The 20 Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
These high 20 issues to do in Puerto Vallarta had been beneficial by actual locals and can assure you see the easiest of this unimaginable coastal metropolis.
In Puerto Vallarta, you will have the chance to expertise vibrant native Mexican tradition and an expensive seashore vacation suddenly. From the outlets and quaint cafes on the Malecon to hidden seashores and tranquil coves to epic evening golf equipment overlooking Banderas Bay, there’s one thing for everybody on this Pacific paradise.
But, you’ll be able to’t belief simply anybody to let you know expertise the most effective of Puerto Vallarta. As a lot as we love our metropolis, we admit that vacationer traps are popping up left and proper.
That’s why the native consultants at PV Nightlife determined to place collectively a high 20 listing of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta made 100% by locals!
We’re excited to share our stunning metropolis with you, however earlier than we dive into our listing, let’s check out the elements of the town you’ll wish to discover.
Districts of Puerto Vallarta
- North Zone: This space north of the town stays fairly quiet. Those in search of peace and rest can come right here for lazy seashores, conventional villages, and good entry to watersports like kite browsing.
- Nueva Vallarta: This space is the place the all-inclusive resorts are, so it’s not the most effective place to expertise PV tradition. Locals aren’t massive followers of this space, however it’s a great spot for households in search of the convenience of a bundle vacation.
- Marina Vallarta: This is the primary zone in Puerto Vallarta correct, but it’s nonetheless comparatively quiet and romantic. The Marina is a good place for purchasing, grabbing drinks, and watching the sundown. It’s residence to some high-end cafes and resorts, however locals usually go right here for comfortable hour.
- Hotel Zone: The resort zone is fashionable and handy. You received’t discover a variety of historical past right here, however you’ll discover all the department stores, massive supermarkets, cinemas, and naturally, resorts. There’s additionally a pleasant harbor right here, however the Hotel Zone is greatest for purchasing and having fun with some air-con!
- Downtown: This is the place the magic occurs! Downtown is the center of Old Vallarta and residential to our favourite place—the Malecon. It’s an extended boardwalk alongside the seashore that is filled with outlets and cafes. We like to sip coffees and cocktails within the contemporary ocean air whereas folks watching the day away.
- Romantic Zone: Love is within the air on this small central district. It’s the place you’ll discover most of the hottest bars and eating places, and it’s recognized for being fashionable. There’s virtually at all times one thing happening within the plazas, and Los Muertos seashore is the recent spot for vacationers in search of spring-break fashion enjoyable within the solar.
- South Zone: Leaving the town, the South Zone extends for over 25 miles south of Puerto Vallarta and is pocked with little seashores and villages. It’s straightforward to entry by automobile, bike, or bus, and it’s additionally a well-liked spot for coastal hikes. Locals like to go to the seashores right here to flee the crowds within the metropolis!
Now that you realize a bit extra about Puerto Vallarta’s metropolis districts, it’s time to leap into our listing of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta!
Top 20 Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
We requested a variety of locals for his or her enter on this listing, so you’ll be able to take the numerical order with a grain of salt (after which some lime and tequila, ideally!). This listing is a mixture of native favorites and what locals suppose vacationers MUST do once they go to PV.
1. Playa las Gemelas Beach
Admit it—the very first thing you wish to do once you contact down in Puerto Vallarta is hit the seashore! Playa las Gemelas is the one to go to first, based on locals.
Many vacationers head straight to Los Muertos Beach, however it may be a bit rowdy and crowded. Playa las Gemelas is quieter and extra stress-free, plus the water is an incredible mixture of glowing turquoise and emerald. It’s one of the stunning seashores within the metropolis.
Getting to the seashore requires climbing some stairs, however it’s definitely worth the journey. As you descend to the water, you’ll move below a cover of jungle greens and ropey vines that present an ideal transition from “real life” to “stress-free, margarita-sipping holiday.”
2. Stroll on the Malecon
There’s no higher method to get acquainted with Puerto Vallarta than to stroll alongside the picturesque Malecon, an extended boardwalk that spans many of the metropolis’s shoreline. Here, you’ll discover a mixture of tourist-friendly sights like avenue performers, artists, and distributors of all types. It’s additionally residence to loads of historic eating places and cafes the place you’ll be able to cease for a drink or a chunk and luxuriate in some stellar ocean views.
