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See this beautiful waterfront city come alive each evening in an endless celebration of life. Stroll along the Malecon Boardwalk, a lively waterfront scene full of public art, street performers, clubs, and restaurants. The beaches and streets are a constantly-changing medley of life, and evening brings an endless party to this little corner of paradise.
Even the neighborhoods in PV are a work of art. You’ll see the fantastic spires of The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, then wander the streets of Old Town to take in the breathtaking scenery, historic charm, and endless food in Puerto Vallarta. Whether you prefer the endless variety of street food along the busy streets or a high-class reservation at The Iguana, in the home once owned by Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, the city has something to delight everyone.
You’ll fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which is located on the north side of the city. There are taxi services and vans leaving directly from the airport, or you can walk out the Arrivals door and over a pedestrian bridge to order an Uber or catch the bus.
Uber drivers cannot pick you up directly from the airport – you will need to walk out of the Arrivals hall and take the 5-10 minute walk to a pickup spot. Turn to your left out of Arrivals, and you will see a pedestrian bridge. Cross it, and on the other side, there is a small taco stand. Have your Uber pick you up there and take you to Zona Romantica or wherever your accommodations are.
You can head towards the Zona Romantica by taking any bus marked “Centro” from the hotel district. You can also catch a bus from the pedestrian bridge outside of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), the same place where you’d go to catch an Uber. Buses cost a flat rate of a few pesos. The yellow seats in the front are reserved for elderly, disabled, or pregnant patrons.
Bus stops are often unmarked in PV, so look for a group of people gathered at a corner. Once aboard, keep your map visible on your phone so you can see when you’re getting close to your desired location. Then, push the buttons along the seats to signal for the driver to stop.
Entrance Fees
If you want to dine at The Iguana, located in the former home of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, you will need a reservation.
If you want to book a water taxi or boat to visit Yalapa or another nearby beach, you can do so at the Puerto Vallarta Pier.
Resorts
Puerto Vallarta has a number of all-inclusive resorts, mostly clustered in the Hotel Zone. These offer all amenities on-site, making them a good choice for relaxing getaways.
Hotels
There are many hotels on the north side of the city (Hotel Zone) and along the beachfront, at varying price points. Staying in a hotel offers easy access to the beach and city, with many amenities.
Airbnb’s
Travelers familiar with the area may opt for a short-term rental. These are scattered throughout the city.
The best time of year to visit Puerto Vallarta is winter (November-April), when outdoor temperatures are consistently in the 70s and 80s, with low humidity. Some prefer the spring (April-early June) for warmer temperatures and fewer crowds.
The summer is the rainy season, with daily (but brief) thunderstorms that can lead to flooded streets. The tradeoff is great deals and fewer crowds.
Fall is pleasant, thanks to the beautiful greenery from the summer rains and warm temperatures.
Holidays like Christmas and Easter are peak party season, so keep that in mind.
If you want to visit the open-air market in Old Town, it usually closes by late afternoon.
The food offerings and atmosphere typically change between day and night. In the mornings, you’ll find joggers and walkers along the water and a quieter feeling. Daytime is better for shopping and frequent breaks in shaded areas. Nighttime brings more of a club feel to the waterfront.
The heat and UV index can be oppressive at midday, so you may want to take a break in a restaurant during the hottest hours.
This tour covers about three and a half miles of street walking and can usually be completed in about half a day, depending on how many stops you make along the way for food, shopping, and additional exploration.
The tour is flexible, so you can spend as much time as you want in any particular spot, and the narration will pick back up as soon as you’re walking again. Or you can decide to skip certain spots altogether and keep walking – it’s completely up to you.
The Malecon
This is the starting point of our tour, and offers famous ocean views and sea breezes. Keep a few pesos in your pocket to tip the street performers who will dazzle you with their daring feats, and pause to take the obligatory selfies with the quirky statues that line the boardwalk.
