Fun Facts About Puerto Vallarta

Our family has been living in Puerto Vallarta for the past 15 years, and we still learn something new and fun every day. We’ve compiled this list of all the most interesting & fun facts about Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and things to know before visiting the area. If you have any questions or want to learn more about the area, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be more than happy to help you discover what lies beyond this little piece of paradise.

Is Puerto Vallarta safe?

Puerto Vallarta has become one of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico. If you’re planning to travel here, you might wonder: Is Puerto Vallarta safe? Does violent crime exist? Are there health and hygiene protocols in place? The short answer is: YES! For more information, check out our article below:

When is the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta?

The rainy season in Puerto Vallarta is from August to October. Puerto Vallarta’s average temperature in the winter is 70° F (21° C) and in the summer is 83° F (28° C). Annually there are more than 300 sunny days! Hurricanes have struck Puerto Vallarta in 2002 and 1971, but they are a rare occurrence due to the protection from the Sierra Madre mountain range.

How did Puerto Vallarta get named?

One of the most interesting facts about Puerto Vallarta is that it was actually named Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe named after Guadalupe Sánchez, the person who founded the city in 1851. It wasn’t until 1918 when it got renamed to Puerto Vallarta in honor of its ex-state governor, Ignacio Luis Vallarta.

Where in fact is the biggest bay in Mexico?

Bahía de Banderas is huge, and its coastline is approximately 100 km (60 mi) long. It is 1436 m (4711 ft) deep and 42 km (26 mi) wide.

Some people may tell you it is the largest bay in North America, or maybe even the world! That would be amazing, but unfortunately, it isn’t true. The largest bay in the world is Bay of Bengal in Asia, and the largest bay in North America is Chesapeake Bay in the US. It does claim the spot for the largest bay in Mexico though!

How big is Puerto Vallarta’s tourism industry?

An interesting fact about Puerto Vallarta is the impact of the tourism industry on our town. Although there are many jobs in the agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors, almost 50% of employment in Puerto Vallarta is directly related to the tourism industry (hotels, restaurants, or transportation).

How tall is the mountain range in Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are encircled by the imposing Sierra Madre mountains. They create an epic backdrop that goes from sea-level to + 10,000 ft (3,000 m) altitude very quickly. The mountain range is also covered by a lush rainforest that serves as home to a large variety of plant and animal life.

Is Puerto Vallarta LGBT-friendly?

Puerto Vallarta is definitely one of the most welcoming and gay-friendly destinations in Mexico. Some people even call it the “San Francisco of Mexico.” The gay scene is focused around the area south of the Cuale River, also known as the Romantic Zone. The city was also recognized as the #1 gay beach destination in Latin America.

How did Puerto Vallarta become so popular?

With the arrival of international flights to Puerto Vallarta in the 1950s, the first foreigners began to arrive and settle down south of the Cuale River. One of the most interesting facts about Puerto Vallarta is that the very first tourist boom came in the 1960s when the film The Night of the Iguana was released. It brought Puerto Vallarta to the silver screen across the world!

The movie starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, and they actually ended up starting an extravagant and scandalous love affair, even though they were both married to other people. Burton bought a house up on the hill and also bought the house across the street for Elizabeth on her 32nd birthday. These houses still exist, and you can see how they build a small private bridge over the street to connect the two homes together.