Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

For centuries, Puerto Vallarta was a sleepy fishing village. Then director John Huston chose the village as the location for his film "Night of the Iguana," starring Richard Burton. Puerto Vallarta was sleepy no more; its transformation into an international resort had begun. Today, the city has its own "Gringo Gulch," a haunt of the rich and famous. Travelers are also drawn by its climate, its excellent shopping — great values on leather goods, jewelry and handicrafts — and mile after mile of palm-lined beaches.