Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, sits in the curve of the Bay of Banderas, where some of the most brilliant sunsets contribute to the city’s charm. It remains at heart a traditional Mexican fishing village, with a well preserved ‘old town’, but today it is a brilliant blend of old and new Mexican culture. Visitors can browse the Saturday market for local art, turquoise jewelry and homemade tacos or enjoy a state-of-the-art massage at one of the city’s spas.
The beaches stretch along the edge of the city and are busy places. Commandeer a lounge chair, settle in with a good book and arrange with a waiter from one of the beachside cafes to keep you supplied all day with cerveza and nachos. Indulge in a swim, try out paddle boarding, do some sea kayaking or jump on a banana boat – or not. Puerto Vallarta is a place that lets you do you. When you tire of the beach, there are modern resorts, ranging from budget to opulent, zip line adventures, an active nightlife and fascinating day trips.
Los Muertos Beach, Malecón, Amapas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Lázaro Cárdenas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Yoga Vallarta & Pilates Studio, Basilio Badillo, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Langostinos Restaurant & Bar, Playa de los Muertos, Manuel M. Dieguez, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Coco's Kitchen, Zona Romántica, Amapas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Maria Baja, Carretera Costera a Barra de Navidad, Alta Vista, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
River Cafe, Isla Rio Cuale, Zona Romántica, Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Colomitos Cove Trail To Las Animas, Jalisco, Mexico
Vallarta Adventures, Mástil, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
El Dorado Condominiums, Zona Romántica, Amapas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar, Calle Zaragoza, Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Casa Kimberly Vallarta, Calle Zaragoza, Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Casa Velas, Calle Pelícanos, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Malecón Puerto Vallarta, Centro, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
The Palm Cabaret and Bar, Olas Altas, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Roca Los Arcos, Jalisco, Mexico
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Tours, Mismaloya, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
Before Breakfast in Puerto Vallarta
Sunrise on the beach: The beaches of Puerto Vallarta are so beautiful that they are often very busy. To fully appreciate the splendour of white sand, blue waves and azure skies, get out early, before breakfast, when there are few people on the beach. Beaches like Los Muertos are quiet and beautiful first thing in the morning. There are no vendors, no sunbathers, and you get first chance at finding great shells that may have washed up on the beach during the night tide.
Work up a sweat
During tourist season, from November to about April, there are Zumba sessions in the main square of Lazaro Cardenas park. The class starts at eight and lasts an hour and the cost is very reasonable., about 75 pesos, less than $5 US. Anyone can just show up and join. I find it a perfect way to kickstart the morning and I often meet someone interesting working out beside me!
Best Places for Breakfast in Puerto Vallarta
You have not really had breakfast until you have had a Mexican breakfast! It is a special meal here, and the spin the chefs put on eggs is both surprising and delicious.
Langostinos
Langostinos has little tables right on the beach, where you can wiggle your toes in the sand and watch the fishing boats at the pier. Try the ‘Divorced Eggs’- one poached egg topped with a spicy red sauce and one topped with a green sauce. Delicios0! Add a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice and some fresh local fruit and you have a royal breakfast.
Best Places for Lunch in Puerto Vallarta
Lunch can be a much more casual meal in a beach town. I love to grab a fish taco at one of the sidewalk stands along Basillio Badillo but there are dozens of small places to get a delicious lunch.
Best Things To Do in the Afternoon in Puerto Vallarta
Beach lovers, adventurers, and culture seekers… all will find much to fill an afternoon. I often join a group to hike to waterfalls or hidden beaches around the city, and there are Spanish classes, cooking schools and bridge clubs for those who want to learn something new or join a like-minded group.
Hit the beach
Spend a lazy afternoon on the beach or explore more of the area. Grab a panga, a small local boat, from the main pier and, for a small fee, the boatman will take you to perfect little beaches like the one in Colomitas Cove, or to a prime fishing spot, or to one of the small fishing villages down the coast. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Best Places for Dinner in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is, without question a foodie town. Dinner is an art form here. Whether you dine casually on the beach or formally in an elegant restaurant on the mountain, you will have a happy dining experience. I really love Mexican cuisine, but even I need some variety, so it is a blessing that almost every type of cuisine can be sampled here — including Italian, German, Asian.
The Iguana
The Iguana is a lovely restaurant located inside Casa Kimberly. The lobster tacos I had there were the best thing I have eaten in Mexico. Most nights there is live mariachi music and the view of the sun setting over the city is a great compliment to a fine meal. Breakfast is a healthy feast of fruit and fresh orange juice.
Best Places to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has every kind of lodging, from simple AirB&B’s small posadas, and boutique hotels, to the large resorts and chain hotels. Whatever your taste and whatever your budget, you will find something to suit you. I love the places that reflect the character of Mexico and there are many of those to chose from.
Casa Kimberly
Spend a luxurious night in the renovated casa that Richard Burton built for Elizabeth Taylor. Situated above the town, this elegant boutique hotel, decorated in traditional Mexican style, provides views of the bay and the ocean in the evening that are amazing – star gazing at its best.
After Dark in Puerto Vallarta
Night time is party time. When the sun goes down, things heat up in PV. Along the malecon, clubs open up as the night gets late, and bars with live music start to swing into action. There are multiple theatres, cabaret shows and, on most nights, great fireworks displays on the beach.
Join the paseo
In the Spanish tradition, take a slow stroll along the malecon as the sun sets. Everyone is pink from the sun, relaxed from a great day on the beach and getting ready for a fine meal in one of Puerto Vallarta’s many good restaurants. There are plenty of places to stop for a cocktail before dinner.
Theatre, cabaret and music
PV sizzles after dark! There are many cabaret theatres – The Palm Cabaret is one of the best known – and performers from all over the world come here to do shows. From Mexican music to international cover bands and drag shows, there is entertainment for everyone.
Bonus Pro Tips
If you like to start your day with a healthy kick, scurry down to the juice stand at the corner of Cardenas and Insurgentes. They make fresh squeezed orange juice, while you wait, that is sweet and cool and so good. They also make green drinks, spiced with fresh ginger and tumeric, and any combo of fruit and veg that you want. But come early. The stand closes up around 11 am.
