Articles
The Heart of Vallarta
7/2/2001
By Judy Colbert
Puerto Vallarta, an old fishing village in the center of the Mexican Riviera, was discovered by the Spaniards in 1541 and remained fairly obscure for four centuries until “Night of the Iguana” was filmed there. Since that momentous event some 35 years ago, tourists have been swarming to this picturesque town of about 300,000. At last count, the tourist population was about two million a year. It’s no wonder.
Set on the Banderas Bay in the state of Jalisco, Vallarta offers miles of ocean, beautiful beaches, water sports, friendly residents, incredibly good food, an efficient public transportation system, inexpensive prices, and a wide range of accommodations from bed and breakfast to full-blown resort, with many properties incorporating time share options.
Puerto Vallarta is divided in three different areas, Nuevo (new) Vallarta, Marina Vallarta and El Centro, or "old town" Puerto Vallarta, with its cobble stone streets and red-tiled roofs. "Old town" offers much more in the way of traditional Mexican amenities. Nuevo Vallarta and Marina Vallarta are both relatively new areas offering more upscale hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Vallarta is situated on the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, and enjoys a similar tropical climate with an average temperature of 82F. It also has the attendant summertime humidity and occasional downpour–although it boasts 330 days of sunshine-during the rainy season that runs from June through October. It’s said the Sierra Madre mountains, which abut the shoreline, provide a natural protection from hurricanes.
There’s also a large artists colony with dozens of galleries and frequent art events and exhibitions. Vallarta is known, too, as being the gay-friendlyest community in Mexico.
Many people receive their first introduction to Vallarta via a cruise, for Vallarta is the most visited port on the Mexican Riviera. Vallarta welcomes more cruise ships per year than Acapulco. During the first quarter of 2000, Vallarta attracted 73 cruises with 133,000 passengers. They then return to enjoy a more leisurely visit.
Fernando Garcia Rossete, general manager of the Holiday Inn, is president of the Vallarta Hotel and Motel Association, where about half of the 100 hotels are members of the association. One of the primary problems facing the industry has been a decrease in the number of international flights over the past four or five years. Flights should pick up now that improvements have been made to the facility. Rossete is working to increase hotel membership so they can have a more effective voice in the tourism industry.
And the hotel managers and owners know they’re coming and are working toward an even better experience for their guests.
It’s tough finding some place that doesn’t trade on the “Iguana” craze, but the former Plaza Iguana hotel in Marina Vallarta changed its name last year to the Flamingo Vallarta Hotel & Marina. The facade and guest rooms were totally renovated.
The Melia Vallarta has undergone a $800,000 renovation that included all the guest rooms, new mattresses, improved public areas, landscaping, new gym equipment, nightclub, mini-kids club, and the computer system. An all-inclusive property, the Melia also offers courtesy membership to the Marina Vallarta golf Club, with discounts up to 25% on the greens fees.
A new convention facility opened last fall at La Jolla de Mismaloya, accommodating up to 720 people, with the latest in audiovisual equipment. In addition, highly trained technicians are on hand to offer top quality support for the events held in this new facility. Another improvement at La Jolla is the addition of new beds in the guestrooms. These beds are called "Sweet Dreams" and have been especially designed for La Jolla de Mismaloya for their exceptional comfort.
At the Puerto Vallarta Westin Regina Resort, Starwood Hotels & Resorts has installed the Westin “Heavenly Bed” in every guestroom. This was part of a $800,000 renovation that included refurbishing 32 rooms, and a new beach terrace to the Garibaldi’s restaurant.
Vallarta is a perfect romantic destination for a wedding, and the new Club Viva Vallarta, with 355 ocean- and garden-view rooms and suites, is taking advantage of that by offering a wedding package that’s priced at $690 over the all-inclusive stay price (starting at $80 per person, per night, double occupancy). This includes the assistance of an on-property wedding coordinator, civil judge and legal expenses (not including legalization or translation if necessary), bridal bouquet, decorations, wedding cake, private bar for ten people, ten color photos and music. Set on 15 acres of lush botanical gardens, Ettore Colussi, president of Viva Resorts says the setting “affords spectacular views while indulging in the sensational spa services.”
The property’s dedication to good service was rewarded on its 25th anniversary when its food and beverage department was chosen for the Best of the Best Award by Bass Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The selection was based on the department’s 100% fulfillment of standards of quality. Patrick Louis is head of F&B.
Arturo Galindo is in charge of sales and promotion for the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, involving all sectors of the tourism industry. Prior to this assignment, Galindo held executive positions at Hotelito Desconocido and La Jolla de Mismaloya resorts.
As if there weren’t enough other activities, Vallarta is gaining momentum as a golf destination, and a marketing group has been established to promote golf through golf-oriented travel agents, meeting planners, and incentive agents. Jack Nicklaus designed one of the courses in nearby Las Juntas, opened last winter, and a second, designed by Tom Weiskopf saw play start this past spring. Club Corp. of Latin America, was responsible for the construction and the operation of the new courses.
Although the difference between high and low season are blurring, many of the hotels, particularly the all-inclusive properties, offer promotions during the low season, including three meals and drinks. Some examples include a $69 per person, per night rate at the Blue Bay Club Puerto Vallarta (two children may sleep in the same room); a double room rate of $152 per night, plus a fourth night free at the Continental Plaza Vallarta; a double rate of $163, including buffet breakfast and a free third night at the Camino Real; a double room rate of $114 per night with a third night free at the Fiesta Americana; and a $109 rate at the Casa Marriott Resort, or $119 with buffet breakfast included.
Several miles south of the town is La Jolla de Mismaloya, with a $210 rate for two adults and two children under the age of 12, for a double room with kitchenette, use of the tennis court and gymnasium, and a fourth night free.
Casa Marriott Resort is offering a double room rate of $109 plus taxes per night or $119 with buffet breakfast included. This special will be in effect April 24-December 20.
Low season technically starts at the end of the Easter holidays.
Another attraction that’s sure to please Americans is the recently opened AmeriMed medical facility providing U.S. quality health care in the resort for tourists, travelers, business professionals and local residents. The facilities are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with English and Spanish bilingual physician specialists and staff specializing in emergency medicine.