
When taking Jungle, Swim with the Dolphins, Fishing, Diving, Dinner cruises, Whale, Dolphin or Bird Watching tours or trips...don't take chances! Book with an experienced and knowledgeable guide. See photos, learn more or book on line reservations for all the tours and the many more available at www.vallartatraveladvisor.com. Scott has 2 locations in Bucerias to book your trip. One is on the south side of town just before you cross over the foot bridge. The new second office is on the corner of Hidalgo and Mexico across the street from Bucerias Gardens Bar & Grill. Scott is NOT associated with any time share or hotel. He is a licensed travel agent and offers the best prices.
The Whale watching boats are authorized by the government,
See the list of names of boats that you should
use.
If a day trip is more to your liking, you can drive to several towns and see
'Mexico' as it was years ago. Some of these out of town trips are also available
from
www.vallartatraveladvisor.com either by car, bus or plane.
From the Bucerias area, several day trips
will enrich your Mexican holiday.
If golf is your idea of a great day out, then you are in luck. In the are there
are several world class golf courses. Golfing is easy check out the courses
here.
SURFING is always a choice if you are great or a beginner. See this page to read about what is available here.
Keepers at a Mexican zoo are bottle-feeding round the clock after four big cats gave birth to nine cubs in two months, among them a rare white tiger.
Three 20-day-old Bengal tiger cubs, including the white female named Brisa, romp around a grassy enclosure while two lion cubs, a baby jaguar and three other tiger cubs frolic and chew each other’s ears in a nearby wooden pen.
The arrival of six Bengals, three each from different parents, is rare — and Brisa represents a coup for the endangered white Bengal tiger, which often fails to survive in the wild for its lack of camouflage.
The owners of family-run Zoologico de Vallarta, set deep inside virgin jungle in the Pacific coast state of Jalisco, say there is no big secret behind the rash of births — just a propitious natural environment and lots of hands-on care.
The 350 animals at the 12-acre (5-hectare) zoo, set in 142 acres (59 hectares) of tropical forest filled with monkey shrieks and birdsong, range from hippos to flamingos.
The Vallarta Zoo was opened in 2005 with a focus on breeding endangered Mexican species like jaguars and wolves.
The town of Pitillal is reached easily, in half an hour, by regular bus
service. Drive south toward Puerto Vallarta as far as Sam’s Club, exit right
onto the service road and turn right.
The town is about 2 miles inland and extremely different than seaside locations.
At the entrance to town is a restaurant named, Boca del Rio, (mouth of
the river). Here is your opportunity to take photos under a giant Malojo tree,
now a protected species.
Around the Plaza you’ll find great bargains in shoes and other leather
goods. The Church is normally open and claims to have the largest
single piece of carved wood “in the world”; it is the largest in Mexico.
Pitillal is the home of one the best Tequila tours anywhere. Here you can learn about the history and tradition of this typical Mexican liquor that was born right here in Jalisco! Located at 303 Etziquio Corona Street, a mere 5 minutes from the Sam's corner, is " Aqui es Xalisco", where you can enjoy and learn more about the various aspects of Tequila with the Tequila Tour. The tour costs $250 Pesos for 2 people. This includes the tour and explanations, a refreshing Margarita, the Tequila tasting and delicious tacos at the end of the tour. Hours are 11:30 AM; 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM daily, no reservations are required. There is no cost if you only want to hear the explanations and get the tour.
Pitillal is a charming
and busy town filled with normal local character and charm.
Well worth the visit. Total trip time estimated at 4 hours.
Punta de Mita ( Punta Mita )
Punta de Mita
is located in the State of Nayarit at the northernmost point of Banderas Bay
where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes meet. It is within a short drive
of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The beaches are of fine, white sand with nearby
coral reefs for some excellent snorkeling and diving.
Deep sea fishing, whale watching and surfing are also favorite pastimes on this
beautiful area of the coast.
The beachside restaurants at Punta de Mita offer fresh seafood and refreshing
drinks; there are surf shops, rental of snorkeling and diving equipment, tours
by boat and horseback riding.
Punta de Mita is slated for major development. This plan includes three
championship golf courses. One of these already built is the Jack Nicklaus
Signature Golf Course at the Four Seasons Hotel, a 7,014-yard course which is
presently open only to guests. It will eventually be open to Resort Club Members
and vacation home residents.
Sayulita:
Sayulita is located north of
Banderas Bay on the coast of Nayarit, only 22 miles (45 minutes) from Puerto
Vallarta along the coastal highway. It is a picturesque fishing village that has
become known for its surf and snorkeling beaches and an old-Mexico atmosphere.
Sayulita is surrounded by coconut palms and semi-tropical jungle vegetation. The
rainy season from June to October brings refreshing rainfall and often
thundering surf.
The town is small and basic, with burros and chickens in the dirt or cobbled
streets and fishermen launching their boats or nets along the shoreline. There
are a number of simple restaurants offering fresh seafood specialties as well as
international fare.
San Blas,
- The mythological lore of the native Coras and Huichols concludes
that the people of this continent came from the coast of San Blas, and
it's monumental rocks and age-old petroglphs have marked for eternity such an
affirmation.
The 17th century fortifications, high atop the hills, have overlooked the
bay since the days when it was a central port of the Spanish empire. Other
relics include the ruins of the original Catholic Church, the church of Our lady
of the Rosary, " La Marinera," built in 1738, on the hill called,
"Cerro de la Contaduria".
Borrego Beach, a dream beach 3 km. long with fine clean sands just 2 km.
from downtown, is the perfect spot to enjoy fresh seafood under typical palm
roofed pavilions ( ramadas) facing the majestic Pacific Ocean.
Other beaches to check out on the Matanchen Bay are San Francisco, San
Jose, Tres Mogotes, Guadalupe and San Juan. All are great for surfing,
swimming and all kinds of water sports. But don't forget Playas Las Islitas,
an old pirate hide-out, with a series of coves which have maintained their
pristine beauty and natural splendor.
The tourist office located in the Presidencia Municipal provides maps and
information about guides, trips and hikes to some of the most beautiful
waterfalls in Nayarit. Phone 328 5 00 21 .
Trip can be done in one day, but it a much more relaxed two day trip.
Though the Bahia de
Banderas is basking in semi-tropical heat, there are areas of Nayarit much
cooler and make a great day trip. The area south of Tepic, Santa Maria del
Oro, and Ixtlan del Rio, is at about 3,000 ft., and offers several
interesting sites in addition to lower temperatures and humidity.
There is camping, picnicking, swimming, and fishing, in the three
volcanic lakes near Santa Maria del Oro, and mountain cities to be
explored. San Pedro Lagunillas, Tepetiltic and Santa Maria del Oro are
tranquil lakes, good for water sports and home to local restaurants with
regional specialties
Ixtlan del Rio is a colonial city with a long history: the Franciscans
left the stone cross outside the central church, in 1679. The traditional
architecture makes the city attractive. A thriving commercial center, boasting
many fine artisans, who continue to produce typical leather goods
and pottery.
On the outskirts of the city is the reconstructed town of ‘Los Toriles’.
During the early post Classic period (about 700 c.e.), the Toltec
inhabitants created a city with buildings of local stone that were complete with
walkways, neighbourhoods and drainage.
The reconstruction, begun in 1967, continues; with places of worship restored,
including the central alter. Homes, public buildings, and artifacts of
daily living have been discovered.
A circular pyramid distinguishes this well maintained and fascinating
archaeological site.
Trip is an all day trip, 8a.m. until 6 p.m. but according to your interests can
be shorter or longer.
Nearby, the Xalisco
Tequila & Folklore Gallery offers a Mexican Folklore and tequila tour and
show. It’s held three times a day, (11:30 AM, 1:00PM & 3:00PM). The address
is Etziquio Corona #303. For information or reservations call 322-4-9674.