The Mexican resort city of Puerto Vallarta is laid back and charming, with more than enough to occupy most tourists.

Home to around 300,000 people and the second most popular holiday destination in Mexico, the city is located in the state of Jalisco and fronts the Bahia de Banderas on the Pacific Ocean.

Originally a traditional fishing village, Puerto Vallerta was founded in 1851 to enable silver from the mines in the area to be shipped overseas. The Bahia de Banderas was used by pirates and explorers as a rest stop from the 16th century.

In 1918, the village was given municipality status and renamed after former state governor Ignacio L Vallarta. A film version of Tennessee Williams' The Night of the Iguana was filmed in 1963 and the paparazzi descended on the town, raising its international profile considerably.

The city's Old Town is a pretty mix of cobbled streets, attractive churches, shops and cafes and a peaceful place to wander away from the more built up beachfront areas. The Isle Rio Cuale, with shops and stalls selling locally produced goods and handicrafts and quaint cafes, is also a nice place to visit.

A popular tourist destination for holidaymakers and cruise passengers, local officials have worked hard to ensure that the city retains its traditional Mexican appeal, with quaint white houses preserved and a ban placed on neon signs.

The beaches are particularly good, with fine, white sand, coves and there are dolphins and humpback whales in the clear, blue Pacific. Families will enjoy the Splash amusement park, with slides, seals and dolphin shows.

Though largely a beach resort, Puerto Vallarta also has some interesting attractions, including the Casa Kimberley Museum and Gallery in Elizabeth Taylor's former home, Galeria Dante, the Museo Arqueologico, the ornate Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Palacio Municipal (City Hall).

Shoppers will delight in Puerto Vallarta's malls and independent shops and stalls selling local masks, rugs, beads, clothing, embroidery, pottery, lacquer and excellent Mexican silver jewellery.

Famous for its dining, restaurants in Puerto Vallarta tend to be high on quality and taste and relatively low in price, with venues ranging from cosy bistros to thatched cafes. The city's nightlife is a riot of bars, nightclubs, a vibrant gay scene, dance clubs, Mexican fiesta dinner shows and music and theatre performances.

The lush jungle, mountains and rivers surrounding Puerto Vallarta are well worth a visit, with organised treks available and fascinating flora and fauna to see.

Accommodation in Puerto Vallarta is plentiful, with an array of beachfront hotels to choose from. The city has an international airport with links to the United States and is

Puerto Vallarta is warm and sunny for most of the year, with the highest rainfall in June and October. Busy year round, a number of holiday and cruise companies organise trips and those booking independently should do so well in advance.