The 20 Greatest Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta
These prime 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 have got the chance to expertise vibrant native Mexican tradition and an opulent seaside vacation unexpectedly. From the retailers 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.
However, you’ll be able to’t belief simply anybody to let you know the right way to expertise one of the best 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 prime 20 checklist of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta made 100% by locals!
We’re excited to share our lovely metropolis with you, however earlier than we dive into our checklist, let’s check out the elements of town you’ll wish to discover.
Districts of Puerto Vallarta
- North Zone: This space north of town stays fairly quiet. These searching for peace and leisure 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 one of the best place to expertise PV tradition. Locals aren’t large followers of this space, nevertheless it’s a great place for households searching for the convenience of a package deal vacation.
- Marina Vallarta: That is the primary zone in Puerto Vallarta correct, but it’s nonetheless comparatively quiet and romantic. The Marina is a superb place for buying, grabbing drinks, and watching the sundown. It’s dwelling to some high-end cafes and lodges, however locals usually go right here for pleased hour.
- Resort Zone: The resort zone is fashionable and handy. You gained’t discover plenty of historical past right here, however you’ll discover all the shops, large supermarkets, cinemas, and naturally, lodges. There’s additionally a pleasant harbor right here, however the Resort Zone is finest for buying and having fun with some air-con!
- Downtown: That is the place the magic occurs! Downtown is the center of Previous Vallarta and residential to our favourite place—the Malecon. It’s an extended boardwalk alongside the seaside that is filled with retailers and cafes. We like to sip coffees and cocktails within the recent 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 stylish. There’s virtually at all times one thing occurring within the plazas, and Los Muertos seaside is the new spot for vacationers searching for spring-break type enjoyable within the solar.
- South Zone: Leaving 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 already know a bit extra about Puerto Vallarta’s metropolis districts, it’s time to leap into our checklist of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta!
Prime 20 Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta
We requested plenty of locals for his or her enter on this checklist, so you’ll be able to take the numerical order with a grain of salt (after which some lime and tequila, ideally!). This checklist is a mixture of native favorites and what locals suppose vacationers MUST do after they go to PV.
1. Playa las Gemelas Seaside
Admit it—the very first thing you wish to do once you contact down in Puerto Vallarta is hit the seaside! Playa las Gemelas is the one to go to first, based on locals.
Many vacationers head straight to Los Muertos Seaside, however it may be a bit rowdy and crowded. Playa las Gemelas is quieter and extra enjoyable, plus the water is a tremendous mixture of glowing turquoise and emerald. It’s one of the vital lovely seashores within the metropolis.
Attending to the seaside requires climbing some stairs, nevertheless it’s well 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 “actual life” to “stress-free, margarita-sipping vacation.”
2. Stroll on the Malecon
There’s no higher approach to get acquainted with Puerto Vallarta than to stroll alongside the picturesque Malecon, an extended boardwalk that spans many of the metropolis’s shoreline. Right here, you’ll discover a mixture of tourist-friendly points of interest like road performers, artists, and distributors of every kind. It’s additionally dwelling to loads of historic eating places and cafes the place you’ll be able to cease for a drink or a chunk and revel in some stellar ocean views.
Locals prefer to spend time at Bar La Playa, or when you’re searching for one thing a little bit wilder, strive Senor Frog’s.
3. Church of Our Woman of Guadalupe
That is the most well-liked sightseeing attraction within the historic middle, and the locals are very pleased with it. Our Woman of Guadalupe is a fantastic architectural monument inside and outside, and it’s a logo of PV tradition. Ensure that to pay a go to no matter your non secular affiliation. Simply make certain to be respectful!
4. Eat Road Meals (Tacos, Tacos, Tacos)
It’s not arduous to seek out an abundance of road meals in Puerto Vallarta, however solely the locals know one of the best of one of the best.
Right here’s what you’ve obtained to strive:
- Tacos: Attempt our spicy shrimp tacos for an actual native deal with.
- Tortas Ahogadas: A neighborhood sandwich full of pork, tomato sauce, and chili. It’s a bit like a Mexican sloppy Joe!
