Pre-Columbian History

The valley where Puerto Vallarta lies, is believed to have been the home for the Toltecs indigenous tribe around 400 B.C. and for a succession of native groups that disappeared with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors. In 1525 it was named Bay of Flags “Bahía de Banderas” by Captain Francisco Cortes de San Buena Ventura, nephew of Hernan Cortes, to commemorate a certain event that has become a legend.

The Spanish Intervention

The tale says that Captain Francisco Cortes de San Buenaventura was exploring the hilly region along the Pacific coast when his men, not more than 100, discovered their first view of a vast and beautiful valley. Soon after they descended to the shoreline, they were met by at least 18,000 native warriors waving brightly colored banners with their bows prepared for battle. At first Captain Cortes tried to persuade the native forces to surrender but his proposal was not successful. Captain Cortes even considered to retreat, but his second in command convinced him that it was God’s will for them to show their courage and Captain Cortes agreed to fight. He had his men to pray to The Virgin Mary

Among them there was a monk named Juan de Villadiego, who suggested to use a flag with the Holy Cross and inscribed "In this I defeated, and the one that carries me, it will defeat." On the other side of the flag the Immaculate Conception appeared and the words "Mary, Mary, pray for us."

When Captain Cortes prepared to charge the banner of the Holy Cross was struck by a brilliant ray of light in the form of a halo pointing to the Holy Virgin. Both legions thought that they had been touched by Divine Grace and withdrew from battle.

The Development Period

But the area was officially discovered by Don Pedro de Alvarado and was mainly left undeveloped for the next 300 years, although it often served as a safe harbor for Pacific sailors.

In 1587 Captain Pedro de Unamuno proposed to build a settlement in Banderas Bay after his voyage to the Philippines

In July 1885 a Maritime Customs Office was established and the port was opened to national maritime traffic, and officially given the name of Las Peñas. In 1914, the first post office was opened with a telegraph. Corn, beans, tobacco and coconuts started to be shipped from Banderas Bay to Mexico's interior

On May 31, 1918, by Congressional decree, the port was promoted to the status of a municipality, and the name was changed to Puerto Vallarta, in honor of Don Ignacio Luis Vallarta, who was the governor of the state of Jalisco.

Puerto Vallarta began its fame as a leisure destination in 1930. However, it remained limited mainly because the world economy was in recess in the 1930’s. The first airplane in Puerto Vallarta landed in 1931 and the first hotel (Rosita) opened in 1948

The Golden Age

In 1963 John Houston, an Oscar winning film director decided to set his next film Night of the Iguana in Puerto Vallarta. Richard Burton, Ava Gardner and Debora Kerr starred on it. The film portrayed mostly amazing views of Mismaloya, the mountains, the sea, the deserted beaches and magnificent sunsets, which attracted the attention of people who were either interested in seeing where the actors from the movie had been or Puerto Vallarta’s beautiful landscapes

The hotels and restaurants prospered and tourism became the economic swell of Puerto Vallarta. In 1969, Highway 200 was built to connect Puerto Vallarta with the Mexican interior, and a new commercial airport was opened in 1970 for all air-routes to the main cities of North America and Europe. A modern Maritime Terminal was also finished for luxury cruise ships to dock, with a marina for 550 boats in all sizes.

Puerto Vallarta holds its antique village feel thanks to an ordinance the priests of the town passed some years ago. It is home for over 300,000 residents with a large foreign colony of Americans, Canadians, and Australians, who whether on a permanent or on a semi-permanent basis, have chosen to live there. And it seems that Puerto Vallarta will not stop growing since it receives over 3,000,000 visitors a year and they all love it there.