Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: travel guide
Pacific bay town of cobbled streets, whale watching and jungle
A charming Pacific coast resort town backed by the Sierra Madre, with a cobblestone Old Town, whale watching, sport fishing, and jungle zip-lines.
About Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on a wide Pacific bay in Jalisco, with the green Sierra Madre rising straight behind the beaches. The mood is relaxed and welcoming, and the cobbled streets of the Old Town give it more character than many beach resorts.
The Zona Romántica is the heart of the action, with restaurants and beaches such as Playa Los Muertos, while the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe marks the old centre. Boats head out to the rocks of Los Arcos Marine Park for snorkelling, and the Vallarta Botanical Garden is a calm retreat in the hills. From December to March, humpback whales visit the bay.
Puerto Vallarta suits couples, families and those who enjoy a mix of beach and town. The dry season from November to May is the most comfortable.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Mexico_City
- Nearest airport
- PVR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Puerto Vallarta
Playa Los Muertos
Beach · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Puerto Vallarta's most famous beach in the Zona Romántica — Blue Flag certified with beach clubs, parasailing, and direct access from Old Town cobblestones.
El Malecón PV
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A 1km Pacific promenade with sculptures, the Seahorse statue, restaurants, and panoramic views. The social centre of PV's Old Town.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
church · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Landmark parish church with a crown-shaped tower, symbol of Vallarta's Old Town.
Los Arcos Marine Park
marine-park · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Protected islets and underwater arches south of the bay, prime for snorkelling and diving.
Zona Romántica (Old Town)
neighbourhood · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Cobblestone quarter of galleries, rooftop bars and the pier, south of the Cuale River.
Vallarta Botanical Garden
garden · about 3 h · entry $400 (≈ ₹2,080)
Hillside gardens with orchids, jungle trails and a river swimming hole south of town.
Marina Vallarta
marina · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Yacht marina district with a seaside boardwalk, lighthouse and waterfront dining.
Playa Las Ánimas
beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Golden south-shore beach reached only by boat, with palapa restaurants.
Playa Yelapa
beach · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Secluded fishing-village cove with a waterfall walk, accessible by water taxi.
Playa Conchas Chinas
beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Rocky cove beach with tide pools and clear water just south of Los Muertos.
Things to do
- Whale Shark Swimming Riviera Nayarit Water Sports · 8 h · from MXN 3,500 per person
- Marietas Islands Hidden Beach Tour Water Sports · 7 h · from MXN 1,800 per person
- Yelapa Waterfall & Beach Boat Tour · 6 h · from MXN 900 per person
- Puerto Vallarta Malecón Food Tour Tour · 3.5 h · from MXN 850 per person
Day trips and tours
- Marietas Islands Hidden Beach + Snorkel 8 h · from 2,800
Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta
- Zona Romántica (Old Town) about MXN 3,500 per night
PV's soul — cobblestone streets, gay-friendly beach, independent restaurants, Malecón north end, best boutique hotels. Most visitors prefer this to the Hotel Zone.
- Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) about MXN 8,000 per night
North of downtown — large beach resort hotels, marina, shopping malls, less character but convenient for families.
Hotels
- Casa Kimberly 5-star · MXN 9,000 to MXN 22,000 per night
- Hotel Mercurio 4-star
- Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa 5-star
- Oasis Hostel Downtown 2-star
- Hotel Rosita 3-star
Where to eat
- La Palapa seafood, mexican · about MXN 500 per person
- El Arrayán mexican, traditional · about MXN 600 per person
- The River Café International, Mexican · about MXN 600 per person
- Café de Olla Mexican · about MXN 250 per person
- Barcelona Tapas Spanish, Tapas · about MXN 550 per person
- Pancho's Takos Mexican, Tacos · about MXN 150 per person
- Tintoque Mexican, Seafood · about MXN 900 per person
- Tacos Revolución Mexican, Tacos · about MXN 140 per person
Getting to Puerto Vallarta
Airport: Puerto Vallarta (PVR)
How visitors arrive in Puerto Vallarta
- Flight into Puerto Vallarta airport By air from Mexico, US and Canada · common
The international airport takes year-round flights from Canada, the US and the UK and domestic flights from Mexico City, Guadalajara and others. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus or car from Guadalajara By road from Guadalajara · common
Intercity buses from Guadalajara, Tepic and Mexico City arrive at the central bus station; the road via Highway 200D comes in from Tepic. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cruise ship By ferry from Cruise itineraries · possible
Large cruise ships dock at the Cruise Port, usually for a day visit. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- City bus from the pedestrian bridge unconfirmed
Cross the pedestrian bridge over the highway to the bus stop and take a bus marked Centro for downtown; Tunel buses use the tunnel route to the Romantic Zone. Pay the driver on board with small coins or notes. Source: worldnomads.com
- Official airport taxi kiosk
Buy a ticket at the official taxi kiosk in arrivals. Ignore anyone offering rides between customs and the kiosk. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Pre-arranged hotel transfer
Private transfers to your hotel can be arranged by phone or online before you arrive. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Walk past the timeshare sales staff in the rooms just after customs. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Local buses in Puerto Vallarta run past the Marina and Hotel Zone toward downtown, with destination signs such as Centro and Tunel showing the route.
- Taxi
Taxis operate in Puerto Vallarta, hotels may provide price lists for common trips, and Uber also covers the city.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Jet Ski Damage Scam
Los Muertos Beach and Playa de Oro, Puerto Vallarta
You rent a jet ski; when you return it the operator claims you caused damage that was pre-existing. Demands MXN 5,000–20,000 or threatens to call police.
How to avoid it: Photograph the jet ski from every angle before renting. Rent only from operators with official signage and receipts. If a dispute arises, call 911 — legitimate damage claims go through police.
Best time to visit Puerto Vallarta
- Jan 27°C
- Feb 27°C
- Mar 27°C
- Apr 28°C
- May 29°C
- Jun 32°C
- Jul 32°C
- Aug 32°C
- Sep 32°C
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 30°C
- Dec 28°C
More in Mexico
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Vallarta
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Puerto Vallarta?
- The highest-rated places in our Puerto Vallarta guide are Playa Los Muertos, El Malecón PV.
- Where should I stay in Puerto Vallarta?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta: Zona Romántica (Old Town), Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera).
- How do I get around Puerto Vallarta?
- Ways to get around Puerto Vallarta covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Puerto Vallarta?
- Scams reported to us for Puerto Vallarta include Jet Ski Damage Scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta?
- Average daytime highs in Puerto Vallarta run from 27°C in Jan to 32°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Puerto Vallarta?
- The nearest airport to Puerto Vallarta has the code PVR.