Dolphin Swimming

Puerto Vallarta Adventure

// February 26th, 2010 // No Comments » // Locations, Vallarta

The tropical port town of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast is one of the most popular travel destinations in the country.  Whether you plan to stay for a week or are just dropping in while on a Mexican cruise, it’s sure to be a memorable experience.  There are so many options for day trips and Puerto Vallarta shore excursions that it can be difficult to decide on a tour.  Aquaventuras Park makes the decision that much easier, offering a whole day of water park fun and animal encounters!

Your All-in-One Puerto Vallarta Dream Day!

Aquaventuras Park is a 15 acre park with attractions for the whole family.  Feel the adrenaline of the ten exciting water slides, flying fast and landing with a refreshing splash then getting up and doing it again and again!  If you’ve got a taste for something a little more sedate, take a relaxing ride down the lazy river or just pull up a lounge chair by the beautiful pools, soak up some sun and have an icy cold tropical refreshment.  Kids love “The Little Water World”, an area designed for their enjoyment and safety with low speed slides, paddling pool and a pirate ship where they can let their imaginations run wild!

Having worked up an appetite with all the excitement, the whole family will enjoy the “Beluga Snack Bar” with hamburgers, hot dogs, snacky fare and beverages (yes, cold beer available!) and the a la carte restaurant “Aquamarine” with fresh seafood, Mexican specialties and more, including a full bar to quench your thirst.  Beat the heat at the poolside “Heladeria” with delicious ice cream treats!  No one goes hungry or thirsty at Aquaventuras Park!

If that’s not enough for you, let us introduce you to our animal friends.  Laugh and learn at the shows featuring exotic birds, sea lions and dolphins or go one step further and take a swim with these incredible creatures!  Swimming with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta will be a dream come true.  The Dolphin Encounter is ideal for young kids and families, get a kiss, handshake and stroke your new dolphin friend from a safe platform in the water in small groups with maximum interaction.  The Dolphin Royal Swim is the ultimate package for speed and thrills as the dolphins take you for a wild ride!  For something really unique, the Sea Lion Discovery program brings you up close and personal with these funny, gentle friends of the sea, you’ll learn all about them, feed them and go for a swim.  Whichever program you choose will leave you with memories for a lifetime, sharing time with the family, having a one of a kind adventure and learning a little something along the way.

So, what to do in Puerto Vallarta?  Aquaventuras Park and Dolphin Discovery, the best way to spend the day with the family!  Contact our bilingual customer service reps to book your Puerto Vallarta day trip or shore excursion now!  Join us on Facebook at our Aquaventuras Park Fan Page and tell us all about your day in paradise!

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Puerto Vallarta

// February 2nd, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Locations, Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, is one of the world’s most inviting vacation destinations.  Puerto Vallarta has been popular among tourists for decades, first brought to the attention of the public through Ava Gardner and Richard Burton’s famous film, “Night of the Iguana” in 1964.  Since the 1960’s, Puerto Vallarta has grown into a thriving resort town with millions of visitors each year.  So, why should you visit Puerto Vallarta?  Have a look at our “Top Ten Reasons to Visit Puerto Vallarta” and see why so many people have fallen in love with this south of the border paradise.

1.  Puerto Vallarta Hotels-  Puerto Vallarta has a resort for you, whether you are looking for a 5 diamond luxury resort or a bargain off the beaten track, there are options for every budget and taste.  Puerto Vallarta is a safe destination for a family getaway, a romantic honeymoon for two or a retreat for singles looking for a little fun.  Sprawling all-inclusives that cater to your every need are extremely popular in Puerto Vallarta, a great home base for exploring all that the region has to offer.  If your budget is a little tighter, there are plenty of options for more economical hotels and hostels for backpackers.

2.  Cuisine-  Food, glorious Mexican food! When in Puerto Vallarta, try some of the local dishes famous in the state of Jalisco, the “birria” (spicy meat stew), “tortas ahogadas” (literally “drowned sandwich” as it sits in a spicy salsa) and “pozole tapatio”, a corn and meat soup that is essential to the Mexican diet.  Seafood is a must in Puerto Vallarta, here you’ll find some of the freshest “ceviche” you’ve ever eaten!  Puerto Vallarta is full of restaurant options, from fine dining to street-side vendors, dig in and satisfy those taste buds!

3.  Art and culture-  Puerto Vallarta is famous for the sculptures found throughout the town, on the sea-side boardwalk and in hideaway places.  Rafael Zamarripa’s “The Seahorse” has been a symbol of the town since it’s erection on the boardwalk in 1976.  There are over 30 art galleries in Puerto Vallarta, featuring local, national and international artists, take your time and let the art envelop you.  Perhaps you’ll even purchase that “perfect” piece that will fit right in to your home and act as a lifelong reminder of a great Mexican trip.  Who hasn’t heard of “The Mexican Hat Dance”?  Known in Spanish as “jarabe tapatio”, it is native to Jalisco and is often considered to be the national dance of Mexico.  Look around Puerto Vallarta and you’ll be sure to spot dancers in the beautiful traditional costumes performing this dance of love and courtship.

4.  The beach- Set on the second largest bay in the world (Banderas Bay), Puerto Vallarta is a beach lover’s dream.  Most hotels have their own beaches and there are over 40 public beaches, each with their own characteristics and charm.  Head to the north of Puerto Vallarta for some peace and quiet and beautiful sunsets, and the famous waves that make for some fantastic surfing.  Snorkelers will find heaven on the beaches at Destiladeras and Los Venaderos.   Playa de los Muertos is the most popular beach in town, a great place for people watching, soaking up the sun or participating in a wide variety of water sports.  Play in the Pacific, build a sand castle or simply lounge on the beach catching some rays, Puerto Vallarta will satisfy any beach craving.

5.  The weather-  Surrounded by jungle and ocean, Puerto Vallarta offers up a sub-tropical climate very similar to that of Hawaii.  The winter months bring some lovely temperatures, averaging around 26 C or 80 F, a far cry from the winters of the north!  The summer months do bring hotter temps (in the 30’s C/90’s F) and rain.  Rainy season is  from June to September and you can expect some afternoon showers, just enjoy watching storms roll in over the moutains, it’s a beautiful sight to see!

6.  Romance-  Long walks on the beach, watching the sun set over the ocean, horseback rides for two through the jungle, Puerto Vallarta is a lush and romantic setting for honeymooners or people looking to spend some quality time with the one they love.  Stroll hand in hand down cobblestone streets or take a cruise on the waters of the Bay of Banderas, hit the spa for a couples massage or simply relax side by side on the beach.  Puerto Vallarta was built on the romance of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and continues to put fires in the hearts of lovers from all over the world.

7.  Adventure in the great outdoors-  A visit to Puerto Vallarta would not be complete without experiencing one of the great adventure tours of the region.  Kayaking, snorkeling, zip lines, jungle tours, cruises, scuba diving, the choices are endless for those looking for adventure in Puerto Vallarta.

8.  Tequila and mariachis-  Perhaps the two most recognizable symbols of Mexico, tequila and mariachis are native to the state of Jalisco.  There is no better place to see truly authentic mariachi performances while sipping a tequila with sangrita or enjoying a classic margarita.  Take a tequila tour and sample hundreds of varieties of this quintessentially Mexican treat.

9.  Swim with dolphins Puerto Vallarta-  The highlight of any trip to Puerto Vallarta!  Swim with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta at Aquaventuras Park, you’ll be up close and personal with these amazing creatures and have the chance to spend the day floating down a lazy river or feeling the rush of the speedy water slides.   Make a new buddy with our friendly sea lions too, they’ll be sure to put a smile on your face!  Dolphin Discovery in Puerto Vallarta is truly the experience of a lifetime, something the whole family will remember for a long time to come.

10. Nightlife-  After a day in the sun, it’s time to hit the town and paint it red.  Put on your dancing shoes and visit one of the big discos like Christine’s or The Zoo or sit back and relax with a cold beverage in a small cantina, the bars are open late and are ready to party all night long.  Salsa lovers must visit J & B Salsa Club for mojitos and great live music, dance the night away with Latin flare!

We could go on and on with reasons to visit Puerto Vallarta, don’t hesitate any longer, book your Puerto Vallarta vacation today and find out for yourself why it’s a top choice for a tropical getaway!

Puerto Vallarta Tours

// December 28th, 2009 // No Comments » // Locations, Vallarta

One of Dolphin Discovery’s favourite destinations is Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.  Located on beautiful Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta’s life as a resort town started in the early 1960’s after Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton filmed the romantic movie “Night of the Iguana” on its beautiful shores.  The film stirred great interest from tourists and the Mexican government began to invest in the airport, highways and utilities of the area to support the growth of this now international tourist destination.  Since the 1960’s, Puerto Vallarta has continued to grow and today is one of the most popular resort towns in the world for people seeking sun, sand, and surf, relaxation and adventure.   There are so many options for fun in the sun, here are some of our top recommendations for tours and activities in this Pacific Coast paradise.

