Puerto Vallarta comes to life !
New Improvements Compliment Old Charms 
Provided by: Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board - Photos by: Jesus De Avila.

The attraction of Puerto Vallarta for years has been its small-village feel; the slow pace and incongruent appeal of old charms with modern accommodations. Visitors could feel that this was not a destination that was crafted but one which evolved over decades of life here, life held apart from most of the world by its natural barrier of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The ever-growing numbers of visitors and residents created a need for changes in infrastructure necessary to accommodate basic requirements. Add to this the increasing expectations of the traveling public and Puerto Vallarta realized changes were in order if it wanted to remain a popular vacation destination. Anyone who hasn't been to Puerto Vallarta in the past three years will find new life there - while retaining its singular charm.

A clean sweep

Number one on the list of many visitors is that the cleanliness of the city has been taken to an all-time high. Regular street-cleanings, numerous trash receptacles and new sanctions against littering have all contributed to the clean-swept look of the town. The trash receptacles are maintained by a private company who has been granted a franchise to do so. Built in such a manner that they double as publicity points for local businesses, they make trash a more profitable business. The new anti-litter law imposes a fine of $20 pesos (about $3 US), or requires community service hours of any offender.

Vital "Old Town"

The central downtown district - knows as " Viejo Vallarta" or Old Vallarta" has been the beneficiary of much of the infrastructure attention. Visitors have ample information and access to the historic landmarks, cultural sites and the variety of shopping and dining found there. Still a true village, many principle businesses are located there. The Guadalupe Cathedral remains the centerpiece of social, civic and religious life in town.

Eco-News

Annual beach cleanup events have helped to keep beaches free from litter and underline the importance of the Bay of Banderas worldwide. 'The Beach & Bay Clean Up Group' based in Puerto Vallarta is making great strides in raising the ecological consciousness of the community. Among their specific projects is to work closely with area schools to teach the message of the importance of a clean environment - and to take this message home to their parents. For visitors, greater interest in Eco-tourism has resulted in newly developed mountain-biking tours, botanical horse-ride excursions, boat rides through an estuary and seasonal whale-watching cruises. These and other innovative strategies are helping to place Puerto Vallarta at the forefront of ecologically conscious destinations in Mexico and Central America

Vallarta Pro-turtles

Under recent municipal administrations in Puerto Vallarta, broad advances have been made in the area of ecological action. In addition to the great strides being made by private groups, the city has established a Department of Ecology, which among its many projects has implemented an important turtle protection program. Known as Vallarta -- Tortuga 2000, this program works to protect the eggs of endangered sea turtles. Sea turtles instinctively return to the beach of their birth to lay their eggs. However, development, unnatural light and poachers often combine to thwart the turtles' reproductive efforts, resulting in a substantial decline in sea turtle populations worldwide. The Tortuga-2000 program provides regular patrols and establishes protected nurseries for the eggs to be placed in after being laid. When the baby turtles hatch, they are released into the water. These efforts are expected to make a significant contribution to boosting the long-term turtle population locally.

Road to Paradise

It's now a smooth drive from the airport departure gate all the way to the southern edge of town, thanks to the extensive road improvements completed over the past year. The main road from the airport begins as a Four-lane, paved highway. A short distance later - where the hotels begin to take form on the beaches - it widens to six, broad lanes with wide sidewalks and shaded bus stop. Tall palms and flowers grow from the center parkway. This road is now named Avenue Francisco Medina Ascencio, after a state governor who actively supported Puerto Vallarta's growth in tourism.

In the center of town and in the Los Muertos Beach zone, the cobblestones are reset in concrete for a Smoother ride reduced dust in the air and a more permanent structure. Beneath the surface new water and sewage pipes have been laid as part of a massive updating of infrastructure by the area water authority, SEAPAL.

Specially designated parking areas have been established for tour buses and taxis. Besides the area visible by tourist, many public works have been completed in the residential areas of the city: streets improved, bridges constructed, sidewalks installed, lighting improved and parks refurbished. The extent of these public works show that the "new face" of Vallarta is not just for show, but is a broad-based improvement in the life of the town.

Friendly Security

The new tourist police corps is one of the most highly praised additions in town. This group of bilingual Security officers are trained in assisting visitors, and demonstrate the commitment at all levels to the support this important industry. Dressed in white safari outfits with matching helmets, they are easily identifiable. Newly purchased ATV's give the Tourist Police access to beaches for patrolling as well. Their crisp, informal uniforms and demeanor underline the fact that Puerto Vallarta is a generally safe and secure destination, with low crime rates and a deserved reputation for welcoming and caring for its visitors.

Health and Water

Seapal, the local water authority, has made major contributions to the New Face of Vallarta, by providing its residents with water certified clean for human consumption. This maintenance of water quality has no doubt made a significant contribution to the more than 70% reduction in the incidence of gastronomic illness citywide.

Seapal has also recently completed a major transport & treatment system for water and sewage knows as the "Collector". Put in operation in November of 1994, this $65 million-dollar system replaced the old - and often insufficient - facilities which proceeded it. It has been constructed with enough capacity to serve Vallarta's expected population growth for the next 20 years. The new treatment system further ensures the protection of clean waters within the bay, virtually eliminating any charge of pollution from within the city limits. In addition to water quality, the municipality has established an office of "Hygiene and Health", whose purpose is to support the federal.

Department of tourism program of hygiene in food and beverage services. Educational programs and regular inspections all play a part in improving the cleanliness of facilities and reducing the likeliness of intestinal illness. A special educational program for children has as its spokesperson the cartoon drop of water known as "GoGo" ('iota' means 'drop' in Spanish), who is locally as popular as Mickey Mouse!

Consumer Protection

Improvements have been made in both the Airport and Maritime Terminal, which provide access to Vallarta. The airport has been completely remodeled, with numerous services added including express check-ins and transportation services for selected properties; added shopping and food services outlets; new gateways; enhanced ticketing facilities baggage handling and immigration processing, and more comfortable waiting and seating areas.

A new dock has been added at the Maritime Terminal to better serve the growing number of cruise ships arriving in this port. The improvements that have been made in Puerto Vallarta demonstrate a unique vision where the needs of the future have been anticipated while recognizing a respect for the town's heritage. The very special ambiance that exist here has not been sacrificed, but has in fact been enhanced. The entire community understands that the appeal of Vallarta has always been that it is the only beach destination with the flavor of a traditional Mexican "pueblo". Now with added comforts and cleanliness, Puerto Vallarta remains today the only resort where Mexico comes to life!