Casa Kimberly & Lovers Bridge
Liz Taylor famously followed Richard Burton to PV to keep an eye on him – he purchased Casa Kimberly for her and built the bridge connecting it to his own home. Scandalous? Maybe. Gorgeous? Absolutely.
Olas Altas Farmers Market
This is where you’ll explore the handmade crafts, fresh produce, street food, and souvenirs while soaking up the music, aromas, and energy of authentic Puerto Vallarta culture.
Los Muertos Pier
This colorful pier serves as a launching point for boats and beachgoers by day. At night, it transforms into a lively party scene with lights, music, dancing, and more.
The Food
You don’t want to leave Puerto Vallarta without trying a little bit of everything that this authentic Mexican city has to offer.
Public Art
Your trip isn’t complete without seeing the iconic spires of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church rising amid the green hills of PV, with the rolling waves in the background. Color permeates everything here, from the handmade mosaics to the homes themselves.
Playa Olas Altas
Olas Altas is where Vallarta’s Old Town feels most alive, with sun, sand, and a constant hum of cafés, taco stands, and music drifting off the street. By day, surfers and swimmers crowd the beach near Los Muertos Pier; by night, the same blocks turn into a relaxed bar-and-restaurant crawl.
Cuale Island
Cuale Island is a leafy pause between downtown and the Romantic Zone, reached by little footbridges over the river. Inside, you’ll find the artisan market, shady paths, and the small Río Cuale museum tucked among trees. It’s perfect for browsing handmade crafts, picking up souvenirs, and escaping the busiest streets for a few minutes.
While this walking tour can be completed in a single morning or evening, you’ll most likely want to take a full day to explore everything that Puerto Vallarta has to offer.
The atmosphere in PV changes throughout the day, so you will want to take in the pleasant beachfront stroll of the Malecon in the morning, then head into the historic neighborhoods, where our expert guide tells the stories behind the scenery. When the sun is high in the afternoon, that’s a good time to take an indoor break or find some shade and a cold drink under a banyan tree.
The evening brings a party vibe to Puerto Vallarta. This is when you’ll want to head back towards the beach, and why we’ve added Los Muertos pier, Playa Olasaltes, and Cuale Island at the end. These spots are at their most vibrant in the evening.
You may even decide to come back to PV for another day – there’s even more to see here, like the beautiful Botanical Gardens or snorkeling at Hidden Beach.
You can complete this walking tour in half a day. If you have the full day, you may want to divide the day into segments to explore everything that Puerto Vallarta has to offer.
Morning
The atmosphere in PV changes throughout the day, so you will want to take in the pleasant beachfront stroll of the Malecon in the morning, then head into the historic neighborhoods called as our expert guide tells the stories behind the scenery here.
Afternoon
When the sun is high in the afternoon, that’s a good time to take an indoor break or find some shade and a cold drink under a banyan tree. You’ll find yourself in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood about lunchtime, which is a great opportunity to enjoy one of the laid-back restaurants here.
Evening/Nightlife
The evening brings a party atmosphere to Puerto Vallarta. This is when you’ll want to head back towards the beach, and why we’ve added Los Muertos Pier, Playa Olas Altas, and Cuale Island at the end. These spots are at their most vibrant in the evening.
Water Bottle: Start the day with a filled water bottle so you can stay hydrated throughout your walk.
Sun Protection: The UV index is high here. The essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sunhat.
Comfortable Footwear: Pack comfortable, sturdy shoes that can handle several hours of uneven street walking in the heat. We’ll climb several flights of stairs too.
Keep Some Change: Keep some change in your pocket. Public bathrooms cost at least ten pesos to use, and you’ll want to tip the street performers you see along the Malecon Boardwalk. This is an addition to spending money for food carts, souvenirs, and dining.
Insect Repellant: During the summer or if you plan to go to the beach, pack insect repellent to keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums away.
Rain Gear: If you visit during the rainy season – late June through October – be prepared for sudden thunderstorms in the afternoons and humid, sunny weather the rest of the time. Bring an umbrella and a lightweight rain jacket.