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Puerto Vallarta History
Provided by: Westin Regina Resort Puerto Vallarta

PUERTO VALLARTA - The history of Puerto Vallarta can be divided in three areas; Pre-Columbian, The Foundation, and The Destination Touristic Boom.

The original population, as recent discoveries and archeological studies, show, were Indians from the Aztatlán Tribes, that had cultural and commerce exchange along the Pacific coast (800 BC) There was a large development in the area of Banderas Bay, and some in the Mountains. There are vestiges of this pre-Columbian civilization.

There is a protected area of 13 hectares by the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) and specialized archeologists are studying the zone. Some artifacts can be admired at the Museum located on the Island at the River Cuale in the downtown area.

Banderas Bay and Valley were named when Hernan Cortes's nephew, was traveling in this area, called Nueva Galicia, and when they arrived at this great valley, he discovered a group of Indians with banners made of colorful bird feathers. The Spaniards who had flags with the Spanish Herald and The Virgin Mary, apparently shone the metal and with the sun's reflection frightened the Indians. From that moment onward this was named Valley and Bay of Banderas (flags).

In the mountains, at present there are 2 indigenous groups that reside there, and keep their traditions intact, spanning almost 500 year. They are the Coras and the Huicholes. These groups come to Vallarta to sell their products and bring the profit to support their communities. The women very seldom come to town. They are extremely religious. If you are interested in learning about them, or see how they work their handicrafts, we invite you to visit the Store Sierra Madre or at the Huichol Museum, both located downtown, in front of the Seahorse statue at Malecon.

It is known, that pirates came to this area who were enroute for The "Nao de China" ship that made trips with merchandise from America to the Orient departing from Acapulco. Also whale hunters, due o the fact that from November to March whales visit the bay searching warmer waters.

FOUNDATION

At the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, that surround the Valley of Banderas, are located mines that were exploited at the beginning of the XIX Century, San Sebastian and El Cuale among others. The mineral was moved by mules and donkeys ashore, to be transported to Spain. The history says that Don Guadalupe Sanchez, in 1851, was the supplier for the salt. The mines needed to be cleaned, and he decided to move his family to the shore of the River Cuale due to the peace and beauty of the place. He named it Las Peñas de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. People think that the name comes from honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe because he moved on December 12th, and the rocks or mounds that are south of the bay are called "Los Arcos".

The town began to grow peacefully, the people started fishing as a way of living. Slowly the area changed from a small ranch to a small very attractive town.

In 1918, a U.S. company, The Montgomery Corporation, was established in Ixtapa, north of Vallarta, with a big banana plantation mainly for exportation. The area had a tremendous growth, and the Company produced pre-built houses and a railroad to easily bring the product from the farm to the coast. Company stayed only a few years as a result of the Revolution and the parceling out.

Punta Mita, the northern point of the Bay, was known for its oysters and pearls found in that area. Unfortunately, there was no control and there are no longer oysters with pearls.

On the estuaries, crocodiles still live, not as many as in past days, but there are some protected areas trying to save this endangered specie.

TOURIST DESTINATION

Puerto Vallarta, with its beauty is today known around the world, and visited by national and international tourists.

In 1963, with the filming or "The night of the Iguana", starting Richard Burton and Ava Gardner, Puerto Vallarta was mentioned on the news because of the scandal that the love affair of Richard Burton and Liz Taylor. This relationship the town a lot of media.

During those days, the only way to arrive to Vallarta was by flying or the sea. In 1968 the road was finished and was very big step.

Today Vallarta has a modern infrastructure of more than 15,000 rooms. It has grown, but continues to keep flavor of a small town, with a very Mexican background. Nature is lavish here, and the vallartenses have many projects to maintain the beauty of the surroundings. The most popular is the turtle project, very successful, and every year more people are involved. The season starts from June to September. There are programs of cleaning the rivers and the beaches. The Marietas Islands, will be soon a protected area.