Recommend November 2012 - (Page 48)

Puerto Vallarta with Funjet Vacations eco-action Puerto Vallarta’s natural attractions and activities are as wild as was “The Night of the Iguana” ﬁlming. “One of the best parts of Puerto Vallarta is all its recreation,” says Dan Sadleir of Elite Travel & Events in Arlington Heights, IL. “You can go ziplining through mountains before rapelling down a waterfall. Or you can ATV on backroads and through streams. The list keeps going. Puerto Vallarta is a true Mexican destination where our clients can feed all their travel cravings.” The largest natural bay in Mexico, horseshoe-shaped Banderas is framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains, lush rainforests, tropical lagoons, pristine beaches and the Paciﬁc Ocean. So it’s with good reason eco-tourism thrives. Bottlenose dolphins are a common sight on boating excursions, and the bay thrives with humpback whales that reproduce here between December and April. And then there are the protected Olive Ridley sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches between July and December. An initiative sponsored by various hotels and the government allows visitors to participate in nightly turtle liberation programs that release the Oreo cookie-looking hatchlings. Most recently, El Salado Estuary has launched the Venture Into The Salado eco-tourism program. Some 320 protected acres considered Puerto Vallarta’s “green lung” is home to some 100 species of birds, 19 mammal species, and 29 species of amphibians and reptiles. Visitors experience the area’s biodiversity as they’re transported through the mangrove canals in a panga (small canoe) or via educational nature walks. “This is one of only a few urban wetlands in the world encrusted in the middle of a city,” says Patricia Farias, the International Convention Center’s director. “It’s a sustainable way for the Sanctuary to maintain its ﬂora and fauna, and teach its visitors about conservation. It’s very impressive that the convention center pays and maintains it completely.” Adding to PV’s well-established rec menu is Vallarta Adventures’ new Extreme Zip Line Adventure. The multi-activity tour include rappels, Tarzan swings, a 50-ft. crazy ladder, hanging bridges, ATVs, twisting hillside waterslide and Mexico’s longest and fastest zipline—a 4,000-ft. speed demon maxing out at 60 mph. The company continues to operate surf and turf action that includes snorkeling and kayaking at Los Marietas Islands wildlife sanctuary and cruises to the Las Caletas beach hideaway. In the evenings, it becomes the spiritual setting for Rhythms of the Night, a historic and hypnotic dance performance. “We’re happy to maintain Puerto Vallarta’s proud tradition while bringing in so many positive improvements,” says Ohem. “We feel ﬁrst-time visitors and repeat guests will all appreciate what they experience.” According to Jorn Kaae, senior v.p. of relationship management for Funjet Vacations, the tour operator’s most popular itinerary is the Whale Photo Safari with Vallarta Adventures taking tourists to Banderas Bay to witness what Kaae describes as “the world’s most spectacular whale-watching opportunities.” Vallarta Adventures is the only tour company in the area with a spotter plane, meaning they can get you closer than you ever dreamed possible to witness these awesome creatures in action, he says. Another popular excursion is the Off-Road Adventure with Vallarta Adventures, guiding tourists to Puerto Vallarta’s southern region to visit a 16th century village in the mountains, the world-famous botanical gardens, and regional attractions that offer unique insights to the area and its residents. Kaae adds that Funjet Vacations has some new itineraries coming up for 2013, such as the Vallarta Eats Food Tour. A tour guide leads the group to local popular eateries to sample authentic Mexican food and explore the city’s historic Zona Romantica and Colonia Emiliano Zapata, all through the ﬂavor of Puerto Vallarta’s cuisine. The tour operator is also offering the Extreme Zip Line Adventure in collaboration with Vallarta Adventures. Besides the outdoor adventures and tours, Kaae suggests clients experience the destination’s downtown area. “The new malecon boardwalk is recently renovated and is a great place for tourists to explore local artists or to spend a nice evening in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The malecon is closed for trafﬁc, making it a beautiful place to enjoy the scenery; and different events, exhibitions and concerts are held here. This is a must-see for all visitors to Puerto Vallarta. They will get a great sense of the local ﬂavor and ﬂair of the area, which is quite different than other areas of Mexico. “Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful and vibrant area that goes beyond the typical ‘go to the beach, eat and drink it all’ vacation. There is a lot to offer—the beautiful beaches on Banderas Bay, of course—but also the diversity and charm of the different areas of Puerto Vallarta. There is the colonial downtown area; the malecon boardwalk with events, scenery, and local art; an exciting, hip nightlife; some of the best dining experiences in Mexico; and a huge variety of amazing tours and excursions.” (888) 558-6654; funjet.com getting there Archived related articles (available on recommend.com): St. Regis Offers City Sophistication & Barefoot Luxury in Mexico (October 2012) contact information Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort: puertovallarta.hilton.com Now Amber: nowresorts.com/amber Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board: visitpuertovallarta.com Secrets Vallarta Bay: secretsresorts.com Vallarta Adventures: vallarta-adventures.com 48 november 2012 The recently expanded Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) welcomes service from major U.S. and Canadian gateways via US Airways, United, American Airlines, Frontier, Alaska, Virgin America, Aeromexico, Volaris and Westjet. A dedicated satellite terminal caters exclusively to international ﬂights (some seasonal) to and from Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City, New York, Minneapolis, Charlotte and San Diego. ● recommend.com http://www.funjet.com http://www.recommend.com http://puertovallarta.hilton.com http://www.nowresorts.com/amber http://www.visitpuertovallarta.com http://www.secretsresorts.com http://www.vallarta-adventures.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend November 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Westin Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Connections by Abercrombie & Kent
Myanmar-The Place Where Time Stood Still
Portugal-Untapped Gem
River Cruising Continues to Make Big Waves
St. Barthelemy Avec Amour
This Plane is Going to Cuba
Colombia Rising
Puerto Vallarta
The Lure of Hawaii
A Ride on the Rocky Mountaineer
African Retreats in Tanzania

Recommend November 2012