Puerto Vallarta Some History. Before the hotels, cruises, and Instagram-worthy sunsets, Puerto Vallarta was just a peaceful village nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean. In the 19th century, the area was called Las Peñas, a modest port used by fishermen and cattle ranchers from the nearby valley.

What makes Old Vallarta so charming today, its narrow streets, steep inclines, and unexpected turns, stems from a surprising fact: the streets were laid out along the old paths of cows and mules. These animals naturally followed the most accessible routes down to the Cuale River and the sea. When the population grew, these paths were simply paved over, without ever redesigning the town.

That’s why, even today, Puerto Vallarta retains its organic, almost vibrant feel, where every alleyway seems to follow the rhythm of the landscape rather than an architect’s plan. Walking its streets is like traveling back in time—to where the footsteps of fishermen, animals, and the first inhabitants gently shaped the heart of the city.

Puerto Vallarta, where love and cinema collide…

In 1963, actor Richard Burton arrived in Puerto Vallarta to film The Night of the Iguana. His partner, Elizabeth Taylor, immediately captured the world’s attention. Their love, their eccentricity, and their presence would forever change the destiny of this small fishing village, which became a legendary destination on the Mexican Riviera.

1- The film shoot that changed everything
John Huston’s film brought Puerto Vallarta to the attention of the general public. The Burton-Taylor couple, hounded by the international press, transformed the hills of Mismaloya and the cobblestone streets into a veritable movie set.

2- The Bridge of Love
Richard Burton gifted Elizabeth Taylor a villa (the famous Casa Kimberly) before buying the house across the street. Between the two, he had a small suspension bridge built: the Puente del Amor (Bridge of Love). A secret passageway to escape prying eyes… or to make peace after an argument.

3- An eternal legend

Today, Casa Kimberly is a charming boutique hotel. The bridge, the original tiles, and the bay views still evoke Hollywood glamour and the couple’s passionate romance. A bronze statue, installed right in front of the house, perpetuates this romantic myth.

Burton-Taylor Anecdotes

The Filming That Changed Vallarta’s Destiny
In 1963, director John Huston set up his cameras in the wild cove of Mismaloya to film The Night of the Iguana. Under the sun and the cries of parrots, Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, and Sue Lyon brought to life a scorching drama set between jungle and ocean.

But the real story unfolded off-camera with the arrival of Elizabeth Taylor.

When the jungle became a film set, Puerto Vallarta entered the annals of history.

Even Hollywood stars sometimes find themselves upside down!

One afternoon, Richard Burton wanted to show Elizabeth Taylor the cobblestone streets of Old Vallarta, behind the wheel of a brand-new jeep. The locals laughed, the children waved… until a sharp turn sent the jeep tumbling onto its side! More of a scare than anything else: Burton got up, laughing – “That day, Puerto Vallarta brought me back down to earth!” The anecdote spread throughout the town and forever cemented the bond between the couple and the city.

A small fall that became a great legend in the streets of Vallarta.

The forbidden parties of the jungle

In Mismaloya, near the filming of The Night of the Iguana, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor had transformed their villa into a timeless refuge. At night, the jungle came alive: lanterns hung overhead, music filled the air, and laughter and whispers filled the air as guests came from far and wide. Actors, fishermen, journalists, even politicians—all drawn by the aura of the legendary couple.

These parties were considered “forbidden”: too free, too noisy, too scandalous for the time. But it was from this nocturnal frenzy that the legend of Puerto Vallarta was born: a small fishing village that, in just a few nights, became the stage for the world’s passions.

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