Puerto Vallarta

Understand

Puerto Vallarta was founded in December 1851 as a village known as Las Penas. It remained small until the early 1960s, when the Hollywood motion picture The Night of the Iguana was filmed at Mismaloya to the south. The massive publicity surrounding the film brought worldwide attention to Puerto Vallarta and launched the development of its modern tourism industry. Today, a statue of the film's director John Huston celebrates his role in creating Puerto Vallarta. The beautiful Bay of Banderas is one of the largest and deepest in the world. It is home to a wide variety of aquatic life. Humpback whales come here to mate every year from December to March, and sea turtles nest on the beaches from May to October. Schools of dolphins and giant manta rays also inhabit these waters. The Bay and the Marietas Islands offer an amazing kaleidoscope of tropical fish, attracting snorkelers, scuba divers and sport fishermen alike. To the east, the jungle clad Sierra Madre Occidental mountains, which quickly rise to over 8,000 ft (2,400 m), encircle and protect the town from the winds and regulate the semi-tropical and humid weather. The residents are friendly and generally willing to help with directions and other requests. Puerto Vallarta also has gained a reputation as one of several cities in Latin America that enthusiastically welcomes LGBT tourism. The area in and around the Zona Romantica is particularly known for having many small boutique hotels, bars, shops and restaurants that cater to gay tourists. There is also an annual Pride festival held in May. English is widely spoken, and as a tourist destination, prices are higher than many other places in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is very crowded at holidays, when the cities empty out as Mexicans and tourists flood to the beaches.

Orientation

At the far southern tip of the city, the historic Zona Romantica was once a traditional old town, and is now the center of Puerto Vallarta's nightlife and dining scene. For a beach resort, it retains a surprising amount of character. Across the Rio Cuale to the north, Centro (or Downtown) squeezes in between the Malecon beach promenade and the hillside residences, filled with all kinds of shops catering to beach-goers. The city becomes less touristy as you venture further north and east of Hwy 200 through the 5 de Diciembre and Versalles neighborhoods. Along the west of the highway loom the large resorts of the Hotel Zone.

Climate

Puerto Vallarta has a tropical climate, with dry winters and rainy summers. The average daily high temperature is 27 °C (81 °F) in January (the coldest month) and 32 °C (90 °F) in July (the hottest month). The rainy season extends from mid June through mid October. August is the wettest month, with 14 days of precipitation. Even during the rainy season, precipitation tends to be concentrated in large rainstorms. There is a marked dry season in the winter. February, March and April are the months with the least rain and cloud cover. Hurricanes seldom strike Puerto Vallarta, the last major storm was Hurricane Kenna in 2002.

Getting there

By plane

1 Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR IATA), Km. 7.5 Carretera a Tepic, Área Militar de Vallarta (8 km (5.0 mi) north of Zona Romantica), 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Marina Vallarta and 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Nuevo Vallarta as the crow flies; it is 13 km to drive around the runway to reach the main passenger terminal from Nuevo Vallarta).

Airlines and destinations

International flights are offered from Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom year round. Additional direct flights from additional cities in North America and from Europe are offered seasonally, usually between November and March. Domestic flights are offered from major Mexican cities including Mexico City (from both MEX and NLU), Tijuana, Monterrey, Querétaro and Guadalajara. The following airlines offer regular service to Puerto Vallarta:

Sala A - Concourse A: Aeromexico/Aeromexico Connect, TAR, VivaAerobus, Cabo Flight Center / Señor Air, and Volaris. Sala B - Concourse B: Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, Air Transat, American Airlines, Delta, Copa Airlines, Porter Airlines, Southwest, Sun Country, Spirit, Sunwing, TUI Airways, United, World2Fly and Westjet. The following carriers only come seasonally: Frontier, Finnair and airlines chartered by Apple Vacations. Even the carriers that come regularly, year round, (listed in the former) offer seasonal flights from additional cities in the U.S., Canada, augmenting their year-round schedule.

Getting around

By ride hailing

Uber covers the city.

By taxi

Hotels may provide a price list for cabs. Hotels will also offer (expensive) transport from airport to hotel, but it is much cheaper to take a taxi. Be prepared for fast speeds, as the cab drivers have schedules to adhere to. Not all cabs have working seatbelts or even speedometers. Tip only if the taxi driver did something above and beyond normal transportation (e.g., helped with bags, waited while running an errand). Taxi drivers tend to gather at the intersection close to the liquor outlet in the Centro District. They are friendly and you can negotiate trips outside of Puerto Vallarta at a very reasonable cost on slow days. They will wait for you while you dine or shop as well as photograph you and your mates.

