Mexico
Puerto Vallarta curves around Banderas Bay with the Sierra Madre rising straight behind it, and it rewards visitors who divide their time between the waterfront, the water and the hills.
This guide books it properly: an evening on the Malecón among its bronze sculptures, a small-boat morning at the Marietas Islands and the Hidden Beach, full days on the water at Yelapa and Las Caletas, humpback whale watching when the season opens in December, a dolphin and snorkeling trip from the marina, a zipline and mule tour above a river canyon, a distillery tasting with chocolate pairing, the Vallarta Botanical Garden, and a guided food tour through the Old Town and the Zona Romántica. Then it matches you to the right hotel, from a hillside boutique splurge above the Old Town to an adults-only all-inclusive in Marina Vallarta, a beachside mid-range base, a Malecón-front value hotel and a budget garden pool in the Romantic Zone.
Vallarta Botanical Garden
A river-valley garden in the Sierra Madre foothills with orchids, agave, trails, a swimming spot and a restaurant, about 35 minutes south of the Old Town. Open Tuesday to Sunday through November, and every day from December.
The Malecón Boardwalk
Puerto Vallarta's seafront promenade is the town's living room: a bayside boardwalk of bronze sculptures, ocean-view cafés, street performers and sunset crowds, running the length of the Old Town. Free, open at all hours, and the natural first walk of any trip.
Marietas Islands and the Hidden Beach
A small-group boat trip to Marietas Islands National Park off Punta de Mita, with snorkeling in clear water, seabirds on volcanic rock and a chance to reach the famous Hidden Beach through its swim-in tunnel. A half-day highlight of the bay.
Yelapa and Bay of Banderas Day Cruise
A full-day cruise across Banderas Bay to Yelapa, the road-less beach village on the southern shore. Expect a hotel pickup, onboard breakfast and lunch, open bar, snorkeling, kayaks and a waterfall option, with time to explore the village.
Puerto Vallarta's seafront promenade is the town's living room: a bayside boardwalk of bronze sculptures, ocean-view cafés, street performers and sunset crowds, running the length of the Old Town. Free, open at all hours, and the natural first walk of any trip.
A small-group boat trip to Marietas Islands National Park off Punta de Mita, with snorkeling in clear water, seabirds on volcanic rock and a chance to reach the famous Hidden Beach through its swim-in tunnel. A half-day highlight of the bay.
A full-day cruise across Banderas Bay to Yelapa, the road-less beach village on the southern shore. Expect a hotel pickup, onboard breakfast and lunch, open bar, snorkeling, kayaks and a waterfall option, with time to explore the village.
A cove-side jungle retreat south of Puerto Vallarta once the home of film director John Huston, reached by boat and run today as a full-day beach club with lunch, open bar, kayaking, snorkeling and a kids' adventure park.
From December to March, humpback whales come to breed and calve in the warm waters of Banderas Bay. A small-boat trip with hydrophones is one of Puerto Vallarta's best winter experiences, and the season opens soon.
Soar through the Sierra Madre foothills on long zip lines above a river canyon, ride a mule back across the valley and finish with a tequila tasting. A high-rated half-day adventure from Puerto Vallarta.
A two-hour distillery visit and agave-spirits tasting at a family-run ranch in the hills above Puerto Vallarta, with cooked agave, a guided tasting class and a chocolate pairing. Small groups and some of the best-reviewed tastings in the region.
A river-valley garden in the Sierra Madre foothills with orchids, agave, trails, a swimming spot and a restaurant, about 35 minutes south of the Old Town. Open Tuesday to Sunday through November, and every day from December.
A small-group morning walking tour through the Zona Romántica and Old Town with eight tastings at local seafood stands, a birria spot and taquerias, plus a stroll along the Malecón. An exceptionally well-reviewed local favorite.
A small-boat morning from Marina Vallarta in search of wild dolphins, with snorkeling gear, lunch and a short marine-mammal introduction. Groups of ten at most, with an English-speaking guide.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Old Town (El Centro)
A twelve-suite boutique hotel on a hill above the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built from the old Burton villa. Three pools, a rooftop restaurant, and bay and mountain views make it the Old Town's romantic splurge.
Rates on Expedia →
$$$Marina Vallarta
An adults-only, all-inclusive boutique resort in Marina Vallarta with suites, a tropical spa, fine dining and a beach club a few minutes away by complimentary transfer. The polished, pampering choice for couples.
Rates on Expedia →
$$Zona Romántica (Olas Altas)
A beachside resort on Olas Altas at the edge of the Zona Romántica, with nine room types from saver rooms to oceanfront suites. The practical mid-range base for beach days, restaurants and easy walks into the Old Town.
Rates on Expedia →
$$Centro (Malecón)
A classic three-star on Paseo Díaz Ordaz, right across from the Malecón boardwalk and a walk from the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Cuale River market. A good-value Old Town base for first-timers.
Rates on Expedia →
$Zona Romántica
A friendly budget hotel on Basilio Badillo in the Romantic Zone with a garden pool, air-conditioned rooms and a three-minute walk to Los Muertos beach. The best value base for food, nightlife and the sand.
Rates on Expedia →The practical first-timer primer: which boat trips and tours to book ahead, when whales and gardens are open, how to get around, and how to fit the Malecón, the islands and the hills into a few days.
Which Puerto Vallarta neighborhood suits your trip, with five hotels from a hillside Old Town splurge to a budget garden hotel near Los Muertos beach.
