Puerto Vallarta or PV as the locals call it, is a vibrant beach town on the Pacific Ocean in the state of Jalisco; surrounded by the lush Sierra Mountains. PV lands on Bandaras Bay, which is the largest Bay in Mexico extending 65 miles across two states: Nayarit and Jalisco.
The locals are the standout of the city. They are friendly, funny, and welcoming and they work hard for a living. They seem to go out of their way to put a smile on your face and it feels genuine.
Walking around the streets of PV, you can see that everything goes, and all are free to be themselves. Once a quiet fishing town, it slowly became a popular destination after the 1960s movie ‘Night of The Iquana’ was filmed there. Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor fell in love with it and each other. Their scandalous affair attracted the paparazzi and put PV on the map. They purchased a home there and entertained artists and musicians over the years. Being that it was a short flight from California, celebrities and their friends, kept returning.
Not without struggle, PV has become one of the most LGBTQ-friendly destinations in Mexico. I for one love to be in a community where people are free to express who they are and whomever they choose to be with. Puerto Vallarta is a place where “You can dance, like no one’s watching”, and there are plenty of places to get down and “shake what your mamma gave you!”
I also love how dog-friendly this town is. Everywhere you look there are people trotting around town with their little furry friends by their side. So even your quirky grandma that loves to wear matching outfits with her chihuahua doesn’t have to leave their sidekick at home. We spotted a cool bar called Ruffy’s Dog Club & Cantina on Cuale Island for people to bring their pups and socialize with doggie pools, lots of shade, cocktails and pupsicles for the pooches.
- Keep in mind that many places only accept cash. They will accept both the American dollar and the Mexican Peso, but you will pay less for everything by using Pesos.
- Arriving in Puerto Vallarta off the plane might feel a little hectic. There are people trying to make money off you the moment you arrive. They project a sense of urgency, so you’ll buy tickets for things and transportation. Just say “no gracias” and keep walking until you get outside and can get your bearings. Immediately to your right, you’ll see a manned booth that you can use to pre-pay for a taxi. They will give you a ticket and then you can get in line, these rates are fixed according to the area of town you’re staying. Or you can just get in the main taxi line and pay whatever they are charging. If you prefer to use Uber, you’ll have to walk outside the airport and across the pedestrian bridge because they do not allow Uber at the airport. While in PV we preferred the ease of using Uber, we didn’t have to negotiate prices and it also showed us what we should be paying if we used taxis.
- When you head back to the airport to fly home (time permitting), check your bags and then hang out at the bar outside or a place just outside the airport across the pedestrian bridge called Tacón de Marlin for great food (the burritos! Yum!). The food and drinks in the airport are very expensive.
Variety is the spice of life and Puerto Vallarta has an abundance of it... here are some of our favourites!
Mirador Cerro de la Cruz
Hike up to the Mirador Cerro de la Cruz (The Cross on the Hill lookout) and take in the expanse and beauty of Banderas Bay. I’d highly recommend doing this first thing in the morning to beat the heat. Give yourself about 40min to reach the top. I saw a guy twice my age fly past me at lightning speed, so you may need less time if you are a superhuman. You can get there from town by starting at the Malecon following Abasolo Street and head uphill. This little trek through town is a nice tour on its own, but you’ll eventually see the long stretch of stairs (around 250 stairs in case you were wondering). At this point, you may already be a bit tired of the journey…not to burst your bubble, but that cable car you may see does not work…so take a big gulp of water and get into your “I think I can, I think I can” state of mind because once you reach the top, the endorphins and the 360 views will all be worth it!
Art galleries and Murals
Spend a day touring the many art galleries and murals throughout the city. We ventured all through town collecting mural photos to add to our ever-growing collection and even purchased a couple pieces of art for our friends back home housesitting for us. This particular artist, we found in the Romantica Zone (364A Zona Romantic), his name is Ernesto Guerra, and he is a ray of sunshine, as is his little puppy Zen.
On Wednesday evenings from 6-10 pm in the Centro Historica neighbourhood, there are 16 participating art galleries open and ready to meet and greet you with complimentary wine and cocktails as you peruse through this unique art scene full of talented artists from all over the map (puertovallartaartwalk.com for the list of galleries).
ATV/RZR Tour
Get down and dirty on an ATV/RZR Tour. We were travelling in PV with a group of seven friends and were looking to kick it up a notch. Canopy River tour seemed to offer a bit more than the others.
Welcome to the jungle! This guided excursion takes you through the dirt trails of the Sierra Madre Mountains, stopping off at El Salto Falls where you can jump from the rocks into the water or just cool down for a swim. The thrill of the day is crossing the Jorullo suspension bridge. Reaching 1542 Ft across and 492 Ft high in the sky, it’s the longest vehicle suspension bridge in North America. The tour ended back at the restaurant where we had time to take in the view, relax and do a tequila tasting. The crew was a lot of fun, we all had such a great day!
A couple of tips to keep in mind:
- Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and wet because these things are guaranteed to happen. Luckily, they give you goggles and a bandanna to wear.
- Make sure to have your swim suite on under your clothes because there isn’t anywhere to change at the waterfalls.
