The rich heritage and history are just a few reasons why Puerto Vallarta is a favorite vacation destination in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta has become very popular and tourism is thriving. Puerto Vallarta’s origins have a lot to do with its close proximity to valuable mining centers in the Sierra region. In addition, the beautiful Bay of Banderas along with the Ameca River agricultural valley have contributed to the history and development of Puerto Vallarta over the years. Do you live in Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit and want to learn more about your hometown? If so, continue to read below to learn more about PV’s history, and how today it is a hot spot for international tourists.

PV’s History: Fishing Village to a World Class Tourist Destination

Before the nineteenth century, there isn’t much-documented information about Puerto Vallarta’s history. Archaeologists have found evidence that Aztatlan people inhabited this area around 580 BC. Centuries later in 1524, the Spanish invaded the area which led the native people and the Spanish colonizers to battle. The battle was very large and it occurred between Hernan Cortes and up to 20,000 native Indians. Ultimately, Hernan Cortez won the battle which led to the Ameca Valley being controlled by Spain. The valley was later renamed Banderas, because of the vibrant and colorful flags that the native Indians carried with them when they were battling. Puerto Vallarta appeared on the maps and with sailing logs as a safe place for the Manila Galleon trade. The Banderas Bay beaches and the Banderas Valley were places that ships that could go to during their travels when they were seeking refuge or a replace to restock supplies. Also, Puerto Vallarta was an area where any smuggled goods could be sent forward inland to towns that were located near Mascota, so they could avoid customs that were located in San Blas, Nayarit.

Puerto Vallarta: The Transformation

Puerto Vallarta went through a major transformation during the sixties and seventies. With this transformation, the town was converted from a small fishing village into a world class tourist destination that it is today. The federal government of Mexico started off by resolving disputes with old properties that had stopped developing for most of the twentieth century. There were numerous communal lands that was converted into land that became privately owned. In addition, in 1973 revenue from land trust sales were used to assist the city to grow even more.

Puerto Vallarta: The Night of the Iguana Legend

Another major element about the history of Puerto Vallarta’s surrounds the filming of the “The Night of the Iguana” movie in 1964. The movie was directed by John Huston, an American director, and the movie was filmed in Mismaloya which is a small beach village just south of Puerto Vallarta,. The media in the United States covered the affair between Elizabeth Taylor (actress) and Richard Burton (actor) who were the two stars of the movie. The media news reported all the fights and lover’s quarrels that the two stars had during filming, and the media attention actually helped put Puerto Vallarta on the map for tourists in the United States who were intrigued by the drama.

Puerto Vallarta: Improvements with Transportation

Another aspect that played an important role in Puerto Vallarta’s history is that the Mexican government began investing in transportation to and from Puerto Vallarta in the late 1960’s which made it much easier for tourists to visit. The Puerto Vallarta International Airport was constructed, then ground transportation was also improved, so automobile traffic could be increased to the city as well. Also, on June 1st, 1970, the El Salado wharf was inaugurated, which made Puerto Vallarta the first harbor town in Mexico. Today, the cruise ship terminal is actually located where the El Salado wharf was initially developed, and Puerto Vallarta was officially designated as a city in 1968. The federal and state government in Mexico helped make Puerto Vallarta a tourist destination. In the 1970’s, hotel and resort development started to increase, and currently there are more than fifty 5-star and 4-star hotels and resorts in the area. Over the last several decades, tourism has significantly increased in Puerto Vallarta, and there are numerous expat communities with residents from Europe, Canada, and the United States purchasing Mexican real estate or buying a second home in the area.

Puerto Vallarta: Modern Day

Today, Puerto Vallarta has economic wealth due to its perfect climate, natural scenery, breathtaking beaches, and rich heritage. Back in the early eighties, the peso was devalued which made PV a super deal for foreigners visiting the area. In the early nineties, a federal Agrarian Law was put into place that allowed foreigners to own ejido land via bank trusts. More land and properties were able to be sold, which led to increased development and construction in private homes, resorts, and condos. Puerto Vallarta’s growth was on the rise again, which allowed many foreigners to invest in real estate in Puerto Vallarta. Today, tourists who want a great vacation that they can afford come to Puerto Vallarta because it is still reasonably priced.

This article was based around PV’s history, fishing village to a world class tourist destination. Are you interested in buying real estate in Puerto Vallarta now? If you are, then you should check out Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit, a quiet and tranquil PV neighborhood located on Banderas Bay. Our private beachfront residences are solidly constructed and no attention to detail has been spared. Visit our property today for a tour, and soon you could be living the Puerto Vallarta lifestyle with your dream second home in paradise.