Nuevo Vallarta

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Back to Puerto VallartaNuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Many people assume Nuevo Vallarta is a suburb of Puerto Vallarta, but it's a stand-alone destination over the state border in Nayarit. It was designed as a megaresort development, complete with marina, golf course, and luxury hotels. Although it got off to a slow start, it is finally coming together, with a collection of mostly all-inclusive hotels on one of the widest, most attractive beaches in the bay. The biggest resort, Paradise Village, has a growing marina and an 18-hole golf course inland from the beachside strip of hotels. The Mayan Palace also recently opened an 18-hole course. The Paradise Plaza shopping center, next to Paradise Village, adds much to the area's shopping, dining, and services. It's open daily from 10am to 10pm. To get to the beach, you travel down a lengthy entrance road from the highway, passing by fields (great for birding) and nearby lagoons (great for kayaking).

Also worthwhile is a day spent at the Etc. Beach Club, Paseo de los Cocoteros 38, Nuevo Vallarta (tel. 322/297-0174). This beach club has a volleyball net, showers, restroom facilities, and food and drink service on the beach, both day and night. To get there, take the second entrance to Nuevo Vallarta coming from Puerto Vallarta and turn right on Paseo de los Cocoteros; it is past the Vista Bah?a hotel. It's open daily during the winter from 11am to 10:30pm, summer from 11am to 7pm. Drinks cost $2.50 to $7, entrees $4.50 to $17; cash only.

A trip into downtown Puerto Vallarta takes about 30 minutes by taxi, costs about $15, and is available 24 hours a day. The ride is slightly longer by public bus, which costs $1.20 and operates from 7am to 11pm.