Guidebook for Puerto Vallarta
Entertainment & Activities
Popular Gay beach, usually fills up and spills next door into Ritmos, which I actually prefer. My favorite waiter is Osvaldo. Music can be very loud.
112 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Blue Chairs
4 MalecónPopular Gay beach, usually fills up and spills next door into Ritmos, which I actually prefer. My favorite waiter is Osvaldo. Music can be very loud.
Sightseeing
Totally happening street for cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, dining and nightlife. Many fun bars (gay & straight) and an unbeatable spot for people watching. Day or night, there's always something happening on Olas Altas.
Olas Altas
Olas AltasTotally happening street for cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, shopping, dining and nightlife. Many fun bars (gay & straight) and an unbeatable spot for people watching. Day or night, there's always something happening on Olas Altas.
The main drag in the Romantic Zone for shopping, dining and art galleries. Every other Friday is South Side Shuffle. Things open late, free drinks and snacks as the shop owners and art galleries show off their wares.
Basilio Badillo
The main drag in the Romantic Zone for shopping, dining and art galleries. Every other Friday is South Side Shuffle. Things open late, free drinks and snacks as the shop owners and art galleries show off their wares.
Funky, artsy village only accessible by boat. Water taxi ride is great fun and leaves from Boca de Tomatlan and Los Muertos Beach about every hour. Beautiful waterfall a short walk from main pier.
173 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Yelapa
Funky, artsy village only accessible by boat. Water taxi ride is great fun and leaves from Boca de Tomatlan and Los Muertos Beach about every hour. Beautiful waterfall a short walk from main pier.
Stunning colonial mountain mining village. Authentic, historical Mexico to the core. About 1.5 hours drive from PV, but worth it! Terrific little silver shop and a 45 minute walk to the old mines.
114 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Sebastián
Stunning colonial mountain mining village. Authentic, historical Mexico to the core. About 1.5 hours drive from PV, but worth it! Terrific little silver shop and a 45 minute walk to the old mines.
Typical Mexican Pacific Coast beach village. Authentic, no crowds, alongside a river. The launch point for water taxis heading down to the beach village of Yelapa. ($130 pesos round trip.)
90 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Boca de Tomatlan
Typical Mexican Pacific Coast beach village. Authentic, no crowds, alongside a river. The launch point for water taxis heading down to the beach village of Yelapa. ($130 pesos round trip.)
The largest tour company in the area - whale watching, ziplining, scuba diving, jungle tours, boat rentals, horse back riding, etc., etc. They have offices and staff all over the bay.
213 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vallarta Adventures
39 Las PalmasThe largest tour company in the area - whale watching, ziplining, scuba diving, jungle tours, boat rentals, horse back riding, etc., etc. They have offices and staff all over the bay.
Beautiful, colonial farming town about 2 hours from Vallarta. Good day trip through mountainous countryside. Used to be the State capital before Guadalajara. About 4000 ft (1200 mtr) elevation.
Mascota
Beautiful, colonial farming town about 2 hours from Vallarta. Good day trip through mountainous countryside. Used to be the State capital before Guadalajara. About 4000 ft (1200 mtr) elevation.
Colonial city about 2.5 hours from Vallarta. Known for apparition of the Virgin of Talpa. Many Mexicans make pilgrimages to this town. Typical central plaza with old cathedral, many typical foods.
Talpa de Allende
Colonial city about 2.5 hours from Vallarta. Known for apparition of the Virgin of Talpa. Many Mexicans make pilgrimages to this town. Typical central plaza with old cathedral, many typical foods.
Botanical Gardens 30 min south of the condo, 5 minutes past Chico's Paradise. Lush jungle with pathways, rivers, regional plants, including many orchids. Beautiful restaurant with views, gift shop.
187 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardines Botánicos de Vallarta
Km 24 Carr. Costera a Barra de NavidadBotanical Gardens 30 min south of the condo, 5 minutes past Chico's Paradise. Lush jungle with pathways, rivers, regional plants, including many orchids. Beautiful restaurant with views, gift shop.
