 MEXICO :
PUERTO VALLARTA on the Pacific Coast
 
The "caballito" (seahorse) is the emblem of Puerto Vallarta on the Banderas Bay (Pacific ocean)
On the Mexican Pacific coast, the 40 miles of the Banderas Bay are sort of paradise where Indian tribes were living for centuries in the tropical forest covering the hills behind the beaches and the cliffs. And Puerto Vallarta has been for long time a quiet colonial style fisher village.
Till the arrival in 1963 of the Hollywood Director John Houston who chose Mismaloya to film the “Night of the iguana” with Richard Burton, Deborah Kerr and Ava Gardner. The media's attention increased with the arrival of Liz Taylor to fend the attractive stars and manage Burton 's alcohol problems. The extramarital affair went to an international scandal: the catholic Burton was excommunicated, Taylor 's US citizenship was jeopardized but, Puerto Vallarta and its pristine existence as a small fisher port became a major tourist destination.
Fortunately, the old village has conserved its old colonial charm around the church and the ancient small port as resorts, hotels and condos have found room enough for their high rise Miami Beach style buildings behind the beaches stretching along the western side. On the eastern side, the steep cliffs have attracted private super residential housing where happy few have chosen the best viewpoints to settle Hollywood style villas. Nowadays Puerto Vallarta attracts more and more tourists for its beaches and water sports but also for golf playing as some very good courses boast “the greenest greens, sandiest traps, chirpiest exotic birds, and live water hazards, crocodiles”.
 Where to play ?_______ What to see ?______ Where to stay ?
____________________________________________________________ |
|
The cathedral clocktower dominates the old colonial city
Conchas Chinas
|
Where to play ?
Today, Puerto Vallarta claims for seven courses : Flamingo, the oldest one (1978), El Tigre, Marina Vallarta, Mayan Resort, Vista Vallarta (two 18-holes) and… Tamarindo.
But,the Tamarindo which is an exceptional course designed by Trent Jones Jr and David Fleming in a superb cliff environment, is located at three hours drive from Puerto Vallarta on the eastern end of the Banderas Bay . On the opposite side of Punta Mita where Four Seasons established a superb resort on the western end of the bay at only one hour drive from the city but, not anymore in the Jalisco State, neither the Puerto Vallarta community.
Even if the other Puerto Vallarta golf courses are not really at the next door from the city centre, it does not take more than 45 minutes to reach the courses.
Three of them are located in the Marina zone near the Terminal Maritima and the airport. They are the nearest from the city centre: the Flamingo Golf Club and the Marina Vallarta Golf Club are designed in a Floridian style around natural lagoon, with palm trees and marshes where thrive hundred species of birds as well as turtles, raccoons, armadillos and… crocodiles. Farer to the north shore, the pretentious Mayan Resort , designed in a similar manicured style is dedicated to the residents.
Located a few miles further at Nueva Vallarta, El Tigre Golf Club in the Paradise Village presents a more sophisticated architecture as the team of Von Hagge, Smelek and Baril was specially asked to “create the most exciting golf course in the Vallarta area”. They did it. It is a great course with 12 over the 18 holes with water hazards, the most perilous being the #6 an island par-3 with a Scottish pot bunker! and the #18 a long par-5 ( 600 yards ) where water goes alongside a narrow fairway from the tees to the green. The club's moto is a programme in itself: can you tame it? We tried…
Behind the Bull Ring, settled on the first forested foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain chain, there are the two 18 holes of Vista Vallarta . The first has been designed by Tom Weisskopf and the second one by Jack Nicklaus in rugged, dense jungle land with some exceptional views over the city and the bay or to the Sierra Madre in the background. Lot of birds in the bushes all around and along the pools.
Just after its opening, the Jack Nicklaus' course has been selected to host the 2002 World Golf Championships. Fortunately there are five different tee shots so that everyone can enjoy his round on a course which seems to be friendly due to its complete integration in the natural environment. But jumping once or twice over bushes to reach the green like on the par-4 hole-6 or hole-13 is a real challenge. It is really a great course. It is also said that the Tom Weisskopf's course is much forgiving than the Nicklaus' one…to the ladies!
All those courses have common points: nice smiling service at the pro-shop or club-house but expensive green fees. Sometimes more than on equivalent courses in the USA .
________________________________________________________ |
|
Marina Golf club
El Tigre hole 6
and 18
View from the Vista
and hole 9.
|
What to see ?
Known as the place “ where Mexico comes to life ”, Vallarta is an international travel destination and offers to its yearly over 2 million visitors a large range of attractions and activities.
