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Sunsets along the shoreline at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Westend61 Premium/Shutterstock
Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is Mexico's Pacific Coast as you've probably imagined it. This popular resort town is known for its golden sand beaches, cobblestone center and famously inclusive nightlife.
Puerto Vallarta's proximity to the mountains brings ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to dive deep into the verdant jungle in search of adventures, while sunseekers will have a hard time deciding which of its many beaches to lie out on for the day.
While Puerto Vallarta was established in the 19th century, it became famous in the 1960s thanks to the glamor of Hollywood, when it served as a filming location for the 1964 John Huston film The Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Burton and his famous wife, Elizabeth Taylor, fell in love with the area, buying a house on the hill in “Gringo Gulch” and spending long spells in town.
Since then, this once-secluded beach town has expanded significantly, with its hotel and nightlife offerings encompassing luxury resorts in Marina Vallarta and boutique hotels and lively bars in the Zona Romántica. Easily accessible by air, it's a resort with something for every kind of beach fan.
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Whether you’re here for the cool beach clubs or want to find a more secluded enclave for snorkeling and spotting colorful sea life, there’s a beach here to fulfill your heart’s desire. Here's everything you need to know on your first visit to Puerto Vallarta.
When should I go to Puerto Vallarta?
As with most beach towns in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is a destination you can visit year-round. If this is your first time in Puerto Vallarta, the high season runs from October to April, when temperatures in the northern hemisphere begin to drop, and Canadian and American snowbirds arrive seeking an escape from the cold.
The hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta runs from early June to late November, with its peak from August to October. During this period, while you may encounter rain when tropical storms form, Puerto Vallarta’s location within the huge Bay of Banderas helps protect it from storms directly making landfall.
If you’re keen to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale flashing its tail in the sunshine, the best time to spot these majestic creatures is from December to March, when whales make their way to Banderas Bay to breed and raise their young.
Overall, the best time to go to Puerto Vallarta is from April to June, when the heat and humidity haven’t reached their most sweltering levels, and before the summer crowds have descended on this stretch of golden coastline.
How much time should I spend in Puerto Vallarta?
Three nights will allow you to enjoy some time relaxing at Playa de los Muertos or Playa Camarones by day, and some time after dark partying at a beach club or exploring some of the bars and restaurants in the Zona Romántica.
If you can spare a whole week, you’ll be able to get off the beaten path and explore more secluded beaches such as Yelapa, and head inland to sip tequila and other agave-based spirits in San Sebastián del Oeste, a mining town reinvented as one of Mexico's "pueblo mágicos," with an old-fashioned Wild West-meets-Mexico feel.
Is it easy to get in and around Puerto Vallarta?
You can fly into Puerto Vallarta’s international airport from many major cities in North America – either directly, or with a stop in Houston, Dallas or Atlanta. Coming from Europe, change in the US or Mexico City. From the airport, you can take a taxi to your hotel or cross the street to order a rideshare through Uber (drivers can drop you off at the airport but not pick you up from there).
Once in Puerto Vallarta, you can find taxis easily or order an Uber to take you everywhere. Always ask for (and agree on) a price before getting in a taxi to avoid disputes over the fare, and make sure you have cash on you, as drivers don’t take credit cards.
As of 2025, foreign tourists coming into Puerto Vallarta must pay a tourist fee of 160 Mexican pesos. This applies to all travelers over the age of 14.
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Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta
These are the activities you shouldn’t miss if you’re staying in Puerto Vallarta for a few nights, from beach days to admiring the intriguing sculptures on the waterfront.
Stroll down the Malecón
The Malecón boardwalk stretches for about a mile along the coast, meeting Playa de los Muertos and its famous, futuristic pier at its southern end. It's a prime location for a morning, afternoon or evening promenade. As the city’s most prominent tourist attraction, it gets busy, but it’s a great spot to absorb Puerto Vallarta’s lively energy for free. Make your way there at sunset to enjoy the multihued pink-and-orange sky while inspecting the many sculpted artworks scattered throughout the area.
Lounge on the beach
If you’re staying at a beachfront hotel, chances are you won’t want to leave the comfort of the sand that’s right in front of your balcony. But with so many beaches in close proximity to each other, it’s worth venturing further afield to vary your sun intake a bit.
Bordering the iconic Zona Romántica neighborhood, Playa de los Muertos is undoubtedly the best-known beach in town. North of the Malecón, you’ll find the much quieter Playa Camarones, but to truly get away from the crowds, you’d be wise to head to the southern beaches.
Lined with condo buildings, Playa Conchas Chinas is a small, picturesque enclave with shallow and sheltered pools made by rock formations. Further south, the emerald-green waters of Mismaloya are a great place to snorkel or try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding against the backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains.
For even more privacy, head to Yelapa, a small beach town that you can only reach by boat from the pier at Boca de Tomatlán.