By bus

Bus trips cost M$10 (Jan 2026), paid to the bus driver when you get in. Drivers can often make change from small bills. That fare covers one bus ride; there are no transfers. Make sure to keep the ticket you are provided by the driver in case an inspector gets on the bus, both for your sake and the driver's sake. You can only enter and exit at a bus stop. Not all stops are marked; look where other people wait for the bus on the sidewalk. You need to flag down a bus in order to stop. Buses at peak hours tend to get crowded and can get hot, so be ready for that. Some buses have air-conditioning. If you are a man, be ready to give up your seat to women if the bus becomes crowded. There are no routes or timetables published online. Moovit and Google Maps cover the city, and Rutas Vallarta has the most complete route information, if unofficially. Look for your travel location on the bus windshield:

See

Beaches

For those who just want to relax, Puerto Vallarta's many golden sand beaches offer one of the best ways to experience the beauty and magic of the Bay of Banderas. The best season is between December and May.

1 Los Muertos Beach. The beach along the Zona Romantica. You will find some beachfront restaurants with "palapas" that you can rent per day or have drink in. It is a perfect place to relax and meet people who party all day. Also, there you will find the trendiest place of the moment, where to go, what to see, the best shows. (updated Mar 2015) 2 Muelle de Playa Los Muertos. A pier into the ocean with contemporary design.

3 Malecón. The beachfront promenade stretching over 12 blocks of Centro, first built in 1936. It is lined with restaurants, souvenir stores, craft vendors and a collection of sculptures. (updated Feb 2026) 4 Los Arcos. 4 arches on the Malecon. Free shows, music festivals and folk dance performances are held there. 5 Las Glorias Beach. Quiet beach near the Hotel zone that generally caters to the all inclusive resorts nearby, but still has lots of activities (e.g. jet skis and parasailing. Public access to the beach is through side roads off of Route 200. (updated Apr 2023) 6 Playa De Oro. Beach at the convergence of many different resorts north of the city center. Some of the resorts have events and dance floors that front the beach. Generally pretty popular during the weekends, but still plenty of space to spread out. (updated Apr 2023)

Do

Puerto Vallarta has many activities and excursions to keep you entertained. The adventurous can hike or mountain bike in the hills, explore the jungle and hidden trails on horseback, take a jeep safari, snorkel, scuba dive, charter a yacht or sailboat, or take a cruise on one of the many party boats, make a personal photoshoot. Oftentimes they are easily booked online.

Events

Mardi Gras/Carnaval. Feb. The parade takes place in the Zona Romantica. You will also see the gay charm around downtown. Vallarta Pride Parade. May. The city hosts a large LGBT celebration downtown culminating in the Vallarta Pride Parade along the malecon on Saturday Marathon. First weekend of November. Vallarta holds the Half Marathon and 5-km race. Everyone is welcome to enjoy it. November Festival. Middle of November. Cocktail parties, wine and tequila tastings, cooking classes, concerts, gala dinners, art expos, screenings Virgin of Guadalupe. December 12th. Mexico's patron saint, the Lady of Guadalupe, is celebrated throughout Mexico. Puerto Vallarta's celebration starts around December 1st, Local people, hotel, condominium owners, and organizations go on a pilgrimage parade through downtown around 18:00 until 21:00 everyday. You´ll see traditional dancers, mariachis, bands, and individuals offering tribute to the Virgin. A festival with regional foods and games takes place in the main square.

Wildlife

Whale watching: Puerto Vallarta’s season runs from December to March of every year. Humpback whales are the top liners of this fantastic nature show, but you can also see dolphins, porpoises and other animals. Whale watching tours take you to see humpback whale mothers and their calves in Banderas Bay. Turtle-watching & repatriation: Some tour companies offer educational programs combined with hands-on activities to help save Mexico’s turtles. After the female turtles lay their eggs in nests they create in the sand, volunteers dig up the eggs and re-bury them somewhere safe from predators. After about 45 to 60 days, the eggs hatch. Without help, only about 1 in every 1,000 baby turtles will survive to adulthood because most are caught by predators before they make it back to the safety of the ocean. However, turtle repatriation volunteers keep the babies safe until it is time to set them free to head for the ocean (at night when predators are less active). You can be part of these programs.

