Introduction

North of Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area and hotel zone, 445-acre Marina Vallarta comprises slips for 355 boats, as well as one and a half miles of beach, an 18-hole golf course, water park, and a couple of small shopping centers.

First-class hotels line the beachfront, while villas and a boutique hotel dot the course, and condominiums and timeshares surround the well protected marina, which is packed from November to May with leisure boats of every description. It’s fun to stroll along the waterfront, or malecon, lined with sidewalk cafes, galleries, craft shops and services, and see the beautiful sailboats and yachts.

One of the most spectacular views of the city is from atop the marina’s lighthouse bar El Faro, which offers a 360 degree panorama and live music in the evenings; a great place to enjoy the sunset over a cool cocktail.