Hello everyone,
And thank you again for reading me. We left off with the bountiful and diverse species beneath the Bay of Banderas and its unique species.
We now visit what is a unique ecosystem within a greater one, at Los Arcos Marine Park (Las Peñas).
If you travel south while in Puerto Vallarta, or in Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas), you’ll find a protected area, that through the years has become a regular attraction, not only for the different day cruise ships from Vallarta but also for those that enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling.
We are, of course, talking about the now famous Puerto Vallarta islands of “Los Arcos” (The Arches) or “Los Arcos de Mismaloya” (The Arches of Mismaloya) which of course have become one of the symbols of the city.
On a side note, do not confuse “Los Arcos Marine Park” with “Los Arcos” on the Malecon, the latter are arches that are located in downtown Puerto Vallarta and are a tourist attraction right beside the main square.
These small beautiful granite islands protruding from the sea surface are visible even from downtown PV, and are protected as a National Marine Park since 1984.
The beautiful Los Arcos National Marine Park is located out at sea between two beaches, Mismaloya beach, and Las Gemelas beach. At the park, you’ll find caves, deep tunnels, arches and a striking reefs.
It is said that the waters around the islands are also the deepest in the bay, with a depth ranging from 9 to 480 meters (30 and 1,600 feet).
This wonderful place is also a protected area for various seabird species that breed there, some of these include penguins, various species of parrots, pelicans and other sea and land birds.
Mirroring the land-based cornucopia, marine life biodiversity in the sea around the park is also considerable, you’ll really enjoy a snorkel or scuba dive in the area, the water is quite clear and you can see different species of fish, manta rays, sea turtles, pufferfish and other marine life.
Be sure to plan your trip accordingly since Los Arcos is a place that is visited by many different boat tours every day, they stop by this national park and all visitors have the opportunity to enjoy and marvel at the stunning scenery while doing their favorite activities.
After the tour in Los Arcos, ships continue their journey south so their clients can also enjoy the beautiful beaches that can only be accessed from the sea, such as Quimixto, Majahuitas or Yelapa beach.
Hope to see you soon enough on your favorite beach. Once again, I wish you a fun stay. While in town be sure to give me a call at (322) 110-5318
Saludos,
Gustavo