SPAA'98: Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is located on the west coast of Mexico. The Sierra Madre Mountains form a backdrop for this picturesque village and resort destination. There is an international airport with direct flights to several cities in Mexico and abroad. Temperature ranges from 70-90 degrees year round, getting towards 90 and with chances of rain during the late afternoon July through September.

The Marriott CasaMagna Hotel

The conference will be held at the Marriott CasaMagna Hotel, beachfront in Marina Vallarta, a development that features an 18-hole golf course, 400-slip marina, shops, cafes and restaurants. The hotel is located 10 minutes from the airport and less than 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Marriott beach activities include volleyball, wind-surfing and catamarans. There are also three lighted tennis courts, swimming pool and a health club. All rooms feature private balconies and modern facilities typical of a Marriott hotel (smoke detectors, in-room safe, TV, water purification system, etc).

Activities

The Marina and downtown Puerto Vallarta offer charter boats, scuba diving trips, sailboats and deep-sea fishing. There are trips to nearby islands and beaches, jungle horseback riding and other adventures, and historic Mexican landmarks. A variety of jewelry stores, art galleries, leather good shops, craft shops and boutiques line the cobblestone streets of downtown.

Acknowledgements

SPAA'98 Local Arrangements Chair: Ming-Yang Kao (Yale)

Special acknowledgement from SPAA'98 to Sergio Rajsbaum (U. Nacional Autonoma de Mexico), PODC'98 Local Arrangements Chair, for all his help with local arrangements.