The 20 Finest Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta
These high 20 issues to do in Puerto Vallarta had been really useful by actual locals and can assure you see the perfect of this unbelievable coastal metropolis.
In Puerto Vallarta, you will have the chance to expertise vibrant native Mexican tradition and an opulent seaside 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 possibly can’t belief simply anybody to inform you the best way to expertise the perfect 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 high 20 listing 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 listing, let’s check out the elements of town you’ll need to discover.
Districts of Puerto Vallarta
- North Zone: This space north of town stays fairly quiet. These on the lookout 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 the perfect place to expertise PV tradition. Locals aren’t large followers of this space, nevertheless it’s a great spot for households on the lookout for the benefit 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 good place for buying, grabbing drinks, and watching the sundown. It’s house to some high-end cafes and inns, however locals typically go right here for completely happy hour.
- Lodge Zone: The resort zone is fashionable and handy. You received’t discover a number 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 greatest for buying and having fun with some air con!
- Downtown: That is the place the magic occurs! Downtown is the center of Outdated Vallarta and residential to our favourite place—the Malecon. It’s a protracted boardwalk alongside the seaside that is stuffed with outlets and cafes. We like to sip coffees and cocktails within the contemporary 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 lots of the hottest bars and eating places, and it’s identified for being fashionable. There’s nearly at all times one thing occurring within the plazas, and Los Muertos seaside is the recent spot for vacationers on the lookout for spring-break model 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 simple to entry by automotive, bike, or bus, and it’s additionally a preferred spot for coastal hikes. Locals like to go to the seashores right here to flee the crowds within the metropolis!
Now that a bit extra about Puerto Vallarta’s metropolis districts, it’s time to leap into our listing of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta!
High 20 Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta
We requested a number of locals for his or her enter on this listing, so you possibly can take the numerical order with a grain of salt (after which some lime and tequila, ideally!). This listing is a mixture of native favorites and what locals suppose vacationers MUST do after 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 seaside! Playa las Gemelas is the one to go to first, in line 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 a tremendous mixture of glowing turquoise and emerald. It’s one of the stunning seashores within the metropolis.
Attending to the seaside requires climbing some stairs, nevertheless 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 approach 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 every kind. It’s additionally house to loads of historic eating places and cafes the place you possibly can cease for a drink or a chunk and revel in some stellar ocean views.
Locals wish to spend time at Bar La Playa, or should you’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 lovely architectural monument in and out, and it’s an emblem of PV tradition. Be certain that to pay a go to no matter your spiritual affiliation. Simply ensure to be respectful!
4. Eat Avenue Meals (Tacos, Tacos, Tacos)
It’s not laborious to seek out an abundance of avenue meals in Puerto Vallarta, however solely the locals know the perfect of the perfect.
Right here’s what you’ve acquired to attempt:
- Tacos: Attempt 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 mainly a roast fish on a stick. However, the fish is marinated in lime and served with contemporary 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 perfect avenue meals:
5. Take a Boat Tour
Many of the issues to do in Puerto Vallarta happen on the waves, however you don’t should be a swimmer or a surfer to get pleasure from our emerald seas. Hiring a ship is rather more reasonably priced right here than it’s in most different cities, that means you possibly can reside 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, should you’re on the lookout for a celebration, attempt one among our bumping celebration cruises. Most celebration cruises have nice DJs and loads of singles trying to mingle. Even higher, most embrace an open bar all day.
To search out out how one can lease 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 taking place 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.
Be certain that 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 suggest 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 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 special city, then go for a calming hike via the South Zone. There are miles and miles of quiet seashores right here, and the paths are protected and comparatively simple (so long as you don’t take a brief lower via the mountains).
Mountain climbing alongside the coast is an excellent approach to expertise the ocean at your individual tempo, and it doesn’t take a lot planning. The primary street isn’t far, so you possibly can hop a bus again to town everytime you’re prepared. Simply ensure to carry 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 way in which 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 lively right here, so you’ll want to make reservations for eating places and bars. However there’s one thing occurring each night time of the week in Plaza Lazaro Cardenas. From conventional dancing to reside music to native artisanal markets, you and a particular somebody are positive 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 house to many reveals and sights, however the perfect 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 absorb the peaceable vibes of our metropolis and do the identical!
