Puerto Vallarta Zona Romantica, Romantic Zone - discover all the magic and charm of Vallarta's south side.

Discover Puerto Vallarta Zona Romantica, the Romantic Zone and all the magic and charm of old town south side for an all together more authentic Mexican vacation experience than a stay in the more touristy hotel zone.

Condé Nast Traveler magazine votes Puerto Vallarta “the Friendliest City in the World."  It is no wonder then that over three million people come to Puerto Vallarta each year to visit our world famous beach resort town, one of the most naturally beautiful places on earth.  Maybe no other destination in Mexico offers the range of activities Vallarta does, and there is something here for everyone and all lifestyles.

South side and the Zona Romantica, old town Puerto Vallarta

Walk across the bridge from the north side over the Rio Cuale and discover south side for an alternative, more authentic, Mexican vacation experience of Puerto Vallarta.  Cobblestone streets and charming white-stucco houses with red-tile roofs give the look and all the tranquil character of a colonial Mexican town.  Flowerpots blooming with a profusion of brilliant color such as Bougainvillea, Geranium, Hibiscus and Copa de Oro.  Mariachi bands play live music in the streets, donkeys meander, the friendly local people; the whole place has a relaxed, fun-loving easy going atmosphere.  While still preserving its wonderful small town charm and appeal, south side Puerto Vallarta possesses the sophistication and amenities of a world class international travel destination.  Whether you call it old town, Zona Romantica, Puerto Vallarta south side is very much a walking neighborhood and there is plenty here to discover.  The Zona Romantica is where you will find the widest choice of restaurants, nightlife, fine shops and galleries, not to mention the most famous beach in Vallarta, Playa Los Muertos.

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The magic of Puerto Vallarta I still remember my very first visit to Puerto Vallarta back in May 1997 having read about the destination in one of the major travel publications at that time. Vallarta sounded amazing, and the perfect escape from a hectic life in London. The magic of Puerto Vallarta and the wonderful climate - a complete contrast to London's gloomy weather - brought me here from England no less than three times within ten months. The appeal was so strong I could not wait to get back again!  My first two visits I stayed at a hotel in the more touristy hotel zone towards the north, which was very enjoyable, but during the second visit I discovered the Zona Romantica and became totally enchanted with this side of town, spending just about all of my time here. So for my third visit in February of 1998 I decided to stay in the Zona Romantica and rent a vacation condo near Los Muertos Beach for three weeks.

Vacationing in the Zona Romantica or Romantic Zone is such a contrast to an all-inclusive stay in the more touristy hotel zone; you actually feel like you are on holiday in Mexico. The charismatic charm of this side of town, the friendly local people; it's perfect for those who want a more authentic Mexican flavour of Puerto Vallarta.  Renting the condo also gave me a feeling of what it might be like to live here, and this is now the trend for people who have been here once or twice before and are familiar with the area and want something more. Renting a vacation condo also gives you more freedom and the flexibility to enjoy and experience the vast array the south side has to offer.  To me it felt more like being a part of what was going on here.

It was actually during this third visit, totally by chance, I found Bugambilia Blanca. Talk about destiny! I already had it in mind to make a major lifestyle change, get out of corporate life and move away from London. The four condos at Bugambilia Blanca were being offered for sale at the same time and, well, I was so captivated by the lifestyle here - it's no wonder people call Vallarta magical - the warmth and friendliness of the local people, a complete contrast to the hectic and fast pace of London city life, it just seemed like the natural thing to do. I felt so good in Vallarta so I did it, gave up everything I had in England, literally; job, home, all my worldly possessions, to make south side Puerto Vallarta and the Zona Romantica my new home. Funny looking back; when I said "I want to move to the country!" I had not meant another one! Ideal for all lifestyles, Bugambilia Blanca vacation condo rentals are fully equipped for your holiday stay and have a great location for both beach and town on the south side of Puerto Vallarta.  See our Puerto Vallarta vacation rentals in the Zona Romantica

Dining Out

South Side Puerto Vallarta has a vast and varied array of restaurants from fine dining to local favourites serving delicious, inexpensive meals.  Vallarta is well known for seafood dishes, particularly shrimp, lobster, and red snapper, as well as authentic delicious Mexican dishes like Mole, Chiles en Nogado and Chiles Rellenos Ahogados.  The south side choice is endless, from lively, stylish cocktail lounges with dinner and cabaret floor shows, to enchanting candlelit beachfront restaurants where you can enjoy a romantic dinner accompanied by the soothing sound of the waves lapping at the shore.

Nightlife

Mixed and varied with something for every taste and lifestyle, most nightclubs tend to open later and get going closer to midnight, or even later.  Club Manana for example, one of the more popular gay clubs in Puerto Vallarta, even stays open until 8am, with performers and shows on the busier nights. Bars tend to be busier usually around 10.30 p.m. onwards and there is a good choice of Martini lounges, with cabaret and performing artists, piano and jazz bars, with live musicians and singers, as well as smaller cantina style bars. Salsa dance clubs, live blues bands plus Mariachi music - the Zona Romantica's nightlife choice is wide. Smart Mexican men and women tend to dress up more when going out, so you may want to bring something to wear for the nightlife.

Shopping

South side Vallarta offers some truly outstanding shopping and there are many designer boutiques, fine art shops and galleries here, as well as the more traditional market stalls.  Hand blown glass, ceramics, paintings and pewterware are among some of the more popular buys.  The Municipal Market, just over the first bridge heading north, is a lively place with a wide variety of Mexican handicrafts - silver items, locally made fabrics and pottery are popular choices.

So grab your things, get yourself together and come and discover for yourself the magic of Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romantica or Romantic Zone for that altogether more authentic vacation experience.  See you soon!  Clive Michael Marks   See Bugambilia Blanca vacation rentals in the Zona Romantica Puerto Vallarta

Clive Michael Marks

Bugambilia Blanca vacation condos and rentals in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are licensed holiday accommodations located near Los Muertos Beach in the old town area of Puerto Vallarta known as Zona Romantica, Romantic Zone or south side.