Puerto Vallarta
A cobblestoned old town and seaside Malecón on the Pacific's Banderas Bay, where jungle-clad mountains meet the sea, humpback whales enter the bay in winter, and great Mexican food makes it a top resort.
Puerto Vallarta lies on the west coast of the Mexican state of Jalisco, on the eastern shore of the Pacific's Banderas Bay, backed by the jungle-covered slopes of the Sierra Madre. In the 1960s John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana here, and the romance between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor made this fishing village famous overnight; today it is one of the most popular resort cities on Mexico's Pacific coast.
Areas to explore: ① Old Town and the Zona Romántica — the Malecón, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Isla Cuale, Los Muertos Beach and the Cerro de la Cruz, all easily walkable; ② the South Shore — Mismaloya, Los Arcos Marine Park and the botanical garden, plus Yelapa, Las Ánimas and Las Caletas, reachable only by boat; ③ the Riviera Nayarit on the north shore — the Marina district, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Punta Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho; ④ at sea — the Marietas Islands and winter whale watching; ⑤ in the mountains — the old silver-mining town of San Sebastián del Oeste.
The best time to visit is the dry season from Nov to Apr, and humpback whales breed in the bay from Dec to Mar; Jun–Oct is hot and rainy, with a hurricane risk in Sep–Oct. Getting there: Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport has direct flights to the US, Canada and Mexico City; city buses are cheap, and agree on the fare before taking a taxi. Plan on 4–6 days. Be aware of the time-zone difference between the Nayarit side and Jalisco, protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes, and heed the beach flags that warn of rip currents.
Top sights
- Malecón of Puerto Vallarta – A seaside promenade about 1.5 km long, lined with dozens of bronze sculptures and street performers, facing Bahía de Banderas for sunset vi…
- Zona Romántica – The old neighborhood south of the Cuale River, with dense restaurants, bars, and galleries on cobblestone streets. It is the center of the…
- Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe – A red-brick church on a high point in the old town, its bell tower topped by a crown held up by angels; the city symbol of Puerto Vallarta.
- Playa Los Muertos – The liveliest beach on the south side of the old town, with a sail-shaped pier reaching into the bay and dense beach bars, seafood stands a…
- Yelapa – A bay fishing village reachable only by boat, with golden sand, palm-roofed houses and jungle waterfalls; a traditional car-free paradise.
- Los Arcos National Marine Park – A group of granite arches off Mismaloya, the classic inshore snorkeling spot of Puerto Vallarta, where you can see tropical fish while snor…
- Isla Cuale – A long, narrow park island in the Cuale River, where a suspension bridge, craft stalls, riverside restaurants and a statue of John Huston h…
- Mirador Cerro de la Cruz – A cross-topped lookout on the hill behind the old town, overlooking red-tile roofs, the church’s crown and the whole of Banderas Bay.
- Vallarta Botanical Garden – A tropical botanical garden in the mountains, famed for its orchid, cactus and native Mexican plant collections, where you can swim in the…
- Playa Mismaloya – A small fishing-village beach on the southern bay, the filming location of the 1964 film Night of the Iguana and the departure point for bo…
- Playa Conchas Chinas – A rocky little bay south of Los Muertos, with clear water and few visitors, where you can snorkel among tide pools to watch fish.
- Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas Trail – A hike of about 1.5–2 hours from a river-mouth fishing village along a jungle coastal trail, passing small bays on the way to Las Ánimas Be…
- Vallarta Zoo – An interactive zoo in the Mismaloya valley where visitors can hand-feed most of the animals; a popular choice for families with children.
- Mercado Municipal Río Cuale – A two-story handicraft market on the Cuale River in the old town, a hub for silver jewelry, Mexican shawls, pottery and tequila, with an in…
- Casa Kimberly – The former love nest of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, with two villas linked by a pink “Bridge of Love”; now a boutique hotel.
- Marina Vallarta – A yacht marina community next to the airport, with a lighthouse bar, seafront promenade and departure point for most boat tours; cruise shi…
- Las Caletas – A private bay on the south shore reachable only by boat, once the home of director John Huston and now the venue for an all-inclusive beach…
- San Sebastián del Oeste – A colonial-era silver-mining town in the Sierra Madre, a Pueblo Mágico with cobbled streets, old haciendas and coffee farms hidden among th…
Where to eat
- Pancho's Takos – A popular taco spot in the Romantic Zone, selected in the 2026 Michelin Guide, famous for its tacos al pastor and const…
- Joe Jack's Fish Shack – An established seafood restaurant in the Romantic Zone, featuring whole grilled red snapper and Baja-style fried fish t…
- ICU – A small, elegant restaurant in the Romantic Zone by chef Mauricio Leal, selected in the 2026 Michelin Guide, featuring…
- Café des Artistes – A renowned French-Mexican fusion restaurant run by Chef Thierry Blouet for over 30 years, famous for its garden terrace…
Itineraries
- Puerto Vallarta Bay & Mountain Town – Based in the Romantic Zone, connect the Old Town, Los Arcos, a silver mining mountain town, and Yelapa.
- Riviera Nayarit Northbound Road Trip – Drive north along Highway 200 from resort bays to surf towns, petroglyphs, and the San Blas mangroves.
- Guadalajara, Tequila & Pacific Coast – From the great western city through the Tequila region down to the coast, covering cities, wine country, ruins, and bea…