Natural Treasures Bahia de Banderas
 Puerto Vallarta is considered
to be a paradise by the locals as well as by those
who visit. Why do you ask? The answer is simple:
The large town (as we'd rather call it because it
retained most of its Mexican flavor) offers all the
luxuries of a big city while allowing you to enjoy
the beauty of pristine nature only 10 minutes away.
The climate is excellent at any time of the year,
even in the rainy season (from June to October) where
it usually rains for an hour or so in the evening
and refreshes us all. The "lightning
shows" over the ocean are particularly enjoyed
by locals and visitors. In 2001, Puerto Vallarta was
surveyed by "Condenast" travel magazine and
was awarded the" friendliest town in the world" status
by its members. Also, in 2002, Bay of Banderas was
included in the "Most Beautiful Bays of the World" Club.
Because the bay is surrounded by 3 different types
of mountain ranges (including the famous Sierra Madre),
we profit from a wide variety of vegetation ranging
from the sub-tropical jungles on the east and south
sides to the low deciduous type vegetation found in
the north. And if you drive to higher altitudes within
these mountains, the vegetation changes again to offer
you pines and oaks.
 Inhabiting the lower regions of these mountains, just
to name a few, are red foxes, armadillos, coatimundis,
skunks, raccoons, lizards, mountain crabs and an extremely
wide variety of birds (especially during the migration
season). In the higher ranges, still untouched by humans,
Jaguars, Ocelots and Military Macaws reside in peace.
And should you chose to go for a hike; you might encounter
Iguanas running across the path, sunning themselves
on a rock nearby or perched up lazily in a tree.
Within the bay itself, we
count 2 sets of Islands. Marietas; these islands
are under the "Natural
Protected Area" act and therefore, fishing is
not allowed there. Then, there is Los Arcos; while
not included under the act, it is protected by the
local communities and so, fishing is also restricted.
As a result, many different species of fish enjoy the
safety of the surrounding waters, offering great snorkeling
and diving opportunities.
Amongst the many colorful tropical fishes found in
that area are the King Angels, the anamic Sergeant
Majors, the Rainbow Wrasses, the Spotted Boxfishes
who's young ones are a sight to behold, the Giant Damselfishes,
the Reef Cornetfishes, the beautiful and elegant Spotted
Eagle Ray, some puffer fishes and the occasional eel.Gorgonian
Coral, Elegant Coral, Sea Fans, Orange Cup Coral and
Encrusting Stony Coral also grow there. Bigger species
also visit our waters at different times. The Humpback
Whale, this cetacean which attracts many wishing to
witness its acrobatic breaches, fin and fluke slaps
and hoping to listen to his mating songs. The impressive
and sometimes unduly feared Killer Whale also enters
our bay occasionally. The most fascinating Giant Manta
Rays with their Remoras can be seen leaping and splashing
around and schools of widely loved Dolphins may just
decide to surf the waves at the bow of your tour boat.
 Many endangered species also
reside or visit the area of Bahía de Banderas.
Such is the case of the Humpback Whale, the Olive
Ridley Turtle, the Military Macaw, the Blue-footed
Booby, the Jaguar, and one special specie of Tarantula
(Brachypelma klaasi) of which I haven't seen even
one to this day. This list represents a microscopic
view of all the different life forms encountered
in this precious Paradise.
Let's not forget the wonderful Kingdom of plants.
From the north to the south while passing through the
east, you may see Elephant-ear Trees, wild Orchids,
Red-paper Trees, Plumerias, Possum-wood Trees, Gum
Trees, Strangling Ficuses, Trumpet Trees, Bougainvilleas,
Primaveras and of course, Banana Trees and Palms in
plenty.
Many little towns around the
bay are worth the more than affordable bus trip.
On the north side of the bay in the State of Nayarit,
Mexico, we have Punta de Mita, Destiladeras, La Cruz
de Huanacaxtle, Bucerías,
Mezcales and Nuevo Vallarta. Actually, Nuevo Vallarta
consists mostly of all-inclusive resorts and expensive
vacation or retirement homes. It was named and created
at the border of the State of Jalisco in the 80's by
the State of Nayarit with the hope of attracting tourism
and perhaps confusing people into thinking that it
is a new part of Puerto Vallarta This strategy has
worked to some degree as a lot of people I have talked
to were surprised to find out they were in a different
State altogether. The drive there is approximately
25 minute from Puerto Vallarta. The State of Nayarit
is also in another time zone, it's an hour earlier
there, but most hotels and time-share condominiums
near the border will use Jalisco time in order not
to confuse their customers which will inevitably travel
to Puerto Vallarta, where the action and good restaurants
are.
 The south side also offers
the most enchanting towns. From Puerto Vallarta heading
south east, we encounter Nogalito (with its enchanting
river hike and water falls), Mismaloya (this town
was the first to ever put this region on the map
in 1963 with the famous John Houston movie "The Night of the Iguana" when
the widely publicized affair between John Houston and
Elizabeth Taylor caused a great scandal. The movie "The
Predator" with Arnold Schwarzenegger was also
filmed there and the helicopter used for this film
can still be seen further up the Mismaloya River at
the restaurant "El Eden"). A mere 10 minutes
further away brings you to Boca de Tomatlán,
where I live. Most who visit Boca fall in love and
return to stay on their subsequent trip. This is a
typical Mexican fishing village where fresh fish can
be bought almost every morning straight from the fishermen.
From there, the road goes inland and can take you all
the way to Manzanillo or Acapulco. All the wonderful
little towns on the south coast of the bay can be reached
by boat taxi from Boca de Tomatlán as roads
do not penetrate the gigantic mountains (Sierra Madre
and Sierra Cuale) that serve as a spectacular background
to these quiet little villages .Places such as Las
Animas, Quimixto, Majahuitas, Las Caletas and Yelapa
offer nice sandy beaches,  restaurants and some even
offer a pleasant hike to some refreshing water falls.
The best beaches will be found on the south and north
sides of the bay.
So much can be enjoyed here in our own little Paradise.
Accommodations vary from the
all-inclusive resorts, the fully furnished condos
to the more affordable hotels and secluded rustic
cabañas offering a quiet
romantic ambiance.
Quality restaurants offering
a tropical ambiance, music and serving typical Mexican
dishes, French cuisine, Chinese, American food and
of course, great Sea Food, are also plentiful here.
Let yourself go in one of our many "happening" bars
and discotheques or shoot a quiet game of pool with your friends. Very good
musical bands will serenade you with romantic music. Mariachis, with their
flamboyant costumes, will sing about love and Mexican history and Local Mexicans
will even play and sing your favorite popular rock songs.
Whatever your fancy, may it be nature, experiencing
a different culture or just enjoying the superb beaches
and working on your tan, Puerto Vallarta and the whole
Bay of Banderas will, I am sure, leave you with pleasant
and unforgettable memories of a great vacation. No
wonder many return often and some even choose to make
this Paradise their adoptive home.
While here on your next vacation,
we, at Ecotours de México, would like to extend
an open invitation for you to join us and come discover
for yourself, this jewel of the Pacific coast. Your
participation will help in the research and conservation
of the species that make this place a true Paradise.
Griffin
griffin_page@yahoo.com
* Griffin is a Naturalist & Ecotur
Guide in Puerto vallarta and The Banderas Bay.
To contact Griffin and/or to learn more about her
job please click
here or visit: Ecotours de Mexico
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