Puerto Vallarta

Where should I stay?

Where should I eat?

• Café des Artistes · Centro · French-Mexican fine dining: A long-running dinner spot with garden terraces, known for creative French-Mexican cooking.
• La Palapa · Zona Romántica (Playa Los Muertos) · Seafood / Mexican: A beachfront restaurant open since 1957, good for a sunset dinner with your feet near the sand.
• Joe Jack's Fish Shack · Zona Romántica · Seafood: A casual rooftop seafood spot known for fish and chips, fish tacos and ceviche.
• Pancho's Takos · Zona Romántica · Tacos: A busy late-night taquería famous for tacos al pastor carved from the spit; expect a line.
• Mercado Municipal Río Cuale · Centro · Market food stalls: A crafts market by the river with simple fondas upstairs serving cheap Mexican plates.

What should I do?

• Malecón de Puerto Vallarta · Centro: The seaside promenade lined with bronze sculptures, best for an evening stroll at sunset.
• Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe · Centro: The town's landmark church with a crown-topped tower, a block from the Malecón.
• Isla del Río Cuale · Centro / Zona Romántica: A shady river island with footbridges, craft stalls and a small museum between downtown and the Zona Romántica.
• Playa Los Muertos · Zona Romántica: The liveliest town beach, with beach restaurants and a pier lit up at night.
• Jardín Botánico de Vallarta · Las Juntas y Los Veranos (south of town): A hillside botanical garden in the jungle with orchids, trails and a river for swimming.
• Yelapa · Cabo Corrientes: A car-free fishing village reached by boat, with a beach and a short hike to a waterfall.
• Islas Marietas · Riviera Nayarit: A protected island park reached by boat tour for snorkeling and seabirds; access to Playa del Amor is capped daily.
• Whale-watching boat trip · Bahía de Banderas: From December to March humpback whales breed in the bay, and boat tours leave daily from the marina and town.