Historic Garza Blanca and the South Shore
Close to the Romantic Zone with its restaurants, bars and the Malecon, but far enough away to be a tranquil oasis, Garza Blanca offers sweeping views of the city, the bay and its beautiful beaches just at the base of the Sierra Madre mountains. Driving south along the shore toward Garza Blanca from the busy and crowded Romantic Zone, you are instantly relaxed.
Garza Blanca, about halfway to Mismaloya from Puerto Vallarta, was a place made famous during the filming of Night of the Iguana with Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Tennessee Williams in 1963. Elizabeth Taylor, madly in love with Burton, followed him to Puerto Vallarta, and their love affair brought international attention to Puerto Vallarta, a small fishing village at the time. Taylor and Burton not only fell in love with each other, they fell in love with Puerto Vallarta and bought a home perched on a hill in the Gringo Gulch neighborhood of the city.
Puerto Vallarta became a favored getaway for big Hollywood stars, national celebrities, and intellectuals. Villas Altas Garza Blanca was part of the old Garza Blanca Hotel, frequented by A-List Hollywood stars. Joining Elizabeth Taylor, other stars who frequented Garza Blanca, staying in the cliffside chalets and bungalows, included Robert Wagner, Jane Fonda, Gene Hackman, Candice Bergen, and many other celebrities. Nights were spent at the chic Garza Blanca Club de Playa whose flame-lit fiestas were legendary in the 60’s and 70’s.
Nestled in the lush landscape of Villas Altas Garza Blanca, this cobblestone enclave evokes the History of Vallarta’s Golden age.
Nearby Attractions
Los Arcos
The South Shore offers spectacular views of Los Arcos Maritime Nature Reserve, a small group of granite islands in the bay, just off the South Shore. The islands have enjoyed protected status since 1984 and host various species of seabirds including pelicans, parrots and other sea and land birds. With the deep, clear waters around Los Arcos, it is great for snorkeling and scuba diving and visitors can find caves, deep tunnels, arches, a reef and many different kinds of fish, mantas, rays, sea turtles, pufferfish and other marine life.
Mismaloya
Just 5 kilometers to the south of Villa Mariposas, Mismaloya is the site of the filming of "Night of the Iguana." Mismaloya is a tiny village, etched out of a small cove surrounded by lush jungle with quaint palapa restaurants on the ocean's edge. On one end of the cove is the resort Barcelo Puerto Vallarta, selling day passes to enjoy the facilities and dining. With its gentle waters, Mismaloya is ideal for snorkeing and sailing.
The Puerto Vallarta Zoo is located in Mismaloya and there is a spectacular waterfall just a short hike from the beach. If you want to explore further, you can get a boat to Los Arcos from the beach.
Other attractions in Mismaloya include an eco-park, Edenva El Eden del Vallarta on the site of the filming of the movie Predator. The park includes ziplines, a waterfall, swimming pond, hiking trails and a restaurant.
Boca de Tomaltan and Yelapa
Farther down the highway from Mismaloya is the serene little town of Boca de Tomatlan. From Boca you can take a water taxi to several remote beaches accessible only by water. Among these beaches are Las Animas, Quimixto, and Yelapa. Yelapa, reminiscent of a Gilligan’s Island set, makes for a perfect day at the beach. If you tire of the beach, you can make a short hike up winding cobblestone streets to the closest of two waterfalls. For groups of four or more, it’s very affordable to hire a private panga boat and captain for the day at Boca and have the luxury of being shuttled to each of the various small beaches on your own time schedule.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Continuing down Highway 200 from Boca de Tomatlan (just 30-minutes south of Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone), you will reach the lovely Vallarta Botanical Gardens. For a small entrance fee you can stroll through lush gardens, hike miles of trails in a mountain setting, and view a majestic granite half dome encrusted with orchids, plumeria and wild vanilla. Enjoy lunch at their on-site restaurant.
Local Beaches
Just across the street from Villa Mariposas and about a block south of Villas Altas Garza Blanca is Garza Blanca Beach, considered by most to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Banderas Bay. With its soft white sand and turquoise water, it offers great views of the bay and Los Arcos. There is a jetty to protect the beach from erosion, making the beach at Garza Blanca a natural swimming pool. It’s also great for paddle boarding and kayaking.
Playa Palmares, less than a half mile north, has great swimming, a lifeguard, restrooms and food concessions.