Puerto Vallarta Iguanas Sylvia McNamee - VisitPuertoVallarta.com
go to original July 10, 2012

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world and one creature that you’re almost guaranteed to see while on vacation in Vallarta is the iguana.

You can find these prehistoric looking creatures almost everywhere from the Marina Golf Course to just taking a stroll through the city streets.

Iguanas are herbivores from the lizard family and the most common iguana in Puerto Vallarta is the green iguana. But don't let the vegetarian diet fool you; iguanas can grow up to over 6 feet and 20 pounds. They are perfectly suited to Puerto Vallarta as they thrive in warm weather, are great swimmers and agile climbers who are able to fall up to 50 feet and remain unharmed.

Tuna is often referred to as chicken of the sea but iguanas have been called gallina de palo, or chicken of the tree, because in many parts of the world they are a common food source and - like so many foods - apparently taste just like chicken. But you're not going to find any Puerto Vallarta iguanas on your dinner plate as they are more commonly eaten in South American countries.

Iguanas are generally a timid creature and will run quickly from predators but they are a wild animal and have been known to lash their strong tails, bite and attack with their claws, so they are best admired and photographed from a short distance.

So keep your eyes open because iguanas love to use their natural camouflage to blend into the trees and rocks of Puerto Vallarta, but if you are looking, you are sure to find more than one iguana during your vacation in Vallarta.