Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is located in between the mountains of Sierra Madre del Sur and the mouth of Puerto Vallarta Bay. Straddling both sides of the River Cuale Puerto Vallarta's beautiful beaches, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls offers many opportunities for exploration by adventurous Spring Breakers.
A newly extended and refurbished boardwalk along the ocean, called the Malecon stretches from the south end of "Old Town" to central downtown with many shops, restaurants, and hotels. There are many street performers like mimes, breakdancers, and clowns to entertain tourists.The Malecon also has many world-class nightclubs like the Collage, Mandala, Hilo and the Zoo just to name a few.
You can explore the jungle from above by zipping over the canopy at 30 mph. The breath taking Canopy Tour offers a total of 13 cables and the longest is 350 meters and crosses the breath taking Orquidias River.
The beautiful Banderas Bay, is 40-miles-wide and is one of the largest and deepest in the world. Home to annual Puerto Vallarta International Fishing Tournament since 1956, deep sea fishing for sailfish, dorado, marlin, bonita and yellowfin tuna, roostertail, jack cravel, pargo, or red snapperon is also available.
2017 Events
Electro Beach is the world’s first college spring break festival with a EDM only music program. Last years inaugural Electro Beach had performances from world famous DJs Tiesto, Avicii, Calvin Harris, Dada Life, Chuckie, Steve Aoki, LA Riots, Nervo and 12th Planet. Dates run from March 3rd to March 30th 2013.
TBD - Check Back Soon.
Top Clubs
If you are looking for the biggest parties, the hottest clubs and the most high profile events, check to see where the parties hosted by tour operators are hosting their nightly parties, there will be more people at those clubs.
Top Ten Tips
If you are planning to go to Mexico, the State Department has issued a Travel Advisory for Mexico and has some Travel Tips for Spring Break.
If you are looking for the biggest parties, the hottest clubs and the most high profile events, check to see where the parties hosted by tour operators are hosting their nightly parties, there will be more people at those clubs.
Many of the hotels can provide a price list for cabs (expect to pay about 50 pesos for short trips, and 200 for longer trips).
Use the local bus system to get around; it only costs 6.5 pesos (50 cents US) Buses run in both directions so there is never too long of a wait. The bus is an excellent way to meet other SpringBreakers! There is no point in wasting money on a taxi when the bus system is fast, safe so inexpensive. They run 24 hour a day. They are also useful for travelling from the hotel zone and marina area to the downtown or old-town areas. Buses marked "Centro" will pass through both. Buses marked "Tunel" will skip downtown and head directly to the old-town / zona romantica via the tunnel bypass.
Don't Rent Mopeds - they are dangerous and any if you damage a Moped, the damage charges will be payable in cash prior to your departure. Even if the damage is imaginary.
If you want to save money and time, get a party card from one of the tour operators, you will save money on cover charges, maybe some on drinks, plus you get in faster without having to wait in line to pay conver charges.
Do not urinate in public - it sounds silly, but it is taken very seriously - you will get in more serious trouble with the authorities than you would expect.
Stick to bottled water and drinks that you know won't give you Montezuma's revenge.
Bring between $250- $450 in Travelers Check plus a credit card just in case.
Collect phone calls home are $$$$ Purchase a Telmex pre-paid calling card when you arrive. They available at any convenience store or hotel shop; the rate is 10 pesos/minute, there are 3, 5, 10 minute cards. The cards work with Telmex pay phones,which have a language button on the phone that will give you instructions in English.
Remember to protect yourself with SPF 15 Sunblock every day.
Traveling Smarter
What can you do right this instant to be safer on Spring Break?
just sign up for the U.S. government's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. It's fast, free, and in the govs' own words, "It allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency and keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements."
While you are on the State department Website
Make a note of the U.S. consulate or consular agency closest to where you're staying. At travel.state.gov, look under Country Specific Information for a list of agencies in your destination. Send an email to yourself and fellow travellers and enter the information in your cellphone.
There an app for that too!
Download the Smart Traveler Program app for iPhone and Android.
