LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Click here for reviews of local restaurants.

SPORT FISHING

The waters off Puerto Vallarta offer excellent Sports fishing. A huge variety of fish are teeming the waters of the Pacific and Banderas Bay. From Black Marlin to Sailfish to Wahoo, game fish are abundant and usually caught from larger yachts. Smaller boats around Banderas Bay are most likely fishing for snapper, sea bass, Spanish mackerel, etc. Sailfish and Dorado (also called Mahi-Mahi or Dolphinfish) can be caught all year round. The peak season for Yellowfin Tuna is during the summer from June to September. Marina Vallarta is home to numerous boat and yacht charter companies. Options range from overnight yacht trips to the prime fishing grounds of Los Bancos and Corbetena skiffs to party boats. Photo shown above is courtesy of Charter Dreams. Check out the following websites for pricing and booking information: Charter Dreams Tel: 322/221-2522 www.charterdreams.com Master Baiter's Tel: 322/222-4043 www.mbsportfishing.com Fishing with Carolina Tel: 322/224-7250 www.mexonline.com/fishingwithcarolina.htm

WORLD-CLASS GOLF

There are 9 fantastic golf courses in and around Puerto Vallarta with some well known designers such as Jack Nicklaus (Four Seasons Punta Mita) and Tim Weiskopf represented. Each course has its own unique features so enjoy playing them all! Photo shown is from Four Seasons Golf Course. For pricing and further information call: El Tigre Golf Course at Paradise Village Tel: 322/297-0773 www.eltigregolf.com Four Seasons Punta Mita Tel: 329/291-6000 www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/ Vista Vallarta Golf Club Tel: 322/290-0030 (2002 PGA World Cup Championship Site) Los Flamingos Country Club Tel: 329/296-5006 (www.flamingosgolf.com)

WHALE WATCHING

Viewing humpback whales from late November through March is almost guaranteed. Humpback whales have migrated to Banderas Bay to bear their calves for centuries. In fact, in the 17th century, it was actually called Humpback Bay. Almost all of the charter boat companies leaving out of Marina Vallarta also offer whale-watching tours from December through mid-March. Above photo is from Vallarta Adventures. Vallarta Adventures Tel: 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 www.vallarta-adventures.com Open Air Expeditions Tel: 322/222-3310 www.vallartawhales.com

CANOPY TOURS

The area around Puerto Vallarta is a rainforest and the latest addition to the activity list are canopy tours. Get a unique look at the rainforest canopy and flora around you as experts guide you from one tree top platform to another via horizontal metal cables and pulleys. Since you'll be zipping around on metal cables, don't take a tour when rain threatens! Photo from Canopy Tours de Los Veranos. Canopy Tours de Los Veranos Tel 322/223-6060 www.canopytours-vallarta.com Canopy El Eden Tel: 322/222-2516 www.canopyeleden.com Vallarta Adventures Tel: 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 www.vallarta-adventures.com

HORSEBACK RIDING

Numerous family ranches in the Sierra foothills offer horseback riding excursions. Horses are permitted on the beaches in some of the smaller towns, but not in Vallarta proper. For an unusual adventure, head over to the local polo club (. Club do Polo Costa Careyes), rent a pony and join in a pick-up game of polo (www.mexicopolo.com). Hacienda de Dona Engracia Tel: 322/224-0410 (www.haciendadonaengracia.com) Rancho Charro Tel: 322/224-0114 (www.ranchocharro.com.mx) Rancho Manolo Tel: 322/228-0018 Rancho Palma Real Tel: 322/222-0501

SCUBA DIVING & SNORKELING

For divers of all levels, the waters around Puerto Vallarta offer an endless amount of underwater adventure. Although diving and snorkeling are good all year round, summer months offer warmer and calmer waters with the best chance of good visibility (80 to 120 feet on a good day). Advanced divers will love El Morro Islands and the Marietas Islands area near Punta de Mita where lava tubes and caves are abundant. Snorkeling is excellent in the Marietas Islands as well. Also look into the underwater preserve surrounding Los Arcos (a rock formation off Playa Mismaloya). Photo courtesy of Chico's Dive Shop. Chico's Dive Shop Tel: 322/222-1895 www.chicos-diveshop. CISBAB Tel: 329/298-2364 www.vallartaundersea.com Vallarta Adventures Tel: 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 www.vallarta-adventures.com