Arts & Culture
I'm putting this under Arts & Culture because a walk along the Malecon, especially on a Sunday night is the best place in Vallarta to see observe local family culture. With the bay on one side & restaurants, cafes, historical sites, shopping & entertainment on the other. Many impressive sculptures, several by famous artists including Bustamante.
770 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Malecon Puerto Vallarta
S/N Paseo Díaz OrdazI'm putting this under Arts & Culture because a walk along the Malecon, especially on a Sunday night is the best place in Vallarta to see observe local family culture. With the bay on one side & restaurants, cafes, historical sites, shopping & entertainment on the other. Many impressive sculptures, several by famous artists including Bustamante.
Parks & Nature
Island in the Cuale River with fab restaurants, local crafts shopping and the beautiful Cultural Center with arts workshops and a theatre. Under the bridges you can frequently find painters and my favorite is Mariza. The west end of the island drops you at the beach and the Malecon. There's a quiet park at the east end of the island and I love to take a break here surrounded by the sounds of the river, the birds and the tropical gardens. My favorite restaurant is River Cafe.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Río Cuale
Island in the Cuale River with fab restaurants, local crafts shopping and the beautiful Cultural Center with arts workshops and a theatre. Under the bridges you can frequently find painters and my favorite is Mariza. The west end of the island drops you at the beach and the Malecon. There's a quiet park at the east end of the island and I love to take a break here surrounded by the sounds of the river, the birds and the tropical gardens. My favorite restaurant is River Cafe.
Chicos Paradise is about 30 minutes south of the condo and you can take the bus from right in front of the condo. You are in the midst of verdant tropical jungle here. A restaurant is located above a river and local boys will do serious dare-devil dives off ther huge boulders into the rushing river. They will expect tips. There's also zip lining and you can play in the river yourself.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Chicos Paradise
VeranoChicos Paradise is about 30 minutes south of the condo and you can take the bus from right in front of the condo. You are in the midst of verdant tropical jungle here. A restaurant is located above a river and local boys will do serious dare-devil dives off ther huge boulders into the rushing river. They will expect tips. There's also zip lining and you can play in the river yourself.
Food Scene
Excellent fresh fish at good prices. We prefer to sit upstairs. Lots of nightlife all around, so a good place to start off a party evening.
319 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Joe Jack's Fish Shack
212 Basilio BadilloExcellent fresh fish at good prices. We prefer to sit upstairs. Lots of nightlife all around, so a good place to start off a party evening.
Currently closed, but hopefully will reopen. Pricey, but very good with excellent service and views. Good wine cellar. Try to time your dinner for after 9pm so that you can watch the nightly fireworks show over the bay.
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vista Grill
102 PúlpitoCurrently closed, but hopefully will reopen. Pricey, but very good with excellent service and views. Good wine cellar. Try to time your dinner for after 9pm so that you can watch the nightly fireworks show over the bay.
Good food, very reasonable prices, with stunning bay view. Good service. Not elegant like Vista Grill, but also 1/2 the price. Coconut shrimp yummy! The owner, Isabella, is a hoot!
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Isabel
483 Privada del BosqueGood food, very reasonable prices, with stunning bay view. Good service. Not elegant like Vista Grill, but also 1/2 the price. Coconut shrimp yummy! The owner, Isabella, is a hoot!
Very good restaurant, on the sand on Los Muertos Beach. Romantic, good food, not cheap, but worth it.
474 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Palapa Restaurant
105-3 PúlpitoVery good restaurant, on the sand on Los Muertos Beach. Romantic, good food, not cheap, but worth it.
My favorite Italian restaurant with great service, excellent prices and good wines. A good spot for people watching too and in the heart of Old Town's nightlife. A good place to start off an evening out with friends. If you like spice, the Penne Arrabiata is excellent.