Shopping

Credit cards are not accepted everywhere. Hotel complexes, high end restaurants and shops do, but smaller businesses oftentimes do not. ATMs are available throughout the city.

In the airport and in the centro is Santander. In the Zona Romántica is a 1 BanBajío ATM In the centro is (citi)banamex.

Crafts and souvenirs

2 Galeria Indigena, Juarez 628. A shop specializing in Huichol art as well as art from other indigenous peoples. You'll see bead art everywhere, but this is one of a few shops that sell something at least a little more authentic than colorful beaded lizards and such. 3 La Casa del Habano, Aldama 170, Zona Centro, ☏ +52 322-223-2758. Vallarta's best selection of real Cuban cigars. They also have a cigar bar. 4 Mercado Río Cuale. Daily 9:00-20:00. A block-sized indoor market all your hokey beach souvenir needs. You can find better and cheaper crafts anywhere else in Mexico without a cruise port, but if this is your only stop, it'll check your boxes. (updated Feb 2026)

Eat

The rich cultural diversity of Puerto Vallarta is reflected in the cuisine that its many restaurants have to offer. From the most casual taco stands, to tropical beachfront palapas, to upscale rooftop restaurants with panoramic views, there are literally hundreds of restaurants serving exactly what you are hungry for. Be careful with what you eat and drink, particularly from street food vendors and small beach snack bars to avoid travellers' diarrhea. There are many beachside restaurants to tempt you with tropical drinks, but bottled beer may be a safer option.

Street food

You are never far away from a taco stand. Just ask a local where you can find one. Some are open only around lunch time, others only in the evening. Prices are around M$20 for a normal taco and around M$55 for a normal sized quesadilla. (updated Nov 2021)

In the neighborhood 5 De Diciembre

2 Tacos Chilo. You get a small taco for M$6 (Nov 2021). It's at in the Calle Honduras/Colombia. There is another 1 Tacos Chilo in the Calle San Salvador/Colombia. You can sit directly in front of the fry top. They are open 24/7. (updated Apr 2022)

Drink

Old Town/Zona Romantica

1 Steve's Sports Bar, Basilio Badillo 286, Emiliano Zapata (Basilio Badillo & Calle Constitucion), ☏ +52 322 222-0256. Daily 11:00-01:00. (updated Aug 2017) 2 Roxy Rock House (Club Roxy), Ignacio Vallarta 217, Emiliano Zapata (along Ignacio Vallarta between Francisco Madero and), ☏ +52 322 225-6901. Daily 22:00-05:00. Live R&B Hit among people over 30 with live blues and rock (updated Aug 2017)

Centro/Malecon

3 La Dolce Vita, Paseo Díaz Ordaz 674, Centro, ☏ +52 322 222 2204, +52 322 222 3852. M-Sa 11:30 - 00:00, Su 16:00 - 23:00. Lively Italian restaurant that's a popular night spot featuring live music and drink specials. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Mandala, Paseo Díaz Ordaz 633, Centro. Daily 18:00 - 04:00. Popular dance club where the beats keep pulsing into the wee hours. Very clean, professional with good security. M$400 (cover). (updated Feb 2025) 5 La Bodeguita del Medio, Malecón 858, Centro (Calle Allende and the Malecon), ☏ +52 322 223-1585. Daily 11:00 - 04:00. Look for the distinctive round yellow sign. Good solid Cuban food, great drinks, and a cigar shop up front, but the real attraction is the excellent salsa bands, often imported from Cuba. The dance floor is a delightful mix of young people showing off their moves and older couples who can still cut a rug. (updated Aug 2017) 6 EL Zoo Bar, Paseo Díaz Ordaz 630, Centro (entrance facing Morelos (main road) between Abasolo & Aldama), ☏ +52 322 150 4152. Daily 11:00-03:00. This dance club is quite small but very fun. The dance floor doesn’t offer much room to bust a move but offers a great time to be had. Located on the Malecon it is in the center of everything. 7 Señor Frogs, Paseo Díaz Ordaz 786, Centro (Paseo Diaz Ordaz and Pipila), ☏ +52 322 222-1444. Daily 11:00-02:00. The Tuesday night foam party is the best and this place is the larger than most clubs. It has two bars and the service is awesome.

Sleep

Accommodations around the Bay of Banderas range from well-known international hotel chains and upscale villas and condominiums in the hotel zone, Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, and Punta Mita to moderately priced hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, apartments villas, and condominiums in Old Town Vallarta. The south end of Old Town has a number of gay-friendly hotels.

