Puerto Vallarta (2024)

FAQs

How many days is enough in Puerto Vallarta? ›

Puerto Vallarta is a vacation resort that still feels real. Added to that, it's the perfect base for whale-watching tours and visits to local nature trails or villages. You could easily spend a week or more in Puerto Vallarta. But three days is enough to give you a well-rounded introduction.

This intrigued me enough that I chose PVR as the destination for my 30th birthday celebration in 2019 where I played tourist for a week. I was happy to discover that PVR is the queer haven I had been told and that it's also a gorgeous beach side town with turquoise water, an abundance of wildlife and delicious food.

In addition to its beautiful beaches, Puerto Vallarta is also known for its close proximity to the majestic Sierra Madre mountain range. These towering peaks provide a breathtaking backdrop for the city and offer many opportunities for outdoor adventures like hiking, mountain biking and zip lining.

Notice there are ongoing issues around Guadalajara but not Puerto Vallarta. Government employees have no restrictions to travel to Puerto Vallarta. One of the reasons that Puerto Vallarta is a safer Mexican beach town is because the cartels mostly avoid violence in tourist areas. Crime isn't good for tourism.

Overall, Cancun has a far greater selection of hotels. Cancun takes the edge over most places when it comes to hotels. But Puerto Vallarta has a more authentic Mexican feel – Cancun is very Americanised. So, go for Cancun if you favor big resorts and Puerto Vallarta if you favor boutique hotels.

Puerto Vallarta was made famous with the film The Night of the Iguana entirely produced on location in 1963. For the first time, Puerto Vallarta received big Hollywood stars, national celebrities and American intellectuals.

Don't walk alone at night

Be especially careful in the areas around bars, nightclubs, and casinos. The GeoSure app provides neighborhood-by-neighborhood ratings for Puerto Vallarta, but conditions can change quickly in Mexico once the sun goes down.

December through April bring Puerto Vallarta's most ideal weather conditions, which is why these months are also the most popular among tourists. The average daily high temperature during this time ranges from around 80°F (27°C) to 85°F (29°C), with low humidity and very little rainfall.

Puerto Vallarta tends to be the more relaxed, culturally oriented destination of the two, while Cabo San Lucas, located at the southern end of Baja California, is known for its beach life and good-time atmosphere.

Is the ocean swimmable in Puerto Vallarta? ›

Puerto Vallarta is located on beautiful Banderas Bay where the waters are calmer than the Pacific Ocean. The bay and beaches are perfect for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Summers have less wave action and the water is clearer.

There is never a bad time to visit Puerto Vallarta as the weather is warm year-round. The best time to visit depends on which activities you're looking for. The high season takes place from October to April, with thousands of people escaping the cold Northern temperatures.

Puerto Vallarta Municipal Water

Not only has Puerto Vallarta's water been rated as perfectly safe for human consumption with a certificate of purity for 17 consecutive years, it is one of only two vacation destinations in the country to achieve this important distinction.

Puerto Vallarta Nightlife

As the sun goes down, bars, cafés and nightclubs open up all along the Malecon, the Romantic Zone and Los Muertos Beach's cobbled streets, all the way to the Marina. Live bands play at different spots around town, and the DJ's modern beats make anyone stand up and dance.

A week in Puerto Vallarta is definitely not too long. When you spend a week, you'll have a well-rounded experience of the city, its beaches, food, and surrounding region.

The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is between April and June when the weather is pleasant and the room rates are affordable. During these months, rain is scarce and there are fewer tourists compared to the winter high season. If you're interested in whale watching, however, visit from December to March.

Yes, absolutely Puerto Vallarta is touristy.

A one week trip to Puerto Vallarta usually costs around $787 (MX$13,359) for one person and $1,574 (MX$26,718) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.