 USD p / pers$8 USD p / pers

$10 USD p / pers

WATER TAXIS If your destination is Quimixto, Las Animas or Yelapa, you can either take one of the several all-day cruises that depart from the maritime port or take a water taxi or “panga” from Boca de Tomatlán or from Playa Los Muertos beach pier. There are water taxi departures every hour starting at 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. The cost from Playa Los Muertos to Yelapa is $9.00 USD and from Boca de Tomatlán to Yelapa is $5.00 USD. It would cost you $1 or $2 USD less to go to Quimixto or Las Animas.

From bus terminal (1.2 mi. north from ai-roport) to:

From maritime port (0.6 mi south from air-port) to:

Distances / Approx. taxi rates

Location From airport to:

GETTING AROUND

INTERNET

There are plenty of high-speed cyber-cafés located throughout town where you can get access to a computer with a web-cam and headphones ($1 USD to $2 USD an hour). If you´re traveling with a laptop you can find wi-fi access points (some of them will provide a password and charge you by the hour) at the maritime port, airport and many cyber cafés and restaurants.

MONEY

ATM machines can be found practically anywhere in Puerto Vallarta. If you’re arriving directly from a cruise ship, there are ATM´s at the pier and outside the maritime port just in front of the gas station. You’ll also find ATM machines at the International Airport, at the major bank branches (Banamex, Bancomer, Banorte, HSBC, Santander Serfín and ScotiaBank) spread out around town, at the shopping malls (Galerías Vallarta, Plaza Pe-nínsula, Plaza Caracol and Plaza Genovesa), supermarkets (Mega Comercial, Soriana and Wal Mart) and some pharmacies (CMQ). Most banks are open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00-5:00 pm (Sat. 9:00-2:00 pm).

TELEPHONES AND CELL PHONES

Many cyber cafés offer reduced rates for national and international long distance calls. The phone boo-ths in Puerto Vallarta require a prepaid phone card (LADATEL) to make a call. You can buy a 30, 50, or 100 pesos LADATEL at any of the convenience stores (OXXO), supermarkets (Soriana, Mega Comercial, Wal-Mart) or drugstores (CMQ and Farmacia Guadalajara). To make a local call (1 peso a min), just dial the se-ven digit number. To call a local cell phone (4 pesos a min), dial 044 + 322 + phone number and for the rest of México dial 045 + area code + phone number. In order to make long distance calls within México (4 pe-sos a min), dial 01 + area code + number. When calling abroad, the rates start at 5 pesos per minute and will vary according to the destination country. You will dial 001 + country code + area code + phone number. If you want to use your cell phone (it will need a world-standard GSM network to be able to use it abroad), you might want to check first your provider’s applicable charges; roaming fees can be quite expensi-ve (more than $1 USD a min) and you’ll be charged for incoming and outgoing calls. For a long-term stay it´s recommended to purchase a local cell phone ($30 USD and up at the OXXO or TELCEL stands) or a new SIM card along with a prepaid card to be able to make and receive calls in Puerto Vallarta.

EMERGENCIESLOST OR STOLEN DOCUMENTSIn the case of a lost tourist card or FM3 go to the police station located near Central Camionera and get a detai-led official police report of your loss. Immediately go to the Immigration Office (Oficina de Migración) with the police report, your passport and an official ID (preferably a valid driver’s license) and some proof of your arrival date to Mexico. For extension of tourist cards, make an appointment at the local Immigration Office (Immigra-tion Office 224 76 53/224 7719). For US and Canadian citizens, their respective consulates issues passports, and carries out other essential legal work as well. These consulates can also provide you with assistance with the replacement of a lost passport or ID (American conslutate 222 0069; Canadian consulate 293 0098). MEDICAL INSURANCE The three main hospitals, San Javier, Amerimed and CMQ Premier accept most insurance compaines. In the event of an emergency be sure to go to one of these medical facilities in order to avoid hassles, additional char-ges and language issues.

Location Guadalajara, Jal.México City, D.F.Monterrey, N.L.

Nuevo Vallarta, Nay.Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

Area Code335581329322

GENERAL SERVICES

AIRPORTGustavo Díaz Ordaz Interna-tional Airport (PVR) Blvd. Fco. Medina Ascencio km 7.Aereo Calafia Aeroméxico Air Canada Alaska Airlines American Airlines American West Continental Airlines Interjet Mexicana United Airlines US Airways Volaris BANKSBanamex Banorte BBVA Bancomer HSBC Inverlat Santander Serfín BUS TERMINALCarretera Puerto Vallarta-Tepic km 9, Col. Las Mojoneras. Estrella Blanca ETN Primera Plus Transportes del Pacífico Vallarta Plus CAR RENTALSAlamo Avis Budget Dollar Hertz National MagnoThrifty CREDIT CARDSAmerican Express Mastercard Visa DIPLOMATIC AGENCIESAmerican Embassy (México city)British Embassy (México city)Canadian Embassy (Méxi-co city)American Consulate Paseo de los Cocoteros #1, Paradise Plaza Interior L-17, Nuevo Vallarta, Nay.Canadian Consulate Blvd. Fco. Medina Ascencio 1951, Peninsula Shopping Mall L-108, Puerto Vallarta, Jal.

221 129801800 560 3949 / 209 0378 01800 021 4000 / 221 1204

221 182301800 426 0333 / 221 125201800 904 6000 / 221 179901800 235 9292 / 221 133301800 900 5000 / 221 1025 01800 011 2345 / 221 3245 01800 801 2010 / 221 126601800 003 0777 / 221 326401800 455 0123 / 221 1522 01800 122 8000

226 6110 224 9744

222 3501 222 0027 223 1214

222 6120

290 1009

290 1001 290 0997

290 0715222 5622221 3636

221 3030221 1112

221 1210 221 2985

223 1700 209 0390

222 6545221 2984

221 3530 01800 366 3100

01800 706 6600

01 (55) 5080 2000

01 (55) 5242 8500

01 (55) 5724 7900

222 0069

Emergencies: 01 (33) 3268 2145

293 0098 / 99

EMERGENCIES (065)Ambulancias MG Fire department Police Red Cross

PHARMACIESCMQ Farmacia Guadalajara

GOVEGOVERNMENT AGENCIESConsumer Protection Chamber of CommerceCity HallImmigration Office Tourism OfficeHOSPITALSAmerimed Clínica Intermédica CMQ Cornerstone Medasist Medcare San Javier MARITIME PORTTerminal Portuaria Pto. Vallarta Blvd. Fco. Medina Ascencio km 4.5TAXISRadio Taxi Flamingos Radio Taxi PV Taxi Jet

225 0386223 9476 / 78

290 05 07 / 12 / 13222 1533

222 2941222 0101

225 0000224 4545226 8080

224 7653 / 224 7719221 2680 / 297 1006

226 2080293 1991223 1919

226 3700 223 0656

222 3355226 1010

224 1000

224 5711 225 0716299 2607

PHONE GUIDE / GUÍA TELEFÓNICASERVICE NUMBERS / NUMEROS DE SERVICIOS