Bahía de Banderas

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Bahía de Banderas is both a bay and a municipality in the Mexican state of Nayarit.

The bay, site of the tourist destination Puerto Vallarta, is bounded on the north by Punta Mita and on the south by Cape Corrientes. It straddles the states of Jalisco and Nayarit and is the third largest natural bay in Mexico. The municipality had a population of 83,739 in 2005 (59,808 in 2000) in a total area of 773.3 km². The municipal seat is Valle de Banderas with a population of 5,057 in 2005. Other towns are San Juan de Abajo (8,159), Bucerías (5,711), San José del Valle (5,188), San Vicente (3,543) and Jarretaderas (3,426). The municipality was created in 1989.

The municipality is located in the following extreme geographic coordinates: 21°03′N, 20°54′W. In the north it borders the municipality of Compostela, in the east with the state of Jalisco, in the south with the Pacific Ocean and the state of Jalisco, and in the west with the Pacific Ocean. See maps at [1], [2], [3]

With a coastline of 68 kilometers, Bahía de Banderas has attractive beaches and landscapes that have spurred development in the touristic sector. The long valley and abundance of water allow for extensive cattle raising. The mountains constitute an important ecological reserve.

The economy is based on tourism, fishing, and agriculture. The main crops are corn (maize), bean, sorghum, tobacco, rice, watermelon, and mango. Exotic fruits like papaya, litchi, and guanábana are also grown. Most of the planted area is irrigated. There are several packing houses for papaya and other fruits.

Tourism is very important and Bahía de Banderas is the most important site of touristic development in the state.