Honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta
Provided by: Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board - Photos by: Jesus De Avila

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine lying on a beach with tropical breezes, the soft warm surf, the rattling of palm fronds, the buttery gold sunsets, and the essence of blooming hibiscus and bougainvillea's at your fingertips. What better tropical paradise to spend those first magical and exciting weeks of your newly formed marriage. Puerto Vallarta is the ultimate honeymoon destination. This former peaceful village is still well known for its quaint cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs and white stucco colonial homes planked with over a dozen warm Pacific beaches. But it became internationally famous after Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor turned the city into one of torrid romance. 

In 1963 director john Houston began filming the ""Night of the Iguana" at Mismaloya beach, south of Vallarta, where a completed set was built in the theme of an old hacienda  and bungalows were constructed for the cast and crew. At that time, there were no paved roads so everything and everyone had to be transported by boat. Elizabeth Taylor arrived and stayed throughout the filming to be near and dear to Richard Burton. During that time she bought a house called Casa Kimberly, and Burton in turn, bought a house right across the street from hers. The two had a fairy-tale-like pink stucco bridge built to provide a pathway between the two "love nests". The glamorous couple's untamed love affair made headline worldwide and place Puerto Vallarta on the map as a "hot destination" 

Today Casa Kimberly is just as romantic as ever - and is sought out as the quintessential hide-away by newlyweds in the know. The two villas once shared by the stars have 8 bedrooms and 11 baths in over 23,000 square feet, which overlook the entire Banderas Bay. Several of the rooms also open to the oval pool where guest may try out Burton's specially designed Jacuzzi chair. This honeymoon retreat hosts a full staff including Elizabeth Taylor's former chef, Adela, who will pamper you with a lavish breakfast every morning on the veranda.

With an 80 degrees average temperature and 345 sunny days a years, the outdoors offer some of the finest activities in Puerto Vallarta. Go scuba diving in the Marietas Islands. One of these islands, shaped like a ring with a small body of water I the middle, is only accessible by swimming through a 10 foot cave. You will then find yourselves in a secluded, enticing lagoon with your own private beach. Or sail to Yelapa, an artsy, and laid-back community accessible even today for water skiing and snorkeling. Elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta, you can take jungle tours for two, horseback riding along the Pitillal River of head for the beaches - where adventure awaits honeymooners in Puerto Vallarta. 

At sundown, the malecon  (water-front walkway) glows gold for those last few minutes and the sky gradually pushes a spectrum of rich hues over the Pacific horizon. The strumming of the mariachi musicians heralds that the evening is beginning to heat up.  Indulge in a fabulous Mexican feast at any one of Puerto Vallarta's restaurants on the south side of town, where you can enjoy frozen margaritas perched high above the Banderas Bay. Be sure to save some energy and plan time to hit the local discotheques for all night dancing and celebrating.

Many hotels in Puerto Vallarta offer special honeymoon packages. Savor the privacy of your own Jacuzzi suite while sipping chilled champagne and devouring fresh red strawberries smothered in rich chocolate served from a palm tray. The Vallartans really know how to cater to couples in love!  Spend your honeymoon in Vallarta on the Mexican Riviera . what a way to indulge the beginning of a happy marriage together!!