San Sebastian Del Oeste (West)San Sebastian del Oeste is named so to differentiate it from Spain's own San Sebastian at the north-east coast of the Basque province. It is now an UNESCO World Heritage site. When its mines were discovered by the Spanish colonists in 1605, the town was founded. One of its most beautiful attributes is the close harmony with its natural surroundings that has been maintained to this day, and covers nearly 2000 square miles. The town itself spreads over 37 partially settled hectares, on which, amazingly, still stand enormous haciendas and mansions, very well maintained, left over from the colonial period. READ MORE |
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MaitoAs you continue on the highway to El Tuito, you will pass the tiny bay of Boca de Tomatlan, aforementioned in the articles that comprise "Island Hopping with Luxury Beach." You will pass the village of Las Juntas y los Veranos, which affords access to a gorgeous river that locals frequent for swimming. READ MORE |
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YelapaAlthough today it is possible to drive to this eternally tranquil fishing village from Puerto Vallarta, the most convenient (and scenic) way to get there is by sea. You will see the rock and brick cabins with thatched palapa roofs as you walk along the stone-paved walkway to the peerless sand that marks your arrival on the beach. READ MORE |
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Island Hopping with Luxury BeachSouth of Puerto Vallarta, there are many beautiful island beaches (some with a corresponding village) that welcome you to explore them. They’re called islands because the only way to get to them is by boat. You can go to the marina and buy a ticket on a catamaran that tours one of these islands after the other in a matter of a few hours; unless you’re a more discerning and adventurous traveler and want to rent a private panga (basically a huge canoe with an engine) and visit these islas on your own and in your own time. READ MORE |
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RAICILLA Goes MainstreamRaicilla is a notorious liquor, home grown in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas, was, until recently, the equivalent of American moonshine. It is a kind of mescal or tequila, as it is made from Agave cactus, but specifically from leguchilla cactus, which is not fine enough to make standard tequila. Lately, Raicilla has become legitimised and accepted in most Vallarta restaurants and bars, thanks to branding and tax payment. Vallarta now hosts a Raicilla festival in its main square downtown every spring (dates for the 2010 festival have not yet been confirmed). Locals prefer the bootleg style of presentation, usually in a two-litre soda bottle, or in a large glass jar, even though there are more respectable, labelled presentations of it. READ MORE |
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The Puerto Vallarta Film FestivalThis festival was founded by Robert James Roessel in 2004. It began as an attempt to bring Elizabeth Taylor back to Vallarta (from the time she was here watching over Richard Burton as he filmed the Night of the Iguana with Ava Gardner, under the direction of John Houston). The attempt to bring Liz back failed, perhaps due to her health problems, or perhaps because there was a porn theatre here that bore her name. READ MORE |
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