Another travel post, and this week we’re heading to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is where I’ve spent the most time in Mexico over the years, it seems to be my go-to destination. I’ve gone with friends and I’ve gone with family, two very different trips, but both incredibly fun and oh, so stunning. I just LOVE the colours of Puerto Vallarta. It’s one of the most lush and colourful places I’ve ever travelled. If you’re looking for a relaxing beach or pool-side vacation, Puerto Vallarta offers so many incredible hotels. But if you like to adventure or you’re an avid foodie, the city offers that as well. Puerto Vallarta isn’t just an “all-inclusive” city, if you’re going, you’ll want to leave the hotel. There are so many incredible adventures to experience!
Keep on reading to find out our ultimate Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide!
Hotel Options
I’ve been to PVR 3 times now, the first time I went with friends and we stayed at the stunning, Grand Miramar. This was not a traditional resort, it was a hotel just up the hillside from downtown Puerto Vallarta and more of an adults focused stay. They didn’t have entertainment or games in the pool, this hotel was more focused on wellness and relaxation. The views were incredible as the hotel is perched on the hillside, overlooking the ocean and the town below. I still dream of this hotel, it was absolutely stunning. And only a 15-20 minute drive into the city!
The other couple times I’ve been, I actually stayed in Nuevo Vallarta, this is more of a resort town about 30 minutes from PVR. Still beautiful, just a very different vibe! This was more of a traditional resort, very family focused and a great spot to stay if you’re looking to spend more time at your resort. There were multiple pools, great restaurant options, and beach front access, which the other hotel didn’t have. I loved this resort for the proximity to the beach, if you enjoy being in the sand and taking long walks, this spot is great. You’re more off the beaten path when you’re staying in Nuevo.
A fantastic option for a trip with friends or your partner, no kids: https://www.instagram.com/grandmiramarpv/?hl=en
A fantastic option for families: https://www.paradisevillage.com/
Food & Fun
When exploring Puerto Vallarta, don’t give yourself too much of an itinerary. You could spend days wandering the streets, going into shops, visiting historic sites, watching entertainment and exploring the area’s history.
Start at one end of the Malecón boardwalk and make your way down the strip, there are plenty of sights to see and good food to eat!
Restaurants & Bars: If you’re going to be spending time in PVR, you’ll soon learn it’s an entertainment hub. Take a walk along the waterfront boardwalk and you’ll see plenty of amazing options for food, coffee and bevies. One of the best experiences I had was at a small roadside restaurant that served authentic Mexican cuisine and delicious fresh margaritas. It was literally a hole in a wall, but the best food I had in the city. I wish I remembered the name, but if you wander enough, you’ll find it!
A couple more fun spots I enjoyed:
- La Vaquita Puerto Vallarta
- Mandala Puerto Vallarta
Both of these spots are more for the people who enjoy nightlife. We went to a few different places, but these two stood out as super FUN spots to go out one night.
Explore
- The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe: If you enjoy architecture and history, I’d recommend going to see the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It’s a very pretty walk leading up to the church and the building itself is absolutely stunning. I always enjoy looking at churches when I travel, as they have some of the most grand architecture.
- Main Strip + Markets: A trip to PVR is not complete without a day of exploring the shops and local market along the Malecon boardwalk. A great market to checkout is the Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale. It’s a maze of vendors selling art, jewelry, blankets and plenty of souvenirs to take home. It’s a nice mix of authentic pieces that are unique, balanced with some more of the touristy shopping options. Oh and don’t forget to pickup a mango on a stick while you’re there!
- Take a Snorkelling Trip: One of my highlights from Puerto Vallarta was our full day boating excursion! I am someone who loves to be on the water, but if you get sea sick, an adventure like that may not be for you. We booked through our hotel, the excursion was a day on a big catamaran sail boat; with food, drinks, and a private island lunch stop. We sailed out to this beautiful, crystal clear bay, stopped to snorkel, enjoyed lunch on the beach and listened to some great music in the sun. It was a BLAST! Take a look at this post for some boating options in PVR.
Views from the Grand Miramar
Helpful Tips For Your Puerto Vallarta Trip:
- As a younger adult, going on a trip with friends, I would stay closer to the city centre. It’s great to have access to different bars and restaurants and it makes day trips a breeze, in terms of accessibility!
- If you have the time, take a day trip to Sayulita. This little town is a colourful hub for yogis and surfers. It also has a fantastic foodie culture!
- Give yourself at least one full day to explore downtown and the Malecón boardwalk.
- I personally don’t think you need a car whilst staying in PVR, Ubers are super accessible, even for longer day trips.
Thanks for being here for another travel blog on Living & Lifestyle! As someone who has always been an avid traveler, I love writing about my past adventures and I have lots of fun stories to share.
If you want to keep an eye on our travel content, make your way over to our travel page of the blog.
xo
Cornelia & Meg
