Mismaloya

The south beach and jungle area around Mismaloya was made famous by Houston's film "Night of the Iguana" and has been attracting visitors and buyers ever since. The small bay of Mismaloya is home to some excellent beachfront restaurants offering excellent fish and seafood and they'll even offer to cook any fresh fish you catch out on the fishing boats. Nearby are "Los Arcos" 3 rock formations in the ocean that are a great spot to snorkel and dive. Options include the well known "La Jolla de Mismaloya" complex of 1 to 3 bedroom units that offer hotel amenities with a superb pool right on the beach, small condo complexes built just off highway 200 with ocean views and some with access to small, secluded beaches such as "los Arcos" Condos larger homes overlooking the bay up in Lomas de Mismaloya and small Mexican homes

South Shore

This area is made up of several beach coves with small but wonderful sandy beaches, such as Punta Negra, Garza Blanca, Playa Gemellas and Playa Esmeralda. Condominium options line the beach side of the highway offering great ocean views and beachfront living. Older but well maintained building such as "El girasol", "Las Peñas" "Punta Negra" and newer designs in Mexican style such as "Los Palmares" are favorites with renters and buyers. The newest high end additions to the area are "Sierra del Mar los Arcos", "Garza Blanca Resort" and "Mirablau". As well as old favorites like "Le Kliff" , "Blanca Blue" is a new dining option right on the beach located in the Garza Blanca Resort offering tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners in a superb setting.

Conchas Chinas

Once referred to as the "Beverley Hills of Vallarta" Conchas Chinas is split by Highway 200 and the 2 sections are therefore known as Upper and Lower. Upper is in the hills with wide ocean and bay views and lower in right on the beach side. Larger homes and excellent rental villas can be found in this area as well as condominium complexes such as "Costa de Oro", "Punta Esmeralda" and "Los Grillos". On the beach side are some beautiful single villas for rent and purchase, most notably "Casa Amapas", "Villa las Puertas", "Casa Septiembre", the complex" Club Alejandra" and the new addition "Nautilus" offers stylish beachfront living in a new concept. This area is also completely walkable and is connected via Santa Barbara Street to the Los Muertos beach area, take a stroll down the cobbled streets linking these 2 beach areas. Have breakfast at "Lindo Mar" and take in the beach life, it is a lot quieter than Los Muertos!

Amapas

This new area of development up in the hills right above old town really took shape over the last 5 years. New condo buildings offering a different modern style of living were built here to take advantage of the stunning views and the proximity to downtown. Rental and purchase options are sought after in modern offerings like "Avalon", "Horizon", "La Cima I and III" and "Paramount Bay", while you can still get some hints of Mexican old world charm at "Villas de la Colina", "Brisa Luna" and "Vista Romantica".

Old Town / Emiliano Zapata / Romantic Zone / Olas Altas / Los Muertos

This is the well known and well loved area around Los Muertos Beach and Olas Altas. Full of life and entertainment in cobbles streets with very limited parking! This area is defined once you cross over the river Cuale from town and it ends when you get a little further south to Amapas. The area is full of street side cafes, restaurants, bars and small shops. The main "restaurant row" street Basilio Badillo has just undergone a facelift, widening the pedestrian side walks and starting to put the cables underground. It makes a pleasant place to walk about during the day or even at night. Known for its lively gay crowd and famous bars like "Manana", "Blue Chairs" and the numerous drag and diva shows, Old Town is also home to a growing group of married retirees and their friends who enjoy the art galleries, beaches, and Bingo at Nacho Daddy's in season. There are always events going on and many charity dinners to support. It is not a place to get bored in.

Gringo Gulch / El Cerro

This area is defined as being east of the main Guadalupe church and the town square up to the river Cuale. These quaint blocks behind the church are better known as Gringo Gulch of Liz Taylor fame. Cobbled street and sharp inclines make walking these streets a little challenging but the charm makes it well worth the struggle. Numerous older Abode traditional homes and small density condos are all the rage in this area of town, with views of the ocean and church. Some great local restaurants have surfaced along with the classically beautiful "Hacienda San Angel", we now have "Esquina de los Caprichos", "Café Canela" and "La Cigale" that are well worth a visit.

Downtown / El Centro

Downtown is the area of the Malecon and a few blocks beyond it to the east. This area is full of fun restaurants, bars and great happy hour spots to people watch and check out the ocean views and sunsets. It can be noisy here given there are frequent tour buses and passenger buses passing on the cobbles. Just a little further east away from the noise of the main street, there are some great streets that offer a view of town and close proximity to all the action. Streets like Allende and 31 de Oct have seen a recent increase in property development and have some great condo options as a result.

