A savory journey through the heart of Puerto Vallarta with our meticulously curated taco map, revealing our favorite tacos spots for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Are you ready for a mouthwatering journey through the vibrant streets of Puerto Vallarta? Join me as I take you on a quest to find the best tacos in this charming Mexican city. From street taco stands to sit-down restaurants, we tried them all to bring you the ultimate taco experience. So, prep your taste buds and get ready to savor the flavors of Puerto Vallarta!
Pancho’s Takos: Where Tradition Meets Beach Vibes
Let's start our taco adventure in Zona Romantica. The al pastor tacos here are undeniably tasty, and many locals claim they're the best in town. Keep in mind that they are on the pricier side, with al pastor tacos costing 28 pesos each.
The most famous street taco stand/restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. The Al Pastor are a must-try menu item, but they also have a wide variety of other dishes. What sets Pancho’s Takos apart is its prime location and the perfect combination of street food and sit-down restaurant experience. Expect to wait 30-45 minutes in line! People start lining up at 3:30pm for when they open at 4. We had better luck going later in the evening, after 10pm.
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Pepe's Tacos: A Cruise Ship Favorite
Offers the best of both worlds with its street taco stand ambiance and comfortable indoor seating. Their al pastor tacos are crispy yet moist, with a delightful char on the meat.
If you only have one day in Puerto Vallarta or are visiting from a cruise ship, this is one of the best places to try al pastor tacos, since it opens at 1pm every day (whereas most don't open until 4pm or later).
Don't forget to try their refreshing margaritas alongside your tacos!
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Taqueria el Sabor Jarocho (across from Pancho’s Takos)
While waiting in line at Ponchos Tacos or if you're not keen on waiting, keep walking east past Ponchos for about half a block. Rumor has it that the chef used to work at Ponchos before branching out to create his own taco haven.
Our favorite hidden gem taco stand! The quality, price, and location of this hidden gem are outstanding. The tacos are loaded with delicious meat, and at 20 pesos each, they won't break the bank. The Al Pastor and carne asada were our favorites.
The chef will ask you "con todo?" which means, "with everything?" - if you say yes, he will add onions, cilantro and pineapple on top. Yum!
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A Taco Stand Outside the Oxxo: Surprising Flavors
Near the corner of the 200 Highway and Francisco Madero, just outside the OXXO convenience store, you'll find a taco stand that doesn't have an official name. However, its location across from Martini on Fuego makes it hard to miss.
Taquito Acapulco: A Taste of Authentic Mexican Cuisine
Located in El Centro, Taquito Acapulco is an authentic Mexican restaurant where you'll mainly find locals enjoying their meals. Choose this spot when you need a break from street food! Their extensive taco-centered menu includes specialty tacos, grilled vegetable sides, and various kinds of queso fundido.
We loved the grilled cactus as a side dish! It taste similar to asparagus. Prices were fantastic; four pastor tacos costing only 60 pesos!
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Taqueria Las Güeras: A Flavorful Experience
A small sit-down Mexican restaurant that offers excellent al pastor tacos. The tacos here have a great smoky flavor, and they provide you with a variety of homemade salsas to customize your taste experience.
We loved the 6 homemade salsas to try with every order. You must try the hibiscus-flavored agua fresca (fruit water), which was the best we tried during our entire trip. It pairs perfectly with the flavors of tangy al pastor or savory steak tacos.
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Taco Sonorita: A Hearty Taco Feast
In my opinion, Taco Sonorita gives Ponchos Tacos a run for its money. This inviting and comfortable restaurant serves pastor tacos that rival the famous contender. The enticing aroma of charcoal grilling will lure you in, and the food will keep you coming back for more.
Generous portions, competitive prices, and even vegetarian and vegan options, Also an extensive and unique menu of margarita flavors; I loved the tamarind!
Tip: in the mornings from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, this is a breakfast restaurant called La Chilaqueria that serves the best chilaquiles we found in Puerto Vallarta.
