It is no secret that the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Vallarta are found in Jalisco, however, when it comes to learning more about this destination, here are some curious facts that are not so well known about Puerto Vallarta that may be useful to you. .
1.- Do you know what Puerto Vallarta was called before?
One of the most interesting facts about Puerto Vallarta is that it was actually called Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe or more commonly known as “Puerto Las Peñas”.
The name was given by Don Guadalupe Sánchez Torres, this character founded the city in 1851. It was not until 1918 when it became a municipality and was renamed Puerto Vallarta in honor of its former state governor, Ignacio Luis Vallarta.
2.- It was a refuge point for boats
Long before the founding of the city, between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, and before anyone even lived there, the area where Puerto Vallarta is today was used as a point of refuge for ships passing through the region.
In the old monarchy of New Spain, many of these ships were those that arrived or went to Asia with provisions or merchandise. The main function of these shelters was to escape pirates, common on these Pacific Ocean routes.
3.- The largest bay in Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is located in an area called Bahía de Banderas, which encompasses the coast of Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit in the neighboring state. What few know is that this bay is the deepest at 900 meters and the longest at 42 km in Mexico.
These dimensions make it the second largest in North America and the seventh largest in the world.
4.- It is the favorite place of humpback whales
During the winter, Puerto Vallarta becomes a maritime festival with the arrival of the Humpback whales.
Between the months of November to March it is very likely to see humpback whales in Puerto Vallarta, take note of this if you plan to take a vacation during this season. Be sure to include a tour to spot these wonderful marine mammals and live a unique experience.
5.- Is Puerto Vallarta LGBT-friendly?
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most welcoming and friendly destinations with the LGBT+ community in Mexico. Some people even call it the “San Francisco de México”.
The community is concentrated in the area south of the Cuale River, also known as the Romantic Zone. In addition, Puerto Vallarta was also recognized as the #1 Gay Beach destination in Latin America.
6.- A bridge that represents love
Actors Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, along with director John Huston, gave Puerto Vallarta international fame when they chose this destination as the setting for the movie "The Night of the Iguana."
His charm for Puerto Vallarta was so great that Richard and Elizabeth built two houses that were connected by a bridge, making their love story remain reflected until our times, becoming an attraction for those who visit Puerto Vallarta. Have you already visited it?
7.- Arches of the boardwalk
The Arcos del Malecón are four large decorative stone arches that were brought to Puerto Vallarta from a colonial hacienda near Guadalajara. Over time, they have become almost as recognizable globally.
Located at the southern end of the first section of the Malecón Pier, Los Arcos is the backdrop for the open-air theater, where hundreds of children and families enjoy free shows, musical and altruistic festivals, clown shows and even folk dance exhibitions that take place in this place by the sea. .
8.- It is the largest tourist destination with certifications
8 of Puerto Vallarta's beaches have the "Blue Flag" certification, which makes it the largest tourist destination in Mexico to have them.
These certificates are delivered by the European Foundation for Environmental Education to different beaches in different countries, as long as they meet a series of environmental conditions and facilities.
9.- The typical dish of Puerto Vallarta
Another thing that you may not have known about Puerto Vallarta is that its typical dish is zarandeado fish, roasted between two grills using a wood fire instead of gas.
There are many variations of the recipe, but salt, garlic, pepper, sauces and mayonnaise are usually used and accompanied with vegetables. If you have not tried it, it is a "must" for your next visit.
10.- A botanical garden?
Very few know that Puerto Vallarta has a Botanical Garden where you can enjoy a fabulous amount of flora and fauna in an area of 26 hectares.
This is located south of Puerto Vallarta, approximately 30 minutes by car, going on highway 200 towards Barra de Navidad, passing Las Juntas and Los Veranos.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the main vacation destinations in Mexico, it is full of all kinds of curious facts and thanks to its unique history, there will always be new stories to discover.
The history of Puerto Vallarta will continue to fascinate and inspire others to claim their little piece of this paradise.