Not just a resort town, Puerto Vallarta could be a great escape for girls, families and couples. Known for its warm climate, pride and expat friendly environment, the city can offer a wide variety of activities for all ages.
This guide includes:
✈️ travel tips,
🐳activity ideas,
🏨hotel/BnB recommendations,
🌮 restaurant recommendations,
🚌 day trip suggestions.
The “best” time to go is between December to May, since Puerto Vallarta has dry and cooler winters/ springs. July to October is typically the rainy season. However, December to March is peak for whale watching; meanwhile turtles get released around September.
Depending on your agenda, there is no bad time to go. It is a very common winter getaway destination and does host a lot of pride events, so key is to book a couple weeks in advance and check the local calendar.
Other Considerations:
✨You do want to bring some pesos, if you decide to venture outside of resorts and interact with street vendors. Some restaurants also only take pesos, and you may want some pesos on hand for tipping. For a weekend trip for 2, I had exchanged about $50 USD worth of pesos. I used my credit card whenever possible, and only use pesos when needed. I am based in Southern California, and you get the best rate exchanging beforehand at your bank in the US.
✨The tipping culture is similar to the US, probably because they are used to all the ex-pats and US travelers.
✨ If you want to wander the streets, bring comfortable shoes. Many older and picturesque parts of town are still cobblestone roads. It is part of the charm but can be tiring to walk on after a while.
✨ You don't need to rent a car, the city is quite small and walkable if you are staying in town. Ubers are pretty ubiquitous and affordable if you are staying at the resorts, or further out.
What to Do
Coastal Mexican towns and cities are the best places to whalewatch during mating season. You are guaranteed to see some whales here during the winter months. There are tours specifically catering to this activity, but if you choose to do other activities that require travel by boat, you should be able to catch a glimpse of whales as well.
***Note: if you do take any of the boat tours, you will need to pay a port fee, which is 25 pesos (approximately $2 USD).
There are lots of tours/boats taking tourists to visit and snorkeling around Hidden Beach. It is apart of Marietas Island located 22 miles off the coast.
It is a protected bird sanctuary, so most tours won’t be allow tourists on the island for too long. It’s not somewhere you can lay out all day, but a fun little excursion.
Buy your trinkets here! The island offers lots of craft stores, a couple cafes, and lovely botanical walk. There are lots of local cats that inhabit the island as well.
The end of the island connects you to the beach walk.
It’s always nice to stroll along the beach. The Malecon offers lots of restaurants and stores, some locals selling their crafts, and unique sculptures.
A picturesque residential area in the historical part of Downtown Puerto Vallarta, located on the hillside to the East and uphill from the main square and on the north bank of the Cuale River. You can walk through this area to and from the Isla Cuale.
This beach is one of the furthest south you can go by car. You can taxi here (200 to 300 pesos) or take public transport.
***Note: When you see chairs on the beach, do ask if there is a fee before sitting down! The beach culture here is to typically to purchase food and drinks at the beach restaurant if you want somewhere to sit.
If you don't have time to join a day trip out to agave farms to do tequila tastings, there are some distilleries in town for you to do some tequila tastings. This is a local owned business that offers tastings for $20/person in town.
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What to Eat
You can find food all around town, ranging from beachfront dining, fancy sit down restaurants to stalls on the street.
When you see locals eating at a stand with make shirt tables, you know you can't go wrong. This stand offers birria tacos, and if you're into slow braised meats, this will be a treat to try.
You can also find a lot of other taco stands around this area that serves late into the evening (3 to 4 am!)
A "speakeasy" bar offering unique drinks. Located in the El Centro neighborhood, this area offers a nightlife scenery for those young and ready to party.
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Where to Stay
There are plenty of resorts, all-inclusive, in old Vallarta, by the beaches, or luxury resorts in Nuevo Vallarta or south of the city. The ones suggested here are some of boutique B&B hotels, for a more unique stay.
Right next to the river, and oversees the island and Gringo Gulch, this boutique hotel offers unique rooms, two pools (an infinity pool on the room) and breakfast. It is walking distance to the Zona Romantica, and the beach.
This villa once belonged to Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton. This area of town is cover in white home with red tiled roofs. Definitely luxurious, but iconic!
Further south and located on the hillside, this boutique hotel offers a more tranquil and peaceful setting.
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Daytrips from PVR
If you have a day or two to spare, it will be worth looking into exploring outside of Puerto Vallarta. Since this is a cruise/port town, there are great tours of the nearby towns, ranging from 6-9 hours with pick up/drop off back to PVR.
Yelapa is only accessible by boat, as it’s a small fishing town. The tours usually bring you in by a water boat, and let you spend an hour or two to do the small hike to the waterfall and then chill by the beach.
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