- Pescado Embarazado: That is principally a roast fish on a stick. However, the fish is marinated in lime and served with recent salsa. It’s wholesome and scrumptious!
- Tamales: The proper grab-and-go road meals.
- Grilled corn on the cob: It’s no delicacy, however we love this roasty, salty road meals.
And right here’s the place to go to seek out the easiest road meals:
5. Take a Boat Tour
A lot of the issues to do in Puerto Vallarta happen on the waves, however you don’t need to be a swimmer or a surfer to get pleasure from our emerald seas. Hiring a ship is far more reasonably priced right here than it’s in most different cities, that means you’ll be able to stay the excessive life on a non-public yacht or take a soothing fishing cruise together with your buddies for lower than the price of a pleasant meal.
Or, when you’re searching for a celebration, strive one in every of our bumping get together cruises. Most get together cruises have nice DJs and loads of singles trying to mingle. Even higher, most embrace an open bar all day.
To seek out out how one can hire 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
That is the primary sq. in Puerto Vallarta, and there’s one thing enjoyable occurring right here each day. It’s a terrific spot to purchase native artwork, and it’s very near the Malecon and Our Woman of Guadalupe church.
Ensure that to take a photograph with the statue of our metropolis’s founder, Ignacio Vallarta, and take some shade below the gorgeous bandstand gazebo within the middle.
7. Expertise Mismaloya
If in case you 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 lodges and resorts moved in. Plus, it was the place the traditional movie “The Night time 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 town for these trying to get away from all of it.
8. Take a Hike
In case your thought of getting out of city doesn’t contain going to a unique city, then go for a soothing hike by the South Zone. There are miles and miles of quiet seashores right here, and the paths are protected and comparatively straightforward (so long as you don’t take a brief minimize by the mountains).
Mountain climbing alongside the coast is an excellent approach to expertise the ocean at your personal tempo, and it doesn’t take a lot planning. The primary highway is rarely far, so you’ll be able to hop a bus again to town everytime you’re prepared. Simply make certain to carry sufficient water and sunscreen.
You can begin your hike from the top of the Malecon and head right down to Conchas Chinas (it solely takes about 40 minutes). From there, extra adventurous hikers can proceed south all the way in which to Boca de Tomatlan.
9. Share the love within the Zona Romantica
For meals, drinks, and plentiful points of interest, the Romantic Zone is the place to be. Weekends are vigorous right here, so make sure you make reservations for eating places and bars. However there’s one thing occurring 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 outdated city.
10. See the Sundown over Banderas Bay
Puerto Vallarta’s jovial streets are dwelling to many reveals and points of interest, however one of the best one takes place on the horizon over Banderas Bay. Cozy up with a particular somebody on the seaside and revel in a fiery sundown earlier than heading out for an evening to recollect.
Right here in Puerto Vallarta, watching the sundown is our equal of stopping to odor the roses. Don’t overlook to soak up the peaceable vibes of our metropolis and do the identical!
11. Hit the Golf equipment
The entire locals we spoke to agreed on one factor—you CANNOT go away Puerto Vallarta with out no less than one evening of untamed enjoyable at a PV membership.
Puerto Vallarta’s golf equipment are a degree of satisfaction within the metropolis. They’re recognized for his or her glorious service, signature drinks, and world-class DJs. When partygoers speak about one of the best golf equipment on the planet, PV’s golf equipment rank within the prime spots with Las Vegas and Ibiza golf equipment. The distinction is that they value lots much less to get pleasure from!
Right here’s the place locals advocate for one of the best PV clubbing:
- La Santa: La Santa is finest recognized for having an on-site pool. Are you prepared in your evening to get moist and wild?
- La Vaquita: A barnyard-themed bash, La Vaquita has a really relaxed costume code and serves large drinks in styrofoam cups. A spot to let unfastened!
- 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 very fashionable, so it’s essential to guide 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 revel in VIP entry all evening lengthy.
Bonus: Puerto Vallarta Lodging Hacks
The standard of your trip in Puerto Vallarta will rely vastly on the place you select to remain. This metropolis is filled with resorts and lodges, however locals don’t advocate these locations.
