Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Puerto Vallarta featuring tropical scenes, a bay or harbour and a sandy beach
Swim, snorkel or just relax on one of the beautiful beaches at Puerto Vallarta, one of the most popular holiday spots in sunny Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta is an oceanfront city on the west coast of Mexico. The area began as a collection of sleepy fishing and pearl-diving villages. Today, the city and surrounding parts of the Bay of Banderas (Bahía de Banderas) are popular with tourists as a resort destination. You will find a range of outdoor family activities here, from water sports to secluded beaches and botanical gardens.

The Bay of Banderas is a 62-mile (100-kilometre) stretch of beach with rocky outcrops, white sand and clear water. Puerto Vallarta is the largest community here, and is home to the elegant Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Snorkel or scuba dive off the coast and see manta rays, sea bass and dolphins.

Las Caletas is a small, private beach accessible only by water. Take the Vallarta Adventures catamaran to go on hikes in the jungle, visit a small zoo and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch. The beach is the former private residence of Hollywood director John Huston.

Take an evening stroll along the Malecon, the pedestrian promenade that lines the Puerto Vallarta coast. The area is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists and is lined with restaurants, street performers and food vendors. Enjoy a cool tejuino, a local drink made with fermented corn, or buy grilled fish by the skewer.

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens give insight into the local wildlife and vegetation. The gardens include conservation areas dedicated to the blue agave plant, used in tequila production, as well as native vanilla orchids.

Puerto Vallarta is particularly popular between January and March. Gostavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport is a short bus trip from the city centre. Get around the city on foot or by local buses, which are cheap and run frequently. Try taco stands for cheap street food, or the cafés and restaurants in the old town for sit-down meals.

Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta

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Romantic Zone

4/5(9 area reviews)

Are you interested in stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and popular shops? A visit to Romantic Zone might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Olas Altas Street and Los Muertos Pier.

Romantic Zone
Malecon featuring street scenes, markets and a coastal town

Downtown Puerto Vallarta

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Downtown Puerto Vallarta is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, abundant dining options and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like Malecon or Camarones Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta
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Hotel Zone

Hotel Zone is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Cruise Ship Terminal and La Isla.

Hotel Zone
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Marina Vallarta

Travellers to Marina Vallarta praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Marina Vallarta Golf Club and El Faro Lighthouse.

Marina Vallarta
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Emiliano Zapata

While visiting Emiliano Zapata, you might make a stop by sights like Olas Altas Street and Los Muertos Pier.

Emiliano Zapata
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Conchas Chinas

5/5(1 area review)

A noteworthy feature of Conchas Chinas is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Conchas Chinas Beach and Bay of Banderas.

Conchas Chinas
Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments - All Inclusive
Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Avenida Mexico 1301, Puerto Vallarta, JAL
The price is ₹17,890 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
₹17,890
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this beach resort in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,012 reviews)
"It was all great had a wonderful time"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments - All Inclusive
Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
3.5 out of 5
Paseo de las Garzas No. 3, Puerto Vallarta, JAL
The price is ₹18,970 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
₹18,970
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
6.8/10 (899 reviews)
"the food was very good nice pool nice beach location its great"

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2024

Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Barceló Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
Barceló Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Km 11.5 Zona Hotelera Sur, Puerto Vallarta
The price is ₹20,722 per night from 19 Apr to 20 Apr
₹20,722
per night
19 Apr - 20 Apr
Stay at this beach resort in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,932 reviews)
"The only thing that would have been helpful would be a property map. The first day of trying to get our bearings would have been a much shorter learning curve. Overall we had a wonderful experience and loved the resort."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Barceló Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Tropicana - Near Olas Altas Street
Hotel Tropicana - Near Olas Altas Street
3 out of 5
Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a beach locale and breakfast. Our guests praise the bar and the clean rooms in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,745 reviews)
"Real clean staff were profesional and personable. Rates were reasonable, overall great experience."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Hotel Tropicana - Near Olas Altas Street
Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
3.5 out of 5
Clemente Orozco 125, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 outdoor pools and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,816 reviews)
"Staff was friendly, water col and drinks flowing. There was always something there to eat."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
Blvd. Francisco Medina Acencio 3974, Las Flores, Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this 3-star spa aparthotel in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,611 reviews)
"Clean and spacious. Staff is excellent"

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Express Puerto Vallarta, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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