Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a resort city identified for its golden sand seashores, cobblestone middle and full of life nightlife. Its proximity to the mountains supplies ample alternatives for out of doors lovers to dive deep into the verdant jungle looking for adventures, whereas sunseekers may have a tough time deciding which of its many seashores to lie out on for the day.
Whereas Puerta Vallarta was established within the nineteenth century, it turned well-known within the Sixties because of the glamor of Hollywood, when it served as a filming location for the 1964 movie The Night time of the Iguanastarring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Burton and his well-known spouse, Elizabeth Taylor, fell in love with the realm, shopping for a home on the hill in “Gringo Gulch” and spending lengthy spells on the town.
Since then, the seashore city has expanded considerably, with its lodge and nightlife choices encompassing luxurious resorts in Marina Vallarta and boutique resorts and full of life bars within the Zona Romántica.
Whether or not you're right here for the seashore golf equipment or need to discover a extra secluded enclave for snorkeling and recognizing colourful sea life, there's a seashore in Puerto Vallarta positive to satisfy your coronary heart's need.
When ought to I’m going to Puerto Vallarta?
As with most seashore cities in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is a vacation spot you possibly can go to year-round. The excessive season is from October to April, when temperatures within the northern hemisphere start to drop, and Canadians and Individuals begin in search of an escape from the chilly.
The hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta runs from early June to late November, with its peak from August to October. Throughout this time, when you could encounter rain when tropical storms type, Puerto Vallarta's location inside the big Bay of Banderas helps defend it from storms straight making landfall.
When you're eager to catch a glimpse of a humpback whale flashing its tail within the sunshine, the most effective months to identify these majestic creatures are from December to March, after they make their solution to Banderas Bay to breed and lift their younger.
General, I'd say the most effective time to go to Puerto Vallarta is from April to June, when the warmth and humidity haven't reached their most sweltering ranges, and the summer season crowds haven't but descended to this stretch of golden shoreline.
How a lot time ought to I spend in Puerto Vallarta?
Three nights will help you take pleasure in a while stress-free at Playa de los Muertos or Playa Camarones, partying at a seashore membership and exploring among the bars and eating places within the Zona Romántica.
But should you can spare an entire week, you'll be capable of get off the overwhelmed path and discover extra secluded seashores like Yelapa and go inland to sip tequila and different agave-based spirits in San Sebastián del Oeste, a mining city–turned –”pueblo magico” with a Mexican-Western really feel to it.
Is it straightforward to get in and round Puerto Vallarta?
You may fly into Puerto Vallarta's worldwide airport from most main cities in North America, plus a pair in Europe. From there, you possibly can take a taxi to your lodge or cross the road to order an Uber (Ubers can drop you off on the airport however not choose you up from there).
As soon as in Puerto Vallarta, you will discover taxis simply or order an Uber to take you in all places. All the time ask for (and agree on) a worth earlier than getting in a taxi to keep away from undesirable surprises, and be sure you have money on you as they don't take bank cards.
Prime issues to do in Puerto Vallarta
These are the actions you shouldn't miss should you're staying in Puerto Vallarta for a number of nights.
Stroll down the Malecon
The boardwalk that stretches for a few mile alongside the coast and meets Playa de los Muertos and its well-known pier on the southern finish known as the Malecón.
As town's most outstanding vacationer attraction, it will get busy – however it's an important spot to soak up Puerto Vallarta's full of life vitality (at no cost!). Make your method there come sundown to benefit from the multihued pink-and-orange sky whereas inspecting the various sculptures scattered all through the realm.
Lounge on the seashore
When you're staying at a beachfront lodge, likelihood is you gained't need to go away the consolation of the sand that's proper in entrance of you. But, with so many seashores in shut proximity to one another, it's value getting additional out to fluctuate your solar consumption a bit.
Bordering the enduring Zona Romántica neighborhood, Playa de los Muertos is undoubtedly the best-known seashore on the town. North of the Malecón, you'll discover the a lot quieter Playa Camarones – however to really get away from the crowds, you'd be smart to go to the southern seashores.
Whereas lined with condominium buildings, Conchas Chinas is a small, picturesque enclave with shallow and sheltered swimming pools made by rock formations. Additional south, the emerald-green waters of Mismaloya are an important place to snorkel or strive your hand at stand-up paddleboarding towards a backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains.
