Off the Beaten Path Puerto Vallarta

Description:

A mere 10 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta Airport, tucked in a tiny town, lies a dream come true. The area is quaint,unhurried and friendly. Bucerias has the longest stretch of beach on the Pacific Coast and offers a variety of water sports or just strolling along the waters edge. Sandi & Brian are both General Motors retirees and Sandi has owned and operated restaurants and a catering business. She brings 35 years of exceptional culinary skills to the B & B. Casa Cieltio Lindo (a small piece of heaven) is located 2 1/2 blocks from the ocean. It's openess allows for the tropical ocean and mountain breezes to filter into the house. From the handcrafted fountain in the front yard to the gleaming marble floors, no detail has been overlooked to offer luxury and comfort to our guests. Your stay with us includes a delicious breakfast of fresh juices, tropical fruits, cereals, yogurts and a variety of fresh rolls as well as a hot breakfast. Join us for your favorite complimentary cocktail by the pool or in the palapa each evening.

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Our Local Expert Says:

An excellent day or overnight trip. You will feel transported back in time. Pick up some local organic Nayarit coffee from the coffee roaster there.

Description:

Just a short two hour drive from Puerto Vallarta lies San Sebastian, a tiny mountain village dating back to the 17th century, when it was a prosperous silver mining town. The mines closed over one hundred years ago, but the town retains its colonial heritage and provides visitors an opportunity to experience the traditional ways of living and working in a remote Mexican village. San Sebastian remains largely unspoiled because until recently it was nearly impossible to get there on roads that were treacherous at best, and little more than donkey trails and washed out bridges at worst. In 2004 a modern highway was completed, linking San Sebastian to the Pacific coast of Mexico. Today San Sebastian is one of the most popular day trips from Puerto Vallarta. If you don't want to drive, there are many tours that will get you there safely, including a light plane excursion. As an emerging tourist destination, you will find hotels built in old haciendas, on-going festivals, great restaurants, a town square and, of course, the obligatory church for you to explore.

Description:

Established in 1880, this family-run bakery has persisted through all the changes affecting Puerto Vallarta. At present, they still make delicious cakes, Danish-style pastries, cookies, and breads and provide many local restaurants with fresh baked goods. Owners Nathalia Margarita Munguia, granddaughter of the original founder, and her husband, Rodolfo, now carry on the tradition into the 21st century. Four locations across the city provide for the sweet needs of local and tourist alike.

Description:

If you happen to find that you truly enjoy Mexican culinary productions, you may want to visit Chef Jose of the restaurant Abadia Basso, as he gives cooking lessons in LANS Tienda Departamental every third Thursday of the month. Think about it, what a cultural experience to be able to cook and use the ingredients of Mexican traditional cooking when you get back home! Class costs vary depending on the ingredients to be used; call for details.

Description:

Creations by the Huichol culture, are something out of this world! From abstract paintings to colorful masks, the tradition and ingenuity of these people trascends time and space. Rulers of the High Sierras, and considered to be one of the oldest tribes in Mexico, this tribe was even respected for their wisdom by the Aztecs. The Huichol tribe considers peyote to be their God and they display their respect through their art, which is a manifestation of the divine. Artesanias Watakame, features a full range of Huichol original creations.

Description:

The stunning Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe that dominates the Puerto Vallarta skyline, is the subject of millions of photographs, and Puerto Vallarta's best known and most treasured landmark, is a must-see attraction. Each year it receives thousands of visitors, particularly during the 12-day festival celebrating the Feast of Guadalupe in December. There are guided tours daily. The original church was built over a 12 year period (1929-1941) but it was expanded and modified several times over the next 45 years.. From outside you will be enchanted by the majestic structure that is topped with a crown that is said to be a replica of a tiara once worn by the mistress of the Emperor Maxmillian. A little known fact among tourists is that the crown you see today is actually a replica of the replica. The original concrete crown was destroyed by a 7.5 earthquake in 1985. A fiberglass replacement was quickly commissioned but the material could not withstand its own weight and the crown you see today is slightly distorted. On-going fund raising efforts are in the works to restore the crown to its original state. Although you are welcome to tour the church yourself, nformation about guided tours... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Casual and fun dining.

Description:

If you love seafood, you'll love "8 Tostadas." Seafood haters on the other hand, should skip this restaurant as they won't find much to nosh on. You'll find a variety of fresh seafood dishes from ceviche to crab enchiladas. It's a casual family restaurant and it closes early (6pm) so make sure you leave enough time to dine if you're going for dinner.

Our Local Expert Says:

Authentic cantina with a coffeehouse atmosphere by day and a wild west saloon at night.

Description:

A relatively low-key bar during the day and early evening hours, La Cantina is a local hangout for Mexicans and expats alike. Things can get pretty rowdy later in the evening, with people dancing (sometimes on the tables) and occasionally fighting as well. If you stop by during the traditional happy hours (1-5pm) you'll get little plates of botanas, or snack to accompany your beer or tequila. In the evening, you'll hear traditional Mexican music, either recorded or live. Cash only.

