If you have ever travelled alone, you know the excitement and the anxiety that travels with you. I travelled to Puerto Vallarta in Mexico by myself last week and was surprised how fun it actually was. Puerto Vallarta turned out to be really safe place for a female tourist, even at night. I had no difficulties and everyone treated me very politely (except the mosquitos who bit me eight times during the first sunset). The only down-side was that the streets of non-touristy areas are quite narrow and it’s almost impossible to bike around the city. But in the center and in the tourist area everything is within the walking distance, so biking isn’t a must. The highlight of my trip was a day-trip to Islas Marietas. It is a national park about a 1.5 hour boat-trip away from Puerto Vallarta harbor. I snorkeled for the first time in my life and I saw exotic fish that were blue, yellow, black and brown. The islands have a beach named “The Beach of Love,” which used to be a really quiet and romantic place, but now tourists from all over the world come and see it. When you travel alone, you also have a chance to make new friends. I met three awesome Canadian women from Puerto Vallarta, who were so welcoming and took me to their favorite restaurants. What a blast we had with those Canadians! I will travel alone again, because it’s excellent way to relax and just enjoy my own company! Saludos, Hanna Info: Puerto Vallarta
Located in middle of West coast of Mexico, on the same latitude as Hawaii
Population: 255,725
In the north and west side lot of mountains
Islas Marietas in Puerto Vallarta are a national park More info: visitpuertovallarta.com (I’m Hanna Laukkanen, a 26-year-old journalist, who moved from Finland to San Diego for an internship in San Diego Community Newspaper Group. In this blog I will compare Finnish and American lifestyles and try to find out a lot more about the Californian way of living. Please send me feedback at [email protected].)