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Hotel Zone
For native Vallartans, this area along Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio lined with majestic palm trees has marked the northern entrance to the city. The avenue was named after Governor Francisco Medina Ascencio, who extracted the promise to finish the road from his friend, President Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. The avenue later played an important role in welcoming President Nixon and President Díaz Ordaz to Puerto Vallarta in 1970. It was a time of great progress, in two short years providing a new international airport, a city-wide electrical system, a new port for ships and the completed road from Compostela in the northeast. Now, with several full-fledged developments, the Hotel Zone is rapidly becoming more residential.
The Hotel Zone may not be for everyone. Remember the adage “location, location, location” as you review the pros and cons below.
PROS
• Close to everything, including shopping, schools, gymnasiums, cinema, hotels, restaurants
• Transportation easily available, including city bus and car rentals
• Proximity to airport, main bus station, marina and tour boats
• Broad gamut of health services available, including state-of-the-art hospitals, clinics and spas
• Many activities are centered here
• Accessible range of prices
CONS
• Traffic increasingly heavier, although the new bridges have certainly relieved some of that
• Marathon events and other races inevitably take place here due to the location of the sports stadium
• Parking can be problematic
• Main road can be long and un-shaded in spots for those who like to walk
• Crossing main road can be hazardous
• Area lacks Mexican character
The Hotel Zone tends to be very active due to the location of the completely renovated Estadio Agustín Flores Contreras, complete with a running track, skate board park, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, an aerobics court, exercise machines, basketball courts and a number of organized activities for all ages. Several marathons are held throughout the year, primarily from the stadium to the Holiday Inn, while recently the triathlon ventured from the nH Krystal Vallarta across the Pitillal River. Speaking of the river, its banks are a traditional outdoor running path and are receiving an upgrade from the Fluvial Vallarta developers.
In addition to the growing number of services, restaurants and stores of the traditional Plaza Caracol, the recently inaugurate Plaza Peninsula offers additional numerous options for dining, shopping, banking and other important services. Underground parking at no charge is another plus for the increasingly popular plaza. Once complete, a path for strolling among the trees along the banks of the Pitillal River will provide a pleasant break from the strikingly modern plaza.
Investment opportunities are varied in this flourishing area with rentals, residential areas, zones for businesses and areas for public activity. The infrastructure comes with the package, adding enormous value to the buyer.
Just a hop away are the quiet, settled residential areas of Las Gaviotas and Versalles, where a number of single-family dwellings offer space including actual yards, established trees and gardens.
