Addie Mannan Photography / Stocksy United
Puerto Vallarta
Come to Puerto Vallarta (or just 'Vallarta' to many) to laze on the dazzling sandy beaches, browse in the quirky shops, nosh in the stylish restaurants and wander the picturesque central streets and enticing malecón (boardwalk).
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Must-see attractions
Puerto Vallarta
For a change of scenery from the beach, head for the tropical highlands of the Sierra Madre mountains and wander the well-curated Jardín Botánico de…
Puerto Vallarta
Home to a small fishing community, the picturesque beach of Yelapa hugs an emerald coastline backed by jungle-shrouded mountains. The remote coastal…
Puerto Vallarta
Graced with golden sands and serene aqua-green shallows, Playa Palmares is one sweet strip of coastline. Hugging an undeveloped shore about 6km (4 miles)…
Puerto Vallarta
Mismaloya, the location for the 1964 film The Night of the Iguana, is about 12km south of Puerto Vallarta: you can still see the dilapidated Iguana sign…
Puerto Vallarta
Around 3km south of downtown is the beautiful condo enclave of Playa Conchas Chinas. It's a tiny cove favored by families for the shallow and sheltered…
Puerto Vallarta
Boca de Tomatlán is a seaside village that’s less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta and a good place to munch ceviche tostadas on the beach. You can get…
Puerto Vallarta
On Isla Río Cuale, this museum has a small but very well-presented collection of pre-Hispanic ceramics by the Chupícuaro culture (400 BCE–200 CE), plus…
Puerto Vallarta
A trip to Vallarta wouldn't be complete without lingering on Isla Río Cuale, a sand island that appeared in the river mouth in the 1920s and was then…
Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Puerto Vallarta
Local bilingual guides run seven different terrific food- and drink-related tours about town. The mid-morning and evening taco tours take you on…
Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta’s largest tour company has numerous agencies and hotels selling its excursions. The dizzying array of options includes seasonal whale-watching,…
Puerto Vallarta
Run by enthusiastic naturalists, this outfit offers whale-watching expeditions, guided hiking and bird-watching, a dolphin-watching and snorkeling combo…
Puerto Vallarta
Boca de Tomatlán is a seaside village that’s less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta and a good place to munch ceviche tostadas on the beach. You can get…
Puerto Vallarta
If you don't have time to travel all the way to the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, don't miss a visit to this gallery that showcases the exquisite,…
Puerto Vallarta
Sells Huichol beadwork and yarn art of excellent quality, jewelry, Day of the Dead crafts and wood carvings from the southern state of Oaxaca. Money spent…
Puerto Vallarta
Home to a small fishing community, the picturesque beach of Yelapa hugs an emerald coastline backed by jungle-shrouded mountains. The remote coastal…
Puerto Vallarta
Maintains a high degree of professionalism with its small-group excursions to a dozen or so diving sites in the bay. Patient instructors and all manner of…
Puerto Vallarta
The walls are scrawled with handwritten poetics and inanities in several languages, the bar is blessed with fine rums and tequilas, and the staff pour a…
Puerto Vallarta
A trip to Vallarta wouldn't be complete without lingering on Isla Río Cuale, a sand island that appeared in the river mouth in the 1920s and was then…
Puerto Vallarta
This outdoor amphitheater, a Vallarta landmark, is backed by Los Arcos, a row of arches that has become a symbol of the city. It's regularly used as an…
Puerto Vallarta
This beach, just beyond Las Ánimas, has a waterfall accessible by a half-hour hike or by hiring a horse (M$300) on the beach to take you up.
Puerto Vallarta
Boca de Tomatlán is a seaside village that’s less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta and a good place to munch ceviche tostadas on the beach. You can get…
Puerto Vallarta
Playa de las Ánimas is a long, sandy beach with a small fishing village and some palapa (thatched-roof) restaurants offering fresh seafood. It's also a…
Puerto Vallarta
If you don't have time to travel all the way to the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, don't miss a visit to this gallery that showcases the exquisite,…
Puerto Vallarta
Despite its name, Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) is a lively beach which is handy for downtown. At the southern end of the beach, a stretch of…
Puerto Vallarta
Sells Huichol beadwork and yarn art of excellent quality, jewelry, Day of the Dead crafts and wood carvings from the southern state of Oaxaca. Money spent…
Puerto Vallarta
For delicate, brightly painted wooden figures of animals and mythical beasts from Oaxaca, fine ceramics from Chihuahua, skeletal figurines, hand-woven…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Day Trips
From snorkeling in jungle-backed coves, to unwinding in the Sierra Madre mountains and exploring uninhabited islands, Puerto Vallarta offers amazing day trips
Read articleTransportation
Getting around Puerto Vallarta has never been easier with its eminently walkable downtown, convenient ride-hailing service and efficient bus network.
Read articleFree Things to Do
A lovely strip of palm trees, hotels and blond sand, Puerto Vallarta is the pride of Mexico's Pacific Coast. Here's how to enjoy Puerto Vallarta for free.
Read articleTraveling with Kids
With great beaches, cultural experiences and outdoors adventures, Puerto Vallarta is a brilliant place to travel with kids.
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Puerto Vallarta
Family Travel
9 things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids: have the best family trip to Mexico's Pacific CoastJun 24, 2022 • 6 min read
BeachesWhen to visit Puerto Vallarta for whale-watching, diving and festivals galoreMar 25, 2022 • 7 min read
Budget TravelThe best free things to do in Puerto Vallarta, from art walks to beach daysMar 10, 2022 • 7 min read
BeachesBeach boho vibes without the crowds: why we love Mexico's Central Pacific CoastNov 23, 2021 • 5 min read
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