Puerto Vallarta History

Glamorous past
"Distinguished present" Exclusive future

For most, Puerto Vallarta is best know for its glamorous history and famous past residents such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, John Huston and Candice Bergen. Its picturesque cobblestone streets flanked by whitewashed adobe facades with red tile roofs and balconies spilling with flowers add to its enchantment. It is easy to see why it is considered one of Mexico’s most beautiful and charming destinations both for tourists and those looking for a new home.

Long before Puerto Vallarta (or Vallarta as it is affectionately called by locals) became a world-renowned tourist destination, it was already a thriving village, with the first recorded permanent dwellers having lived on the site then known as Las Peñas since the late 1800s. Although little is known about its pre-Hispanic past there is archaeological evidence of human inhabitation dating back to 580 BC and chronicled accounts of battles between Spanish conquistadors and the local population in the 1500s. Legends of pirate activity throughout the 17th and 18th century also add to the enigmatic reputation of the port.

Named after a former governor of Jalisco, Ignacio Luis Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta took its official name in 1918. In 1968 the port gained its status as a city on account of an unprecedented influx of both national and international tourism and immigration thanks to improved infrastructure and transport links, including the opening of Vallarta’s airport. Since then, it has continued to surpass the needs of tourists and residents (both Mexican and foreign) to become one of the most cosmopolitan and sophisticated vacation destinations in Latin America.

To a certain extent Hollywood can also be credited for putting Vallarta on the international map. In 1963 director John Huston, filmed Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana in Mismaloya, bringing with him stars such as Eva Gardner, Deborah Kerr, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. The latter two celebrities ended up purchasing a house, Casa Kimberley, in Vallarta’s Gringo Gulch neighborhood. It was around this time that Vallarta began to gain popularity amongst the rich and famous as well as among America’s intellectuals. The illustrious Garza Blanca Club de Playa whose flame-lit fiestas were legendary in the 60s and 70s stands testimony to Vallarta’s prestigious past, a past evoked today by the antorchas (flame lanterns) that illuminate the terrace of Garza Blanca Preserve’s gourmet restaurant, Blanca Blue.

Nowadays, the glamorous allure of Puerto Vallarta continues, making it a perfect destination for holidaymakers and long-term visitors alike. Whether you are a contemporary art lover, fine-dining enthusiast, nature lover or adventure aficionado, this seaside resort offers something to excite and entertain all walks of life.

Visit today and become part of Vallarta’s distinguished history – shape an exclusive future.