Locals prefer to spend time at Bar La Playa, or should you’re in search of one thing a little bit wilder, attempt Senor Frog’s.
3. Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
This is the preferred sightseeing attraction within the historic middle, and the locals are very happy with it. Our Lady of Guadalupe is an exquisite architectural monument in and out, and it’s a logo of PV tradition. Make certain to pay a go to no matter your non secular affiliation. Just be certain that to be respectful!
4. Eat Street Food (Tacos, Tacos, Tacos)
It’s not laborious to search out an abundance of avenue meals in Puerto Vallarta, however solely the locals know the most effective of the most effective.
Here’s what you’ve bought to attempt:
- Tacos: Try our spicy shrimp tacos for an actual native deal with.
- Tortas Ahogadas: A neighborhood sandwich crammed with pork, tomato sauce, and chili. It’s a bit like a Mexican sloppy Joe!
- Pescado Embarazado: This is mainly a roast fish on a stick. But, the fish is marinated in lime and served with contemporary salsa. It’s wholesome and scrumptious!
- Tamales: The excellent grab-and-go avenue meals.
- Grilled corn on the cob: It’s no delicacy, however we love this roasty, salty avenue meals.
And right here’s the place to go to search out the easiest avenue meals:
5. Take a Boat Tour
Most of the issues to do in Puerto Vallarta happen on the waves, however you don’t must be a swimmer or a surfer to take pleasure in our emerald seas. Hiring a ship is far more reasonably priced right here than it’s in most different cities, which means you’ll be able to stay the excessive life on a non-public yacht or take a calming fishing cruise along with your buddies for lower than the price of a pleasant meal.
Or, should you’re in search of a celebration, attempt considered one of our bumping get together cruises. Most get together cruises have nice DJs and loads of singles trying to mingle. Even higher, most embody an open bar all day.
To discover out how one can lease a ship or be a part of a celebration cruise, get in contact with the native reserving consultants at PV Nightlife.
6. Plaza de las Armas
This is the primary sq. in Puerto Vallarta, and there’s one thing enjoyable occurring right here daily. It’s a terrific spot to purchase native artwork, and it’s very near the Malecon and Our Lady of Guadalupe church.
Make certain to take a photograph with the statue of our metropolis’s founder, Ignacio Vallarta, and take some shade below the attractive bandstand gazebo within the middle.
7. Experience Mismaloya
If you will have time for an tour, we advocate Mismaloya within the South Zone. This small fishing village captures the essence of what Puerto Vallarta was earlier than the resorts and resorts moved in. Plus, it was the place the traditional movie “The Night of the Iguana” was made, which just about put Puerto Vallarta on the map.
A pleasant mix of tranquility, historical past, and untarnished seashores, Mismaloya is an ideal skip away from the town for these trying to get away from all of it.
8. Take a Hike
If your concept of getting out of city doesn’t contain going to a distinct city, then go for a calming hike by means of the South Zone. There are miles and miles of quiet seashores right here, and the paths are secure and comparatively straightforward (so long as you don’t take a brief lower by means of the mountains).
Hiking alongside the coast is an excellent method to expertise the ocean at your personal tempo, and it doesn’t take a lot planning. The important street isn’t far, so you’ll be able to hop a bus again to the town everytime you’re prepared. Just be certain that to convey sufficient water and sunscreen.
You can begin your hike from the tip of the Malecon and head all the way down to Conchas Chinas (it solely takes about 40 minutes). From there, extra adventurous hikers can proceed south all the best way to Boca de Tomatlan.
9. Share the love within the Zona Romantica
For meals, drinks, and plentiful sights, the Romantic Zone is the place to be. Weekends are energetic right here, so you’ll want to make reservations for eating places and bars. But there’s one thing happening each evening of the week in Plaza Lazaro Cardenas. From conventional dancing to stay music to native artisanal markets, you and a particular somebody are certain to see sparks fly on this a part of the previous city.
10. See the Sunset over Banderas Bay
Puerto Vallarta’s jovial streets are residence to many exhibits and sights, however the most effective one takes place on the horizon over Banderas Bay. Cozy up with a particular somebody on the seashore and luxuriate in a fiery sundown earlier than heading out for an evening to recollect.
