Yoga and Meditation Retreats in Mexico
with Charles MacInerney

Behind the cathedral, winding narrow streets and paths are carved into the hillside, providing access to a host of beautiful villas, bed & breakfasts, and private dwellings.

Walking these quiet little paths you are afforded occasional glimpses of inviting courtyards with fountains and trees, balconies draped with colorful flowers, and rooftop gardens with amazing views over the top of the cathedral to the ocean. It is easy to see why so many people return year after year for their vacations.

Close to the Cathedral is the Lovers Bridge pictured in photograph on right. This is the best known story about Puerto Vallarta - how it was discovered by Americans.

John Huston chose Puerto Vallarta to film his classic movie Night of the Iguanas, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. At the time it was a sleepy little fishing village that no-one, save the director, knew about. The movie set was built on a hill, overlooking Mismaloya Bay which is South of Puerto Vallarta, about half way to Yelapa where we hold our retreats.

It was during the filming of this movie that Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor fell in love. They had rented apartments facing each other across a street, and had a bridge built connecting their bedrooms.

After the filming of Night of the Iguana, word was out among the rich and famous and soon the jet setters were flocking to town. Through out town you find statues of John Huston, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor commemorating their stay in Puerto Vallarta.

More recently, Arnold Swartznegger visited to Puerto Vallarta to film his movie Predator which was shot primarily in the mountains about 1 hour on foot upstream from Mismaloya Bay. His set called for a jungle paradise, with large trees, waterfalls, and pools. It is easy to rent horses and a guide who can take you up to a restaurant that overlooks the waterfall and swimming pools that served as the set for this movie. Sitting under the thatched pavilion, looking out past the water fall at the valley, you can see why they chose this spectacular spot to film their movie.

Just a few miles further south of the Mismaloya bay at the small town of Boca, the coast road turns inland, abandoning the settlements further south, including Yelapa, which can only be reached by boat. Here in Boca is a restaurant that is very popular with tourists for it's wonderful view of the waterfall at left, and with locals who like to swim and dive of the rocks.

One of the favorite areas to explore in Puerto Vallarta is Cuale Island that divides the older districts of Puerto Vallarta in half. The easiest access point to the Island is from either of the two main bridges that carry traffic across the Cuales River. Mid way across the river wide stone steps curving down to the park below, invite visitors to explore the Island. For the more adventurous, there are also swinging foot bridges that the locals use to get across (and yes, they really do swing!). Above right is one of the swinging bridges, and below left shows the island. Here you will find a museum, restaurants, stores, and lots of beautiful trees, gardens, pavilions, and even out door yoga classes.

SETTING

• Banderas Bay
• Yelapa
• Puerto Vallarta
  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Yoga
  • Places of Interest
  • Board Walk
  • Playa de los Muertos
  • Night Life

Mexico
8-Day Retreat
Yoga & Meditation