Canopy River-  Thrill your senses in the jungle outside Puerto Vallarta with this adventurous tour that will get your adrenaline pumping.  Fly over the trees between the mountains of the Sierra Madre on over 2 kms of zip lines, 600 feet in the air with the longest line being over a 1/4 of a mile!  This tour is great for the whole family, children as young as 7 years old can feel the exhiliration of flying in a safe and friendly environment.

Kayak and Snorkel Tour-  This full day adventure brings you to the beautiful beach of Playa de Banderas to explore the bay by kayak and discover the underwater world with a snorkel and mask.  The journey starts in Boca de Tomatlan where you will find your kayaks waiting.  Paddle your way to Colomitos, a beautiful cove for snorkeling and encountering a variety of beautiful marine life.  The whole family can enjoy this ocean experience, children as young as 5 years old are invited to join in the fun.

Tequila Tour-  Take a journey through the beautiful countryside of the state of Jalisco, through mountains and by volcanoes, colonial cities and small pueblos.  The town of Tequila is the birthplace of the liquor of the same name, often considered to be a symbol of Mexico and only made in the state of Jalisco outside of Puerto Vallarta.  This full day tour allows you to explore this historic area, visiting ruins, the town of Tequila and a tequila factory and farm.  A learning experience for all, you’ll discover the history of tequila, the methods for farming and harvesting the blue agave plants and the process for creating one of the most distinct beverages in the world in addition to learning the history of the region itself.  You will enjoy traditional Mexican food and of course, some tastings of this nectar of the agave plant!

Sunset Horseback Ride-  Imagine yourself riding along the shores of the Pacific, through rivers and mountains up to a beautiful waterfall.  This romantic tour brings you down a torch-lined path to a ranch in the hills where you will savor a BBQ dinner and enjoy an authentic Mexican lasso and dance show.  An unforgettable evening to enjoy with your loved ones, escape the hustle bustle of life and revel in the peace of nature.

Swim with dolphins-  Of course this is our favourite recommendation, the highlight of any trip to Puerto Vallarta.  Join Dolphin Discovery for an up close and personal visit with our amazing marine mammals at Aquaventuras Park.  The Dolphin Royal Swim offers you excitement and speed, while the Dolphin Encounter is great for the youngest members of the family.  Our programs offer education about our marine mammals and an opportunity to give a dolphin a kiss and a hug or fly through the water being propelled by these powerful creatures.  Don’t forget about our Sea Lion Discovery program, these friendly and intelligent animals offer a delightful experience for the whole family.

These are just a few recommendations for things to do in Puerto Vallarta, the possibilities are endless!  Whatever your tastes, whatever your desires, there is an amazing adventure waiting for you in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  We wish you happy planning and a fantastic vacation!

Swim with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta- Aquaventuras Park

// October 15th, 2009 // No Comments » // Discounts, Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, on beautiful Banderas Bay on the Mexican Pacific, is a top destination choice for millions of travellers every year.  Aquaventuras Park (formerly Sea Life Park) is a “must visit” place for the whole family, with a beautiful location and a wide array of activities.  The most sought after activities are, of course, the swim with the dolphins programs and the sea lion adventures.

Feel the thrill of getting up close and personal with the highly intelligent and friendly creatures, the Pacific bottle nose dolphin.  The Dolphin Encounter is the perfect choice for very young children and the whole family will have the time of their life.  From the comfort of a platform in the water, guests of any swimming ability will be able to interact with the dolphins, with handshakes, dances and kisses for all.  If you are looking for a little more excitement, the Dolphin Royal Swim will bring you the speed and thrill you desire.  Guests will have the chance to dance with a dolphin, kiss them and then go for the ride of your life as these amazing animals propel you through the water at high speed, pushing you by your feet!  Life just doesn’t get much better.

For a really unique experience, we invite you to join us for the Sea Lion Discovery Program.  Learn about sea lions as you frolic with them in the water, going nose to nose with these fun-loving creatures.  They are mischievous, they’ll definitely make you laugh and leave you with a smile on your face and memories for years to come.

Aside from the main attraction of the sea creatures, Aquaventuras Park is chock full of aquatic fun.  With high speed water slides or the slow pace of the lazy river, there is something for every member of the family.  The park offers lockers, free parking, lounge chairs by the pools to relax and enjoy the sun, restaurants and snack bars, showers and dressing rooms, every need can be fulfilled within the park.  Photos and videos of all activities are available for purchase the same day as your visit.  Don’t forget to bring your sunblock!

Contact our bilingual customer service representatives to book your adventure now!  Great promotions are available for Thanksgiving for bookings up to November 30th, 2009 and we’ve got something extra special for our Canadian visitors to Puerto Vallarta who book in the month of October.  We’re happy to answer any questions you may have and help you find the best program at the best price for you and your family.  Have a terrific holiday in Puerto Vallarta with Aquaventuras Park!

NAGE AVEC LES DAUPHINS À DOLPHIN DISCOVERY!

// October 6th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Cancun / Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Locations, Riviera Maya, Tortola, Vallarta

Si tu souhaites nager avec les dauphins, mais la meilleure option pour vivre cette expérience est à Dolphin Discovery. Situé dans Mexique: Puerto Aventuras-Riviera Maya, Cancún-Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Sea Life Park Vallarta et dans des Caraibes: Gran Caïman et Tortola.

À Dolphin Discovery, tu pourras caresser la peau des dauphins. Tu pourras jouer avec eux dans l’eau et écouter leurs sons. Tu pourras donner et recevoir des bisous et voir les dauphins dans leur environnement. Ton nouvel ami te salueront, te chanteront et tu pourras danser avec lui.

Les entraîneurs sont des professionnels, ils se consacrent à vous offrir la meilleure expérience avec les dauphins. Nager avec les dauphins à Dolphin Discovery, c’est plonger dans un monde d’émotions dans un environnement naturel.

Nager avec les dauphins est une expérience unique et merveilleuse que tu ne peux pas rater! Une expérience nouvelle que tu n’oublieras jamais.

Nous t’invitons à savoir plus des nos merveilleux programmes de nage avec dauphins:

-Dolphin Royal Swim
-Dolphin Swim Adventure
-Dolphin Encounter
-Sea Life Discovery Plus
-Dolphin Discovery Swim
-Dolphin´s Lovers Swim

L´Expérience de ta Vie à Dolphin Discovery!

Swim With Dolphins in Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta- Great deals!

// September 18th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Cozumel, Discounts, Vallarta

Imagine yourself in paradise, warm ocean breezes, unparalleled beaches and the chance to have the adventure of a lifetime. Dolphin Discovery Cozumel and Dolphin Discovery Puerto Vallarta invite you to live your dream of swimming with the dolphins and are pleased to offer you some great deals and discounts on our swim with dolphin programs.

Cruising to Cozumel or planning a dive trip to the incredible Mesoamerican reef? Join us at Dolphin Discovery Cozumel in Chankanaab Park and swim with the dolphins in the turquoise sea.  Action and adventure await, get a kiss from a dolphin, dance and sing with these playful creatures and feel the rush of the famous foot push.  Guests of Dolphin Discovery Cozumel are invited to enjoy the flora and fauna of Chankanaab National Park, snorkel, dive, eat, drink and be merry in this stunning location .

Dolphin Discovery Cozumel Discounts-  Book your dolphin swim in the month of September 2009 for visits up to November 30th, 2009 and receive a 30% discount on dolphin swim program regular prices. Free transportation is included in the purchase of three Dolphin Swim Adventures or two Dolphin Royal Swims and we’re even offering discounts on photo packages if you purchase in advance.

Visitors to Puerto Vallarta will find fun for the whole family in Aquaventuras Park, the location of Dolphin Discovery Puerto Vallarta.  The park offers water slides, a children’s water play area, a lazy river, amid beautiful surroundings, but the highlight of the day will be the time you spend swimming with the dolphins.  All our programs are designed for the highest level of interaction with the dolphins, giving guests the chance to get up close and personal with these friendly ocean creatures.

Dolphin Discovery Puerto Vallarta Discounts-  Book your dolphin swim in the month of September 2009 for visits up to November 30th, 2009 and receive a 30% discount on swimming with dolphin program regular prices.  Free transportation is included in the purchase of three Dolphin Swim Adventures or two Dolphin Royal Swims.  Don’t forget to purchase your photos and videos in advance for great savings!

Dolphin Discovery presents new Sea Life Park Vallarta logo!