Here in Puerto Vallarta, watching the sundown is our equal of stopping to odor the roses. Don’t neglect to absorb the peaceable vibes of our metropolis and do the identical!
11. Hit the Clubs
All of the locals we spoke to agreed on one factor—you CANNOT go away Puerto Vallarta with out at the very least one evening of untamed enjoyable at a PV membership.
Puerto Vallarta’s golf equipment are a degree of delight within the metropolis. They are recognized for his or her glorious service, signature drinks, and world-class DJs. When partygoers discuss the most effective golf equipment on the planet, PV’s golf equipment rank within the high spots with Las Vegas and Ibiza golf equipment. The distinction is that they price loads much less to take pleasure in!
Here’s the place locals advocate for the most effective PV clubbing:
- La Santa: La Santa is greatest recognized for having an on-site pool. Are you prepared to your evening to get moist and wild?
- La Vaquita: A barnyard-themed bash, La Vaquita has a really relaxed costume code and serves huge drinks in styrofoam cups. A spot to let free!
- Strana: A cathedral of sunshine and sound, Strana is likely one of the most unique and immersive golf equipment within the metropolis.
Nightclubs in Puerto Vallarta are highly regarded, so you’ll want to e-book upfront to keep away from lengthy strains which frequently prolong out the door and into the road. Or, you’ll be able to let the locals at PV Nightlife care for it for you and luxuriate in VIP entry all evening lengthy.
Bonus: Puerto Vallarta Accommodation Hacks
The high quality of your trip in Puerto Vallarta will rely vastly on the place you select to remain. This metropolis is filled with resorts and resorts, however locals don’t advocate these locations.
Resorts are okay for households, giant teams, and the aged, however those that wish to discover and profit from their journey received’t just like the pretend environment and overcrowding.
Hotels are an expensive method to journey, and Puerto Vallarta has some glorious ones to select from. The draw back is that you just’ll pay worldwide costs to e-book someplace just like the Hilton or the Hyatt.
If you’re touring with your loved ones or a bunch, we extremely advocate reserving a non-public villa as an alternative of conventional lodging. You can really e-book a beachside villa with luxurious décor and superb facilities for lower than the worth of most resorts.
Even higher, your villa may be personalized in any means you want. You can ask for a non-public chef, a driver, for a mariachi band to come back at evening—the probabilities are actually as much as you.
When you’re employed with an company like PV Nightlife, there’s no restrict to what you are able to do and the place you’ll be able to keep. Get in contact now to view beachfront villas and to show your lodging into a non-public paradise.
12. Scuba Diving
If you’ve by no means been Scuba diving earlier than, Puerto Vallarta is the place to have your underwater journey. If you will have, you’ve by no means seen ocean flooring like ours!
Enter a wonderland of crystal-clear waters and work together with playful fish and different sea life. You’ll encounter superb rock buildings, reefs, huge faculties of fish, and even ghostly shipwrecks.
The Scuba excursions in PV are led by licensed professionals, so all it’s important to do is go well with up and be amazed!
13. Colonia Emiliano Zapata Municipal Market
The meals tradition in Mexico is protected by UNESCO—it’s the one culinary custom to have that honor! So, when deciding what issues to do in Puerto Vallarta, visiting a neighborhood market is an absolute should.
The Colonia Emiliano Zapata municipal market is filled with colourful produce, tropical fruit, seafood, native spices, avenue meals, and a lot extra. The neatest thing about this place is that everybody right here is tremendous useful and at all times smiling. It’s the right place to get some cooking suggestions from actual locals whereas happening a tasting spree.
The market is open daily from 6 AM to three PM. We advocate going within the late morning. It’s the right time to see all of the distributors whereas they’re nonetheless totally stocked and to work up an urge for food for lunch.
14. Los Muertos Beach
Los Muertos Beach is likely one of the hottest spots within the metropolis. It’s nice for lounging, swimming, and watersports, and it’s additionally stuffed with bars and eating places with music and seashore sports activities. It’s extra of a celebration seashore than a calming spot, however that isn’t a foul factor!
