Every year, the most acrobatic of all whales, the Humpback, visits the Bay of Banderas in order to reproduce and give birth. From mid-December to the end of March, Banderas Bay offers some of the world's most spectacular whale watching opportunities anywhere.

Officially, the humpback whale watching tours began in mid-December and according to the experts, the months of February and March are the best for this activity. According to the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the first humpbacks arrive in the bay during the last days of November to mate and reproduce, and they generally begin their journey back to their place of origin at the end of March or beginning of April.

The humpback whales that come here are from California. They belong to one of the largest populations of the North American Pacific, with regard to their reproduction. There are many species that come to reproduce in the temperate waters of Mexico, but the ones that come close to shore are more obvious. Such is the case of the humpback whales, but also the gray whales that we can usually watch and study as they too dare to come close to the shorelines. 

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 The Holidays have arrived and the town is being taken over by a festive spirit.

The streets are beginning to fill with snowbirds as the high season starts and the traditional events of the season take place as joy and laughter fill the air.

One of the most anticipated of these are the farmer's markets. In Old Town every Saturday you can find two options, The Farmer's Market co-op at the Paradise Community Center on Pulpito and the Puerto Vallarta Old Town Farmers Market at Lazaro Cardenas Plaza.

Both offer organic produce that would make any foodie feel in heaven, and beautiful and assorted hand made crafts by local artisans.  Yes! As in any cosmopolitan city, local is HOT in Vallarta.

For the party-loving kind and those in the mood for shopping there is the South Side Shuffle on Basilio Badillo, with a street party atmosphere offering up a variety of delicious food options as well as many shops you can discover as you spend a fun evening surrounded by friends and music.

If you want to listen to some great live music and perhaps do a little dancing, we recommend stopping by the town square (Plaza de Armas) in the early evenings on Thursdays and Sundays to enjoy delightful local and international works performed by the City Orchestra, all as you watch another beautiful Vallarta sunset in the background!

There won't be enough days to discover everything that Vallarta has to offer this season! To learn more we invite you to click here.