The Malecón in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta travel guides

Answer-first planning notes for a Puerto Vallarta trip, checked against current sources.

A beachfront resort on Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta
Featured · Planning · 3 min

Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

Zona Romántica, Centro, the Hotel Zone, Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta or the South Shore? How each Puerto Vallarta area compares for beaches, walking, food and transport.

A palm-lined beach in Puerto Vallarta
Beaches · 2 min

The Best Beaches in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay

Puerto Vallarta's best beaches, from Playa Los Muertos in town to the coves of the South Shore, the long sands of Nuevo Vallarta, Yelapa and the Marietas Islands.

Sunset over Banderas Bay at Puerto Vallarta
Planning · 2 min

Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta

When to visit Puerto Vallarta: the dry season from November to May, the hot, wet summer, the Pacific hurricane season, whale season and the busiest holiday weeks.

The Malecón at dusk in Puerto Vallarta
Guide · 2 min

Is Puerto Vallarta Safe? 2026 Advice for Visitors

Is Puerto Vallarta safe to visit in 2026? What the US advisory says about Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta, the February 2026 security alert, scams, ocean safety and practical precautions.

The Malecón at dusk in Puerto Vallarta
Transport · 2 min

Getting Around Puerto Vallarta

How to get around Puerto Vallarta in 2026: the 11 MXN city buses, taxis, Uber and DiDi, regional buses to Nayarit, and water taxis from Los Muertos pier and Boca de Tomatlán.

Playa del Amor, the beach inside the rock at the Marietas Islands
Guide · 2 min

Marietas Islands from Puerto Vallarta

How to visit the Marietas Islands National Park from Puerto Vallarta in 2026: the CONANP park fee, opening days, the strict Playa del Amor (hidden beach) limits and choosing an authorised tour.

The check-in hall at Puerto Vallarta International Airport
Transport · 3 min

Puerto Vallarta Airport Transfers

How to get from Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) to your hotel in 2026: fixed-price airport taxis, Uber and DiDi, street taxis across the bridge, local buses and pre-booked transfers.

Los Arcos amphitheatre and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Planning · 2 min

Puerto Vallarta eSIM and SIM Cards

How to get mobile data in Puerto Vallarta: travel eSIMs, local SIM cards, roaming and Wi-Fi, with tips on coverage around Banderas Bay.

The Malecón at dusk, where the seafront restaurants are
Food · 2 min

Puerto Vallarta Food Guide

What to eat in Puerto Vallarta: fish on a stick, pescado zarandeado, aguachile, birria and street tacos, plus where to find them and tips for eating safely.

The Malecón at dusk in Puerto Vallarta
Nightlife · 1 min

Puerto Vallarta Nightlife Guide

Puerto Vallarta after dark: the Malecón's bars and clubs, the Zona Romántica's bar scene and LGBTQ+ venues, sunset spots and tips for a safe night out.

Los Arcos amphitheatre and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Planning · 3 min

Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide 2026

A practical Puerto Vallarta guide for 2026: which area to stay in, getting from the airport, buses and taxis, the Marietas Islands, Yelapa, whale season and safety.

A beachfront resort pool on Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta
Families · 2 min

Puerto Vallarta with Kids

A family guide to Puerto Vallarta: the best areas to stay with children, calm beaches, the Botanical Garden, boat trips, whale watching and practical tips.

Sayulita from the air, Nayarit
Day trips · 2 min

Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta

How to visit Sayulita from Puerto Vallarta: the regional bus, taxis and tours, surfing and beaches, and tips for a day trip to the Riviera Nayarit's best-known surf town.

A humpback whale at the surface in Banderas Bay
Guide · 2 min

Whale Watching in Puerto Vallarta

When and how to see humpback whales in Banderas Bay: the official SEMARNAT season, what the rules mean for tours, and how to choose a responsible operator.

Boats in the harbor at Yelapa, with the village on the hill behind
Day trips · 2 min

Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta

How to visit Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta: water taxis from Los Muertos pier and Boca de Tomatlán, approximate fares and times, the waterfalls, and staying overnight.

Boats pulled up on a Puerto Vallarta beach
Planning · 1 min

Zona Romántica vs Nuevo Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta's two most popular bases compared: the walkable old town of the Zona Romántica versus the all-inclusive resort coast of Nuevo Vallarta.