Description:

A mere 10 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta Airport, tucked in a tiny town, lies a dream come true. The area is quaint,unhurried and friendly. Bucerias has the longest stretch of beach on the Pacific Coast and offers a variety of water sports or just strolling along the waters edge. Sandi & Brian are both General Motors retirees and Sandi has owned and operated restaurants and a catering business. She brings 35 years of exceptional culinary skills to the B & B. Casa Cieltio Lindo (a small piece of heaven) is located 2 1/2 blocks from the ocean. It's openess allows for the tropical ocean and mountain breezes to filter into the house. From the handcrafted fountain in the front yard to the gleaming marble floors, no detail has been overlooked to offer luxury and comfort to our guests. Your stay with us includes a delicious breakfast of fresh juices, tropical fruits, cereals, yogurts and a variety of fresh rolls as well as a hot breakfast. Join us for your favorite complimentary cocktail by the pool or in the palapa each evening.

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Our Local Expert Says:

A responsible, eco-friendly tour group led by experienced biologists and naturists.

Description:

Eco Tours offers you and your family a chance to discover the tropical nature surrounding Puerto Vallarta. During whale season, you can help out with whale identification research on one of the whale watching tours. There's also dolphin watching, turtle conservation (seasonal) and crocodile farms to visit. Bird watchers even have their own special tours. If you want something a little more strenuous, try a hiking, biking or diving trip.

Eco Tours is a small, reputable company and your guides are sure to be experienced in their fields of expertise. They are all biologists or naturists and environmentally conscious. These are tours you can feel good about taking.

Description:

A mere 10 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta Airport, tucked in a tiny town, lies a dream come true. The area is quaint,unhurried and friendly. Bucerias has the longest stretch of beach on the Pacific Coast and offers a variety of water sports or just strolling along the waters edge. Sandi & Brian are both General Motors retirees and Sandi has owned and operated restaurants and a catering business. She brings 35 years of exceptional culinary skills to the B & B. Casa Cieltio Lindo (a small piece of heaven) is located 2 1/2 blocks from the ocean. It's openess allows for the tropical ocean and mountain breezes to filter into the house. From the handcrafted fountain in the front yard to the gleaming marble floors, no detail has been overlooked to offer luxury and comfort to our guests. Your stay with us includes a delicious breakfast of fresh juices, tropical fruits, cereals, yogurts and a variety of fresh rolls as well as a hot breakfast. Join us for your favorite complimentary cocktail by the pool or in the palapa each evening.

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Our Local Expert Says:

Gorgeous property and superb spa treatments with a view you won't soon forget.

Description:

Owned by Mexican designer, Jorge Rubio, Terra Noble is truly a unique treat. Located on a sprawling property with an incredible view of Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area, Rubio has created a tropical oasis. There's no charge to visit the property. You can even bring a lunch and just walk the grounds, enjoying the view.

On site is Villa Kenya, a bungalow designed in harmony with nature by Rubio. It's mud design and incorporation of natural materials create an interesting and visually stunning structure. You can rent the villa by the night or the week.

Also on site is the spa where you can get chocolate body treatments, massages or the Aztec steam bath known as the Temazcalli Ceremony. The treatment rooms are open air and secluded for privacy. Terra Noble is also available for events and weddings. They occasionally hold healing workshops and other retreat-type events, so if you're interested, get on their mailing list.

Description:

These bike expeditions are conducted by expert riders, on well maintained 21-speed bicycles. Riders pace themselves during the tour according to their riding abilities. The adventure begins in the Sierra Madre Ranch, and the tour takes you through fruit gardens, small towns in the hills, passing next to rivers and observing wonderful views all around you. There are different packages ranging from 3 through 9 hour tours. You may also choose to include lunch and/or an open bar.

Our Local Expert Says:

A local favorite featuring authentic and fresh Mexican food.

Description:

Cafe de Olla is a local favorite and regular haunt for expats living in the Romantic Zone. It's usually busy, especially in the morning because they serve delicious breakfasts (including cafe de olla, a Mexican spiced coffee from which the restaurant gets its name). Here you will find generous portions of authentic Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It's located right in the Romantic Zone, near the beach so you can stroll to the water after or along the quaint shops or street vendors in the area. There's sidewalk seating for great people watching too.

During busy times of the day and especially in high season, you may have to wait for a table. Once seated, the tortilla soup is highly recommended. If you want a margarita, definitely try the raicilla version. Raicilla is a local liquor, similar to tequila but with a distinctive taste.

Description:

A mere 10 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta Airport, tucked in a tiny town, lies a dream come true. The area is quaint,unhurried and friendly. Bucerias has the longest stretch of beach on the Pacific Coast and offers a variety of water sports or just strolling along the waters edge. Sandi & Brian are both General Motors retirees and Sandi has owned and operated restaurants and a catering business. She brings 35 years of exceptional culinary skills to the B & B. Casa Cieltio Lindo (a small piece of heaven) is located 2 1/2 blocks from the ocean. It's openess allows for the tropical ocean and mountain breezes to filter into the house. From the handcrafted fountain in the front yard to the gleaming marble floors, no detail has been overlooked to offer luxury and comfort to our guests. Your stay with us includes a delicious breakfast of fresh juices, tropical fruits, cereals, yogurts and a variety of fresh rolls as well as a hot breakfast. Join us for your favorite complimentary cocktail by the pool or in the palapa each evening.

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