Puerto Vallarta

They don't hand out Oscars to cities, but if they did, we'd nominate Puerto Vallarta. It masterfully plays the part of a remote tropical getaway, even as it grows into a larger city that's connected to the outside world by a steady stream of jets and cruise ships.

Looks have a lot to do with Vallarta's success. The city's whitewashed walls and terra-cotta-tiled roofs are nestled along Banderas Bay, with the ornate crown of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe serving as a focal point. The lush, green foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains make for a beautiful and dramatic backdrop.

Style is another key. Even as more and more travelers have arrived and more and more hotels have been built, Vallarta (or "PV," as it's often called) has retained a cultured grace that's rare in heavily touristed areas. Artists, architects and chefs flourish in this rarified climate of tropical creativity. The restaurants, galleries and shops are some of the best in the country, drawing talent from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Italy, Switzerland and the United States.