Puerto Vallarta is well known for its miles of sand, beautiful views, charming city center and wide range of hotels. But during a recent visit to this famed Mexico beach destination, I was invited to see a different side of the region, on a tour that hints at what it’s about: Hidden Mexico.
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Offered by a company called Vallarta Adventures, the Hidden Mexico tour takes participants south of the city, to lesser-known areas that are both beautiful and fascinating. Getting there is half the fun; open-air Mercedes Benz Unimog 4×4 trucks are the mode of transportation, offering a rambling and memorable trip with lots of photo opportunities.
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Among the highlights of this Mexico tour:
• Vallarta Botanical Gardens: This lush green paradise is dotted with hundreds (or perhaps thousands) of flowers and plants, including giant strangler figs, cacti and orchids.
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• El Tuito: This lovely little Mexican town is far from the touristy areas. During the relaxed, guided stroll, we visited a tortillería, a church and a place that produces delicious Panella cheese (and yes, we got samples). Just outside of the town sits a cemetery with impressive monuments that make it seem almost like a miniature city.
• Pre-Hispanic Petroglyphs: This part of Mexico isn’t usually known for ancient attractions, but on this tour, we got to see petroglyphs that date back more than 1,200 years.
For more information about things to do in Puerto Vallarta, visit the official tourism website.