Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay has beaches such as Los Muertos, Conchas Chinas, Las Glorias, Mismaloya, Punta Negra and Playa de Oro with large hotels, bars, discothèques and popular restaurants. Puerto Vallarta has a population of approximately 250,000 and is the 6th largest city in Jalisco. Most of the residents work in the tourism industry or associated sectors. The Puerto Vallarta bay was a refuge for pirates in the 16th century, but today it is one of Mexico’s most popular diving destinations due to the range of marine life and an average water temperature of between 19 and 23C (66 to 73 Fahrenheit).

Skilled divers can practice at Marieta Islands at the border of the bay. One major attraction for Americans, Canadians and international tourists is the city’s nightlife. Ecotourism and extreme sports such as bungee jumping and parasailing are offered all over Puerto Vallarta and in many ways, Puerto Vallarta is the capital of extreme sports in Mexico. Along Jalisco’s coast you’ll find other beaches such as Careyes, Melaque, Bucerías and Tamarindo and, last but not least, the world famous Puerto Vallarta.

On the northern coast you’ll find the area called Costalegre de Jalisco which, while more sedate than other areas, is Jalisco’s up and coming tourism destination. The Costalegre area is considered as more of an ecological tourism corridor with beaches such as Melaque, Barra de Navidad, Tenacatita, Punta Perula, Chamela, Careyes, El Tecuán, and El Tamarindo. These beaches offer sumptuous five-star hotels along with bars, restaurants and amazing nightlife. Various coastal areas offer activities such as scuba, snorkeling, kayaking, and big game fishing. Extremely popular is the marine turtle sanctuary called Majahuas in which visitors may free newly hatched turtles into the sea and watch them swim away.

Puerto Vallarta is considered the nightlife capital of the region and is world renowned for spring breakers and partygoers.