There’s always something new to learn.
Puerto Vallarta isn’t just a beach getaway — it’s a sensory experience steeped in history, culture, and coastal magic. From its cobbled streets and crimson-tiled rooftops to the Sierra Madre peaks that kiss the Pacific, this Mexican city holds a rhythm all its own. Here, mariachi melodies mingle with ocean breezes, and sunsets feel cinematic enough to be staged.
It’s both a nostalgic port and a modern escape — drawing dreamers, artists, and romantics who never quite leave.
Let’s see what we discover.
Things you didn’t know about Puerto Vallarta.
5. It became famous because of an affair.
Puerto Vallarta landed on the global map when Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton turned the city into their love nest during the filming of The Night of the Iguana in 1963 — scandal and all.
4. The Malecon boardwalk hides secret art.
The iconic Malecon is home to dozens of public sculptures — but many have hidden messages, faces, or figures you’ll only spot if you look closely.
3. There’s a church bell inspired by a crown.
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is topped with a crown modeled after Empress Carlota of Mexico’s imperial headpiece — and it’s one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.
2. It has a hidden beach inside a crater.
Playa del Amor, or the Hidden Beach, is nestled inside a volcanic crater on the Marieta Islands. Accessible only by swimming through a tunnel, it’s one of Mexico’s most surreal escapes.
1. The city once fought to keep its name.
In 1918, the town adopted the name Puerto Vallarta to honor Ignacio Vallarta, a former governor of Jalisco. When outsiders proposed changing it for tourism branding, locals refused — proudly keeping their heritage intact.
Bottom line.
Puerto Vallarta is more than meets the eye — and that’s saying something.
It’s a place of layered stories, lasting charm, and living culture.
The kind of city that feels like a secret, even when shared.
And once it finds you, it lingers.
Where meaningful travel begins.
Start your journey with Foresyte, where the planning is part of the magic.
Discover the experiences that matter most.
