Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit

One of the most popular destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta occupies a nice niche between the other beachfront resort cities—it's more sophisticated than Cancún, but more laid-back than Acapulco. Part of its popularity is owed to the fact that development has left its Old Town unscathed, so there are cobblestone streets and graceful churches in the city center instead of glass-and-concrete towers. Moreover, the city has the best dining on the coast. As the destination has grown in popularity, dozens of excellent chefs have opened restaurants that mix traditional dishes and modern tastes. And shoppers are not left out of the mix. After a day spent here, die-hard shoppers often need an extra suitcase for their ceramics, textiles, beadwork, jewelry, and art.