Excursions In Puerto Vallarta

As a resort town, Puerto Vallarta's best offerings are recreation and relaxation rather than pure sightseeing. However, there are a few sights and areas worth visiting.

Theme Parks and Amusement Parks

Splash - Fully equipped water park with several water slides, a slow-moving river and aquatic shows featuring dolphins and seals. Restaurant, bar and numerous bungalows are available for rent.

Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries

Destileria Porfidio - This distillery offers tours and tasting of its fine boutique tequila, the namesake Porfidio.

Landmarks and Historic Sites

Casa Kimberly - This was once actress Elizabeth Taylor's home, which Richard Burton bought for her back in the 1960s. After the couple married, they purchased the house directly across the street and joined the two homes by a pink bridge. Today, they are a bed-and-breakfast, but tours are given. Climbing to the house through the hills can be a bit of an effort, so less active folks may want to make the trip by taxi.

Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe - The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its distinctive filigree crown, is Puerto Vallarta's standout landmark. Inside, opulent examples of religious art fill the walls. An English-language mass is held Sunday at 10 am. Daily 8 am-8 pm. Shorts and sleeveless T-shirts are prohibited inside the church.

Plaza Prinicipal - The city's main square, bordered on one side by city hall and on the other by banks and shops, is Puerto Vallarta's main hub and the spot where holidays are celebrated. The city hall's exterior has a colorful mural of the city painted by Manuel Lepe, a Puerto Vallarta native and one of Mexico's most famous artists. Avenida Independencia, Centro, Puerto Vallarta.

Museums

Museo del Cuale - This small anthropological museum displays pre-Columbian artifacts found in the region and gives information on local excavations.