The 20 Greatest Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta
These prime 20 issues to do in Puerto Vallarta have been advisable by actual locals and can assure you see the easiest of this unimaginable coastal metropolis.
In Puerto Vallarta, you may have the chance to expertise vibrant native Mexican tradition and an expensive seashore vacation all of sudden. From the outlets and quaint cafes on the Malecon to hidden seashores and tranquil coves to epic night time 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 inform you the way to expertise the very 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 specialists at PV Nightlife determined to place collectively a prime 20 record 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 record, let’s check out the components of the town you’ll need to discover.
Districts of Puerto Vallarta
- North Zone: This space north of the town stays fairly quiet. These on the lookout for 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 very best place to expertise PV tradition. Locals aren’t large followers of this space, however it’s a great spot for households on the lookout for the convenience of a bundle 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 purchasing, grabbing drinks, and watching the sundown. It’s dwelling to some high-end cafes and inns, however locals typically go right here for pleased hour.
- Lodge Zone: The resort zone is trendy and handy. You received’t discover a whole lot of historical past right here, however you’ll discover all the department stores, large supermarkets, cinemas, and naturally, inns. There’s additionally a pleasant harbor right here, however the Lodge Zone is finest for purchasing 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 a protracted boardwalk alongside the seashore that is filled with outlets 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 identified for being fashionable. There’s nearly all the time one thing happening within the plazas, and Los Muertos seashore is the new spot for vacationers on the lookout for spring-break model 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 automotive, 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 recognize a bit extra about Puerto Vallarta’s metropolis districts, it’s time to leap into our record of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta!
High 20 Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta
We requested a whole lot of locals for his or her enter on this record, so you’ll be able to take the numerical order with a grain of salt (after which some lime and tequila, ideally!). This record is a mixture of native favorites and what locals suppose vacationers MUST do once they go to PV.
1. Playa las Gemelas Seashore
Admit it—the very first thing you need to do if you contact down in Puerto Vallarta is hit the seashore! Playa las Gemelas is the one to go to first, in accordance with locals.
Many vacationers head straight to Los Muertos Seashore, 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 probably the most stunning seashores within the metropolis.
Attending to the seashore requires climbing some stairs, however it’s definitely worth the journey. As you descend to the water, you’ll go 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 solution to get acquainted with Puerto Vallarta than to stroll alongside the picturesque Malecon, a protracted boardwalk that spans many of the metropolis’s shoreline. Right here, you’ll discover a mixture of tourist-friendly sights like avenue performers, artists, and distributors of all types. 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 chew and revel in some stellar ocean views.
Locals wish to spend time at Bar La Playa, or for those who’re on the lookout for one thing slightly wilder, attempt Senor Frog’s.
3. Church of Our Woman of Guadalupe
That is the preferred sightseeing attraction within the historic heart, and the locals are very happy with it. Our Woman of Guadalupe is a wonderful architectural monument inside and outside, and it’s a logo of PV tradition. Make certain to pay a go to no matter your spiritual affiliation. Simply be sure that to be respectful!
4. Eat Road Meals (Tacos, Tacos, Tacos)
It’s not exhausting to seek out an abundance of avenue meals in Puerto Vallarta, however solely the locals know the very best of the very best.
Right here’s what you’ve received to attempt:
- Tacos: Strive our spicy shrimp tacos for an actual native deal with.
- Tortas Ahogadas: An area sandwich crammed with 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 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 seek out the easiest avenue meals:
5. Take a Boat Tour
Many 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 way 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 personal yacht or take a calming fishing cruise together with your buddies for lower than the price of a pleasant meal.
Or, for those who’re on the lookout for a celebration, attempt one in every of our bumping get together cruises. Most get together cruises have nice DJs and loads of singles seeking to mingle. Even higher, most embody an open bar all day.
To seek out out how one can hire a ship or be part of a celebration cruise, get in contact with the native reserving specialists at PV Nightlife.
6. Plaza de las Armas
That is the principle sq. in Puerto Vallarta, and there’s one thing enjoyable occurring right here on daily basis. It’s an amazing spot to purchase native artwork, and it’s very near the Malecon and Our Woman 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 heart.
7. Expertise Mismaloya
When 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 inns and resorts moved in. Plus, it was the place the basic 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 the town for these seeking to get away from all of it.
8. Take a Hike
In case your concept of getting out of city doesn’t contain going to a special city, then go for a calming hike by way of 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 reduce by way of the mountains).
Climbing alongside the coast is an excellent solution to expertise the ocean at your personal tempo, and it doesn’t take a lot planning. The principle street isn’t far, so you’ll be able to hop a bus again to the town everytime you’re prepared. Simply be sure that to convey sufficient water and sunscreen.
