Nights are to be savored in this beautiful coastal village. For most visitors, sipping a tropical drink, listening to some pleasant Mexican music, and sharing a relaxed conversation with friends while seated overlooking the lovely bay is the ideal way to spend the evening.

Nightlife tends to center around the hotels, and most have outstanding lobby bars. Folks sometimes linger all evening, chatting with other friendly people, wether local residents or tourists.

But don't resist the temptation to paint the town. A few short years ago, it would have taken only minutes to do. Now you can dance the night away at classy night-clubs and laser-lit discotheques, or at tropical beach palaces thatched with palm fronds.

Mexican Fiestas

Many major hotels have weekly Mexican Fiestas, with open bar, a Mexican buffet, mariachis, folk dancing and fireworks. You should attend at least one during your stay here for a colorful, musical glimpse at the varied cultures of Mexico. A good Mexican Fiesta is at the Kristal Vallarta hotel every Tuesday and Saturday at 7 p.m. during the season. The Kristal Vallarta also stages a popular Fiesta Brava every thursday at 7 p.m. during the season. There's a buffet dinner and open bar. In addition to the traditional fiesta, you can participate in a do-it-yourself bullfight (small bulls) in the hotel's own bullring.This is a lot of fun, but be careful!

Here we mentioned some bars and discos that you will enjoy.

Cactus Club.- Ignacio Vallarta 399. Good variety of music, including slow rhytms to wind down to at the en of the evening. Very lively and popular with the younger set and local crowd. Nice decor and light show.

Carlos O'Brian's.- Diaz Ordaz 786. One of Vallarta's most popular nihtspots. Always packed.

Christine.- Krystal hotel. Probably the most popular nightspot in town. Outstanding decor, great light and sond show, and the latest music. Always crowded and lots of fun.

La Iguana.- Lazaro Cardenas 311. Gustavo Fong has been entertaining visitors with his popular Mexican Fiesta for 32 years. The dinner show includes folk dancers, lasso-spinning charros, ranchero singers, a "harmless" cockfight, piñatas and more.