Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a city in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is located at 20°40'N 105°16'W. Some English language speakers call the city P.V. for short, due to the difficulty some have in pronouncing the double "L" in "Vallarta". The city fronts the Bahía de Banderas on the Pacific Ocean. The city is important primarily as a tourist destination. Shipping traffic consists of cruise ships which arrive almost daily, and occasional visits by U.S. Navy frigates. The Mexican Navy maintains a base at the port, as well as a well-known naval hospital in the city center. In 2003 Puerto Vallarta reported an estimated population of 165,800 and about 5 million overnight stays by tourists. It is also a popular spring break hotspot as well as particularly popular with gay and lesbian tourists. Vallarta, (shortened from Puerto Vallarta) as it is referred to locally, is considered the jewel of the state of Jalisco. Many people from the city of Guadalajara-the state capital, come on weekend trips to it and during vacations such as semana santa and Christmas. Many affluent from Guadalajara own houses by the beach in Vallarta. People use this place much in the way Palm Springs is used in Southern California---as a local destination to get away from humdrum everyday activities. The attraction of the city is the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful landscapes made of tropical plants and sinous rock formations. Other popular destinations in the state include the area around Lake Chapala, and the pintoresque mountain towns of Tapalpa and Mazamitla.