Resorts are okay for households, massive teams, and the aged, however those that wish to discover and benefit from their journey gained’t just like the faux environment and overcrowding.
Motels are an opulent approach to journey, and Puerto Vallarta has some glorious ones to select from. The draw back is that you just’ll pay worldwide costs to guide someplace just like the Hilton or the Hyatt.
If you happen to’re touring with your loved ones or a gaggle, we extremely advocate reserving a non-public villa as a substitute of conventional lodging. You may truly guide a beachside villa with luxurious décor and superb facilities for lower than the value of most lodges.
Even higher, your villa will be personalized in any means you want. You may ask for a non-public chef, a driver, for a mariachi band to come back at evening—the chances are actually as much as you.
Whenever you work 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 happen to’ve by no means been Scuba diving earlier than, Puerto Vallarta is the place to have your underwater journey. If in case you 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, large colleges of fish, and even ghostly shipwrecks.
The Scuba excursions in PV are led by licensed professionals, so all it’s important to do is swimsuit 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 an area market is an absolute should.
The Colonia Emiliano Zapata municipal market is filled with colourful produce, tropical fruit, seafood, native spices, road meals, and a lot extra. The most effective factor 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 occurring a tasting spree.
The market is open each day 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 absolutely stocked and to work up an urge for food for lunch.
14. Los Muertos Seaside
Los Muertos Seaside is likely one of the hottest spots within the metropolis. It’s nice for lounging, swimming, and watersports, and it’s additionally filled with bars and eating places with music and seaside sports activities. It’s extra of a celebration seaside than a soothing spot, however that isn’t a foul factor!
Los Muertos is positioned immediately off the Malecon, so it’s probably the most accessible seaside within the metropolis. The truth is, it’s unimaginable to overlook, because it’s seen from many of the metropolis middle. Even when you don’t like crowded seashores, cease at a seaside kiosk for a margarita or two. The enjoyable is contagious!
15. Mirador de La Cruz
Mirador de La Cruz is an statement platform simply exterior town middle. The locals know this spot provides one of the best views of Banderas Bay and the plush mountains bordering town, however you gained’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. However, that is the place you’ll be capable of snap panoramic pictures of town and the ocean that can make all of your Insta followers jealous, so carry your strolling sneakers and don’t miss it!
16. Into the Wild
Simply 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, recent fruits, colourful bugs, and different superb issues to see.
You may 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 one in every of Puerto Vallarta’s famed spas. That includes specialised therapies comprised of sea minerals and native substances, there’s no higher approach to expertise the final word in private pampering whereas doing one thing good in your well being.
These spas are well-known by locals as being fairly 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. Identified for its iconic lighthouse bar, this space of 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 pleased hour on the rooftop bars close by. Many luxurious golf equipment and lodges, such because the Marriot, supply half-priced drinks within the early night, making this a terrific place to stay it up on a price range.
19. Dine in Fashion
Road meals is scrumptious, by you’d be lacking out when 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 below are among the most inventive on the planet.
Diners can get pleasure from wealthy salsas made with native fruit and veggies in addition to mild 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.
Listed here are some native favorites for decadent eating:
- La Leche: Foodies searching for the right sharable photograph love La Leche. Your complete restaurant is white, making the colourful dishes burst with life.
- La Palapa: Positive eating on the seaside. Get pleasure from unbelievable views and unimaginable seafood.
- Café des Artistes: That includes French and Mexican fusion, Café des Artistes will be 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 clean.
Each tequila and mezcal are produced within the Jalisco area of Mexico (the place PV is positioned), so this is likely one of the finest locations to strive artisanal liquors from among the most interesting distilleries.
For a terrific number of straight mezcal and tequila in addition to signature cocktails and snacks, now we have to advocate Bar Morelos. This place will get fairly busy and has a membership on a separate flooring, so that you’ll have to guide a desk when you don’t wish to get caught standing.
Are you prepared in your journey to PV? There are such a lot of 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 searching for issues to do in Puerto Vallarta. Contact PV Nightlife at present to make your PV trip excellent.