54 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Piazzetta
219 Av Fluvial VallartaMy favorite Italian restaurant with great service, excellent prices and good wines. A good spot for people watching too and in the heart of Old Town's nightlife. A good place to start off an evening out with friends. If you like spice, the Penne Arrabiata is excellent.
Authentic Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices. Great art -much of it dedicated to Frida Kahlo. Lola, owner, will be happy to tell you about her collection. I love the Chiles Enogada. Tell Cuco, the head waiter, that Miguel says hello!
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Red Cabbage Café
204A Rivera del RíoAuthentic Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices. Great art -much of it dedicated to Frida Kahlo. Lola, owner, will be happy to tell you about her collection. I love the Chiles Enogada. Tell Cuco, the head waiter, that Miguel says hello!
Located on a roof top on the main plaza, right near the hisoric Guadalupe Church and across from the Malecon. Great views of the bay and the nightly fireworks show. Excellent innovative menu. Owners Laura & Marisol will take good care of you. Pricey but worth it. A great place to launch a night out, especially if it includes a walk along the Malecon, the seaside boardwalk. Tell them "Miguel" sent you.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Conchas Chinas
Located on a roof top on the main plaza, right near the hisoric Guadalupe Church and across from the Malecon. Great views of the bay and the nightly fireworks show. Excellent innovative menu. Owners Laura & Marisol will take good care of you. Pricey but worth it. A great place to launch a night out, especially if it includes a walk along the Malecon, the seaside boardwalk. Tell them "Miguel" sent you.
In jungle, watch the boys do dare devil dives into the river, while zipliners zip by above. Food is decent, if a bit pricey for typical Mexican food, but you're really paying for atmosphere.
Restaurant Chico Paradise
VeranoIn jungle, watch the boys do dare devil dives into the river, while zipliners zip by above. Food is decent, if a bit pricey for typical Mexican food, but you're really paying for atmosphere.
My favorite place for breakfast or brunch. Beautiful garden setting with orchids, palm trees and shady, brick patios. Good service, great menu.
157 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Coco's Kitchen
My favorite place for breakfast or brunch. Beautiful garden setting with orchids, palm trees and shady, brick patios. Good service, great menu.
Popular place for morning coffee, muffins, bagles, plus...
37 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dee's Coffee Company
111-117 Francisca RodríguezPopular place for morning coffee, muffins, bagles, plus...
Coffee, breakfasts, light meals throughout the day. Indoor/outdoor sidewalk cafe on popular Olas Altas St.. Great people watching.
30 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
San Angel Burgers And Tacos
449 Olas AltasCoffee, breakfasts, light meals throughout the day. Indoor/outdoor sidewalk cafe on popular Olas Altas St.. Great people watching.
Truly Authentic French bistro. Owners are very friendly - Christophe (French) and his Panamanian wife. Excellent food, great decor, friendly service. Good location in historic center of PV.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Cigale
398 HidalgoTruly Authentic French bistro. Owners are very friendly - Christophe (French) and his Panamanian wife. Excellent food, great decor, friendly service. Good location in historic center of PV.
Vallarta's cuisine is second only to Mexico City but even so, this restaurant stands out. Internationally famous chef, excellent service, great decor from lush garden patios to ultra modern interiors.
192 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Café des Artistes
740 Calle Gpe. SánchezVallarta's cuisine is second only to Mexico City but even so, this restaurant stands out. Internationally famous chef, excellent service, great decor from lush garden patios to ultra modern interiors.
Good Mexican food at reasonable prices. Mostly a gringo crowd. On a busy street, so you might ask for a table away from the door.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Brujo Vallarta
510 Venustiano CarranzaGood Mexican food at reasonable prices. Mostly a gringo crowd. On a busy street, so you might ask for a table away from the door.
Great beach club on Los Muertos Beach. Free chairs/umbrellas with understanding that you will order food/drink. Jorge & Andres will take good care of you! Tell them "Miguel & Joel" recommended them!
