Puerto Vallarta at a Glance
Puerto Vallarta is this perfect mix of beach, jungle, and city all wrapped into one sun‑soaked destination. It sits on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, right in the heart of Banderas Bay. The Sierra Madre Occidental mountains slide down toward the water here, which means you’ve got lush hillsides, tropical forests, and ocean breezes all in one place.
Puerto Vallarta is known for its art scene with galleries, murals, public art, and local handicrafts. It has beautiful beaches and tucked away coves, and a ton of water-based activities. Its historic downtown area (El Centro) has walkable cobblestone streets and lively public spaces like the Malecón boardwalk, and it can be an entirely different experience depending on what area you stay in.
Where to Stay
• Best hotels & neighborhoods by vibe (luxury, boutique, budget)
• Pros & cons of staying in different areas like Centro, Zona Romántica, Marina
Food & Local Eats
• The must‑try restaurants in each area
• Street food, seafood, casual vs fine dining spots
Activities & Day Trips
• Jorullo Bridge (and nearby adventures)
• Hidden Beach hikes and off‑beat trails
• Snorkeling tours, boat trips, marine life viewing
Logistics & Tips
• Getting there & getting around
• Best time of year to visit
• What to pack, budgeting, local customs
Where to Stay
El Centro / Downtown
Vibe: Historic core, walkable, full of life.
Pros: Super convenient — you’re close to the Malecón boardwalk, shops, galleries, restaurants, and nightlife. It also has that old town charm and lots of street life. The walkability is a major plus and eliminates the need for excess taxi rides. Cons: Because it’s central, expect more foot traffic and noise, especially at night.
Zona Romántica
Vibe: Bohemian, artsy, intimate — a favorite for foodies, couples, LGBTQ+ travelers.
Pros: You’ll find tons of boutique hotels, cafés, bars, and local spots. It is also a very walkable area, and the energy is very lively and eclectic. It is also close access to Playa Los Muertos and a short walk to El Centro. Cons: Can be noisy after dark, especially in busy streets. Rooms may be smaller (especially in boutique stays) and more expensive due to demand.
Marina Vallarta
Vibe: Hotel Central. A lot of upscale hotels, more spacious and structured.
Pros: It is quieter compared to El Centro & Zona Romántica. Resort style hotels. Cons: Less character than what you’ll find in other areas. Depending on where you stay you might end up having to take taxi’s to El Central or Zona Romántica for restaurants or night life.
Food & Local Eats
When it comes to food in Puerto Vallarta, there are so many good restaurants and spots to eat. And as a vegetarian, there were surprisingly a lot of options for me to eat as well.
- In El Centro you’ll find everything from late‑night taco stands to mid‑range seafood grills and really nice restaurants. There are also street‑food vendors are everywhere.
- Down in Zona Romántica, there is more of a laid‑back beach–meets‑boho vibe. There are casual beach bars and upscale seafood dining, and a lot of night life.
- Up in Marina Vallarta there are various restaurants and cafes. Depending on where you are, it can be less walkable. but all 3 areas still have good options.
Here are some restaurants to check out in each area:
El Centro
Gourmet: Café des Artistes – A top‑tier gourmet spot blending French haute cuisine with Mexican coastal ingredients, in the heart of downtown.
Budget Friendly: Lonchería Don Jorge – A humble, home‑cooked Mexican lunch spot near downtown with very affordable plates.
Zona Romantica
Gourmet: La Palapa – Beachfront, elegant, ideal for a romantic dinner with ocean breeze and upscale seafood fare.
Budget Friendly: Panchos Takos – Popular street‑style taquería with great value tacos, in a lively part of Zona Romántica.
Marina Vallarta
Gourmet: El Faro Marina Vallarta – This restaurant offers sweeping 360‑degree views and upscale ambience in the marina area.
Budget Friendly: Lupita’s is tucked away near the marina and has great value, good portions, and is a chill in a casual restaurant for a more affordable and lighter vibe.
Activities & Day Trips
Jorullo Bridge
Jorullo Bridge is situated in the lush foothills of the Sierra Madre just outside Puerto Vallarta, you will have to take a taxi or bus to get to this location, but the sweeping views are well worth it. When we were leaving they offered bus rides back to hotel zones. This bridge stretching approximately 470 meters (or about 1,550 feet) in length and soaring around. Since I studied architecture, I was nerding out. The bridge is celebrated for being the longest vehicular suspension bridge.
Outdoor Ziplining, Waterfalls & Speed boat
I was really excited about this tour — it promised all the adrenaline I was craving. But we booked it for the last day of our trip, and by then I was totally spent from packing in nearly every activity. I ended up opting to take at least one relaxing day of PTO instead, so we skipped it this time. That said, the full‑adrenaline version of this experience is absolutely still on my bucket list. (I would highly recommend canceling 24 hour in advance otherwise you can’t get a refund).