Los Muertos is positioned immediately off the Malecon, so it’s essentially the most accessible seashore within the metropolis. In truth, it’s not possible to overlook, because it’s seen from many of the metropolis middle. Even should you don’t like crowded seashores, cease at a seashore kiosk for a margarita or two. The enjoyable is contagious!
15. Mirador de La Cruz
Mirador de La Cruz is an remark platform simply exterior the town middle. The locals know this spot presents the most effective views of Banderas Bay and the luxurious mountains bordering the town, however you received’t discover many people making the climb on a sizzling day!
The trek to Mirador de La Crus takes about 40 minutes from the Malecon, and the final 20 minutes are made up of steep climbs and stairs. Nevertheless, that is the place you’ll be capable of snap panoramic pictures of the town and the ocean that may make all of your Insta followers jealous, so convey your strolling footwear and don’t miss it!
16. Into the Wild
Just exterior Puerto Vallarta’s vintage streets, you’ll be able to enterprise into the unknown and discover Mexico’s lush jungle terrain. Don’t fear, there aren’t any harmful animals lurking within the depths, however there are many unique flowers, contemporary fruits, colourful bugs, and different superb issues to see.
You can tour the jungle on foot with a information or you’ll be able to schedule an ATV tour for an off-road journey. We don’t advocate exploring the jungle alone.
17. Have a Spa Day
Take a break from all the journey, solar, sand, and tequila by detoxing your physique and rejuvenating your pores and skin at considered one of Puerto Vallarta’s famed spas. Featuring specialised remedies constructed from sea minerals and native substances, there’s no higher method to expertise the last word in private pampering whereas doing one thing good to your well being.
These spas are well-known by locals as being moderately priced and intensely skilled:
18. Marina Vallarta
Marina Vallarta is a spot the place the rich bump elbows with locals and vacationers who like to look at as boats move over the horizon. Known for its iconic lighthouse bar, this space of the town is quiet and breezy, and it’s the right place to take a date earlier than dinner within the Romantic Zone.
Locals don’t hang around right here usually, however we like going for comfortable hour on the rooftop bars close by. Many luxurious golf equipment and resorts, such because the Marriot, supply half-priced drinks within the early night, making this a terrific place to stay it up on a finances.
19. Dine in Style
Street meals is scrumptious, by you’d be lacking out should you didn’t deal with your self to a little bit of high-quality eating on this meals capital of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is understood for superb BBQ and seafood dishes, and the cooks listed here are a number of the most artistic on the planet.
Diners can take pleasure in wealthy salsas made with native fruit and veggies in addition to gentle tortillas and hearty soups just like the native favourite “birria,” a spicy pork stew served with lime.
PV has additionally been influenced by an inflow of worldwide cooks, making this metropolis a singular culinary jewel on the Pacific.
Here are some native favorites for decadent eating:
- La Leche: Foodies in search of the right sharable photograph love La Leche. The complete restaurant is white, making the colourful dishes burst with life.
- La Palapa: Fine eating on the seashore. Enjoy improbable views and unimaginable seafood.
- Café des Artistes: Featuring French and Mexican fusion, Café des Artistes often is the most upscale restaurant within the metropolis.
20. Mezcal and Tequila
Two of our most beloved native pastimes—mezcal and tequila! Puerto Vallarta is a spot for sipping and snacking, and our favourite liquors make every evening go down easy.
Both tequila and mezcal are produced within the Jalisco area of Mexico (the place PV is positioned), so this is likely one of the greatest locations to attempt artisanal liquors from a number of the most interesting distilleries.
For a terrific collection of straight mezcal and tequila in addition to signature cocktails and snacks, we’ve to advocate Bar Morelos. This place will get fairly busy and has a membership on a separate flooring, so that you’ll have to e-book a desk should you don’t wish to get caught standing.
Are you prepared to your journey to PV? There are so many issues to do in Puerto Vallarta that the toughest half is selecting! That’s the place we are available at PV Nightlife.
Our native guides and consultants are devoted to assembling the right night, weekend, or full vacation for you. And our packages are by no means pre-set. We dedicate a planner to your trip who works with you to ship the precise vacation you need.
Don’t get caught ready in strains or coping with sold-out indicators once you’re in search of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta. Contact PV Nightlife right this moment to make your PV trip excellent.