
Puerto Vallarta's origins trace back to December 12, 1851, when Don Guadalupe Sánchez Torres founded the village of Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe. The area, however, has evidence of continuous human habitation dating back to 580 BC, with the Aztlán culture dominating the region. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers, including Hernán Cortés, arrived, naming the bay Bahía de Banderas (Bay of Flags) due to encounters with indigenous groups bearing flags.
The village evolved into a port supporting nearby mining operations and, by 1918, was renamed Puerto Vallarta in honor of former Jalisco governor Ignacio L. Vallarta. The city's transformation into a tourist haven began in the 1960s, notably with the filming of "The Night of the Iguana," which attracted international attention and spurred infrastructure development, shaping the vibrant destination known today.