Puerto Vallarta

In contrast to its Caribbean cousins like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s Pacific coastal towns that hasn’t yet been irreversibly marred by Western capitalism. In fact, it’s one of the most astonishingly beautiful places in the country. Young backpackers in search of adventure – as well as relaxed foreigners who’ve settled for a life in the sun – roam the pretty streets, and though the nightlife is plentiful, it’s entertaining without being raucous. However, as is the way with many colonial centers in Latin America, there’s so much more than meets the eye in the surrounding areas. From breathtaking mountain ranges to impossibly charming fishing villages – as well as beautiful, historic towns – the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta is bursting with day trips.