An overview
Puerto Vallarta is a place anyone can enjoy, it not only is one of the most popular and most visited beach destinations in Mexico.
- About Puerto Vallarta
A brief preview of our lovely Mexican town. - Our PV Newbie Guide
All you need to know if Puerto Vallarta is the place for your vacation. - Puerto Vallarta’s History
From the 1500s ’til today, historical photos included. - Why is Puerto Vallarta so famous?
Is there something magical about this town. - Where is Puerto Vallarta?
The info you wanted to know about your friendly city. - Puerto Vallarta, a famous love story – The Night of the Iguana
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton helped make this city memorable. - Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide
Provided by the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Office. In PDF (5Mb).
Vallarta is blessed with both generous tropical weather with an average of around 300 sunny days a year. It offers beautiful jungles, nature, and hills give the area character, and a beautiful Bay bathes its clear sand beaches with emerald waters. And then to crown it all, the town is recognized internationally for its friendly Vallarta inhabitants, something that’ll make your vacation one for the memory book.
Don’t take our word for it; these distinctions are accolades from for example Condé Nast Magazine that in 2003 voted Vallarta “the friendliest city in the World” it was also voted “Best Mexican Vacation Destination” by USNews.com in 2010, over Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, the other well-known beach meccas.
Puerto Vallarta is located on the Pacific side of Mexico, in the State of Jalisco, right in the middle of the Banderas Bay. It offers a wealth of both beautiful beaches, lush jungles, top-notch gourmet restaurants, world-class hotels and resorts, a cornucopia of tours and activities both for the adventurous as well as families, first-class facilities, hospitals, and many sports that include tournament golf courses and deep-sea fishing.
Puerto Vallarta is a unique destination because despite catering to the international tourist, it has fought to maintain its Mexican character. Yes, you have the ritzy all-inclusive hotels and resorts, but you can easily stay in a more Mexican zero-glitz option in Downtown Vallarta and get a better feel of what Mexico and Vallarta are really about.
You can sail around the bay in your yacht and drink from the open bar, but you can also zip along the bay in a water taxi to small towns like Yelapa or Quimixto and spend a day feeling as if you were Robinson Crusoe. You can feast yourself with gourmet delicacies surely comparable to any big city (and at very reasonable prices), but you can also find the no-nonsense taco stand just around the corner and eat local treats as they have been enjoyed in Mexico for centuries.
Yes, Puerto Vallarta has changed, yes, it’s no longer a sleepy fishermen town, the typical sales phrase in the past. It is, apparently, no longer a possibility, but the spirit is there, the kind and friendly attention you receive from the locals is a testament to the more humble origins of Vallarta. You can also sense it as you walk around along the smaller streets parallel to the main drag in the Romantic zone and Downtown Vallarta.
Everything evolves, but you can be sure you’ll find 10, no, 20 times more Mexican spirit in Vallarta, than in any other of the prefabricated tourist destinations in Mexico.
Couples on honeymoons, families looking for a relaxing stay at the beach, older couples enjoying a cheaper vacation in the off-season, and even members of the LGBT community, all have a space of their own in Puerto Vallarta; all have a good time, all come back for more. So, keep visiting this town (or city) and keep enjoying the bounty of experiences and adventures this top tropical destination has to offer. ¡Bienvenidos a México!
Easily accessible from the main U.S. gateways including Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, and Newark [check the How to get here Section, and the direct Airline Routes].
Puerto Vallarta is located in the western part of the state of Jalisco in central Mexico overlooking the Pacific Ocean. From the moment visitors step off the plane, they will be awestruck by the natural beauty of this now-famous Mexican destination.
Related information:
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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