KAYAKING

Kayaking is excellent in the mangroves, estuaries and the large bays/islands around Puerto Vallarta. These tours offer a great opportunity for bird watching and communing with nature. During the fall months, you might even get to witness the hatching of sea turtles. Photo courtesy of Ecotours de México. Ecotours de México Tel: 322/222-6606 www.ecotoursvallarta.com Open Air Expeditions Tel: 322/222-3310 www.vallartawhales.com) Immersion Adventures Tel: 315/351-5341 www.immersionadventures.com Vallarta Adventures Tel: 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 www.vallarta-adventures.com

HIKING & MOUNTAIN BIKING

The varied and challenging terrain around Puerto Vallarta make it an excellent area for hiking and mountain bike riding. Popular tours take you through the foothills of the Sierra Madres to breathtaking waterfalls. Other tours overlook the beautiful beaches of Banderas Bay. Photo from Vallarta Bikes. Vallarta Bikes Tel: 322/293-1142 www.vallartabikes.com Bike Mex Tel: 322/223-1834 Eco Ride Tel: 322/222-7912 www.ecoride.com

ATV & DUNE BUGGY TOURS

ATVs and Dune Buggies are a fun and adventurous way to explore the hills or beaches around Puerto Vallarta. Be prepared to get dirty especially during the more rainy summer months when puddles and mud are more abundant. Photo from Wild Vallarta. Adventure ATV Jungle Treks Tel: 322/223-0392 Wild Vallarta Tel: 322/224-2118 www.wildpv.com

DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS

The waters around Puerto Vallarta are teeming with dolphins. There are a couple of options for seeing dolphins up close and personal. To view and observe dolphins in their natural environment, contact one of the many whale watching companies outlined above for a dolphin watching excursion. You can also try Wildlife Connection Tel: 322/225-3621 www.wildlifeconnection.com that owns two skiffs that track dolphin pods. When a pod is found, the passengers can get out and swim with the dolphins in a non-captive environment. If you are comfortable with the idea of dolphins in captivity, Dolphin Discovery Tel: 322/297-0724 or 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. (www.vallarta-adventures.com) operates an interactive dolphin research facility where people can swim with the dolphins. Dolphin photo courtesy of Vallarta Adventures.

SAILING

The waters around Puerto Vallarta are perfect for sailing enthusiasts. Photo courtesy of Charter Dreams. Charter Dreams Tel: 322/221-2522 www.charterdreams.com Coming About Tel: 322/222-4119 www.coming-about.com Casa Naval Tel: 322/100-4154 www.casanaval.com Vallarta Adventures Tel: 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 www.vallarta-adventures.com

SURFING

Advanced Surfers head to Punta Mita by boat to catch the offshore waves, while beginning surfers find the waters at Sayulita, El Anclote and Barra de Navidad best. Captain Pablo Tel: 329/291-2070 for equipment rental & lessons Oscar's Rental Tel: 329/291-6284 www.puntamita.com/oscarrentals.htm Coral Reef Surf Shop Tel: 329/298-0261

BULLFIGHTING

Bullfights are held December through April beginning at 5pm on Wednesday at the La Paloma Toros Plaza bullring, across the highway from the town pier. Witness a traditional 3 stage bullfight concluding in the death of the bull via sword. Tickets are $25 and you can call 224-2457 for details.

PAPANTLA FLYERS (Voladores de Papantla) Performance

The Papantla Flyers perform a religious ceremony that is believed to have started 1500 years ago in central Mexico as a prayer to the god of sun for fertility and a good harvest. Basically 4 men representing air, water, fire and earth elements climb a tall pole where they are suspended and circle around it (as if in flight) while a fifth person balances atop the pole playing a flute and/or drum. It is a once in a lifetime experience to watch. Performances take place in Puerto Vallarta on the malecón, adjacent to the "Boy on a Seahorse" statue on Saturday and Sunday nights at 6, 6:30, 8, 8:30, 9 and 10pm.

LAS CALETAS

Formerly the private home of world famous film director John Huston, Las Caletas is a gorgeous beach hideaway on Banderas Bay. The exclusive rights to this local are owned by Vallarta Adventures. Accessible only by sea, you can cruise to this exclusive hideaway for a day of relaxation and fun in the sun. Or you can opt for the Vallarta Adventure Rhythms of the Night tour which includes a sunset cruise, candlelight dinner and dance show at Las Caletas. Call 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 or visit www.vallarta-adventures.com online for details.

JEEP SAFARI

Vallarta Adventures offers a jeep tour of the Sierre Madre foothills on jungle trails, stops at small towns, a nature walk and a beach stop for lunch and swimming. Call 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S. or 322/297-1212, ext. 3 or visit www.vallarta-adventures.com online for details.