Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta featuring tropical scenes, a bay or harbour and a sandy beach
Las Caletas which includes tropical scenes, a luxury hotel or resort and a beach

Swim, snorkel or just relax on one of the beautiful beaches at Puerto Vallarta, one of the most popular holiday spots in sunny Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta is an oceanfront city on the west coast of Mexico. The area began as a collection of sleepy fishing and pearl-diving villages. Today, the city and surrounding parts of the Bay of Banderas (Bahía de Banderas) are popular with tourists as a resort destination. You will find a range of outdoor family activities here, from water sports to secluded beaches and botanical gardens. The Bay of Banderas is a 62-mile (100-kilometre) stretch of beach with rocky outcrops, white sand and clear water. Puerto Vallarta is the largest community here, and is home to the elegant Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Snorkel or scuba dive off the coast and see manta rays, sea bass and dolphins. Las Caletas is a small, private beach accessible only by water. Take the Vallarta Adventures catamaran to go on hikes in the jungle, visit a small zoo and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch. The beach is the former private residence of Hollywood director John Huston. Take an evening stroll along the Malecon, the pedestrian promenade that lines the Puerto Vallarta coast. The area is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists and is lined with restaurants, street performers and food vendors. Enjoy a cool tejuino, a local drink made with fermented corn, or buy grilled fish by the skewer. The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens give insight into the local wildlife and vegetation. The gardens include conservation areas dedicated to the blue agave plant, used in tequila production, as well as native vanilla orchids. Puerto Vallarta is particularly popular between January and March. Gostavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport is a short bus trip from the city centre. Get around the city on foot or by local buses, which are cheap and run frequently. Try taco stands for cheap street food, or the cafés and restaurants in the old town for sit-down meals.

Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta

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Romantic Zone

4/5(9 area reviews)

Are you interested in stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and popular shops? A visit to Romantic Zone might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Los Muertos Pier and Playa de los Muertos.

Romantic Zone
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Hotel Zone

Hotel Zone is known for its stunning beaches, and you can see some sights area like Cruise Ship Terminal and Hotel Zone Beach.

Hotel Zone
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Emiliano Zapata

While visiting Emiliano Zapata, you might make a stop by sights like Los Muertos Pier and Playa de los Muertos.

Emiliano Zapata
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Amapas

If you're spending some time in Amapas, Playa de los Muertos and Olas Altas Street are top sights worth seeing.

Amapas
Malecon featuring street scenes, markets and a coastal town

Downtown Puerto Vallarta

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Downtown Puerto Vallarta is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, abundant dining options and seaside views. You might want to check out attractions like Malecon or Camarones Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Downtown Puerto Vallarta
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Marina Vallarta

Travellers to Marina Vallarta praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by El Faro Lighthouse and Marina Vallarta Golf Club.

Marina Vallarta
Velas Vallarta Suites Resort All Inclusive
Velas Vallarta Suites Resort All Inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Paseo de la Marina Norte 585, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, JAL
The price is £298 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
£298
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Pool and gardens are very nice. 👍 Food flavors and options are poor."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

Velas Vallarta Suites Resort All Inclusive
Barceló Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
Barceló Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Km 11.5 Zona Hotelera Sur, Puerto Vallarta
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £204 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
£204
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,721 reviews)
"Oscer ,Jesus, Goretti, and more were great"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Barceló Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta - All-inclusive
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta - All-inclusive
4.5 out of 5
Carretera Barra de Navidad, Km. 3.5 Zona Hotelera Sur, Puerto Vallarta
The price is £266 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
£266
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,273 reviews)
"The location and private beach area were phenomenal! The restaurants staff were amazing however the quality of the food wasn’t great. The steak tastes great but the actual meat itself lacked quality. I like street vendors walking the beach but there were none there …. Overall we made the best of ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta - All-inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
3.5 out of 5
Clemente Orozco 125, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this beach aparthotel in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,066 reviews)
"Staff is attentive, the pool is large, didn’t have problems finding pool or beach chairs. The food is average but the specialty restaurant was very good. I’ve been here several times, it’s a great place for a short stay. The kids club and water park is fun for the kiddos."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Canto del Sol Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive
Hotel Tropicana - Near Olas Altas Street
Hotel Tropicana - Near Olas Altas Street
3 out of 5
Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this 3-star beach aparthotel in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,534 reviews)
Muy bien
"Todo perfecto."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025

Hotel Tropicana - Near Olas Altas Street
Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences
Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences
4.5 out of 5
Puerto Vallarta
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,684 reviews)
"The staff were amazing! they were all super helpful from the start. Check In was a breeze they give you complimentary water and a fresh aroma therapy towel to cool yourself off with while you wait to check in, we arrived early so we got to stop by the rooftop bar and see the beautiful overlook of ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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