Puerto Vallarta hosts a unique blend of luxury oceanfront resorts and classic small-town fishing neighbourhoods. Natural beauty surrounds Puerto Vallarta, with Banderas Bay on the coastline and the Sierra Madre Mountains painting the eastern horizon. From shopping in Zona Romantica to dining and drinking along the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta is the ultimate beach getaway.

Things to do

Start your time in Puerto Vallarta with a stroll along the Malecon boardwalk, which mirrors Banderas Bay and bubbles with the energy of street performers, musicians, skaters and local vendors. You’ll find excellent snorkelling on the south side of the bay and can spot stingrays floating against sapphire-blue waters. Clubs and beach bars pump with music and dancing well into the night.

Follow the Malecon to Los Arcos, an icon of seafront arches fronting Plaza Morelos Square. Los Arcos also serves as an amphitheatre where you can enjoy outdoor concerts and theatrical performances. Follow the bells toward the much-loved Church of Our Lady of Guadeloupe, where you can attend mass or tour the inside.

Spend an afternoon in Zona Romantica, a bohemian-style beach village that’s home to Playa los Muertos or Dead Man’s Beach. This is where to enjoy beach volleyball, jet skiing and windsurfing. Cafes, bistros and bars line the streets and alleyways, offering international cuisine, espresso and craft cocktails.

You can visit Isla Rio Cuale, an intriguing island in Banderas Bay, by walking across a chain bridge from Old Town Puerto Vallarta. You’ll find quaint craft markets and artisans selling handmade pottery, embroidered dresses and carved wooden toys.

Getting around

Public buses and taxis service downtown Puerto Vallarta as well as the beach and hotel zones. You can also rent a car at Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport.