Hey.
So you’re going to Puerto Vallarta. Nice.
I’ve been going down there for years now. Not like a travel writer or anything. Just someone who likes the place and keeps going back. Friends always ask me what to do when they book a trip. So I figured I’d write it all down.
Before we start – you staying at a resort or renting a place? Doesn’t matter really. Both work. I’ve stayed at some of those big puerto vallarta all inclusive places. They’re fine. Easy. But last few trips I’ve been renting houses with people. Places like Villa La Mansión and such. More room. More quiet. Different vibe.
Anyway. Here’s what I actually do when I’m down there.
1. Walk the Boardwalk But Go at the Right Time
There’s this path along the water called the Malecon. You’ll hear about it from everyone.
Here’s the trick though. Don’t go at noon. Too hot. Too crowded with cruise ship people.
Go around 4 or 5. Sun’s lower. Grab a beer from a little store first. Way cheaper than the bars. Then just walk. Takes maybe an hour if you go slow.
You’ll see these big metal sculptures along the way. Seahorses, guys on dolphins, weird abstract stuff. Good photo spots if you’re into that.
Then the sun starts going down and the performers come out. Fire dancers. Acoustic guitar guys. Kids doing flips. Find a bench, sit down, watch for a while. It’s free entertainment.
Anyway. Late afternoon is the move. You’ll thank me later.
2. The Beaches Are Not All the Same
This surprised me first time. The beaches are totally different depending where you go.
The main one near town is Los Muertos. Kinda funny name, right? But it’s the spot. Lots of restaurants right on the sand. Guys walking around selling jewelry and coconuts. You can rent a chair and just stay put all day. Water’s calm. Good for swimming.
But if you want quiet? Whole different story.
You gotta take a little boat. Like a water taxi. They’ll take you to these beaches you can’t drive to. Las Animas is one. Quimixto is another. No roads. Just boats. The beach is more empty. Feels like you found a secret.
I went with my girlfriend a couple years back and we basically had the place to ourselves. Just us and the waves. Read books. Napped. Swam whenever we wanted.
So yeah. Depends what mood you’re in. Party beach or quiet beach. Both exist.
3. Just Eat the Street Food Honestly
Look. The restaurants are fine. Some are really nice even.
But the best food I’ve had down there came from carts and little stands. Tiny places with plastic tables.
Tacos obviously. But also these sandwiches they call tortas. Stuffed with meat and avocado and stuff. Or this fish cooked in lime juice called ceviche. Eat it with these crispy little tostadas.
My rule is simple. If there’s a line of local people waiting, get in that line. Don’t worry if they don’t speak English. Just point at what the person in front of you got.
One time I had tacos from a lady with a cart near the beach. Like two dollars for three tacos. Still think about those tacos sometimes.
Anyway. Don’t overthink meals down there. The simple stuff hits different.
4. Take a Boat to Yelapa
This is the day trip I always tell people to do.
You catch a boat from the pier. Takes like 45 minutes. Maybe an hour. You end up in this village called Yelapa. No cars there. Just paths. Feels like another world.
You get off and there’s a beach right there. But walk inland a bit. There’s a waterfall. Not a hard hike. Maybe 15 minutes. You can swim at the bottom. Cold but nice after walking.
Then go back to the beach and eat at one of the little restaurants. They’ll bring out fresh fish, rice, beans, tortillas. Eat with your feet in the sand.
Catch the boat back whenever. Whole day thing.
Worth it. Every time.
5. Go See the Islands If You Like Snorkeling
The Marietas Islands. About an hour by boat. Protected park so you need a tour.
Water’s clear out there. Lots of fish. Seen sea turtles a couple times. If you go in winter you might see whales. They come down to have babies. Watching a whale come up right near your boat is something else.
There’s also this famous hidden beach. Inside the island. Open to the sky. You swim through a tunnel to get in. Cool for photos.
But honestly?
The snorkeling’s the best part. Fish everywhere. Really blue water.
6. Ziplining Is Actually Fun
I’m not usually a tour guy. But the ziplining in the jungle is good.
You go up in the mountains behind town. Flying over trees and rivers. Some lines are long and fast. Gets your heart going.
Some companies combine it with ATVs or trips to waterfalls. Make a full day of it.
Good way to see the jungle. Different from just sitting on the beach.
7. Watch Sunset From a Boat
End a day on the water. Simple but perfect.
Lots of boats do sunset cruises. Big ones with music and drinks. Small ones for couples. Pick your vibe.
You sail along the coast while the sun goes down. Sky turns orange then pink then purple. City lights start coming on. Drink in your hand.
Hard to beat that. Just being on the water at that time of day.
Final words
Quick word on where to stay since people ask.
The big resorts are easy. Villa del Palmar, Hotel Mousai, all those places. You show up, they handle everything. Food, drinks, activities. No thinking required. Good if you just want to shut your brain off.
Renting a house is different. More space. More quiet. Places like Villa La Mansión – you get your own pool, your own kitchen, your own yard. Good for groups. Feels like you actually live there instead of just visiting.
I’ve done both. Both work. Just depends what you want.
