In many cities with a past, community life found much of its focus in the main square. Government buildings and religious structures had prominent locations on the streets that formed the square. People conducted official business and said their prayers indoors and used the open space for social gatherings.

The Plaza Principal continues to serve the modern Puerto Vallarta community in much the same way it did a century or more ago. Street vendors offer their treasures and trinkets for sale; the city’s band is often found onstage doing a public performance; and street entertainers are likely to be showing off any time. The Palacio Municipal and Our Lady of Guadalupe church overlook the scene.

Just one street off the Malecón (and not that far from your Puerto Vallarta villa rental), the plaza offers visitors an opportunity to take a seat and watch as life unfolds in this very popular public space.

You’ll see examples of the arts everywhere. Stroll down the Malecon and enjoy the sculpture; visit some of the city’s splendid galleries; take note of the pieces that add an extra elegance and style to your Puerto Vallarta villa rental.

Many people are especially drawn to the colorful scenes of daily life featured in traditional folk art, particularly the work of indigenous people. Some of the most popular work is that of the Huichol, in western Mexico.

Huichol artists are known for their beadwork, their textiles and their yarn paintings. The latter, in particular, are a spectacular display of vivid color and intricate design. Artists originally created prayer masks and ceremonial bowls for religious celebrations; today, they continue to draw on familiar symbols in their work. You can see fine examples of Huichol yarn art at Galeria Piramide at Basilio Badillo 272.

Rest assured there is more to nightlife in this city than T-shirt contests and karaoke bars. If you’re a big fan of song and dance (so long as you’re not doing it), take heart. Find out what’s happening in area theatres (the staff at most Puerto Vallarta villa rentals will know) and where you might catch a great dance performance.

• The fine arts department at Centro Universitario de la Costa frequently has something entertaining to share with the public. Check their website (it’s a Spanish language site) or the local newspapers for information.

• During winter months, you might be able to catch a musical production at the Santa Barbara Theater (Olas Altas 351). The entertainment provided by this local theatre group will make your evening.

• The Grupo Folklórico Municipal Xiutla are very popular in Puerto Vallarta and around the world. These young dancers deliver an electrifying performance.

Let’s start with a brief disclaimer: it’s hard to find a more romantic locale than the private balcony of your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental. Stretch out on a chaise, feed each other tapas and watch the sun sink below the horizon. Or take off for one of these special spots:

• Visit Le Kliff, the restaurant that sits high on the cliff overlooking the bay. It’s a great spot to whisper sweet nothings and enjoy a cool beverage, especially when the setting sun produces a gorgeous backdrop.

• Spend some quiet “together alone” time at a beach that doesn’t get much traffic, like Las Gemelas. Take a little picnic, spread a blanket out in the shade and tune out the world.

• Stroll the cool paths that wind through the jungle on the east side of Rio Cuale Island.

If it’s true that a city’s airport offers guests their first taste of local culture, then Puerto Vallarta Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport will come as a happy surprise. Everything about the facility makes it clear that you’re about to step into a colorful, lively community with a definite international flair.

It isn’t huge, but the airport has all the amenities you need to hold you over until you get to your villa rental Puerto Vallarta. First things first – a visit to the cuarto de bano to get comfortable. Then, replenish your dwindling calorie count with a quick snack or a full meal. Pick up some local currency at the ATM. And on the way home, visit the duty-free shops for last minute gifts.

You’ve spent days and nights learning about Mexico the way folks in Puerto Vallarta know it, and it maybe never occurred to you that the city offers a big selection of food and entertainment that come from other places. French fries, Philly cheese steak, Denver omelet – name your home-town favorite and you can probably find a restaurant that serves it (or ask the chef at your Puerto Vallarta vacation rental to give it a try).

Visitors report that they find a touch of home in these spots around town:

• Enjoy an American-style breakfast at Fredys Tucan (Basilio Badillo 245).
• Challenge the pins at the Bowl-o-Rama, a Brunswick bowling facility in the neighborhood of Marina Vallarta.
• Thrill (and/or embarrass) your friends singing loudly and off-key at one of the city’s many karaoke bars. La Regadera, at Morelos 666 in El Centro, is a favorite.
• See a newly-released English-language movie at one of the city’s theaters.

The bay seems to get the lion’s share of attention in this city, and no wonder. After all, it’s hard to resist the vast array of activities that happen in and around the water, including loafing on the beaches in the middle of winter. Don’t overlook the mountains, though, which stretch all the way to the southwestern US. You’ll find it worth your while to spend some time away from your Puerto Vallarta vacation villa rental, roaming the mountains.

There’s plenty to do when you head for the hills:

join a tour to seek out and identify the diverse fauna;

do some legwork on the El Nogalito or Los Horcones trails; or

climb on a horse for a trail ride to the falls at Qimixto.

No matter how you choose to explore the Sierra Madre, remember to “take only pictures and leave only footprints.”

Las Gemelas is really two separate beaches, Gemelas North and Gemelas South. The north beach features a gentle sandy bottom and a specially designated area for swimmers. It’s a good choice for small children, who can splash and play without getting washed away. Gemelas South has a bit more slope and fewer shade trees, yet it usually offers a bit more privacy than the north beach.

