Nuevo Vallarta means what its name says: it’s all shining and new. What’s different about Nuevo Vallarta? You will discover it in this short article.
About fifteen minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta literally means “New Vallarta”. Considered a more modern extension of Puerto Vallarta, it however has its own perks and activities, which make it an increasingly popular alternative to the more traditional (and older) Puerto Vallarta. As with all travel plans, make sure you get a good travel insurance, find a cheap plane ticket, and get yourself some accommodations to the fastest-growing tourist spot in the Nayarit region.
As its name indicates, Nuevo Vallarta is indeed new. Planned in the 1980s, the town has grown exponentially: between 1980 and 1990, it more than doubled in size. The beach is reserved for luxury resorts, while the rest of the town is covered in canals and deluxe villas and condos, each with a private docking area on the canal. Condominiums and a 300-place marina with a professional diving center complete the picture.
Since it is so modern, don’t be surprised at the decidedly contemporary architecture. Open space is the rule: all the buildings, whether big resorts or private haciendas, were built on this principle. The big advantage is that almost every room in every hotel has a good view. No more bad parking lot views! The smaller properties definitely incorporate more Mexican and Mayan influences, but the materials and construction techniques do not get more modern. Every corner has access to a bit of ocean, which never lets you forget that you’re not in an American city but rather in a tropical paradise.
Climate-wise, Nuevo Vallarta is slightly hotter and wetter than Puerto Vallarta, despite their close distance. The town is home to several distinguished diving and sailing centers, for the marine-oriented; it also features several designer golf courses, and of course the most modern and luxurious resorts in the region. While some Puerto Vallarta hotels are old and definitely show their age, everything in Nuevo Vallarta is shining and new. If you’re looking for professional scuba diving certification, look no further. Beaches, waterparks and other family activities abound. It’s definitely a deluxe option, and comes more expensive than Puerto Vallarta in general, but sometimes it’s good to splurge!
Of course, we couldn’t forget about state-of-the-art spas and salons, luxury shopping and some of the best restaurants in the region. The city definitely caters to its more upscale clientele, with classy lounges and all-you-can-dance night clubs. If only for the feeling of being in an exclusive resort town only open to celebrities, Nuevo Vallarta is worth a try.
Piqued your curiosity yet? We certainly hope so, as we are sure that you will enjoy your trip to Nuevo Vallarta. You can save money on a cheap travel insurance, and if you get bored by the modern skyscrapers, you can always rent a car and drive fifteen minutes to the more colonial Puerto Vallarta. As always when you travel, stay safe, leave your expensive belongings at home, and don’t be bullied into getting a timeshare by the armies of real estate agents in the streets, unless you’re actually interested in getting one.