11. Hit the Golf equipment
All the locals we spoke to agreed on one factor—you CANNOT go away Puerto Vallarta with out no less than one night time of untamed enjoyable at a PV membership.
Puerto Vallarta’s golf equipment are some extent of delight within the metropolis. They’re identified for his or her glorious service, signature drinks, and world-class DJs. When partygoers speak about the perfect golf equipment on the earth, PV’s golf equipment rank within the high spots with Las Vegas and Ibiza golf equipment. The distinction is that they value loads much less to get pleasure from!
Right here’s the place locals suggest for the perfect PV clubbing:
- La Santa: La Santa is greatest 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 gown code and serves huge 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 very talked-about, so you’ll want to e-book upfront to keep away from lengthy traces which frequently lengthen out the door and into the road. Or, you possibly can let the locals at PV Nightlife deal with 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 vastly on the place you select to remain. This metropolis is stuffed with resorts and inns, however locals don’t suggest these locations.
Resorts are okay for households, massive teams, and the aged, however those that need to discover and take advantage of their journey received’t just like the faux ambiance and overcrowding.
Resorts 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 e-book someplace just like the Hilton or the Hyatt.
If you happen to’re touring with your loved ones or a bunch, we extremely suggest reserving a personal villa as an alternative of conventional lodging. You possibly can 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 approach you want. You possibly can ask for a personal chef, a driver, for a mariachi band to return at night time—the chances are actually as much as you.
Once you work with an company like PV Nightlife, there’s no restrict to what you are able to do and the place you possibly can 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, huge faculties of fish, and even ghostly shipwrecks.
The Scuba excursions in PV are led by licensed professionals, so all it’s a must to do is go well with 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 stuffed with colourful produce, tropical fruit, seafood, native spices, avenue meals, and a lot extra. The very best factor about this place is that everybody right here is tremendous useful and at all times smiling. It’s the proper 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 suggest 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 filled with bars and eating places with music and seaside sports activities. It’s extra of a celebration seaside than a calming spot, however that isn’t a foul factor!
Los Muertos is positioned instantly off the Malecon, so it’s probably the most accessible seaside within the metropolis. Actually, it’s unimaginable to overlook, because it’s seen from many of the metropolis heart. Even should 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 commentary platform simply exterior town heart. The locals know this spot affords the perfect views of Banderas Bay and the luxurious mountains bordering 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 photographs of town and the ocean that may 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 possibly can 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, contemporary fruits, colourful bugs, and different wonderful issues to see.
You possibly can tour the jungle on foot with a information or you possibly can schedule an ATV tour for an off-road journey. We don’t suggest 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 among Puerto Vallarta’s famed spas. That includes specialised therapies constituted of sea minerals and native elements, there’s no higher approach 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 fairly priced and very 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 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 completely happy 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 a terrific place to reside it up on a finances.
19. Dine in Fashion
Avenue meals is scrumptious, by you’d be lacking out should you didn’t deal with your self to a little bit of wonderful eating on this meals capital of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is thought for wonderful BBQ and seafood dishes, and the cooks listed below are a few of the most inventive on the earth.
Diners can get pleasure from wealthy salsas made with native vegatables and fruits 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 singular culinary jewel on the Pacific.
Listed below are some native favorites for decadent eating:
- La Leche: Foodies on the lookout for the proper sharable picture love La Leche. Your complete restaurant is white, making the colourful dishes burst with life.
- La Palapa: Advantageous eating on the seaside. Take pleasure in implausible views and unbelievable seafood.
- Café des Artistes: That includes French and Mexican fusion, Café des Artistes often is 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 positioned), so this is without doubt one of the greatest locations to attempt artisanal liquors from a few of the best distilleries.
For a terrific collection of straight mezcal and tequila in addition to signature cocktails and snacks, we now have to suggest Bar Morelos. This place will get fairly busy and has a membership on a separate ground, so that you’ll must e-book a desk should you 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 at PV Nightlife.
Our native guides and consultants 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 traces or coping with sold-out indicators if you’re on the lookout for issues to do in Puerto Vallarta. Contact PV Nightlife at present to make your PV trip excellent.
