Coastal Mexico doesn't come much more authentic than Puerto Vallarta. From the vibrant street dancers who bring the Malecón (boardwalk) to life at night to the cobbled streets of the historic centre, there’s much more to the city than the hotel strip. Not to mention the opportunity to spot marine life off the Pacific Coast. Get your adrenaline pumping with high-octane water sports, chill out at the beach or take a walk through a traditional craft market.
Stay at Puerto Vallarta's first party hostel and witness the best of the city by night, see the streets from above at a hostel with a rooftop terrace, or inject some art into your trip and opt for a home-from-home decorated with Mexican murals. Stay within budget at a Puerto Vallarta hostel that has a free breakfast or one with on-site entertainment such as Netflix and ping pong. Puerto Vallarta hostels often have a full kitchen so you can save more pesos by cooking dinner.
Take your pick from party vibes and peaceful neighbourhoods in Puerto Vallarta. In the hotel zone, you have easy access to the beach, restaurants and the historic centre. Over in Zona Romántica, you can dance the night away in one of the LGBT-friendly bars and then recover at a boutique café the following morning. To retreat into nature, head to the South Zone for jungle trails and beaches where you can go snorkelling.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Take a trip to the Islas Marietas National Park for whale-watching, or for a swim, head over to Los Arcos, the coast's famous rock formations. Los Muertos Beach is famous for its water sports, gentle waves and LGBT-friendly atmosphere. For a slice of Mexican culture, visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe or shop for locally handcrafted trinkets at the Isla Río Cuale market. Finish off the day with a street taco tour or sample mezcal at a tasting session.
To get into the town from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, either take a taxi or share a combi bus. You can be in the city centre in around 15-20 minutes. For intercity travel, catch the AEF from the Terminal de Autobuses de Puerto Vallarta. To make your way around town, hop on a bus or hail a taxi. Bus routes are easy to navigate both inside and outside the hotel zone.
