Side Trips

The small towns surrounding Puerto Vallarta – Punta de Mita, Bucerias, Sayulita and San Francisco, Quimixto, Yelapa, and Mismaloya -- are also worth a visit. Punta de Mita is home to two exclusive resorts: the very elegant Four Seasons and the boutique resort Casa Las Brisas. Bucerias is a favorite among retirees, with laid back, beautiful beaches. Sayulita is a small fishing village with great surfing, but it is beginning to undergo rapid development. The very small town of San Francisco is a great place to rent a horse to ride along the beach or into the jungle. Quimixto is a small town with limited water sports activities, but beautiful and quiet beaches where you can enjoy snorkeling or just relaxing on the sand. Yelapa, a peaceful kind of artists’ retreat, is one of the most famous of these small towns. A jungle waterfall is the main attraction. But, perhaps the most famous small town is Mismaloya, a pristine bay when The Night of the Iguana was filmed here, is now home to a large resort and expensive restaurants.