Here’s what to expect for this activity. It is a 6.5+ hour adventure (plan for all day for this trip). that kicks off with a speed‑boat ride across Banderas Bay to a secluded beach and dense jungle. You then transition to an off‑road 4×4 and mule rides through the jungle. On top of the speed boat and off-roading you do zip lines through the rainforest canopy and get to rappel down waterfalls. I can’t speak too much about the activities themselves but this is something I’m dying to go back to do.
Hidden Beach Hikes
This was one of my favorite outdoor escapes around Puerto Vallarta. You’ll start in the fishing village of Boca de Tomatlán and hike through jungle and coastline to reach secluded beaches like Playa Colomitos and finally end at Playa Las Ánimas. The hiking itself is not intensive, but it is quite long and does require some fitness level to keep up with the group. Bring lots of water, even though it was overcast when we went it was still quite warm and it is a pretty long hike.
Logistics & Tips
Getting there & getting around
Getting to and moving around Puerto Vallarta is pretty straightforward, but it’s always important to be safe.
- Airport to hotel: When you land at Puerto Vallarta’s airport, a safe recommendation is to ask your hotel to arrange the taxi or shuttle for you. We had our hotel arrange most of our taxi rides for us. I would also recommend bringing cash as some taxi drivers will only accept cash.
- Taxis: Traditional taxis are everywhere in town and are generally safe. Fares are set by zones, so you’ll often be asked the destination and quoted a fixed price. Make sure to agree on the fare in advance so you’re not surprised.
- Ride‑hailing apps: Uber works in PV and is an alternative to taxis. It also is another safe option and you’ll likely see lower fares and more predictable pricing via the app. Just keep in mind: some areas might have fewer drivers and at the airport you might have to walk a short distance off main property to request a ride.
This luckily didn’t happen on our trip to Puerto Vallarata, but my first time in Brazil, there was a guy was pretending to be a taxi/ uber driver but he was really nice and seemed very helpful and I mistakenly trusted him. He charged my card over 300 USD for a 20 min. ride from the airport so don’t make the same mistake as me. Make sure that you are riding with a legitimate taxi company, agree on the rate before accepting the ride, or take an uber (from the app). Also make sure to download a currency conversion app so that you are prepared.
Best time of year to visit
Weather, crowds, and deals change with the seasons — here’s what you should consider:
The dry season (ideal weather) runs roughly from November to April. During that time you’ll find warm days, little rain, and comfortable outdoor temps. (We went in February, and while it was warm it was a bummer that it was overcast, but it didn’t rain and wasn’t overly hot).
The rainy/hot season comes from around June through September — expect hotter temps, higher humidity, and occasional afternoon showers.
What to pack & local customs
Items to consider bringing on your trip:
- Lightweight, breathable clothing: T‑shirts, shorts, tank tops. Even when it was overcast it was still pretty warm & humid when we were there.
- For evenings or if your hotel has A/C bring a light sweater or long‑sleeve shirt (especially in high season when evenings get cooler).
- Sun protection: sunglasses, hat, sunscreen (the sun can get intense).
- Swimwear & beach gear.
- Good walking shoes/sandals for exploring cobblestones, boardwalks, trails.
- Umbrella or light rain jacket if you go in the rainy season.
- Reusable water bottle and maybe a small backpack for day trips.
- Bring your own pharmacy for emergencies. (Advil, Tums, etc). It’s not fun looking for medicine or pharmacies if something unexpected happens on a trip, so always be prepared. I’ve had this happen in 3 different countries now and will never make that mistake again.
Cash is handy: Some smaller food stalls, beach vendors, or port fees, or taxis may prefer pesos and may not take cards. The restaurants and shops we went into all took card, but cash was necessary for some of the small vendors we went too & for the water taxi.
Make sure you agree on transport fares ahead of time to avoid surprises.
Tipping: In restaurants, 10‑15% is customary if not included. In taxis it’s optional but appreciated if the service is good.
Respect for nature and local culture: If you’re doing outdoor activities, leave no trace — many trails and beaches are protected.
In Summary
Whether you’re heading to Puerto Vallarta for the food, the hikes, the beaches, or just some much-needed chill time — it really has a little something for every kind of traveler. What I loved most is how each neighborhood gives you a different vibe without ever feeling disconnected from the soul of the city. Just remember: planning is your friend here. A little prep on where you stay, how you get around, and what you want to do will go a long way, especially if you’re short on time or trying to balance relaxation with adventure. I hope these tips and resources were helpful. Be sure to check out our other articles for more helpful planning tips from other epic destinations!