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 unbelievable coastal metropolis. 

In Puerto Vallarta, you’ve got the chance to expertise vibrant native Mexican tradition and an expensive seashore vacation abruptly. From the outlets 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 may’t belief simply anybody to let you know 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 record 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 record, let’s check out the components of the town you’ll wish to discover.

Districts of Puerto Vallarta

• North Zone: This space north of the town stays fairly quiet. These searching 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 one of the best place to expertise PV tradition. Locals aren’t large followers of this space, but it surely’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 procuring, grabbing drinks, and watching the sundown. It’s dwelling to some high-end cafes and accommodations, however locals usually go right here for comfortable hour.
• Lodge Zone: The lodge zone is fashionable and handy. You gained’t discover quite a lot of historical past right here, however you’ll discover all the department stores, large supermarkets, cinemas, and naturally, accommodations. There’s additionally a pleasant harbor right here, however the Lodge Zone is finest for procuring and having fun with some air-con!
• Downtown: That is the place the magic occurs! Downtown is the guts of Previous Vallarta and residential to our favourite place—the Malecon. It’s an extended 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 lots of the hottest bars and eating places, and it’s identified for being stylish. There’s nearly at all times one thing occurring within the plazas, and Los Muertos seashore is the recent spot for vacationers searching for spring-break type 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 simple 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 a bit extra about Puerto Vallarta’s metropolis districts, it’s time to leap into our record of issues to do in Puerto Vallarta!

Prime 20 Issues to Do in Puerto Vallarta

We requested quite a lot of locals for his or her enter on this record, so you may 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 after they go to PV.

1.      Playa las Gemelas Seaside

Admit it—the very first thing you wish to do while you contact down in Puerto Vallarta is hit the seashore! Playa las Gemelas is the one to go to first, in keeping with 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 some of the lovely seashores within the metropolis.

Attending to the seashore requires climbing some stairs, but it surely’s well worth the journey. As you descend to the water, you’ll move underneath 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 option to get acquainted with Puerto Vallarta than to stroll alongside the picturesque Malecon, an extended boardwalk that spans a lot of the metropolis’s shoreline. Right here, you’ll discover a mixture of tourist-friendly sights like road performers, artists, and distributors of all types. It’s additionally dwelling to loads of historic eating places and cafes the place you may cease for a drink or a chunk and luxuriate in some stellar ocean views.

Locals prefer to spend time at Bar La Playa, or when you’re searching for one thing just a little wilder, attempt 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 in and out, and it’s a logo of PV tradition. Be certain to pay a go to no matter your spiritual affiliation. Simply ensure to be respectful!

4.      Eat Road Meals (Tacos, Tacos, Tacos)

It’s not onerous 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 attempt:

• Tacos: Strive our spicy shrimp tacos for an actual native deal with.
• Tortas Ahogadas: A neighborhood sandwich stuffed 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 recent salsa. It’s wholesome and scrumptious!
• Tamales: The right 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

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 take pleasure in our emerald seas. Hiring a ship is rather more inexpensive right here than it’s in most different cities, that means you may reside the excessive life on a non-public yacht or take a soothing fishing cruise along with your buddies for lower than the price of a pleasant meal.

Or, when you’re searching for a celebration, attempt one in all our bumping celebration cruises. Most celebration cruises have nice DJs and loads of singles seeking 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 taking place right here every single day. It’s an incredible spot to purchase native artwork, and it’s very near the Malecon and Our Woman of Guadalupe church.

Be certain to take a photograph with the statue of our metropolis’s founder, Ignacio Vallarta, and take some shade underneath the attractive bandstand gazebo within the middle.

7.      Expertise Mismaloya

In case 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 accommodations 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 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 distinct city, then go for a soothing hike by means of the South Zone. There are miles and miles of quiet seashores right here, and the paths are secure and comparatively simple (so long as you don’t take a brief lower by means of the mountains).

Climbing alongside the coast is a superb option to expertise the ocean at your individual tempo, and it doesn’t take a lot planning. The primary highway is rarely far, so you may hop a bus again to the town everytime you’re prepared. Simply ensure to deliver 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 vigorous right here, so you should definitely 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 reside 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 sights, however one of the best one takes place on the horizon over Banderas Bay. Cozy up with a particular somebody on the seashore and luxuriate 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 neglect 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 a minimum of one evening of untamed enjoyable at a PV membership.