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Swell Beach Bar
182 AmapasGreat beach club on Los Muertos Beach. Free chairs/umbrellas with understanding that you will order food/drink. Jorge & Andres will take good care of you! Tell them "Miguel & Joel" recommended them!
(This Airbnb tool is not updated to include this restaurant, so it's loading as the Casa Kimberly Bridge. Casa Kimberly was Elizabeth Taylor's PV home.) Located in what used to be Elizabeth Taylor's PV home, The Iguana has earned its place as one of our most acclaimed restaurants. The food is quite good, but the atmosphere, decor, view, impeccable service and the unbelievably good mariachi are what makes this place stand out. This is my favorite special occasion restaurant, equally good for a large party of friends or an intimate dinner for two. When making reservations, be sure the mariachi will be playing. You don't want to miss them.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa Kimberly Bridge
Calle Zaragoza(This Airbnb tool is not updated to include this restaurant, so it's loading as the Casa Kimberly Bridge. Casa Kimberly was Elizabeth Taylor's PV home.) Located in what used to be Elizabeth Taylor's PV home, The Iguana has earned its place as one of our most acclaimed restaurants. The food is quite good, but the atmosphere, decor, view, impeccable service and the unbelievably good mariachi are what makes this place stand out. This is my favorite special occasion restaurant, equally good for a large party of friends or an intimate dinner for two. When making reservations, be sure the mariachi will be playing. You don't want to miss them.
Great food, easy on the budget. Located just off busy Olas Altas, this place serves great tapas and lighter meals with a full bar. There's an air conditioned interior plus a row of sidewalk tables. Good people watching. Very convenient for heading out to the area nightlife.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
116 Pulpito
116 PúlpitoGreat food, easy on the budget. Located just off busy Olas Altas, this place serves great tapas and lighter meals with a full bar. There's an air conditioned interior plus a row of sidewalk tables. Good people watching. Very convenient for heading out to the area nightlife.
Drinks & Nightlife
Popular gay bar/nightclub with many other bars and clubs within a couple blocks. Live shows most nights, a mostly Mexican crowd, mixed ages, all out for a good time. Usually packed on weekends. Don't even think about getting their before midnight.
148 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Paco’s Ranch
278 Ignacio L. VallartaPopular gay bar/nightclub with many other bars and clubs within a couple blocks. Live shows most nights, a mostly Mexican crowd, mixed ages, all out for a good time. Usually packed on weekends. Don't even think about getting their before midnight.
A totally happening straight bar for a mature audience that knows how to party. Festive crowds typically spill onto the street til all hours of the night.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Andale's Restaurant & Bar
425 Olas AltasA totally happening straight bar for a mature audience that knows how to party. Festive crowds typically spill onto the street til all hours of the night.
The extremely popular open air gay bar/nightclub plays the best mix of upbeat dance music from the last 30 years or so. On a busy corner, it's a great place to see and be seen and the people in passing cars always slow down and stare at how much fun we are all having! Upbeat, happy crowd of locals and tourists.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mr. Flamingo
247 Lázaro CárdenasThe extremely popular open air gay bar/nightclub plays the best mix of upbeat dance music from the last 30 years or so. On a busy corner, it's a great place to see and be seen and the people in passing cars always slow down and stare at how much fun we are all having! Upbeat, happy crowd of locals and tourists.
Everything Else
Quiet beach about 10-15 minutes south of the condo with a backdrop of stunning seaside villas.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hotel Playa Conchas Chinas
Km 2.5 Carr. Costera a Barra de NavidadQuiet beach about 10-15 minutes south of the condo with a backdrop of stunning seaside villas.
PV is known for its arts scene and the many sculptures that line the Malecon (boardwalk) are a highlight. The boy riding the seahorse is one of the favorites.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monumento al Caballito de Mar
s/n MorelosPV is known for its arts scene and the many sculptures that line the Malecon (boardwalk) are a highlight. The boy riding the seahorse is one of the favorites.