City history
From its roots as a quiet fishing village in Wixárika territory to a global tourism icon, discover the rich history of Puerto Vallarta.
Chapter one
Earliest documented name
"N/A"
Before its formal incorporation, the area was a collection of small fishing settlements located within the traditional lands of the Wixárika people.
Vallarta Port
The name was officially adopted to honor Ignacio L. Vallarta, a prominent Mexican statesman and diplomat.
Saint Sebastian
The surrounding region and nearby settlements were often associated with this name during the early post-colonial period.
Chapter two
The Mexican government officially ended the use of daylight saving time across most of the country, including Puerto Vallarta, to maintain standard time year-round.
The region transitioned from local solar time to standardized Central Time to align with the national Mexican timekeeping system.
Chapter three
The settlement was officially renamed Puerto Vallarta to honor the statesman Ignacio L. Vallarta.
The arrival of international travelers during the mid-1960s transformed the local economy from subsistence fishing to a global tourism hub.
Improvements to the local maritime infrastructure facilitated increased trade and easier access to the Banderas Bay region.
Puerto Vallarta ceased observing daylight saving time following a national legislative decree in Mexico.