Don't Miss: Puerto Vallarta Attractions

Playa Mismaloya: The location for the film The Night of the Iguana is a beautiful sandy cove eight miles south of Puerto Vallarta. The waters are amongst the clearest on Mexico 's pacific coast and the offshore ecological sanctuary of Los Arcos has arguably the best dive sites in Bahia de Banderas. On the south of the cove La Noche de la Iguana Set Restaurant is pretty much what it claims to be and, in the unlikely event that you haven't seen the film by now, it provides the perfect viewing venue. A three mile walk inland and a wrecked helicopter outside El Edén de Mismaloya restaurant marks another cinematic milestone, albeit from the B-list. The dense tropical jungle provided the backdrop for the alien 'shoot-em-up' Predator. The flora is stunning and there are several riverside hikes that lead to waterfalls. Those who have had all their energy sapped by the beach can explore the area on horseback.

Malecón: People watching is a burgeoning pastime in Puerto Vallarta and it's along the Malecón that you get the best views. Stretching for nearly two miles this seafront walk doubles as PV's centre of café culture and is a favourite spot for sunset gazing. From the southern end it's a brief stroll to the Templo de Guadalupe, the town's main church. The church's spire wears a lavish crown(an enormous replica of one worn by Empress Carlota who held Mexico 's reigns in the 1860's), providing Vallarta's postcard industry with its' single greatest source of revenue.

Marine life: Bahia de Banderas is the rim of a drowned volcano which teems with marine life, much of which you don't even have to get wet to see. In winter(December to April) humpback whales return to the bay to breed. Along the Malecón people watching gives way to whale watching, but for a guaranteed sighting boats leave from Marina Vallarta. In late spring sea turtles bury their eggs under Puerto Vallarta 's beaches and early summer sees thousands of hatchlings making their way down to the sea. Bottle-nosed and spotted dolphins have made a permanent home in the bay and are easily spotted. Perhaps the most curious seasonal visitors are Giant Manta Rays whose spring courtship rituals see them leaping clear of the water.

Casa Kimberly: There's something difficult to resist about nosing around other people's houses, especially if the house is a mansion and happened to belong to Elizabeth Taylor. At the heyday of their romance Richard Burton bought No. 445 Calle Zaragoza for his lover in a suburb colloquially known as 'Gringo Gulch'(owing to the number of Americans that were living there). To make business easier he then built a pink 'love bridge' across the street to his house. Taylor sold the house and contents in1990 and it's now been turned into an intriguing Through the Keyhole style museum. Casa Kimberly Calle Zaragoza 445. Tel: 22213 36.

Playa de Las Ánimas, Quimixto, and Yelapa: Continuing round the southern crescent of Bahia de Banderas, past Playa Mismaloya, three former fishing villages offer an idyllic retreats form Puerto Vallarta 's bustle. Lack of road access has put the brakes on tourist development and for the time the locals seem happy making their living by preparing lunch for boat trippers and guiding jungle walks in the afternoon. By sundown all the boats have returned to Puerto Vallarta and if you don't mind the humble accommodation you'll have the place to yourself. Ferries and yacht trips run daily from Marina Vallarta, as well as a water taxi to Yelapa from Playa de Los Muertos.

Guadalajara: When it comes to cultural stereotyping Mexico 's second city has a lot to answer for. The birthplace of mariachis, the Mexican Hat Dance(only possible having first conceived the sombrero), tequila and rodeo the city prides itself on being the most Mexican city in Mexico. It's also one of the most cosmopolitan but shares few of the problems that dog Mexico City. The historic centre of the 'City of Roses' is a showcase for colonial architecture and mixes spacious plazas, art galleries museums and restaurants. The skyline is dominated by the twin spires of the city's iconic cathedral, which gives you something to take your bearings from and is within walking distance of all the city's attractions. Getting from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara is a bit of a trek, on the upside the road leading into the central highlands makes for a beautiful drive, on the downside it will take you five hours(212 Miles).