In just a small package, Puerto Vallarta offers up a little something for everyone: a Hawaiian-like tropical climate, sweeping jungle vistas, and the best of Mexico's beaches, dining, artisanship, and golf. And now, the enterprising leadership of Mexico's number two tourist destination (Vallarta ranks just behind Cancun) has organized a number of festivals that showcase what sets this resort town apart from Mexico's other famed beach-towns: namely, culture. Kicking off the tourist season in November and December, these festivals attract tens of thousands of tourists looking for a little edification to supplement their beach bumming.
November
Fiesta de las Artes
All events are free to the public at this annual festival, which celebrated its eighth year in 2004. The arts are celebrated with open-air performances and concerts along the malec¿n (boardwalk), and an impressive diversity of local and national artwork is displayed in the town square and in various art galleries. Second week of November.
Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas
Ever since John Huston's 1963 movie Night of the Iguana brought Puerto Vallarta to international attention, film has been a major contributor to the romance of the city. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor's house in downtown Vallarta, Casa Kimberley, is now a museum, and the set of the movie is home to a magnificent restaurant, aptly named Night of the Iguana. Current cinema is now celebrated in this annual festival, which was inaugurated in 2004. The festival features contemporary full-length films and documentaries from North and South America, as well as discussions and awards. For more information, visit www.puertovallartafilm.com. Second week of November.
Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival
Given Puerto Vallarta's small size, it's a wonder that the town has made an international name for it's dining. This is due in no small part to Thierry Blouet, visionary head chef and owner of Vallarta's top restaurant, Caf¿ des Artistes, and the president of Mexico's premier culinary event, the annual Puerto Vallarta Gourmet Festival. Now in it's eleventh year, the festival brings 25 world-renowned guest chefs to help create special menus at 25 restaurants around town. Cooking demonstrations, a tequila festival, and wine tastings attract over 20,000 gourmands each year. For more information, visit www.festivalgourmet.com. Second week of November.
International Sailfish Tournament
November 2005 will mark the 50th annual International Sailfish Tournament, held in Puerto Vallarta. Anglers of all ages from the U.S., Canada, and, of course, Mexico, compete in catching sailfish, marlin, Dorado and tuna in the waters of Banderas Bay. For more information, visit www.fishvallarta.com. Third week of November.
December
Feast of the Virgen de Guadalupe
According to legend, the Virgin Mary (here the Virgen de Guadalupe) appeared to a poor Aztec Indian, Juan Diego, in the hills outside of Mexico City in December of 1531. To this day, the Feast of the Virgen de Guadalupe is celebrated throughout Mexico on December 12. From the 1st to 12th, the streets of Puerto Vallarta are overtaken by traditional processions to the downtown cathedral, as almost every business and organization offers food and flowers to their patron saint. In the final days, larger processions, more like small parades, crowd the streets with dancers, floats, mariachis, and fireworks. Puerto Vallarta itself was founded on December 12, 1851, and the central plaza outside of City Hall is lined with street vendors and performances. A fireworks show followed by the peeling of church bells takes place on December 12 at 11pm.
First International Festival of Tequila
The Mexican national drink, tequila, is only made in the small town of Tequila, Jalisco. This year, Puerto Vallarta (also in Jalisco) hosts the First International Festival of Tequila, featuring every make of tequila, as well as various producers of international liquors and wines. For more information, visit www.deorigen.com.mx. The event runs December 6 - 12, 2004.
Christmas Posadas
In the nine days before Christmas Mexicans make door-to-door candlelit processions through town as they re-enact Joseph and Mary's search for an inn in Bethlehem. These musical posadas turn into town parties as those seeking lodging are finally invited in. December 15 to 24.
January
Three Kings Day
Commemorates the Three Kings' bringing of gifts to the Christ Child. On this day, children receive gifts, much like the traditional gift-giving that accompanies Christmas in the United States. Friends and families gather to share the Rosca de Reyes, a special cake. Inside the cake there is a small doll representing the Christ Child; whoever receives the doll in his or her piece must host a tamales-and-atole party the next month. January 6.
February
Candlemas
Music, dances, processions, food, and other festivities lead up to a blessing of seed and candles, a ritual that mixes pre-Hispanic and European traditions marking the end of winter. All those who attended the Three Kings' Celebration reunite to share atole and tamales at a party hosted by the recipient of the doll found in the Rosca. February 2.