Los Muertos beach, art galleries, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church – as soon as you get settled in your villa rental Puerto Vallarta, you’re going to want to hit the streets and see just what this town is made of. There are so many meals to eat, sites to see, trinkets to buy, that you’re going to need some mental organization to get to all of it.

Well, here is a little help. At some time in the past, someone had the presence of mind to identify a number of special areas, or zones, in Puerto Vallarta. The locals can probably tell you whether they conform to some naturally occurring features, or whether they’re simply the reflection of a mapmaker’s creative genius. Either way, they’re a great help as you learn the local geography.

A Horseshoe on its Side
Imagine, if you will, a horseshoe laying on its side, with the open end pointing westward and the round end pointing east; this more or less describes the shape of the city along the shores of Banderas Bay (it’s that big piece of water you see from your villa rental Puerto Vallarta). Much of the southern leg of the horseshoe is Zona Sur – South Zone. This is where you’ll find some fabulous beaches (Conchas Chinas, El Gato, Las Gemelas). Mismaloya and the little fishing village of Boca de Tomatlán are out this way, also.

A much more compact area connects the South Zone to downtown. Just where the horseshoe starts to curve, you’ll find the Zona Romantica. This is the old part of town, and a favorite with seasoned visitors. An assortment of quaint shops and great cafes and restaurants dot the cobblestone streets. Los Muertos Beach is a big attraction for sun bathers and swimmers (there is no cause for alarm – whatever events led to the name happened a long, long time ago.)

The downtown area, known as El Centro, is pretty much “Vacation Central.” For instance, this is where you’ll find the Malecón. You really ought to plan one day just to wander up and down the boardwalk, admiring the sculptures along the way, taking in a performance of the Voladores, and catching a live performance at the outdoor amphitheater. Also in El Centro is Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, as well as the municipal palace, art galleries, restaurants, street vendors . . . the list goes on and on. And we’ll leave the rest of the horseshoe for another day.

About the Author:

The author is a huge fan of Puerto Vallarta and enjoys his vacation at Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta. For further information on Vacation Rentals in Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta Vacation Rental please visit www.villaencantada.com.