The entire Banderas Bay area and northern shoreline stretching from San Francisco/San Pancho on the Pacific (North Shore) south to Mismaloya near Puerto Vallarta (South Shore).

It includes over 40 miles of coastline and a variety of topography, culture and architecture and is often referred to as Costa Vallarta. There are areas of dense jungle vegetation spotted with bursts of color from exotic tropical plants that give way to rocky river beds, which tumble and feed into the open sea and steep mountain sides where villas and casitas look as if they were merely glued to the hillsides.

There are also many historic buildings and sites, rich with culture and romance, beautiful beaches, sprawling resorts and planned communities - even the ultra-modern marinas of Nuevo Vallarta and Marina Vallarta. Also to be found in this diversified geological area are arid flatlands decorated with cactuses and small pueblos where life is lived at a snail's pace.

This region is divided into eight neighborhoods or areas, from north to south. Each is special in its own way and adds to the charm, diversity and uniqueness of Costa Vallarta.

SAN FRANCISCO/SAN PANCHO: (area 9 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
Is a sleepy little town 31 miles (49 km) north of Puerto Vallarta known for its "big, gnarly waves, dude," purported by some surfers to be the best on the west coast of Mexico.

The beach is big and open, and receives southwest to northwest swells. San Francisco/San Pancho is also known for its untamed natural beauty and is a favorite among naturalists.

This great North Shore destination is easily reached by Rent-a-car or bus tours.

SAYULITA: (area 9 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
A very popular little town 22 miles north (35km) of Puerto Vallarta.

Sayulita is located in a cozy cove where the jungle meets the sea at the extreme tip of the North Shores.

It is a Mexican town defined, Untouched by time and technology, there is a feel of "manaña" here, no need to rush.
The clean waters offer the best in beach fun and there are plenty of homey palapa restaurants to feed the body and soul.

PUNTA DE MITA: (area 8 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
Is located at the northern tip of Banderas Bay, 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta on the Punta Mita Highway. This once-remote beachside fishing village is now home of the new Four Seasons Punta de Mita Resort.

The beach itself is fairly rocky, but offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains that frame the Bay. Sports, tours and amenities of all kinds are available.

The area is known as a great surfing beach and snorkeling is excellent along the islands just off the shore. A short walk along the beach brings visitors to isolated stretches of pristine coastline.

CRUZ DE HUANACAXTLE: (area 7 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
Is a tranquil town north of Puerto Vallarta settled in the 1930's by the Chavez family who built a working ranch north of Banderas Bay. This is where the beautiful and peaceful La Manzanilla beach is located. Here swimmers can safely play in the shallow surf that reaches 100 feet into the sea.

Local legend has it that the town gained its name "Cruz de Huanacaxtle" after the body of a indigenous woman was buried at the base of a giant huanacaxtle tree. In tribute a large cross, 2 meters by 1 meter, was carved into the trunk of the tree. The name stuck when people began to say "lets meet at the cross (cruz) of huanacaxtle."

BUCERIAS: (area 7 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
Located 12 miles north of the airport, Bucerias is popular with Canadian and North American visitors Bucerias, or "Place of the Divers," enjoys a 5-mile stretch of white sand beaches that is the longest along the entire coastline of Banderas Bay.

This beautiful beach comes alive on Sundays when locals bring their families for a day at the shore. Its long shallow shoreline is perfect for body surfing, boogie boarding, surfing and shell collecting.

NUEVO VALLARTA: (area 6 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
A planned residential-resort community 15 minutes north of the airport, the project was begun by the federal government more than 10 years ago. Today, it is home to luxury villas and estates with lush tropical gardens that line the winding canals, each with its own private docking pier.

The area also offers new deluxe resort amenities on more than three miles of white sandy beach. A marina development featuring a 300-slip state-of-the-art marina and condominiums are available to visitors and residents alike.

MARINA VALLARTA: arina Vallarta: (area 5 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
Home to Mexico's largest and most sophisticated marina complex, this 500-slip marina is bordered by several condominium projects with a malecon full of shops, art galleries and restaurants, including El Faro lighthouse bar.

"The Marina," as it is known, also has an 18-hole golf course, water park, and several 5-star hotels. It is one of the biggest communities in Vallarta with beach, golf course and marina homes.

HOTEL ZONE: (area 5 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
The area from Marina Vallarta to El Centro is known as the Hotel Zone.
This is where the major concentration of hotels and resorts are located–huge towering buildings with all the amenities set in a tropical paradise.
All located on the beach with restaurants, shops, nightclubs and shopping centers within easy walking distance.

EL CENTRO & GRINGO GULCH: (area 3 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
This is the heart of Vallarta, where the Malecon can be found welcoming visitors into the center of town.
There are historic buildings, beautiful cathedrals, shops, galleries, beaches, and restaurants galore.

Here one can find the famous cobblestone streets that wind there way through the oldest part of town.

DOWNTOWN SOUTH: (area 3 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
The Down Town South is also known as Los Muertos Beach. The main streets, Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo, offer cozy restaurants and bars, trendy boutiques and abundant nightlife.

On the Beach itself are some of Vallarta's finest restaurants, where guests can dine watching the sunset over the bay. Nightlife here is abundant. From beach clubs to martini bars, most are open nearly all night.
Los Muertos is also home to several economy hotels and bed & breakfasts set right on the beach.

CONCHAS CHINAS: (area 2 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
This upscale neighborhood is the most prestigious and popular residential area of town.

It is also known as "the Beverly Hills of Vallarta." In Upper Conchas Chinas, along steep winding roads, are sprawling villas in the $2-3 million price range built into the jungle side with fabulous views that overlook the city and the Banderas Bay.
Below, in Lower Conchas Chinas are some of the grandest older homes on the shoreline of Puerto Vallarta.

SOUTH SHORE: (area 1 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
The south shore is where the Sierra Madre Mountains meet the shores of the Banderas Bay. It is an area full of coves, small bays, rivers, and secluded, remote beaches accessible only by boat.

Here the jungle creeps to the beach, making it a perfect tropical setting. This must be the reason movie director, John Huston, chose Mismaloya to film the famous "Night of the Iguana," the set of which is now a landmark restaurant and favorite place for weddings.

MISMALOYA: (area 1 on map) Search Real estate - Search Vacation Rentals
Is the small bayside village where in 1963 Hollywood director, John Huston chose to make the movie "Night of the Iguana," which changed the history of Puerto Vallarta forever.

It is still a quaint beach location where the Mismaloya creek meets the sea. One of the most popular beaches on Banderas Bay, it offers sea kayaking, jet ski rentals, parasailing, and panga launches, and of course a wide selection of beachside restaurants to try tasty Mexican fare and partake of a cold cerveza (beer) or margarita.