Enjoy the bar scene in the Zona Romántica
If you’re ready for a night out, make your way to the Zona Romántica, a charming neighborhood known for its cobblestone streets, bar scene, and laid-back vibe. Here, you’ll find tasty street taco stands sitting alongside deluxe international restaurants. As the evening progresses, people hit the bars and clubs; with its thriving nightlife and welcoming LGBTIQ+ scene, this is a memorable spot for a lively evening out.
Spot a humpback whale
Humpback whales make a yearly migration to warm Mexican waters to breed and raise their calves. In Puerto Vallarta, you can see them splashing around in the waves from inflatable speed boats on three-hour whale-watching expeditions; Vallarta Adventures and Ocean Friendly Tours are reliable operators.
Planning tip: Plan your trip for peak whale-watching season, which runs from December to March.
Explore Río Cuale Island
Tucked in the middle of the Río Cuale, this lush island with shaded paths offers a peaceful escape from the busy streets of the center. You’ll find open-air cafes and restaurants to relax in while listening to the flow of the river, and an artisan market where you can pick up a gift or two.
Take a boat trip
Boat tours are a popular way to pass the time in Puerto Vallarta, and the rock arch and picturesque granite islands of Los Arcos are a popular destination for a day of snorkeling, swimming and snacking on deck. The islands are also a rewarding stop for scuba divers. Vallarta Adventures is one of the biggest boat trip operators, while Vallarta Undersea is a trusted scuba center.
Go hiking in the verdant jungle
While most visitors plan a trip to Puerto Vallarta with the beach in mind, the city’s proximity to the Sierra Madre mountains provides plenty of hiking opportunities. Popular hiking spots include the trail to Playa Colomitos, a secluded beach only accessible by foot or boat, and the Mirador de La Cruz, where a short but steep climb rewards you with panoramic views of the city and the Bay of Banderas.
My favorite thing to do in Puerto Vallarta
As with so many other visitors, Puerto Vallarta’s famed golden beaches first lured me here. Yet, as I got to know the city, I was surprised at how much art and culture I discovered. Besides those mesmerizing statues along the Malecón, Puerto Vallarta also has its fair share of art galleries. The best one of them all is OPC Oficina de Proyectos Culturales, which hosts exhibitions that foster dialogue between creators and the local community; it organizes educational workshops and roundtable discussions, too.
How much money do I need for Puerto Vallarta?
As far as Mexican resort towns go, Puerto Vallarta is significantly more affordable than Cancún or Los Cabos, especially when it comes to hotel prices. The area north of the city near the marina has the largest and most expensive hotels, namely the Marriott, the Westin and Casa Velas, as well as many of the top restaurants, including several popular Mexican chains.
In Centro and the Zona Romántica, you can find options to suit all budgets, along with interesting, smaller restaurants offering creative takes on Mexican food. This is the area to hit to find authentic Mexican coastal cuisine at prices that won't blow your budget.
Here are the prices you can expect to pay for some common items.
Hostel room: $400–850 per night
Basic room for two: $1800–3500 per night
Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): $1200–3000 per night
Average taxi ride: $80–150
Coffee: $40–100
Street food sandwich: around $60
Fish tacos in a restaurant: $250 for an order of two
Dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: $600–1200
Beer at the bar: $55
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for travelers?
Puerto Vallarta is considered one of the safest places in Mexico. I’ve spent a significant amount of time there, traveling solo as a woman, and not once did I feel unsafe. As a touristy resort town, it doesn’t have many areas that are considered sketchy. Still, I’d recommend exercising the usual precautions, like avoiding getting into a taxi while drunk or walking alone in unlit areas late at night.
Is Puerto Vallarta very touristy?
Definitely – and that’s not a bad thing. Puerto Vallarta essentially exists as a beach playground for local and foreign visitors to have a great time and let loose. In recent years, the city has been drawing a growing digital-nomad population, which adds to the lively vibe of the place, and it’s always had a thriving expat community. And since this is a place where Mexican families vacation, it feels less like a magnet only for North Americans.
Is Puerto Vallarta LGBTIQ+-friendly?
Very! Puerto Vallarta has a lively and inclusive LGBTIQ+ scene, with plenty of gay-friendly accommodation, bars and clubs. There's a 9-day Vallarta Pride celebration in May, with themed parties all over the Zona Romántica and Emiliano Zapata (Old Town) neighborhoods, and the south end of Playa de los Muertos is a popular hangout year-round. Find more information through websites such as Gay PV and Gay Guide Vallarta.
Are Puerto Vallarta beaches swimmable?
The waves that crash on Mexico's Pacific Ocean shoreline are a force to be reckoned with, and many resorts here are the exclusive domain of the surfing community. But that’s not the case in Puerto Vallarta; thanks to the protection of the bay, waves are smaller here, creating safe swimming conditions. It's a good choice for families as well as partying couples.
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