In the ancient city, the Malecon is the downtown boardwalk always buzzing with people strolling day and night along the many artworks which have taken place along the ocean. One of these sculptures is the Caballito de Mar (a seahorse) which is the emblem of Puerto Vallarta . Offering a huge spectrum of shopping choices, restaurants and nightlife, this is the area that always has something going on. Nearby Los Arcos is an open air theatre with free entertainment nearly every day
The cathedra l “ Our Lady of Guadalupe ” is one of the most photographed churches in Mexico and Isla Cuale is the specialist flea market and handicraft shops where Indian local tribes sell special artefacts, also home to the Museum and international cuisine dining choices.
The Down Town South is also known as Los Muertos Beach . The main streets, Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo, offer cozy restaurants and bars, trendy boutiques and abundant nightlife.
Conchas Chinas , known as "the Beverly Hills of Vallarta" is the upscale neighbourhood, the most prestigious and popular residential area of town where happy fews hide in Hollywood villas.
On the west side, jungle covered mountains tumble toward the ocean but hide in coves some beaches like Punta Negra, Garza Blanca, Gemelas, known for being quieter than the eastern beaches. In front of the Los Arcos rocks, Mismaloya was the village found by John Houston for his film “The night of the iguana” and where the scandal Burton-Taylor happened. Many couples are coming here for their honeymoon trips even for their wedding celebration facing the ocean.
On the flat eastern side, the Hotel Zone is the area from El Centro to Marina Vallarta where the major concentration of hotels and resorts are located–huge towering buildings with all the amenities. Marina Vallarta is home to a sophisticated marina complex: 500-slip marina bordered by several condominium projects with a mall of shops, art galleries, restaurants, including El Faro lighthouse bar. Nuevo Vallarta is a planned residential-resort community 15 minutes north of the airport. It was a federal government project initiated more than 10 years ago. Today, it is home to luxury villas and estates with lush tropical gardens that line th e winding canals, each with its own private docking pier.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a tranquil town settled in the 1930's 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.
Punta Mita is at the far end of the Punta Negra, northern limit of the Banderas Bay . There is settled the Four Seasons resort (read more).
Tours : Different sorts of tours are organized in and out the city to discover the countryside: Ecotours in the Sierra Madre, tree top canopy tours, hot air balloon…
Rythms and nights at Las Caletas is more than a tour. It begins at the sunset on the Pacific ocean and includes a candlelit dinner in the forest, a torch-lit pyramid Indian performance in the tropical jungle under the stars.
Vallarta Adventures : Ed. Marina Golf, Calle Mastil, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
www.vallarta-adventures.com - info@vallarta-adventures.com
__________________________________________________________
|
|
The Malecon
Indian handicraft
 Typical o ld street
 Dancing couple on the Malecon
 Sailing boat for the tours
|
Where to stay ?
There are many available accommodations at Puerto Vallarta from BB up to five stars hotels but the choice is more or less depending on the main interest of the visitor. Puerto Vallarta and its new development made it a one street urbanization along the seashore. The narrow southern zone offers well roc located luxury hotels with wonderful views but more dedicated to sea leisure (sunbathing, surfing, snorkelling, fishing) than the northern zone where to find large resorts and all the golf courses.
The Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Centre is next to the city centre on the western zone along the main road going to the airport. With its 500 luxurious rooms and suites and 16000 ft² dedicated to meetings and celebrations, the hotel can accommodate events up to thousand guests. Their Sweet Sleeper Bed, with plush mattress and feather –down pillows are very appreciable to relax and rest (if the booming tronik music of beachside night meetings or the Mariachis trumpets at the Thursdays Mexican Fiesta allow to sleep).
In-room service, high-speed internet, satellite TV (but mainly Spanish channels!), spa treatments…
International and Mexican food is available at the different restaurants: the ocean view La Villita, the poolside La Pergola and the gourmet bistro Gaviotas while a great selection of tequilas can be found at the bar El Embarcadero. In-room or beachside breakfast,
Great pool, extensive beach, terraces and gardens,
Golfers are very welcome and the concierges are very efficient to make advanced reservations on golf courses.
Blvd Franciso Medina Ascencio n° 999, Zona Hotelera
Las Glorias 48333 Puerto Vallarta , Jalisco , Mexico
reserve@sherationvallarta.com - www.sheraton.com/puertovallartao
Dining out : Of the 250 restaurants all around, many are located in the old city with or without ocean view, along the Malecon or in the old streets. For those who like Mexican food and preferably seafood, we have appreciated:
- Pipis : very convivial ambiance (Mariachis), speed service. No reservation but outside queuing.
At the corner of Pipila and Guadalupe Sanchez streets (Tel 2232767)
- Viejo Vallarta with terrace facing the Caballito and pole of the Flying Indians. Good Mexican seafood (mariscos)
At Morelos 484, 2nd Floor , Centro - (322) 2228558 |
|
Sheraton Buganvilias
pool
Flying Indians
Mariscos, typically Mexican seafood
|
   
|
REPORTS | GOLFNOTES | ARCHIVES | E-MAIL 
