Travel Tips

Popular city tours are a great way to get acquainted with the area. If you wish to see the surrounding area, guided jungle, ecological and even hot air balloon tours are offered. We decided to do the tropical tour. The Air Conditioned bus picked us up at our hotel (9:30 a.m.) and then we were on our way. Our first stop was to the Leyva Family complex where we were allowed to taste tequilla. You can see me posing in front of the tequilla plant (which by the way is native to the State of Jalisco).

In addition to stopping by the tequila place, you may even get to see some of the locals making handcrafted pottery and tile for you to take home. This is my mom and I taking a break from the tour at such a place...lol

After sampling some fine tequila, we then went into the jungle for lunch at Chino's Paradiso Restaurant. I had the Combo Brochette (shrimp, chicken and beef) which came with rice, beans and potato. Umm, Umm Good...But a little on the expensive side!!!

In addition to eating, shopping and looking at the mother crocodile (with her kids), you can go swimming. At Las Cascadas (The Cascades), the water is cool (at least it'll raise the hairs on your body) because the river is fed from waters up in the mountains.

Now I must admit, it was very warm in the jungle, and after a big lunch, I decided to take off my shoes and get in the water. Look at me, I'm catching a wave in the jungle...rofl!!!

After Las Cascadas and Chino's Paradiso, we headed back towards Puerto Vallarta, but before we got there, we stopped by Mismaloya Beach. Not only is this location the sight of the movie "Night of the Iguana", but it boasts a variety of natural attractions. The beachfront offers swimming and watersport equipment rentals, along with numerous palapa restaurants. Plus, it's probably the best beach in Puerto Vallarta.

One last stop before the end of the tour was to see Los Arcos (The Arches). Although I didn't do it this time, take time for snorkeling - or Scuba diving - as you visit one of Mexico's few underwater National Parks. These rocks are known not only for their beauty, but for the rich marine and bird life which live among them. Surrounding Los Arcos are underwater canyons extending hundreds of feet into the Bay. Colorful tropical fish are usual sights, as are sea turtles, moray eels and other marine life. Night diving at Los Arcos lets you explore visually dramatic scenes underwater as rarely seen colorful neon fish come out at night. An unforgettable experience, recommended for experienced, certified divers only (which of course I was not), but I went scuba diving anyway!!!