Puerto Vallarta’s golf equipment are a degree of pleasure within the metropolis. They’re identified for his or her glorious service, signature drinks, and world-class DJs. When partygoers speak about one of the best golf equipment on this planet, PV’s golf equipment rank within the prime spots with Las Vegas and Ibiza golf equipment. The distinction is that they value so much much less to take pleasure in!

Right here’s the place locals suggest for one of the best PV clubbing:

• La Santa: La Santa is finest identified for having an on-site pool. Are you prepared on your evening to get moist and wild?
• La Vaquita: A barnyard-themed bash, La Vaquita has a really relaxed gown code and serves large drinks in styrofoam cups. A spot to let free!
• 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 highly regarded, so you might want to ebook prematurely to keep away from lengthy traces which regularly lengthen out the door and into the road. Or, you may let the locals at PV Nightlife care for it for you and luxuriate in VIP entry all evening lengthy.

Bonus: Puerto Vallarta Lodging Hacks

The standard of your trip in Puerto Vallarta will rely enormously on the place you select to remain. This metropolis is filled with resorts and accommodations, however locals don’t suggest these locations.

Resorts are okay for households, giant teams, and the aged, however those that wish to discover and profit from their journey gained’t just like the pretend ambiance and overcrowding.

Resorts are an expensive option to journey, and Puerto Vallarta has some glorious ones to select from. The draw back is that you simply’ll pay worldwide costs to ebook 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 non-public villa as a substitute of conventional lodging. You may truly ebook a beachside villa with luxurious décor and superb facilities for lower than the value of most accommodations.

Even higher, your villa could be custom-made in any approach 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.

Once you work with an company like PV Nightlife, there’s no restrict to what you are able to do and the place you may 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. 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 constructions, reefs, large faculties of fish, and even ghostly shipwrecks.

The Scuba excursions in PV are led by licensed professionals, so all it’s important 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 a neighborhood 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. One of the best 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 every single day from 6 AM to three PM. We suggest going within the late morning. It’s the right 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 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 stuffed with bars and eating places with music and seashore sports activities. It’s extra of a celebration seashore than a soothing spot, however that isn’t a foul factor!

Los Muertos is positioned immediately off the Malecon, so it’s essentially the most accessible seashore within the metropolis. Actually, it’s unimaginable to overlook, because it’s seen from a lot of the metropolis middle. Even when you 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 exterior the town middle. The locals know this spot presents one of the best views of Banderas Bay and the luxurious mountains bordering the 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. Nonetheless, that is the place you’ll be capable of snap panoramic photographs of the town and the ocean that may make all of your Insta followers jealous, so deliver your strolling sneakers and don’t miss it!

16.  Into the Wild

Simply exterior Puerto Vallarta’s vintage streets, you may 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 may 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 in all Puerto Vallarta’s famed spas. That includes specialised remedies constituted of sea minerals and native substances, there’s no higher option to expertise the last 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 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 move over the horizon. Recognized for its iconic lighthouse bar, this space of the 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 comfortable hour on the rooftop bars close by. Many luxurious golf equipment and accommodations, such because the Marriot, provide half-priced drinks within the early night, making this an incredible place to reside it up on a funds.

19.  Dine in Type

Road meals is scrumptious, by you’d be lacking out when you didn’t deal with your self to a little bit of superb eating on this meals capital of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is thought for superb BBQ and seafood dishes, and the cooks listed below are among the most artistic on this planet.

Diners can take pleasure in wealthy salsas made with native vegatables and fruits 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 below are some native favorites for decadent eating:

• La Leche: Foodies searching for the right sharable picture love La Leche. Your complete restaurant is white, making the colourful dishes burst with life.
• La Palapa: High quality eating on the seashore. Get pleasure from improbable 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 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 attempt artisanal liquors from among the most interesting distilleries.

For an incredible choice of straight mezcal and tequila in addition to signature cocktails and snacks, we’ve got to suggest Bar Morelos. This place will get fairly busy and has a membership on a separate ground, so that you’ll have to ebook a desk when you don’t wish 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 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 traces or coping with sold-out indicators while you’re searching for issues to do in Puerto Vallarta. Contact PV Nightlife at this time to make your PV trip good.