You can reach Las Gemelas by taxi; it’s a short trip from most Puerto Vallarta villas, a couple miles before you reach the town of Mismaloya. You can also get there on the Mismaloya bus – just make sure to get off at the El Presidente Hotel and Playa Gemelas. You can get to the south beach by walking through the hotel.

Quite a few foreign nationals have adopted Puerto Vallarta as their second home, and many of them recognize the needs of the city’s young people. They are proud to join with the Puerto Vallarta community to sponsor a variety of events that support programs intended to build a brighter future for the area’s youth.

If you decide that some of the time you spend in your villa rental Puerto Vallarta would be well spent trying to improve the outlook for others, these organizations will welcome your assistance:

• Local students are rewarded by the work of Becas Vallarta and the America-Mexico Foundation, two groups that work together to raise funds for scholarships to help young scholars finish high school and go on to university.

• Hungry children benefit from the hot, healthy meals provided by the organization, Children of the Dump. They also provide an environment where young learners can improve their math and language skills, the “School of Champions.”

If you are one of those who can learn all you want to know about Mexico without ever setting foot out of town, that’s okay – maybe a bit limited, but okay. Eventually, though, someone is going to ask you where you spent your vacation, and you might want to be able to say more than, “Mexico.”

Here goes the geography lesson – Puerto Vallarta sits very near the northern boundary of Jalisco, one of the largest of Mexico’s states. Jalisco is located in the central part of the nation, and its entire western edge touches the Pacific. Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is the second largest city in Mexico.

Don’t be disappointed to learn that the home town of your Puerto Vallarta luxury villa rental isn’t number 1. Instead, take heart in knowing that Puerto Vallarta, and Jalisco, have bragger’s rights when it comes to that gorgeous blue bling: Banderas Bay comes out on top as Mexico’s largest natural bay.

Conchas Chinas is one of the loveliest beaches south of town. It has a number of unique features that make it a special favorite with folks who take the time to visit. For instance, there are a number of caves and tunnels that provide some splendid spots for scuba enthusiasts. And there is an isolated “Lovers Beach” that you can only reach if you are willing to take a little swim.

Conchas Chinas offers much more solitude than Los Muertos, which makes it an ideal destination for a quiet afternoon in the sand. It’s not far from many vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta, especially by taxi. And for those who simply can’t bear to be away from the hot spots for too long, it’s a half-hour walk along the beach back to Los Muertos.

It won’t be just any old day at the zoo, though. The Zoologico de Vallarta in Mismaloya is unique in many ways from the zoos you may be familiar with. First of all, this one cares for its residents in a natural jungle setting. The animal habitats are as close to each species’ natural home as possible.

The Vallarta Zoo has two separate and closely related purposes. First, zoo officials are committed to conservation, in particular, the preservation of species that are threatened. And they believe that education is the way to bring that message to visitors and supporters.

The zoo is a short bus trip from your villa Puerto Vallarta, south of the city. Visitors are welcome every day from 8:30 in the morning to 6:00 in the evening. While you’re there, ask if there’s anything new in the nursery – zoo babies are adorable.

You can enjoy the bay in a number of ways, from the north end to the south. For instance, at the far north end of the bay, just around the point, you’ll find the small beach-front town of Sayulita. This is the go-to place for surfing fans of all skill levels. If you don’t have your own board, you can rent one on the beach.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the bay without leaving the city. Charter a deep-sea fishing trip at Marina Vallarta; stroll along the Malecon and step off the boardwalk onto the beach; kick up some sand at los Muertos beach. No matter how you picture a perfect day on the bay, it’s within easy reach of Puerto Vallarta villas.

Further south, visitors relax in the quieter atmosphere on the beaches at Amapas and Conchas Chinas. There’s so much to do on Banderas Bay, in fact, that you may need to book another visit to do it all.

Leave what you know about rodeo back at your villa Puerto Vallarta; as soon as you pass through the entrance gate of the Lienzo Charro Miguel Prieto Ibarria , you’ll see that charreada is different from rodeo in the US. It’s only natural, since this is more or less the national sport of Mexico. Here are just a few of the signs that you’re not at a local punkin’ roller:

For starters, the opening ceremonies feature Mariachi music to help introduce the competitors.

And when they ride into the arena, you can’t help but notice the distinctive costumes. Men wear long-sleeved shirts and pants decorated with silver studs; long sleeves, full skirts and feminine ruffles identify women participants.

Then there’s the matter of teams – charreada is a team competition. The events are designed to test each team’s skills with horses and ropes. The ladies who ride in the escaramuza demonstrate their precision horsemanship skills.

Gifts that reflect the area’s cultural richness are always winners. You can find special pieces that recall the warm colors of the sunsets over Banderas Bay, the lively noise of nights in the city, the cool splash of waves on sand. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Glassware, pottery and ceramics crafted by Mexican artisans make tasteful and lovely gifts. Shop with your villa rental Puerto Vallarta in mind – items like the distinctive drinking glasses, the colorful tile, the decorative pots and vases are perfect reminders of your stay.

Textiles are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. You can find beautiful woven pieces made locally, so try to avoid knock-offs made overseas and select the real deal. To stay within budget, select smaller things like a table mat or a belt.

Cool Mexican silver makes a great gift. You don’t have to spend a fortune – choose some nice earrings or napkin rings that carry the “Mex” and “.925" stamp on the back.