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.

Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones) In Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Full walking tour of Camarones Beach, Downtown Puerto Vallarta (17/Dec./2021)

Table of Contents

Features & Amenities

Restaurants

Bars

Vendors

Swimming

Water Activities

Blue Flag

Downtown

Summary

The beach is easily accessible, with nearby bars and restaurants.
It boasts a Blue Flag certification, indicating high environmental and quality standards.
Especially on weekends, it’s a favored spot for Puerto Vallarta families.

Visitors can rent umbrellas and enjoy traditional local snacks from vendors.
Offers various activities like jet skiing, kayaking, and parasailing.
Ideal for relaxing, jogging, or walking along the coast.

Puerto Vallarta Malecon (Boardwalk) A City Favorite

Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone (AKA: Old Town Or South Side)

Mismaloya Beach, Puerto Vallarta, A Complete Guide

Los Muertos Beach The Most Popular One In Puerto Vallarta

Introduction

One of the cleanest and most important tourist beaches in Puerto Vallarta, Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones, “Shrimp Beach”) is a wide piece of clear sand that extends from Villa Premiere on the north side to Jesus Langarica street right by Hotel Rosita. The beach also ends very close to the northern end of the Malecon in downtown PV.

Map of Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones), downtown Puerto Vallarta

This area includes dozens of diverse shops, bars and restaurants. Excellent sunbathing beach, you’ll also enjoy the food and drinks at one of the many bars and restaurants that line the shore. You can partake in various activities such as parasailing, jet-skiing, SUP, or just relaxing on the shore.

The beach is some 90 feet wide and stretches for 2100 ft from the breakwater in front of Villa Premiere Hotel to the north, all the way to Jesus Langarica Street, right beside Hotel Rosita to the south.

Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones), drone view looking south, downtown Puerto Vallarta

Camarones Beach has been awarded a Blue Flag certification, an certification given to beaches that are clean, have low levels of pollution (strict standards), offer environmental protection, and that have managed to balance human presence without compromising the ecosystem. Playa Camarones is also one of the few beaches worldwide that can have this award despite being located in an urban area, something that clearly shows the city’s commitment to take care of its beaches and surrounding sea and wildlife.

Playa Camarones beach, Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Where is Camarones Beach (Playa Camarones)

Aerial view of Playa Camarones Beach (Photo: Allan Scheie)

It is located along the edge of the northern part of downtown Puerto Vallarta. It starts on the north side by Villa Premiere, you can go in along San Salvador street, it’s 2000 feet long and ends to the south by the rocks that are the foundations of the path that passes in front of Hotel Rosita and reaches “The Millennia” sculpture on the north end of the Malecon.

What to do at Camarones Beach

Camarones Beach looking north, downtown Puerto Vallarta Mexico

In general, it has a sandy surface, smooth and soft so it is great for practicing sports on the shore and long walks at sunset, many people enjoy spending a family weekend on the beach. It is also a common stroll for those who visit the beach with their pets, which is why you can, from time to time, find a furry friend during your walk along the beach. The waters are crystal clear and although the shore is a bit rocky at times when walking into the ocean the waves are calm, so it is a good place to swim peacefully. The southern part of the beach is very popular with those that practice shore fishing.

Gastronomy is great at Camarones, the local food is well represented in this area, the popular palapas are quite close and you can enjoy a plate of shrimp or fish accompanied by a good drink, some popular restaurants on this beach are El Barracuda and Mangos Beach Club.

Camarones Beach, downtown Puerto Vallarta

This beach is also a stronghold of the LGBT community, and in its calendar of events each year, a considerable number of meetings take place here, some of the parties and blowouts until the early hours. Other communities, such as the Expats, organize events in the nearby dining halls and some weekend barbecues on the shore. Camarones Beach is a meeting point for locals and foreigners alike.

As I already mentioned, this beach offers several options for sports and leisure activities, such as Stand-up Paddle (SUP), jet ski, parasailing, boat or horse rides and many more options for those who are not satisfied with just sunbathing.

How to get there

There are many access points to Camarones beach, this one by Hotel Villa Premiere

Getting to the beach is easy, all the streets that go to the west from Mexico Avenue (Avenida México) in downtown Puerto Vallarta take you to the beach. If you are outside the downtown area you can get there quickly, any bus that has a “Centro” sign will go there. Do not hesitate to ask if, in doubt, you’ll find out just how helpful people are in this town.

If you are coming from the main square or the Malecon, getting to Camarones Beach is very easy. Walk up the boardwalk all the way to the corner of 31 de Octubre street, you’ll know you’re there because Hotel Rosita is on the NW corner. Turn left along 31 de Octubre to the Millennia Statue and walk northward along the path there. After some 250 feet (75m) there are some stairs that take you down to the beach, right by Jesus Langarica street on the NW corner of Hotel Rosita.

Where to stay

Downtown view from Playa Camarones

If you are looking for a nearby lodging option, Playa Camarones has the advantage of being located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta so you will find accommodations in any category and price.

Some outstanding accommodations in the vicinity are:

Hotel Portonovo
Hotel El Pescador
Hotel Rosita
Hotel Mocali
Buenaventura Grand Hotel
Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel

Conclusion

Camarones Beach, downtown Puerto Vallarta, view of the Malecón and the Parish in the distance

Camarones Beach in downtown Puerto Vallarta is undeniable proof that human activity doesn’t always destroy an ecosystem, that with the right rules we can protect our environment, and that it can be a natural sanctuary for both locals and tourists. Playa Camarones has earned national and international recognition, something we are all proud of.

Location map

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.