Best of Puerto Vallarta, seen by walking.

Ever since the days of the "Night of the Iguana", Puerto Vallarta has beckoned visitors, from all over the world, to come and see what attracted Hollywood to this sleepy fishing village on the west coast of Mexcico.

It has been many years - since 1964 to be exact, and over these 48 years there has been many changes, what was once a sleepy town on the shores of Bahia de Banderas, is today a modern city, that has expanded north, south and even into the hills, all catering to the "visitor"who comes to enjoy the hospitality, food, culture and sights - both ancient and modern - that the city has to offer.

One of the best ways is to immerse oneself into the sights and sounds of the city and "walking" is the best way to get to the heart of it. Here are five of the best walks for Puerto Vallarta, and some recent updates.

1. Tours du Jour Mexico has a "Power Walking Tour" that takes visitors up and beyond the city to the hidden neighbourhoods, quaint gardens and rustic walls, places where most tourists do not venture. Along the way, the guide tells about the different medicinal uses of local plants and fruit trees. From up here, one can get a 360 degree view of the bay and the city, before descending along the cobblestones streets and corridor of "Gringo Gulch", the area made famous by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in 1964, past unique cafes and funky restaurants, and along the banks of the River Cuale, home to a variety of tropical birds and gigantic rubber trees.

2. On Tuesday mornings there is a popular morning walk along the Malecon and it's thirteen large bronze sculptures. One does not have to pre book this walking tour, just show up - as there is no charge.

Starting at the "Millennium Spiral sculpture" - which is said to represent the evolution of life - and progressing through the other sculptures, with a five minute discourse on each sculpture, the guide relates stories of each artist, along the 12-block seawall promenade.

Especially beautiful are the wooden fishing boats displayed, part of an arts initiative to highlight local talent. The pangas, as they are called have been transformed into works of art by 22 artists who have also created murals of fishing scenes, religious festivals and historic sites

The Malecon is a good place for visitors to see and appreciate all that Puerto Vallarta has to offer and it is where the early morning walkers come to enjoy the solitude of the city, before it stirs alive.

3.Lazaro Cardenas Walking Tour focuses on the family-run small business for food and home. Traditionaly Mexican families shop each day for fresh meat, fish and produce, so this tour will visit the Municipal Market, where you can see the butcher prepare the meat, see the women squeeze the juices, learn to read the labesl and pay for ones purchases - whether in halting or fluent spanish.

Everythjing can be found in and around the market - decorating ideas; clothes; natural body lotions; Oxxo Stores, mexico's version of a convenience store; money changing booths, sidewalk cafes and even a place to get ones hair cut. The tour ends at the Lazaro Cardenas Park, a pleasant place to relax and enjoy the ocean views.

4. This City Walk will show you where to shop locally, and give you service that comes with a smile, and with price tags that are unbelievable low. Learn to navigate through the 3-story fabric shops, get expert advice on buying Talavera pottery, order tailor made garments and hand-painted clothes, as you browse through the 15 family-run establishments. There will even be time for a massage or manicure, and definitely a cup of fresh-roasted organic coffee and mexican pastry.

5. Old Vallarta Archictecture and History. With the modernization of Puerto Vallarta, it is nice to be able to visit some of the older places and learn the history. This walk begins at City Hall with a description of how the quiet fishing village evolved into
a. the center for a banana plantation,
b. a silver mining boom town
c. a tourist destination.
As the walk continues, throught the cobblestone streets, there are many examples of typical mexican architecture including
a. the historic Gringo Gulch stop to visit the famous boutique hotel Hacienda San Angel;
b. a group of old world villas with their courtryards, pools and views of Banderas Bay
c. Gadalupe Church.
When the walking tour returns to the Central Plaza there is time to observe the everyday life of Vallarta, while enjoying an iced tea or "atole" the hot sweet drink served here year round.

Taking time to walk the streets of a city and meeting the local residents, adds to the pleasure of ones vacation. The souveniers you bought now have special memories, the pictures you took are more meaningful, the stories you heard give more life to the city or town. In Puerto Vallarta you will find the walking tours are very reasonable priced and some are even free.

There are flights into the International airport daily, from all parts of Mexico, Canada,the USA, as well as other parts of the world. Transportation from the airport can be arranged, either before your departure from your home town on on your arrival, to the various hotels within the city.