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La Horminga: A Taco Stand Across from Archie's Walk
Boldly claiming to be the best taco stand on Google Maps, La Horminga lives up to its name. This hole-in-the-wall taqueria surprises with its fresh homemade tortillas and classic pastor flavor.
Best spot for late night tacos! What sets it apart are the extra toppings and salsas available to dress your tacos. With prices as low as 17 or 18 pesos per taco, this spot is a winner.
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A Hidden Taqueria with Green Chairs: A Delightful Surprise
If you find yourself in the southern part of the Romantic Zone or walking from the Los Muertos Pier, keep an eye out for a hole-in-the-wall taqueria with green chairs. Don't let its unassuming appearance fool you. This taqueria offers some of the crispiest yet moist al pastor tacos we had the pleasure of devouring.
If you're hanging out by the Los Muertos pier and need a low-cost taco meal, walk directly up from the pier to find this spot.
We loved the flavorful marinade and generous portions.. And at only 90 pesos for five tacos, this is one of the best priced taco meals in town.
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Mr. Taco: Bucerias' Finest
Venturing out of Puerto Vallarta, a visit to Bucerias is highly recommended. At 17 pesos per taco, these are not only the cheapest but also among the most delicious pastor tacos we found. Enjoy the lightly roasted pineapple, the light and crispy corn tortillas, and the unforgettable flavors. Pro tip: Grab your own beer from the nearby Oxxo to complete the experience.
The charming town of Bucerias is worth a visit for an afternoon and evening away from busy Puerto Vallarta. Head to centro, grab some street tacos at Mr. Taco and then walk across the street to either VooDoo Monkey or JAX for the best live music!
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Birria Tacos: A Morning Delight
While al pastor tacos steal the limelight, we must not overlook the traditional birria tacos, often enjoyed for breakfast or lunch. Let's explore a couple of noteworthy spots.
Birria Chanfay: A Savory and Smoky Delight
Packed with savory, smoky, and sweet flavors, Birria Chanfay serves some of the best birria tacos in Puerto Vallarta. As one of the stops on the popular morning taco walking tour, you can trust the quality and taste.
You can either enjoy these tacos standing up at the taco cart, or sit down at a table in the adjacent restaurant.
Don't forget to ask for your complimentary consommé to enhance the experience!
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El Banquito: The Perfect Hole-in-the-Wall Birria Spot
Located just two blocks up from the malecon, near The Arches, El Banquito is a hidden gem for birria lovers. This unassuming hole-in-the-wall joint offers home-style birria at its finest. For only 50 pesos, you can feast on three birria tacos accompanied by a flavorful consommé.
Mix it up by trying one soft, one medium, and one crispy taco for a true birria experience.
They're also known for they're tortas (almost like a sub sandwich) if you want to switch it up.
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Where to Stay for Easy Access to All These Taco Spots
All of these taco spots are located in Centro or Zona Romantica - so I recommend staying in either of these neighborhoods at least for 2 or 3 nights.
I've stayed at each of these hotels listed below.
Tap into each hotel card for my insights, check prices & to book.
I loved the location of this hotel because it was in the heart of the Zona Romantica, but without all the noise!
The prices are great, and the pool vibe was chill, with just enough liveliness.
There's usually a bartender poolside in the afternoons and in the mornings there's free self-serve coffee and little pastries.
This is hands-down the best budget hotel in downtown Puerto Vallarta.
It's centrally located, has a pool and a community kitchen so you can cook your own meals or brew your morning coffee.
For $5/day you can ask for a fridge to be added to your room!
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The Verdict: The Ultimate Taco Experience
To truly appreciate the taco scene in Puerto Vallarta, I recommend trying a variety of places and discovering your own favorites.
Check out my full video on YouTube where I show you all of these places so you can get a better idea of what to expect!
Detailed, yet easy to follow trip guides that include the best highlights & hidden gems and making the most of your precious travel time. Find my full-length travel videos on YouTube, visit my travel blog for super detailed info, or reach out for custom travel itinerary planning!
