No other place in Mexico offers both the best of the country's natural beauty and an authentic dose of its vibrant culture like Puerto Vallarta does. Puerto Vallarta's seductive innocence captivates visitors, beckoning them to return -- and to bring friends. Beyond the cobblestone streets, graceful cathedral, and welcoming atmosphere, Puerto Vallarta offers a wealth of natural beauty and man-made pleasures. There are hotels of all classes and prices, over 250 restaurants, a sizzling nightlife, and enough shops and galleries to tempt anyone and make Puerto Vallarta a perennial favorite.

Vallarta (as locals refer to it) was never the "sleepy little fishing village" that many proclaim. It began life as a port for processing silver brought down from mines in the Sierra Madre -- then was forever transformed by a movie director and two star-crossed lovers. In 1963, John Huston brought stars Ava Gardner and Richard Burton here to film the Tennessee Williams play Night of the Iguana. Burton's new love, Elizabeth Taylor, came along to ensure the romance remained in full bloom -- even though both were married to others at the time. Titillated, the international paparazzi arrived, and when they weren't shooting photos of the famous couple -- or of Gardner water-skiing back from the set, surrounded by a bevy of beach boys -- they photographed the beauty of Puerto Vallarta.

Riviera Nayarit, just North of Puerto Vallarta, offers an intimate and relaxed vacation experience. The area's multitude of small islands and coral formations make it perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts, while sport fisherman come for the world-record setting deep sea catches and international fishing championships. Inland, visitors can tour the traditional villages and heritage sites of the region's fourindigenous cultures, and indulge at one of the area's world-class spas or golf courses. Content provided by Frommer's Unlimited© 2009, Whatsonwhen Limited and Wiley Publishing, Inc.