Airport: PVR – Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport
Timezone: Central Standard Time
Currency: Mexican Pesos
Credit Cards and ATMS: Some places are cash only, but most places in downtown Puerto Vallarta accept credit cards. There are plenty of ATMs around.
Language: Spanish and English
Plug Types: A&B
Safety: Puerto Vallarta is very safe for tourists.
Getting Around: Taxis, Uber, Public Transportation
Getting There and Around:
Most major airlines fly directly into PVR. The airport is in the city, very close to the hotel zone. After you pass through customs you’ll enter what’s known as the ‘shark tank’ where people will try to get you to talk to them so they can try to sell you timeshares, don’t talk to anyone, and keep walking outside of the airport where you can meet with your pre-arranged transportation, book a taxi or walk across the pedestrian bridge to the passenger pick up spot where you can book an Uber, which will likely cost less than the taxi.
Best Time to Visit:
December – May Best time to visit for warm weather and a low chance of rain, this is also the busy season
July – September Best time to avoid crowds
December – March: Best time to see whales
Accommodations:
There are plenty of Airbnb’s, hotels, and resorts in and around Puerto Vallarta. There’s something for every price range.
Budget Hotel – Hotel Pueblito Vallarta – This charming hotel offers a rooftop pool and is located right in the heart of Zona Romantica with plenty of affordable restaurants close by.
Mid Range Hotel – Canto del Sol – This hotel sits right on the ocean and offers beautiful views, a swim-up bar, entertainment, and delicious all-inclusive food and drink options with a variety of restaurants. We stayed here on our trip and I posted a review of it here.
Luxury Hotel – Casa Velas – An intimate boutique hotel, Casa Velas is a stunning property that offers beautiful rooms with great views.
Best Air BnB – Casa Miamela – Offering stunning ocean views with two balconies and plenty of restaurants nearby, Casa Miamela is a great option for anyone looking to get off the beaten path a bit.
The Zones:
Hotel Zone – This area is where you’ll find hotels and resorts. It’s not too far from the downtown area.
Downtown – Downtown is a popular tourist attraction, you’ll find plenty of resorts, and historic landmarks, and is where the Malecon is located!
Zona Romántica – Keep walking down the Malecon and you’ll end up in Zona Romantica! Also called Old Town or just the Romantic Zone. This is a beautiful area filled with restaurants and bars, and the Los Muertos Beach pier is a popular sunset-watching spot!
Marina Vallarta – Cruise ships, boats, and yachts take off from here, and there is a boardwalk that offers tons of shops and restaurants.
North Zone – This is where you can find some of the smaller traditional towns of Puerto Vallarta.
South Zone – Away from the busier touristy parts of Puerto Vallarta, the South Zone features some of the best beaches, the Puerto Vallarta botanical gardens, and the Zoo. The Night of the Iguana was filmed here and a few scenes in The Predator were filmed in the hills behind Mismayola beach.
Top Restaurants:
Noroc – Noroc is a restaurant located right on the Malecon. It offers a great variety of food and a beautiful view of the ocean, the booths are surrounded by pools of water making it a unique experience. I recommend getting a reservation for sunset for tremendous views of the sun setting over the ocean.
Tuna Azul – Best known for its flavourful Ceviche and savory seafood, Tuna Azul is a great restaurant with reasonable prices. Enjoy people-watching from the patio or balcony. The lobster tacos are a must-try!
Sky Bar (Pinnacle Resorts) – Enjoy rooftop views while sipping delicious cocktails and mouthwatering food. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They even offer a 2-for-1 happy hour during select times!
Best Beaches
Los Tules – With its soft amber-colored sand and gentle waves, Los Tules is a great beach for swimming, kayaking, and jet skiing. There is often horseback riding available here too! Located next to lots of shopping, you can spend a wonderful day here!
Playa de Oro – Nicknamed ‘Golden Beach’ Playa De Oro typically has calm waves making it a great swimming spot. This beach is a great place for Jet skiing, parasailing, and beach volleyball. Playa de Oro is very accessible being located in the north hotel zone
Mismaloya – Enjoy crystal clear water and lush greenery from the Sierra Madre mountains at this small fishing village about 15 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding on the crystal clear water this beach has to offer. Nearby there is a small tequila factory and the Puerto Vallarta Zoo.
Must Try Dishes:
Ceviche
Birria Tacos
Tacos al Pastor
Best Day Trips:
Yelapa – Yelapa is a popular day trip and for good reason, it’s a remote fishing town easily accessible by boat. Yelape is a great town to visit for relaxing, swimming on the beach, and enjoying local food! There are no cars here, people travel by horse, donkey, and ATV. I plan on making a Yelapa guide in the future.
Marietas Islands – Best known for its ‘hidden beach’ Marietas Islands is an excellent place for viewing marine wildlife like sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and even humpback whales. The number of daily visitors here is limited to prevent the ecosystem from over-tourism, so book your tour here early!
Los Arcos National Park – A great spot for snorkeling with the huge amount of tropical fish and coral Los Arcos National Park offers. This is an excellent spot to visit on your trip to Puerto Vallarta!
Best Activities:
Rhythms of the Night – A fun cirque du soleil style show in an outdoor theatre, complete with a dinner and boat ride!
Release Baby Sea Turtles – Release baby sea turtles with Campamento Boca de Tomates during select times of the year, you can read my experience and guide here
Walk The Malecon – Enjoy shopping, viewing art, people watching, street food, and a beautiful ocean view.
Mirador de La Cruz – A hike to one of the best views in Puerto Vallarta.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens – Enjoy viewing a mystical garden of tons of tropical plants.
Jorullo Bridge – ATV over the longest suspension bridge made for vehicles in the world. Drive over the bridge that hangs above the Cuale River and a forested canyon.
Whale Watching – There are tons of tour companies who can take you whale watching, I recommend booking with Vallarta Adventures
Is Puerta Vallarta safe?
Puerto Vallarta is very safe for tourists. Use safety precautions you would anywhere else and you shouldn’t have much to worry about. We had no problems and felt very safe the entire time.
Do you need a car?
You don’t need a car to explore Puerto Vallarta if you’re staying close to the Malecon. Taxis, Ubers, and Buses are very accessible. The bus is the cheapest transportation option, taxis and Uber are also very affordable, so make sure to confirm a price with the taxi driver if you use them.
Do you need to speak Spanish?
You don’t need to speak Spanish to get around in Puerto Vallarta! Although knowing some basic Spanish phrases will help.
What is the nightlife like in Puerto Vallarta?
There’s a lot of lively nightlife in Puerto Vallarta, visit the Malecon or Romanic Zone at night for a completely different vibe from the day. There are tons of great clubs and bars in both areas!
I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Puerto Vallarta! Overall Puerto Vallarta is a great vacation destination with lots to see and do. Check out my other posts on Puerto Vallarta like 22 free things to do in Puerto Vallarta and read about our trip to Puerto Vallarta here!