Lastly, we made the mistake of taking an Uber to the other side of the city to the meet-up location. We had to laugh at ourselves when we ended up looping around in the bus to another meeting point only a few blocks from our vacation home… so never hesitate to ask if there are multiple pick-up locations.
El Malecón
Walk along the Malecón. We did this on our first day and almost every day after. This pedestrian footpath is the pulse of Puerto Vallarta. It extends over 12 blocks connecting neighbourhoods and bringing people together to enjoy an unobstructed view of the ocean and the many things to do and see along the way. There’s a variety of shops, restaurants, local artists’ stalls, beach loungers, street performers and markets all waiting for you to discover. The Malecón has many beautiful sculptures to be admired as well. On Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am from November-April, they have a walking art tour, where they’ll explain who the artists are and the inspiration behind their pieces. The tour is free, but they make a living from the tips.
My favourite time to be on the Malecon is in the morning when it’s peaceful and serene, as the day progresses, so does the number of people coming out to take part in this popular pastime. You’ll also see several food vendors walking around with offerings of tajin seasoned fruit, prawns, and fresh oysters. We ended up getting oysters a few times, they are huge and super cheap!
Beach Lounging
Rent a lounger at the beach for the day and hang around to watch the sunset. On the left side of Los Muertos Pier, there are chairs set up that you can enjoy for free. You can order up cocktails from the bars on the beach or bring a cooler with your own. You will most definitely be greeted by locals selling all sorts of things on the beach. Blankets, bags, bracelets… all the things, and they’re out there working hard to earn a living. Either they have super-hearing powers, or I talk a lot louder than I thought. A couple of times one of them overheard me saying something positive about what they had, and quickly zoned in on me; slinging sales slogans and tag lines that made me laugh. They had quick-witted responses to any of my excuses not to buy. There was a guy that overheard my comment about a hat, and before I realized, it was on my head. After some joking around and hard haggling I purchased the hat, actually, it was the second hat I bought that day. What can I say, his charming character won me over!
As the sun starts to set, you’ll notice the restaurants on the beach taking on a romantic vibe. Candles and torches are being lit, string lights start to twinkle, and the glistening sun creates a hue that gently brings a glow to everything it touches. Grab a table and soak it all in. Isn’t this the kind of magic were all looking for when on vacation?
Zip line at Canopy El Eden
Get the adrenaline pumping and experience Ziplining through the jungle. Gliding through the canopy of the trees, you’ll feel the wind in your hair as the speed accelerates giving you a rush of excitement…just keep your mouth closed unless you are game to have a bug or two get stuck in your teeth. Ty and the guys in our group we’re traveling with, booked this tour with Canopy El Eden. El Eden happens to be a location they filmed the movie Predator, so they were stoked to check it out. They had 10 zip lines, provided transportation, a nice area to swim and a restaurant to order cocktails and food. They all were impressed with what they got out of their day.
Cuale Island
Go to Cuale Island and check out the markets. The island is easy to spot from the Malecon, it connects the Centro neighbourhood to Old Town. It’s a nice thing to do during the day. We spent an afternoon sipping on 2 for 1 margaritas and shopping under the large Banyan trees, that provide some lovely shade and are really cool to look at. This is also where we saw an iguana, so keep your eyes open. They have hundreds of vendors and shops to find that perfect souvenir to bring back home. Don’t be shy to haggle. You can get yourself a good deal here, they never expect people to pay the first price they tell you.
Deep Sea Fishing
Charter a fishing boat and go deep sea fishing. If fishing is your thing, this will be an experience of a lifetime. You’ll have the opportunity to catch some large marlins, red snapper, sailfish, mahi mahi and more, depending on the time of year you go out. Our tour guides were very skilled, they knew where to go and had lines set up on the main level and up top putting the chances in our favour. When the time came to reel them in, they were right by our side.
We went out at the crack of dawn for a 10hr trip. I must be honest; overall I enjoyed the day, but I don’t think it’s for me. The first few hours of the morning were choppy, and I felt queasy. I have enjoyed fishing on lakes, and thought it was going to be more like that. I brought a book with me to read, and quickly realised that wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t know that we would be moving the whole time and the waves would be so high… so needless to say, I was a little naive about the realities of deep-sea fishing.
There was a lot of excitement when one of our crew caught a big one and we had a lot of laughs throughout the day. Ty caught a 50lbs mahi mahi (a fish so nice, they named it twice) which was a highlight of the day, along with the delicious fresh ceviche our guide, Jesus made for us. By the afternoon the ocean became calm, and we spotted whales and turtles which was a special moment to remember.
Zona Romantica
Explore the charming neighborhood of Zona Romantica. This is the area our group chose to rent our vacation home in and where we spent most of our time. Walk along the cobblestone streets and take It all in. Make sure to go down the iconic street of Basilio Badillo, it is here that you’ll find some of the best shops, restaurants, and night clubs in the city. Let yourself be entertained for an evening and grab tickets at Act2PV. They put on some incredible Broadway shows and musicals like Momma Mia, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown that is good for all ages, and some extravagant well-choreographed Drag shows, full of pizzaz and dazzling costumes. if you’re looking for a good laugh, check to see if the Hot Flashbacks-A Golden Girls Musical Adventure is still playing. There are always a multitude of shows to choose from playing every night of the week.
Right by Los Muertos Pier, you’ll find Olas Atlas street. This is a great place to do a Tequila tasting.
If you are there on a Saturday head to La Zaro Cardenas Square. There is a farmers’ market with quality handmade goods and local produce.
Lazaro Cardenas Park, now known as Tile Park, is full of tiled mosaics, covering benches, walls, stairs and basically anything that doesn’t move. Thanks to Artist Natasha Moraga, who spearheaded this publicly funded Art Installation that gave the park a remarkable overhaul. It went from dark and dingy to a vibrant, uplifting space that is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when people come together.
The Vallarta Botanical Gardens
If you are a plant lover like me, spend some time at The Vallarta Botanical Gardens. The gardens are an hour out of Puerto Vallarta and are open every day from 9-6pm. It costs about 300 pesos to enter if you go on your own or choose from the many tours available if your needing transportation. The Center was created to propagate, study and conserve native plants of the area. They have played a part in protecting the Military macaw, which was close to disappearing. The diverse species of flora and wildlife are a marvel to behold.
Islas Marietas
A boat tour to The Islas Marieta is for the nature enthusiast. The island is and ecotourists delight and something only 116 people are permitted to go to daily, so book in advance. You’ll learn about the wildlife and get a chance to snorkel where you could see a school of dolphins, tropical fish, or turtles. Keep in mind, that you’ll want to be a confident swimmer, because there is a small bit of the trip where you get out of the boat and need to swim underwater to reach the hidden beach. Bring a dry bag or a waterproof phone because you’ll want to capture the moment.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish
This iconic Catholic church can be seen from all over the city. It is an important monument in the historical downtown area of Centro. The architecture’s style is a combination of neo-classical and renaissance. The cherry on the top is the ornate crown that sits on the clock tower.
This spiritual center is held in such high regard, they hold a 12-day festival each year from December 1st-12th. The streets are coloured in decorations, floats and costumes symbolizing both Aztec and Christian heritage. Music and singing fills the streets attracting locals and tourists each year.
Eat Drink and be Merry... and maybe do it at one of these places 😉
Pepe's Tacos
Pepe’s Taco (Calle Honduras 145 C. 5 de Diciembre) This place has been around for a long time, this is where the locals go to get tacos and it is delicious and super affordable. Make sure to have the pastor tacos, they are made from the pork on the stick you’ll see cooking as you walk in, they top it with grilled pineapple and cilantro and a bunch of different fresh salsas to choose from. They make some great margaritas too! Pepe’s is open from 1pm until 6am, so you can satisfy your late-night hunger. This was a real hit with our group, one of our friends went back there a bunch of times and it became an ongoing joke amongst us.
Los Muertos Brewing
Lázoro Cárdenas 302, Zona Romantica
This little place has a good vibe and great Happy hour prices. There is a nice selection of beer and their thin crust pizzas are huge and very tasty! Bonus…they will deliver to your accommodation as well! A good bang for your buck here!
Sí Señor Garden
Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez 274, Centro
This is a place I fantasize about returning to. The staff is welcoming, and the restaurant is authentic. The attention to detail from their beautiful glass wear and dishes to the table service doesn’t go unnoticed. You could pick anything off the menu and be happy. It is appealing during the day and alluring come nightfall.
Margarita Grill
(Pino Suárez 321, Zona Romántica)
Anytime can be margarita time! This cheerful establishment is designed to ensure everyone has a good time. The margaritas are the headliner here, large and in charge. They use fresh ingredients and go down easy. The live music gets everyone moving around in their chairs and enjoying the moment.
La Palapa
Pùlpilo 105-3, Zona Romantica
For a romantic dinner watching the sun go down, eat at La Palapa, right on Los Muertos beach. They have tables right on the sand with a gorgeous view of the ocean and the pier. Book a reservation a head of time because this place is popular. It’s been around since 1959. I really could feel the history and enjoyed the ambiance and traditional live music. Some of the favorites are the tortilla soup, coconut shrimps, duck mole enchiladas and short ribs, which were beautifully presented.
Mar y Vino
A newer rooftop restaurant with a modern aesthetic flair that is very cool. It sits on top of the Hotel Los Arcos facing the ocean. I really enjoyed the design here. They had tables where you can soak your feet in a shallow pool and cool down. It is on the pricier side, but the cocktails, view and the atmosphere make up for it. Happy hour is a great option if you want to enjoy it and save a bit of coin.
385 Olas Atlas
Oyster Grill De La Docena
Passeo Díaz Ordaz 610, Centro
This breezy seafood restaurant is located right on the Malecon with a view of the ocean and the funky bronze chair statues of The Rotunda of the Sea. We went as a group and loved everything we ordered. I couldn’t get enough of their baked oysters; the tacos were masterful, and the octopus and clams were perfection! Oh yes, I need to mention the pina colada, it was the best one I had on our trip!
Thanks for stopping by!
Check out these blogs for more cool things to do in Mexico!
