

Despite the fact that the most famous beach is called Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead), the waters here hold no dangers. The beautiful beaches of this area of the state, sheltered by Bahía de Banderas, are a paradise of warm, calm waters where the breeze gently blows. Guests come to the hotels and resorts in Jalisco to switch off and enjoy a holiday experience where they can forget their watches. Sitting pretty on Playa Los Muertos, this family-run eatery serves what it calls "tropical Mexican cuisine" that combines combines Mexican, Asian and French flavors. If you're on the hunt for an upscale setting with a sophisticated menu to match, Barcelona Tapas, La Leche and the award-winning Café Des Artistes both come highly recommended.Visiting such climes requires travellers to change their mindset. For that, travelers and experts recommend La Palapa Restaurant. Of course, no visit to Mexico would be complete without a sunset dinner on the beach. If you'd rather take your own self-guided tour, you may want to head over to Food Park, where you'll find a collection of food trucks, along with live music and a DJ on the weekends. One of its most popular is An Evening Taco Adventure, which explores the night street foods of Vallarta. For a crash course in the bold regional flavors that define the city, consider signing up for a food tour – Vallarta Food Tours comes highly recommended for its variety of experiences and knowledgeable and engaging guides. From food carts to European fine dining establishments, PV's cuisine runs the gamut. READ MOREĪs is the case with neighboring Mexican and Caribbean vacation destinations, Puerto Vallarta's dining scene can be as narrow or expansive as you like, depending on how willing you are to venture off the grounds of your all-inclusive resort. And if you like to cruise, you'll be delighted to know that deals can be found year-round to this destination. When you want a little guidance exploring beyond your resort, sign up for one of the best Puerto Vallarta tours. Take some time to discover its other perks for yourself by sampling the delicious food, discovering a hidden boutique in the Zona Romantica, sipping a signature cocktail at a bar along the Malecón or dancing to a salsa beat in a Havana-style nightclub. Most people associate this west coast town with its boundaries – the Banderas Bay that snakes along the coast or the palm tree-lined Sierra Madre mountains that stand tall in the east – but Puerto Vallarta is more than its scenery.

The dining options and the hotel choices reflect more of the same – you'll find both elegance and efficiency mingled together within the hotel and restaurant areas. Somehow Puerto Vallarta – also known as "Vallarta" or just "PV" – maintains a small-town atmosphere, while still boasting one of the most unique and sophisticated oceanfronts in Mexico. This is more than just a coastal resort getaway.