Zona Romántica

1 Tradicional Hotel Villa Del Mar, Francisco. I. Madero 440; Col. E. Zapata, ☏ +52 322 222 2885, fax: +52 322 222 0785, reservaciones@hvilladelmar.com. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. The hotel offers 49 beautiful and affordable rooms and 10 suites with kitchenette. Many of the rooms have private balcony. (updated Feb 2025) 2 OYO Hotel Bernal, Madero 423, ☏ +52 800 696 7666. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. One of the cheap hotels on the street F. Madero. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Hotel Lina, Calle Francisco I. Madero 376, ☏ +52 322 222 1661. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. One of the cheap hotels on the street F. Madero. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Hotel Cartagena de Indias, Madero 428, ☏ +52 322 222 6914. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. In the old town (Zona Romantica), Calle Francisco Madero hosts a bunch of similar, simple but clean hotels at a very affordable price. It is a 5-10 minute walk away from the Malecon. (updated Feb 2025)

East of Zona Romántica

5 Oasis Hostel, Libramiento #222, Col Benito Juarez, ☏ +52 322 222-26-36. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. (updated Apr 2022)

Stay safe

The beaches and hotels have security people who are familiar with the area and tend to ward off most undesirable characters. As in many "tourist destinations", there are local "tourist police", who concentrate on keeping the area safe for visitors. They, and the locals, understand the value of visitors and make life very difficult for those who may consider preying on visitors. Avoid confrontations with the police. In the event you do have a disagreement with them, expect to be treated poorly and expect to pay many a peso to regain your freedom. Respect and co-operation goes a long way with them, disrespect usually will not be tolerated. For digestive issues, use Immodium. It is sold over the counter and works for most issues. In case of emergency, dial 911, the number for all emergencies (fire, police and medical) in Mexico. English-speaking operators are not guaranteed, but are often available. For non-emergencies, dial 078 to reach the Green Angels, an English-speaking roadside and travel assistance program.

Drug cartels

Like most of Mexico's Pacific coast states, regional drug cartels are known to operate in Jalisco. These cartels have strong incentives to keep tourism money flowing at popular beach resorts, which requires peace and safety for visitors. Puerto Vallarta for decades has avoided the violence that has tarnished other resorts like Acapulco and Mazatlan. Unfortunately, like everywhere else in the world with an element of organized crime, unrest can flare up rapidly. In February 2026, a security operation against a Jalisco drug cartel sparked clashes throughout the region, including in tourist areas that have largely avoided attacks in the past. In Puerto Vallarta, vehicles and stores were looted, stolen and set on fire. From a traveler's perspective, this turned out to be more of a violent demonstration than a deadly attack, as there were no deaths reported other than security forces and suspected cartel members. Nonetheless, flights were cancelled and tourists were advised to shelter in place until the situation settled down over the next few days. Drug cartels commonly use arson to create chaos, especially by creating roadblocks that slow security response and grind a city to a halt. Keep your supply of treated drinking water topped off and keep around things to snack on, in case shops close or you're stuck in your hotel due to any number of possible natural or man-made disasters.

Beach activities

Unfamiliar waters can be dangerous. Observe the warning flags on public beaches as there may be a strong undertow. And never dive into unfamiliar waters as there may be rocks hidden below the surface. Leaving your valuables (cameras, purses, passport) alone on any beach in Puerto Vallarta is an invitation for theft.

Go next

All of these towns have hostels and private rooms:

To the north or northwest

To the north are the beaches of Nayarit where the hills give way a little. Here you will find mile-long stretches of golden sand beaches with smaller, more laid back surfer beaches, rich plantations of papaya and mango and, tucked back along tumbling rivers and streams, small villages where life seems to move at a different pace.

Nuevo Nayarit – 5 km. A resort community that is home to luxury villas and canals lined with tropical gardens. Bucerias – 25 km. A small coastal village with a long uninterrupted white sand beach Punta Mita – 45 km. A relaxed beachfront village. Sayulita – 45 km. You can do hiking into the jungle. The water at the beach is shallow. San Francisco (Mexico) – 50 km. At a beach, surrounded by a jungle and notable for its floral diversity. Tepic – 175 km. It's the capital of Nayarit. Mazatlán – It is recommended to take a flight into and out of the city.

More pictures of Puerto Vallarta

From this destination's category on Wikimedia Commons. Each photograph is credited to its own author under its own licence.