Dolphin Swimming

Happy Anniversary Puerto Vallarta!

// May 25th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, News, Vallarta

photo courtesy NYDailyNews.com

The city of Puerto Vallarta will be more festive than usual this week as it celebrates 42 years as a city and 92 years as a municipality.  The May Cultural Festival is an annual event bringing nightly concerts, singing, dancing, art exhibits, fireworks and parades, a fantastic time to visit this Pacific coast paradise!  The heart of the city will be filled with color, joyous sounds and of course, the tantalizing aromas of a Mexican feast!

For many years Puerto Vallarta was a quiet fishing and pearl-diving village called “Las Peñas¨.  As early as the mid 19th century it became a place for people from surrounding villages to take a relaxing vacation.   In 1918, the village was renamed after the former governor, Ignacio Vallarta and was given the status of municipality.  The first airplane service began in 1932 and by the 1950’s Puerto Vallarta had begun attracting Americans, mostly artists seeking retreat on the shores of Banderas Bay.  Puerto Vallarta changed forever after director John Huston brought production of his 1963 movie “Night of the Iguana” to a nearby small town.  With the publicity of the film (and the scandalous behaviour of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor), Puerto Vallarta became both famous and infamous and the tide of tourists began to increase.  In 1968 Puerto Vallarta was elevated to “city” status and the state and federal government contributed to the development of the region as an international resort destination.  Today Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world, treating millions of visitors each year to a taste of its Mexican charm.

Here’s a look at the cultural events being celebrated this week in Puerto Vallarta:

May 25th 8:00 pm- The Arcos de Malecon come alive with the sounds of mariachi with local favourites “Los Tios” performing the traditional music made famous in the region

May 27th 8:00 pm- The restaurant “La Leche” hosts an evening with sommelier Agustin Rodriguez and chef Nacho Cadena with wine tastings and a lecture entitled “Food and Wine, a Beautiful Tradition” (Spanish only)

May 28 8:00 pm- The Arcos de Malecon is again the site of a fabulous musical presentation with famed local jazz ensemble “Proyecto Tacos”, a popular band which fuses pre-Hispanic influences with jazz and DJ music

May 29 8:00 pm- The Xiutla Municipal Folkloric ballet presents a Gala Performance at the Arcos de Malecon

May 31 6:00 pm-  The big fiesta!  The whole city will be out to celebrate the anniversary at City Hall, with awards presentations, musical performances and a fireworks display.  This is the party of the year!

Dolphin Discovery would like to extend a very happy birthday, happy anniversary, felicidades to the city of Puerto Vallarta.  We are thrilled to be a part of the community and we wish Puerto Vallarta, its citizens and visitors a safe and joyous celebration!

**with thanks to BanderasNews for event information

New Programs! Swim with dolphins, manatees and sea lions in the Riviera Maya

// April 12th, 2010 // View Comments // Locations, Riviera Maya, Sea Life

At Dolphin Discovery we love all the creatures of the sea, not just dolphins!  We are excited to be able to share these magical creatures with you, our guests, you’ll learn about marine animals and enjoy some special moments with some very different friends from the sea .  For those of you looking for a new experience and to learn something new, we’ve created the Sea Life Circle programs in the Riviera Maya.

Sea Lion Hug Puerto Aventuras

Sea Life Circle Sea Lions brings you up close and personal with the fabulous, funny jokers of the sea.  You’ll be able to touch and kiss the sea lions and they’ll make you laugh until your sides hurt with their crazy antics.  Sea Life Circle also includes the most popular dolphin swim at Dolphin Discovery, the adrenaline-filled Dolphin Royal Swim.  In addition, you’ll be able to visit the underwater world as you snorkel with stingrays, a complete package of marine animal fun!

Sea Life Circle Manatees includes the Dolphin Royal Swim, snorkeling with stingrays and the opportunity to swim with the gentle giants of the sea, the manatees.  Manatees, often known as sea cows are huge herbivores and you’ll be invited to feed them, swim with them and stroke the animals that sailors often mistook for mermaids. Learn something new and make a new friend!

Dolphin Discovery is thrilled to be able to give you the chance not only to have an exciting adventure, but to learn something new and create awareness of our marine animal friends.  Visit our location in Puerto Aventuras to meet the dolphins, sea lions, manatees and stingrays and have the experience of a lifetime!

Puerto Vallarta Adventure

// February 26th, 2010 // View 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 // View 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!

Swim with dolphins in Puerto Vallarta- Aquaventuras Park

// October 15th, 2009 // View 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!