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| ~ Mismalya Beach - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ~ |
~ Mismaloya, Mexico ~
Lizards are not generally noted for
their star-pulling power, but when John Huston's 1963 film  Night Of The Iguana was slated to be shot at the then-deserted cove of Mismaloya, 12km (7.5mi) south of Puerto Vallarta, Hollywood-nurtured
egos like Richard Burton and Ava Gardner couldn't resist an invitation. Since that fateful shoot, which first put Puerto
Vallarta into the tunnel vision of international holidaymakers, Mismaloya has been overtaken by condominiums and a couple
of gigantic hotels.
On the cove's southern side are the buildings used in Huston's
film, which now set the scene for various restaurants. Those who live vicariously through the cinema will also want
to head 7km (4.5mi) upriver to El Edén de Mismaloya, the jungle-wreathed area where Big Arnie's remake of Predator 2 was shot. If neither the wild Mexican setting or walking respectfully in the footprints of celebrities
gets your heart racing, head 1.5km (1mi) north of Mismaloya to the clifftop platform from where you can bungee jump towards
the sea. Southbound buses depart Puerto Vallarta at regular intervals for the 20-minute trip to Mismaloya.
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| Sayulita Beach (near) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ~ |
~ Sayulita, Mexico ~
The small, relaxed beachside village
of Sayulita, 35km (22mi) north of Puntas Arenas and just around the rocky claw of Punta (Point) Villeta from Bahía
de Banderas, is the place sought out by sand-dwellers and surfers once the exuberant gloss of resort life has rubbed a bit
thin. An unobtrusive town on a magnificent shade-soaked beach backed by iconic coconut palms, Sayulita balances out
its dearth of city ruckus with a laidback feel and an oversupply of outdoor activities.
Several places in the town center rent out bicycles and surfboards,
and organise regional expeditions to indulge in diving, snorkelling, horse riding and kayaking. You can also go trekking
in the authentically exotic jungle that lies along the coast and inland towards Tepic, the capital of Nayarit state in which
Sayulita lies. Sayulita is an hour's bus ride from Puerto Vallarta and there are up to 10 services
a day between the two destinations.
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| ~ Yelapa Beach - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ~ |
~ Yelapa, Mexico ~
On the far southern shore of Bahía de Banderas and accessible only
by a highly popular two-hour cruise from Puerto Vallarta is the teensy cove of Yelapa, which has bright white sand.
Yelapa also has a number of casual palapa (thatched-roof) restaurants by
the bayside and a burgeoning parasailing industry. To the east of Yelapa and also requiring a short boat ride is Quimixto,
which has a picturesque waterfall, and Playa de las Animas ('Beach of the Spirits'), arguably the most beautiful beach on
the bay. There are regular organised sailings from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa which take you there
and back in one long, leisurely day.
~ Activity Sampler: Purto Vallarta
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Back on shore, horse-riding and trekking
outfits can guide you from local beaches up along jungle trails and into the mountains, plus there are several
golf courses and tennis courts for less-adventurous work-outs.
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![Sayulita Beach: {near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico]](../sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/puerto-vallarta_sayulita_beach.jpg.w560h373.jpg)
