Marina Vallarta, in Puerto Vallarta, was developed in the late 1980s and at the time was one of the first mega developments in Mexico. It became a model for similar communities to be developed in other places such as Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Ixtapa and Cancun. A “mega development” can be defined as a self-contained tourist community where nearly everything that a resident is available. Marina Vallarta is built around two anchoring entities, a large 450 slip marina and a 18-hole golf course. Its situated conveniently next to the Puerto Vallarta International airport, alongside the main highway that leads from the airport to downtown Vallarta and the Hotel Zone, and has more than a kilometer of beachfront, which is lined with hotels and condominium projects.
Along the highway and near the airport is the Plaza Marina Vallarta shopping center, with a Commercial Mexicana supermarket at its anchor, along with numerous shops, offices and restaurants. Around the marina is a promenade, great for walks, that is lined with condominium projects, with restaurants and shops featured on the ground level facing the marina. Marina Vallarta is very centrally located, being next to the airport and about 15 minutes from downtown.
Getting There
If arriving by air, Marina Vallarta is easy to find as it is right next to the airport, with the best option being to just take a taxi to your hotel or property in the Marina. If arriving by car from the north (Guadalajara and Tepic), Marina Vallarta is situated right next to the international airport. As you past the airport you’ll see the Plaza Marina Vallarta shopping center on your right. Just past this is the main entrance to the Marina. You can’t miss it as there’s a large whale sculpture at the entrance. Marina Vallarta is also home to boaters, many arriving in the fall from the U.S. and Canada. The entrance is clearly marked, but watch for traffic as the entrance is also shared with three cruise line docks; when in town that make a difficult to miss landmark for where the entrance is.
Marina Vallarta Photos
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