On the beautiful Mexican Pacific Coast, where the state of Nayarit joins the state of Jalisco, the home of tequila, mariachi music, famous artists, movie sets, and stunning handicrafts, lies Puerto Vallarta, one of the most popular tropical destinations in the world.

The town of Puerto Vallarta is situated at the bottom of the mountains, almost midway from point to point of the Bahia de Banderas. Here is the heart of the area. Stretching out along the Bay of Banderas to the north is the hotel zone, the marina area and then, crossing a state line and a time zone is Nuevo Vallarta.

While Puerto Vallarta is often thought of as a tropical beach destination, it is so much more. There are diverse zones and areas that appeal to specific personalities, from back-packer to jet-setter and everyone in between. Or someone like you, just recovering from surgery.

Accommodations are great and you can stay in a hotel with an ocean view, a condo with all the amenities, or even some very quaint bed and breakfasts overlooking the city or the ocean. You might even want an all inclusive and then you have nothing to worry about except your recovery.

You probably won't be in the mood for a big night on the town, it might not be in your budget, or if you're simply not a late night person, then just walking along the Malecón and people watching can be quite entertaining. Every evening is good, but Sunday is better because there are more people, more vendors, and usually a free open air concert. Your evening starts about half an hour before sunset and continues until you are ready to call it a night.

Today, Puerto Vallarta still retains much of its original charm, with cobblestone streets, red tiled roofs, and white washed buildings. Progress has come, especially with the conception of the free trade agreement. Wal-Mart and Sam's Club sell everything you would expect, as well as cyber cafes on almost every street, making Vallarta a delightful mix of old and new.

Weather
On the same latitude as Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta is tropical, with an average of over 300 sunny days per year. The temperature averages (82F). The rainy season is from late June through early October, with higher temperatures and humidity.