Explore Puerto Vallarta
Plan Your Puerto Vallarta Holiday: Best of Puerto Vallarta
Essential Puerto Vallarta
How to do Puerto Vallarta in 3 days
My favourite local restaurants in Puerto Vallarta
- Café des Artistes6,819Get dressed up for this elegant spot where the chef pairs French techniques with Mexican ingredients to amazing results. I’m a huge fan of the cacti with roasted avocado and octopus with chicatanas (a type of local ant—trust me, you’ll like them). Six courses served in a tropical secret garden filled with sculptures all under twinkling white lights. Magic.
- Mariscos Cisneros331Take a stroll through Zona Romantica, the city’s tightly packed old town. When you see a line of hungry diners, you’ll know you’ve arrived at Mariscos Cisneros. The wait is for the locally-caught, super-fresh Pacific seafood (I recommend the whole, fried red snapper, as well as the shrimp tostadas). They also have a food truck out front; grab some tacos, walk a couple blocks, and you can eat them right on the beach.
- La Palapa Restaurant7,113Anyone who comes to Puerto Vallarta on a regular basis has probably eaten here dozens of times (it’s been around since 1959). The place serves crowd-pleasing Mexican comfort food under beach umbrellas (and the namesake thatched palapa) right on Los Muertos Beach. Order up some tortilla soup, fish ceviche, or seafood enchiladas and watch the waves roll in.
- Vallarta Food Tours6,334Vallarta Food Tours was voted one of the top five food tours in Latin America by Tripadvisor users. It takes the stress out of finding delicious street food with several tasty tour options. I recommend starting with the original downtown tour, which provides an intro to all the local favourites, including birria, a hearty, perfectly spiced meat (usually goat, beef or lamb) slow-cooked into a stew.
- Oculto by El Arrayan85For nearly two decades, El Arrayan was one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular restaurants (I often came here straight from the airport). Now the chef-owners have started a cooking school with classes that go well beyond simple chopping and stirring, starting with a visit to a local market to buy ingredients. You’ll get to whip up a meal and learn all about the traditions tied to dishes like mole before eating your creation.
Explore Puerto Vallarta by interest
All-inclusives you can’t miss
Tacos and tequila
Puerto Vallarta, after dark
Get out on the water
Take in a little history
Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Puerto Vallarta
In the words of those who've been there before ...
What is the best way to get there?
Flying:
The Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport services the region. Hotel shuttle buses and taxis are available.
Cruise:
Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination for cruise trips. Ships dock at the Marina Vallarta Maritime Terminal and visitors can easily find cabs, tours, and shuttles to popular destinations from here.
Driving:
Those who drive to Puerto Vallarta are most likely coming from Guadalajara. The drive takes about five hours.
Do I need a visa?
If you’re visiting Mexico from overseas, check with the government’s Visa website.
When is the best time to visit?
There’s nothing quite like a warm-weather vacation in the midst of winter. That’s why it’s best to visit Puerto Vallarta from December through March as a quick escape. And, as a bonus, guests may even spot a whale or two swimming by the coast on migration. Average daily temperatures this time of year are highs around 29 C/84 F and lows around 16 C/61 F.
Bus
Buses are plentiful in Puerto Vallarta and are the recommended mode of transportation. A ride costs under $1.
Taxi and rideshare
Both taxis and ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are readily available.
Driving
Rental cars are available in Puerto Vallarta and parking is easily accessible both in town and at hotels. Mexico recognizes U.S. driver's licenses.