You can begin your hike from the tip 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 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 be sure you make reservations for eating places and bars. However there’s one thing happening each night time 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 Sundown over Banderas Bay
Puerto Vallarta’s jovial streets are dwelling to many reveals and sights, however the very best one takes place on the horizon over Banderas Bay. Cozy up with a particular somebody on the seashore 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 absorb 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 depart Puerto Vallarta with out not less than one night time of untamed enjoyable at a PV membership.
Puerto Vallarta’s golf equipment are some extent of pleasure within the metropolis. They’re identified for his or her glorious service, signature drinks, and world-class DJs. When partygoers speak about the very best golf equipment on the earth, PV’s golf equipment rank within the prime spots with Las Vegas and Ibiza golf equipment. The distinction is that they value quite a bit much less to get pleasure from!
Right here’s the place locals advocate for the very best PV clubbing:
- La Santa: La Santa is finest identified for having an on-site pool. Are you prepared on your night time 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 free!
- Strana: A cathedral of sunshine and sound, Strana is without doubt one of the most unique and immersive golf equipment within the metropolis.
Nightclubs in Puerto Vallarta are extremely popular, so it is advisable to e book prematurely to keep away from lengthy strains which regularly prolong out the door and into the road. Or, you’ll be able to let the locals at PV Nightlife maintain it for you and revel in VIP entry all night time lengthy.
Bonus: Puerto Vallarta Lodging Hacks
The standard of your trip in Puerto Vallarta will rely drastically on the place you select to remain. This metropolis is filled with resorts and inns, however locals don’t advocate these locations.
Resorts are okay for households, giant teams, and the aged, however those that need to discover and take advantage of their journey received’t just like the pretend environment and overcrowding.
Lodges are an expensive solution to journey, and Puerto Vallarta has some glorious ones to select from. The draw back is that you simply’ll pay worldwide costs to e book 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 personal villa as an alternative of conventional lodging. You’ll be able to truly e book a beachside villa with luxurious décor and wonderful facilities for lower than the worth of most inns.
Even higher, your villa will be custom-made in any manner you want. You’ll be able to ask for a personal chef, a driver, for a mariachi band to come back at night time—the chances are actually as much as you.
While 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 personal 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. When 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 wonderful rock buildings, reefs, large faculties of fish, and even ghostly shipwrecks.
The Scuba excursions in PV are led by licensed professionals, so all you must 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 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. One of the best factor about this place is that everybody right here is tremendous useful and all the time smiling. It’s the proper place to get some cooking suggestions from actual locals whereas happening a tasting spree.
The market is open on daily basis from 6 AM to three PM. We advocate going within the late morning. It’s the proper 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 Seashore
Los Muertos Seashore is without doubt 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 nasty factor!
Los Muertos is situated immediately off the Malecon, so it’s essentially the most accessible seashore within the metropolis. The truth is, it’s not possible to overlook, because it’s seen from many of the metropolis heart. Even for those who 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 commentary platform simply outdoors the town heart. The locals know this spot provides the very best views of Banderas Bay and the plush 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. However, that is the place you’ll be capable to 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
Simply outdoors 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 wonderful issues to see.
You’ll be able to 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 constituted of sea minerals and native elements, there’s no higher solution to expertise the final word in private pampering whereas doing one thing good on 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 observe as boats go over the horizon. Identified for its iconic lighthouse bar, this space of the town is quiet and breezy, and it’s the proper place to take a date earlier than dinner within the Romantic Zone.
Locals don’t hang around right here typically, however we like going for pleased hour on the rooftop bars close by. Many luxurious golf equipment and inns, such because the Marriot, supply half-priced drinks within the early night, making this an amazing place to stay it up on a finances.
19. Dine in Model
Road meals is scrumptious, by you’d be lacking out for those who didn’t deal with your self to a little bit of high-quality eating on this meals capital of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is thought for wonderful BBQ and seafood dishes, and the cooks listed below are a number of the most inventive on the earth.
Diners can get pleasure from wealthy salsas made with native vegetables and fruit 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 novel culinary jewel on the Pacific.
Listed below are some native favorites for decadent eating:
- La Leche: Foodies on the lookout for the proper sharable photograph love La Leche. The complete restaurant is white, making the colourful dishes burst with life.
- La Palapa: Tremendous eating on the seashore. Take pleasure in 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 night time go down clean.
Each tequila and mezcal are produced within the Jalisco area of Mexico (the place PV is situated), so this is without doubt one of the finest locations to attempt artisanal liquors from a number of the most interesting distilleries.
For an amazing collection of straight mezcal and tequila in addition to signature cocktails and snacks, we now have to advocate Bar Morelos. This place will get fairly busy and has a membership on a separate ground, so that you’ll have to e book a desk for those who don’t need to get caught standing.
Are you prepared on 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 in at PV Nightlife.
Our native guides and specialists are devoted to assembling the proper 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 if you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Puerto Vallarta. Contact PV Nightlife right this moment to make your PV trip good.
