Puerto Vallarta City Guide: Coastal Mexico at its Best

Puerto Vallarta is a scenic resort town best known for its breathtaking beaches and wonderful weather. When visiting you can enjoy endless sunshine, a wide variety of watersports, delicious cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. Both families and couples can build a fun vacation itinerary to fully explore all that Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

Here is our easy-to-follow Puerto Vallarta guide to help you plan your next vacation. Shop all of our highly discounted Puerto Vallarta vacation packages at luxury resorts with deluxe accommodations and fabulous amenities.

Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

This Puerto Vallarta guide will show you that there is so much to do and see in the special destination. Not to mention, there are so many great activities and attractions outdoors so you can take advantage of the incredible Mexico sunshine.

When to Visit Puerto Vallarta

When booking a Puerto Vallarta vacation, you really can’t go wrong. The city is known for its beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine. Certain times of year are more popular for tourists than others, so it is all about what kind of travel experience you want to have!

• January-March – The winter months are wonderfully warm and mild with temperatures in the mid-70s with very little rain. Evenings are cooler, with lows in the lower 60’s. This is a very popular time of year to visit Puerto Vallarta
• April-June – The spring is less crowded and you’ll still enjoy the warm weather without the blistering heat. Temperatures avenger in the mid-80s, making it the perfect weather for swimming and other water sports.
• July-September – If you’re looking for heat, Puerto Vallarta in the summer is sure to deliver. Average temperatures are in the 90s with bursts of rain throughout the day causing the air to be humid. Additionally, Puerto Vallarta is protected by Banderas Bay, so hurricanes are rarely an issue.
• October-December – The fall and early winter months are sunny and comfortable with temperatures between mid-70s and high 80s. Tourism starts to pick up towards the end of the year, so fall is a great time to visit if you want lesser crowds.

How to Get Around Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is very easy to navigate and public transportation is readily available. The best and most cost-effective way to get around is by bus. The buses in Puerto Vallarta make plenty of stops and the fares are very affordable. You can also easily take a bus from PV’s Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) to get to your resort.

In addition to buses, taxis and Ubers can be found very easily. Fares are charged by zone, not by a meter, so be sure to ask about the rates ahead of time so you don’t get hit with a hefty charge.

Of course, you can always rent a car so you can travel wherever you want on your own schedule. However, it is quite expensive to rent a car, and driving around Puerto Vallarta’s bumpy and steep roads can be a challenge. But if you do decide to rent a car, the US driver’s license is recognized in Mexico, so there is no need for an international driving permit.

Top Puerto Vallarta Attractions

There are virtually endless things to do in Puerto Vallarta, so be sure to plan your more desired activities ahead of time. We recommend spending some days on the beach, exploring historical sites, shopping at the markets and boutiques, and playing a round or two of golf.

Where to Eat in Puerto Vallarta

There’s no shortage of delicious food to sample during your Puerto Vallarta vacation. You’ll find all the classic, authentic Mexican dishes as well as fresh seafood, burgers, steaks, pasta dishes, and sandwiches.

• The Blue Shrimp Puerto Vallarta – Open-fronted beachside seafood restaurant with tables in the sand.
• La Palapa Restaurant – Upscale restaurants on Los Muertos Beach serving fresh seafood and tacos with live music.
• Tintoque – A trendy and elegant eatery that serves both classic and unique Mexican dishes.
• Bravos Restaurant Bar – Comfortable atmosphere with a wide variety of dishes including seafood, steak, pasta, and more.
• Tre Piatti – Traditional Italian cuisine with an impressive wine list that is perfect for pairing.