Downtown north / Lirios/ La Pechuga / 5 de Diciembre

This is the area in the hills back behind Ley and the new "Teatro Vallarta". Although close to town, being located up in the hills a few blocks from the noise can be a nice change. New condominiums have been built in these areas and the ones on Panama Street and on Lirios have especially wonderful views of the north bay and ocean. Prices are more reasonable per m2 in this zone as we are off the tourist track and can get more space for less $

Hotel Zone

This is the area from the Sheraton Hotel all along the beach to the new shopping mall at Galerias opposite the cruise ship terminal. This is dominated by Hotels but does also offer some good beachfront developments and smaller options just a block back from the beach, such as Las Glorias and around the Hotel Krystal. High rise towers have been built here recently, most notably Grand Venetian, Peninsula and Icon. There have been improved facilities and all have large pools with great views and are beachfront.

Fluvial Vallarta

This is one of the newest neighborhoods in Vallarta that began over 5 years ago and has been consolidating ever since. Mainly a middle class family atmosphere, there are some good deals per m2 as it is further back from the beach and the tourist routes. Homes tend to be new construction and 3 bedrooms. They are planning a common pool and gym for the whole area and a few neat parks already exist. Good close proximity to all shopping, schools and new eateries that have set up, such as the old town favorite "La Piazetta" which has another branch here and some good burgers and cuts of meat at "Sonora Grill".

Versalles / Gaviotas

These are traditionally family areas, offering a selection of larger homes with gardens on cobbled streets. Close access to the schools, banks, commercial centers and easy parking have made this area popular.

Nuevo Vallarta

This part of town is known as "new" Vallarta thanks to a government initiative that began over twenty years ago by FONATUR the Federal Tourist development agency. Since then it has become a thriving area of private residences, condos, hotels and all inclusive five star resorts. This area offers a mixture of beachfront, golf course and canal front living. Many affluent professional families have been moving to Nuevo Vallarta because of the quiet, tranquil neighborhoods and because of its convenient location to the best schools in Vallarta and work places in either Vallarta or the North Shore. Miles of beach, excellent dinning options, world class Marina, Paradise Village Shopping Mall, El Tigre Golf Courses, the new 3.14 shopping center... Nuevo Vallarta has a mixture of everything and a central location between Vallarta and the North Shore.

Bucerias

Once a quaint little town, Bucerias has really come on leaps and bounds in recent years offering a good amount of quality restaurants and bars both in the Zona Dorada and in the town center. A very low key town but there is always something to do. It is becoming a hub for North Shore living with easy access to Vallarta, Sayulita, San Pancho, La Cruz and Punta de Mita. The Zona Dorada is the best address in Bucerias - you are never more than 4 blocks from the beach, walking distance to many of the best restaurants and shops, many properties have ocean views, very quiet neighborhood with cobble stone streets...

A comfortable place to live with most modern ammenities, central location and tranquil atmosphere.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

A quaint little fishing village that has recently become home to a gorgeous luxury Marina, which has increased the exposure and interest in this sleepy town. Home to a strong yatching community, weekly Farmer`s Market, great fish market, some very nice dinning options and even a bit of nightlife at places like Philo`s. At the same time it is still a very quaint little fishing village. New successful developments of "Punta Esmeralda", "B Vallarta", "VallartaGardens", "Alamar" and, of course, the Riviera Nayarit Marina have really helped put La Cruz on the map offering a great standard of living and easy beach, boating and pool access at relatively affordable prices.

Sayulita

A bustling, young, hedonistic beach town 15 minutes north of Bucerias on Highway 200. Attracting many surfers and outdoor oriented visitors, one can take advantage of the party atmosphere or relax at the beach or in your private villa... Set in a small bay and surrounded by jungle. Enjoy eclectic shopping at many boutiques and a large variety of excellent cafes and restaurants. There is lots of energy for such a small town. Most visitors rent villas and there are endless options to purchase ocean view or town center homes or homesites.

San Francisco (San Pacho)

A little further north on the same road as Sayulita, this small town is a throw back to days gone by. A very tasteful, clean and tranquil village set around the jungle with a very organized community. A handful of very nice restaurants and cafes this is a real getaway from hustle and bustle. The Costa Azul neighborhood (and adventure hotel) is very quiet and set partially on the beach and jungle to the north of town. The Las Olas gated beachfront development offers luxury homes and homesites between town and Costa Azul. The beach is long, sandy and un spoilt but waves can get huge. A real gem of a town!

Punta de Mita

Considered the jewel of the north bay, Punta de Mita has really expanded over the last decade offering superb facilities and beautiful white sandy beaches. The Punta Mita Resort is quite possibly the most exclusive seaside resort in Latin America. Home to the Four Seasons Hotel, St. Regis Hotel, 2 Jack Nicklaus Championship golf courses, tennis center beach clubs and low density luxury real estate. A budding social scene is emerging within the Punta Mita Resort and the many gorgeous beachfront gated communities along the Punta de Mita Penninsula. The small fishing village of Punta de Mita is slowly transforming into a more cohesive community with more and more services on offer. Many nice beachfront restaurants, beautiful beaches, clear ocean waters and the closest jump off point to the Marrietta Islands, private white sand beaches, deep sea fishing and whale watching. If you love the ocean, you will love Punta de Mita.