For much more privateness, head to Yelapa, a small seashore city that you may solely attain by boat from the pier at Boca de Tomatlán.
Benefit from the bar scene at Zona Romántica
When you're prepared for an evening out, make your solution to the Zona Romántica, a captivating neighborhood identified for its cobblestone streets and laid-back vibe. Right here, you'll discover tasty road taco stands sitting alongside deluxe worldwide eating places.
With its thriving bar scene and welcoming LGBTQ+ golf equipment, that is the spot for an unforgettable night.
Spot a humpback whale
Humpback whales make an annual migration to heat Mexican waters to breed and feed their calves. In Puerto Vallarta, you possibly can see them splashing across the waves from inflatable pace boats on three-hour whale-watching expeditions like these led by Vallarta Adventures.
Plan your journey for peak whale-watching season, which runs from December to March.
Discover Rio Cuale Island
Tucked in the course of the Río Cuale, this lush island with shaded paths affords a peaceable escape from the busy streets of town. You'll discover open-air cafes and eating places to calm down in whereas listening to the circulation of the river, and an artisan market the place you possibly can choose up a present or two.
Go climbing within the verdant jungle
Whereas most guests plan their journey to Puerto Vallarta with the seashore in thoughts, town's proximity to the Sierra Madre mountains supplies loads of climbing alternatives.
Widespread climbing spots embrace the path to Playa Colomitos, a secluded seashore solely accessible by foot or boat, and the Mirador de La Cruz, the place a brief however steep climb rewards you with panoramic views of town and the Bay of Banderas.
My favourite factor to do in Puerto Vallarta
As with so many different guestsPuerto Vallarta's famed golden seashores first lured me right here. But, as I acquired to know town, I used to be stunned at how a lot artwork and tradition I found. Moreover these mesmerizing statues alongside the Malecón, Puerto Vallarta additionally has its justifiable share of artwork galleries.
The most effective one of all of them is OPC Oficina de Proyectos Culturales, which hosts exhibitions that foster dialogue between creators and the local people and organizes instructional workshops and roundtable discussions, too.
How a lot cash do I would like for Puerto Vallarta?
So far as Mexican resort cities go, Puerto Vallarta is considerably extra inexpensive than Cancún or Los Cabos, particularly relating to lodge costs.
The realm north of town close to the marina has the most important and costliest resorts, particularly the Marriott, the Westin and Casa Velas, in addition to bigger eating places, together with standard Mexican chains.
In Centro and the Zona Romántica, nonetheless, you will discover choices to swimsuit all budgets, together with attention-grabbing, smaller eating places with artistic takes on Mexican meals.
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Hostel room: $439-843 MXN (US$21-42) per night time
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Primary room for 2: $1857-3500 MXN (US$92-173) per night time
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Self-catering condo (together with Airbnb): $1150-3000 MXN (US$57-150) per night time
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Common taxi experience: $83-145 MXN (US$4-7)
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Espresso: $40-100 MXN (US$2-5)
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Sandwich: $60 MXN (US$3)
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Fish tacos: $245 MXN (US$12) for an order of two
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Dinner for 2 at a mid-range restaurant: $600-1200 MXN (US$30-60)
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Beer/pint on the bar: $55 MXN (US$2.70)
Is Puerto Vallarta protected for vacationers?
Puerto Vallarta is taken into account one of many most secure locations in Mexico. I've spent a major period of time there, touring solo as a lady, and never as soon as did I really feel unsafe. As a vacationer resort city, it doesn't have many areas which can be thought of sketchy.
Nonetheless, I'd advocate exercising the same old precautions, like avoiding getting right into a taxi whereas blind drunk or strolling alone in unlit areas late at night time.
Is Puerto Vallarta very touristy?
Positively – and that's not a nasty factor. Puerto Vallarta primarily exists as a seashore playground for native and international guests to have a good time and let unfastened.
Lately, town has been drawing a rising digital-nomad inhabitants, which provides to the full of life vibe of the place, and it's at all times had a thriving expat neighborhood. And since this can be a place the place Mexican households trip, it feels much less like a magnet just for North Individuals.
Are Puerto Vallarta seashores swimmable?
The Pacific Ocean is a drive to be reckoned with, and lots of resorts that lie on its shores are the unique area of the browsing neighborhood. However that's not the case in Puerto Vallarta. Because of the safety of the bay, waves are smaller right here, creating protected swimming circumstances.
