My Half-Dozen Returns to Puerto Vallarta: A Story of Change and Culture
The first time I went to Puerto Vallarta was almost 30 years ago. I just completed my tax return and found out I will be receiving a refund. I said, “Sweet!” Back then, Southwest Airlines was offering amazing package deals that included airfare, hotel, airport transfer, and meals! Being young, I decided to take advantage of this offer. My entire tax refund went towards this trip. My friend suggested Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was my first, or officially first, trip to Mexico. Back then, crossing the border to Tijuana, Mexico from San Diego, California was not really a fair introduction to Mexico as a whole. I wanted to experience a resort, relaxing vibe at one of Mexico’s iconic beach resorts.
Puerto Vallarta was the perfect introduction. I enjoyed the relaxed vibe at a 3-star hotel. Outside of our hotel were food stands. I enjoyed taking a break from the hotel food and walked out and really made an effort to immerse myself outside the confines of a hotel resort setting. Met a father and son running a taco food stand. My Spanish was really nonexistent back then, but I managed to pick up a few words to mimic or communicate the best I could with the vendors. But food was universal, so in any language, I was able to get some tasty street food and figure out if it was a beef or pork taco, or what the ingredients were in the taco. It was a memorable and enjoyable first experience of travel to Mexico. It gave me a glimpse of what’s around the corner of this rustic, modern country that caters to tourists for a few days. I knew I would be back.
Fast forward to today, I once again took off for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and learned how much has changed over the years I’ve spent away from this Mexican beach resort. My flight from San Francisco was less than 3 hours. Direct flights were quite common. I do have to tell you, that it’s gotten so modernized to the point that I didn’t really see food stands outside my hotel. They’ve all been relegated to a few scattered stands in the hotel district of Puerto Vallarta. I always sought to immerse myself like a local by going to where they would eat, shop, and spend their after-work setting. Luck would have it I found a couple that were still worth visiting. Some of my pictures I’ve posted here document this experience.
I would say over the years, I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta close to half a dozen times. It has become familiar, a little easier to navigate, and still an affordable travel destination. What helped me a little more is that I picked up a few more Spanish words to help me better communicate on things that are important to me. I’ll continue to go back and discover more things to enjoy and be immersed with the arts and culture. Sure, there’s sun, surf, great food, but there’s more to see each time I head back to this iconic beach resort called Puerto Vallarta, ¡hasta luego!
