 | Arlin Hill and his wife Barbara
founded The Travel Center in July 1979. The agency has been a locally owned associate of Carlson Wagonlit Travel (one of the world's largest travel companies) for over 12 years. This association provides his clients with both personal attention and the buying power of a global enterprise. His agents have over one hundred years of travel agency experience meeting the business and leisure travel need of their clients. Arlin may be contacted at his office, 650 North Carriage Parkway, Suite 140, Wichita, KS 67208, by phone at 316-688-5846, by FAX at 316-688-5074, or by e-mail at arlinhill@wspan.com. |
Travel
2001-05-01 17:43:00
Tell me about Puerto Vallarta... what’s it like?
Answer: Puerto Vallarta is the largest town in the immense Bahia de Banderas resort area on the Pacific Coast. It is situated on the Bahia de Banderos Bay, which is the largest natural bay in Mexico. Until the 1960’s, only a small number of fishermen and vacationers visited regularly. Puerto Vallarta came to the worlds attention when John Huston filmed Tennessee Williams classic "The Night of the Iguana". It was actually filmed in the deserted cove of Mismaloya, which is a short boat ride from Vallarta. I saw a documentary on 'American Movie Classics" showing Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and the cast being shuttled back and forth by boat each day during filming. Burton and Taylor built houses across the street from each other. Since the publicity created by the movie, and Burton and Taylor having houses in Vallarta, it was transformed from a quaint fishing village into a full-fledged resort city. It has dozens of large luxury resorts, fancy restaurants and trendy boutiques. It is still has the quaint flavor of the bygone days with its cobblestone streets, red-tile roofs. palm-covered mountains, and deep blue bay.Question: What is there to do?Answer: There are many sandy beaches and facilities for parasailing, shooting, scuba diving, sailboarding, fishing (the fishing is fabulous), golf and tennis. After relaxing on the beach, the lights and sights of the city begin to call. There are a surprising number of art galleries, with many interesting original works. You can take a tour of the homes in Gringo Gulch, which is where vacationers from the U.S. were building homes in the 60's. Your guide will point out the houses that Dick and Liz built. Take a day boat trip to Yelepa, Polynesian-style village which cannot be visited in any other way.You can take the cruise to the Marietta Islands... one of the largest bird sanctuaries in the world. In addition to the great bird-watching, the snorkeling is incredible because of the great variety of fish. There are horseback riding tours. One travels through river beds and unpaved roads that includes a variety of natural wonders, from quiet rain forests and towering mountains to crystal clear river streams.Question: What about the shopping and food ?Answer: Crafts from all over Mexico are available, in addition to the local crafts made from sea shells, paintings, blown glass, pottery and some Huichol Indian embroidery. The seafood is fantastic (shrimp is king). You will find it all, with everything from Italian and Japanese to Polynesian.Question: Is it safe?Answer. As with any destination it is not safe to walk alone at night on the beach or any secluded area. I would do your sightseeing with an escorted tour group. While the hotels have security and the Puerto Vallarta police patrol regularly, prudence will always be your best guide.Question: How are the flight schedules and when is the best time to visit?Answer: There are connecting flights via Dallas or Houston, or Non-stop charter flights from Kansas City and Dallas.Puerto Vallarta is most popular from November through June with the average high temperature in the low 80's and not much precipitation.
