Puerto Vallarta in 7 days

Pacific charm on Banderas Bay: cobblestone streets, golden sunsets and warm hospitality. Best time to visit: November-April. Average daily budget: $90 to $220 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Zona Romántica (Old Town), Cobblestone streets, the best dining and nightlife, Los Muertos Beach and the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene.

Morning: Boat trip to Yelapa or Las Ánimas. Reach secluded, jungle-backed beaches on the bay's southern shore accessible mainly by boat.

Afternoon: Explore Zona Romántica (Old Town), Cobblestone streets, the best dining and nightlife, Los Muertos Beach and the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene.

Evening: Walk the Malecón at sunset. The seaside boardwalk lined with famous bronze sculptures, street performers and bay views.

Eat: Tacos al pastor and birria

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: El Centro & the Malecón, The historic core with the iconic church, the seaside sculpture boardwalk and lively plazas.

Morning: Whale-watching (Dec-Mar). Humpback whales gather in Banderas Bay each winter for spectacular sightings.

Afternoon: Explore El Centro & the Malecón, The historic core with the iconic church, the seaside sculpture boardwalk and lively plazas.

Evening: Explore the Zona Romántica. Cobblestone lanes, rooftop bars, galleries and Los Muertos Beach with its colourful pier.

Eat: Fresh pescado zarandeado (grilled bay fish)

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Marina Vallarta, A modern marina district with yachts, golf, waterfront restaurants and resorts.

Morning: Visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Vallarta's landmark, crowned by its distinctive filigree crown, in the historic centre.

Afternoon: Explore Marina Vallarta, A modern marina district with yachts, golf, waterfront restaurants and resorts.

Evening: The hike or boat to Colomitos, said to be Mexico's smallest beach, near Boca de Tomatlán.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Ceviche and aguachile

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Conchas Chinas, An upscale hillside neighbourhood with villas, small coves and panoramic bay views.

Morning: Sunset cocktails on a Zona Romántica rooftop away from the Malecón crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Conchas Chinas, An upscale hillside neighbourhood with villas, small coves and panoramic bay views.

Evening: The Saturday Olas Altas farmers' market for local food and crafts.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Raicilla, the local Jalisco agave spirit

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Nuevo Vallarta & Bucerías, Quieter resort and beach-town areas across the bay in Nayarit, with long sandy beaches.

Morning: A day trip to the mountain village of San Sebastián del Oeste, a former silver town.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Nuevo Vallarta & Bucerías, Quieter resort and beach-town areas across the bay in Nayarit, with long sandy beaches.

Evening: Dinner at Tacos al pastor and birria, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Nuevo Vallarta & Bucerías.

Eat: Tacos al pastor and birria

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Zona Romántica (Old Town), Cobblestone streets, the best dining and nightlife, Los Muertos Beach and the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Zona Romántica (Old Town), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Zona Romántica (Old Town), Cobblestone streets, the best dining and nightlife, Los Muertos Beach and the heart of the LGBTQ+ scene.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh pescado zarandeado (grilled bay fish), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Zona Romántica (Old Town).

Eat: Fresh pescado zarandeado (grilled bay fish)

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: El Centro & the Malecón, The historic core with the iconic church, the seaside sculpture boardwalk and lively plazas.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in El Centro & the Malecón, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore El Centro & the Malecón, The historic core with the iconic church, the seaside sculpture boardwalk and lively plazas.

Evening: Dinner at Ceviche and aguachile, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in El Centro & the Malecón.

Eat: Ceviche and aguachile

Hidden gems

The hike or boat to Colomitos, said to be Mexico's smallest beach, near Boca de Tomatlán.
Sunset cocktails on a Zona Romántica rooftop away from the Malecón crowds.
The Saturday Olas Altas farmers' market for local food and crafts.
A day trip to the mountain village of San Sebastián del Oeste, a former silver town.

Getting around

The old town, Malecón and Zona Romántica are walkable, though the streets are cobblestoned and hilly, so wear good shoes. Cheap city buses and taxis (agree the fare first, or use Uber) connect the marina, hotel zone and across the bay to Nuevo Vallarta and Bucerías. Water taxis from Los Muertos pier and Boca de Tomatlán reach the southern beaches. The airport is about 15 minutes north of the centre.

Safety

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's safer and most tourist-friendly resort cities, with petty theft and typical scams the main concerns, so use official taxis or Uber, watch belongings and drink responsibly. The cobblestone streets and steep hills are a real trip hazard, so step carefully, and on the Pacific beaches heed surf and rip-current flags, swimming where it's marked safe.

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