// May 29th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // News, Vallarta

Dolphin Discovery Group, proudly launches a renewed image of Sea life Park through a brand-new and more modern logo that will stand for the name: Aquaventuras Park. Everyone is welcomed to the new chapter of a large history of a park that has soaked with jet streams of fun all children and kids at heart for a whole decade. This new logo will substitute the old one from June 1st of this year, maintaining the representative shape of a dolphin and adding the Fun Soaked Tower, the base of all water slides.

Discover the new image of Aquaventuras Park located in the Mexican Pacific Sea, one of the most amazing Vallarta tourist attractions. Feel the emotion and speed of our 10 water slides, enjoy a fresh ride along the river; kids will have great moments in their playground while their parents enjoy the swimming pool area. Swimming with dolphins will be the best moment of your day and of your family vacations. And last, but not least, you will be amazed by our shows presented by these marine mammals, as well as the funny sea lions.

Puerto Vallarta: a history full of adventure

// January 26th, 2009 // No Comments » // Locations, Vallarta

Bahía Banderas, Banderas bay, is the third largest natural bay in Mexico, and it’s divided almost equally between two states – Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is, and Nayarit, which begins an eight-minute drive north of the international airport in the middle of the Ameca River Bridge. The agricultural valley of the Ameca River and the important mining centers in the Sierra have given the town a very interesting past. The tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, is bounded on the north by Punta Mita and on the south by Cape Corrientes.

Roofs of Puerto Vallarta

Few details are known about the history of the area prior to the 19th century. There is some archeological evidence that the area belonged to the Aztatlán culture. The valley was then named Banderas (flags) after the colorful standards carried by the natives in the large battle between them and Hernan Cortez, in 1524.

During the 17th and 18th centuries the Banderas Valley and its beaches along the Bay of Banderas served as supply points for ships seeking refuge in the bay. In 1851 a boatman from Cihuatlán who used to bring salt to Los Muertos beach, became tired of waiting for the muleteers to come and pick up the load. So he saw it fit to establish himself in this beautiful place he would call Las Peñas. At the time the main port serving Jalisco was located at San Blas, but the inconvenient overland route from San Blas to the Sierra towns made Puerto Vallarta a more convenient alternative for smaller shipments. By the mid 19th century, the town already had its regularly returning population of vacationers. Las Peñas development into a self-sustaining village happened in the 1860’s, and in 1918 was renamed after a former state governor, Ignacio Vallarta.

photo credit: Lisa Andres

In 1942 in the New York based magazine Modern Mexico the first advertisement for a Puerto Vallarta vacation appeared, the page ad offered a flight from Guadalajara to a “primitive place of hunting and fishing”. Reinforced by intense advertising campaigns, Mexicana launched the Puerto Vallarta-Mazatlán-Los Angeles route in 1962.

In 1963, the director John Huston filmed “The Night of the Iguana” in a small town at south of Puerto Vallarta. For the first time received simultaneously big Hollywood Stars, national celebrities and intellectuals. Deborah Kerr, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyon and Richard Burton led the cast that also included Emilio “El Indio” Fernández. Tennessee Williams, author of “The Night of the Iguana,” visited the set frequently. During the filming, the US media gave extensive coverage to Elizabeth Taylor’s extramarital affair with Richard Burton. The subsequent publicity helped put Puerto Vallarta on the map for US tourists.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, Puerto Vallarta was outfitted with the infrastructure required of an urban development and a modern tourist destination. The Mexican government invested in the development of highways, airport and utility infrastructure, making Puerto Vallarta easily accessible both by air and ground transportation for the first time.

It was only after 1973 that the construction of large hotels began. It experienced rapid growth in the number of larger luxury hotels, culminating in 1980 with the opening of the Sheraton Buganvilias. In 1982 the peso was devalued and Puerto Vallarta enjoyed a period of prosperity, it became a bargain destination for US tourists.

By 1985 the flux of tourism and immigrants demanded, on one hand, the building of new hotels and, on the other, the development of residential options for employees and executives. So while more and more workers were arriving in Puerto Vallarta to try to cash in on the booming tourist trade, less and less was being done to accommodate them with housing and related infrastructure. During the late 1980s the city worked to alleviate the situation by developing housing and infrastructure.

By the early 90s development of other destinations in Mexico like Ixtapa and Cancún caused a slump in travel to Puerto Vallarta. The efforts of the trust, of individual hotels and restaurants, free agents, gallery owners, tour operators and guardians of the environment created the miracle needed and Puerto Vallarta began the process of earning a position among world-class beach destinations.

Hiking expeditions in Puerto Vallarta