When you stay in a luxurious villa rental Puerto Vallarta, you are surrounded with all the comforts of home, and then some. Your villa could very well be the nicest place you?ll ever sleep, and it gives you a unique perspective on what it means to visit Mexico and Puerto Vallarta. There is another, more traditional, side to this region, however, one you can only experience when you spend a day out of town, away from the hum of the city, in a quiet seashore fishing village.

Many visitors to Puerto Vallarta take a day trip to the village of Yelapa to get a taste of rural Mexico that is not too far distant from town, yet worlds away. This little slice of paradise is not surrounded by modern convenience, like electricity, highways and automobiles, which means you must arrive by water. Take a water taxi or purchase a seat on the Princesa Yelapa tour boat and step into a whole new kind of Mexico.

No Yelapa ? looza

A day at Yelapa is a truly unique experience, a step into a small, quiet village, separated in spirit from many of the challenges of the modern world. Visitors won?t find diesel fumes and honking horns here; on the other hand, if they miss the last water taxi, they won?t find a way home until tomorrow.

That doesn?t mean you won?t have a long list of items on your Yelapa “to do” list. A visit might include a day at the beach, snorkeling or parasailing in Yelapa Cove; a delicious meal of freshly-caught seafood; and a ride on horseback to the waterfall beyond the village. Visit the shops and pick up something crafted from rosewood by local artisans. Whatever you do, bring cash because many merchants do not accept credit cards.

A number of artists and musicians make Yelapa their home, at least for part of the year, and they frequently perform in the local bistros; the restaurants and bars on the beach usually close when the last water taxi heads back to the city, but many in the village stay open for dinner.

Greening Yelapa

It shouldn?t come as a huge surprise that this little community struggles to manage the waste generated by increasing numbers of tourists; some locals have begun to encourage their friends and neighbors to recycle. A word to thoughtful visitors: if you haul it in to Yelapa, be courteous and haul it right back out when you leave.

When you get back to the gracious setting of your villa Puerto Vallarta after a successful day in the country, you may wonder at the difference in these two ways of life, rustic village and modern city. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each opens a window on the culture and traditions found in this part of Mexico.

There are a few things about Puerto Vallarta that I have realized while visiting places, other then Mexico. Spain for instance, is a place that promises adventure, luxury, exotic delicacies, formula1 fanatics, football fans and unusual mishaps such as being run over by a bull weighing over a ton. But unlike Spain, the animals in Puerto Vallarta are much friendlier. So until you have had your share of fun with the dolphins, you have not properly checked your ?things to do? list. I believe if dolphins could talk, they?d have a better sense of humour than us, humans. But you won?t be short of a hearty laughter once you get close to these adorable marine mammals; unlike in Spain, where you need to keep your feet dry for the most part of the adventure.

These interactive programs allow you to experience the magic in water with these beautiful creatures while performing breath taking skills with them. These programs are not just designed for teenagers or adults but for anyone above the age of 7. So this leaves the parents with no excuse for not taking their young guests to this adventurous trip to Puerto Vallarta. This $139 experience at Nuevo Vallarta called the ?Dolphin Royal Swim,? also includes an orientation from the Dolphin Discovery trainer which adds to this fabulous offering from Puerto Vallarta.

However, if you are looking for a greater adrenaline rush, you can also visit these friendly pacific bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Along with professional biologists you can have a once in a life time experience with these untamed beauties.

While you indulge in the under water adventures in Puerto Vallarta, it is only fair to visit the University of Guadalajara?s reptilarium at its Ixtapa campus, where you will be welcomed by 15 feet long crocs. Learn about these wide-jawed predators and how they evolved through out the centuries. In addition to these big fellows you can also enjoy feeding the wild iguanas, because it just gets wilder by the dozen. It never hurts to get a little educated while enjoying your vacations, besides it is all just 15 minutes from the airport.

After you are done with Puerto Vallarta?s wild-life experience, it is time to explore its nightlife. Cash on the diversified, wild and crazy side of Puerto Vallarta which now accommodates all moods, ages and lifestyles. Now over a hundred places offer delicious gourmet dinners and live music of all sorts and of course Mariachi. Many of these places offer dazzling dance floors which help you work an appetite and much more. There is no better way to end an action packed day by letting it all out in one of the discos and nightclubs. You will be welcomed by the likes of Krystals Christine, the Roxy Club and Hard Rock Caf