Jalisco, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
Stay 3 nights for the old town, beaches, a boat day and sunsets on the bay. Below: 2 sights, 1 activity and 3 outdoor spots, plus how Puerto Vallarta fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Nov – Apr
- Warmest month
- May
- Coolest month
- December
- Wettest month
- August
2 See · 1 Do · 3 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop
Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta
from our route notes
38°C / 100°F avg high
31°C / 88°F avg high
about 343 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
2 sights worth building a day around across Centro and Zona Romántica.
Photo: G Whizz · Google
Photo: Melikamp · CC BY-SA 3.0
Do
1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look.
Photo: RichardMills65 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Outdoors
3 outdoor spots for fresh air across Las Juntas y Los Veranos and Mismaloya.
Photo: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0OutdoorsVallarta Botanical Garden
Hillside gardens of orchids and native plants, with a river for swimming.
Photo: Christian Frausto Bernal from Tepic, Nayarit, MEXICO · CC BY-SA 2.0OutdoorsIslas Marietas
Protected volcanic islands with blue-footed boobies and the Hidden Beach.
Tip Book licensed tours; Hidden Beach permits are limited.
Photo: Mike R · Google
Eat
Where we would book a table in Puerto Vallarta across Centro and Zona Romántica.
Photo: Another Believer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Anthony Ricciardi · GoogleEatPancho's Takos
Late-night taco joint known for al pastor carved off the trompo.
Tip Expect a line after 10 pm.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Puerto Vallarta in Centro.
Photo: Cassy Dygert · Google
Shop
Markets and shops worth the detour in Centro.
Photo: ǟռɢɛʟ ʄɛʀռǟռɖօ · Google
How to fit Puerto Vallarta into a trip
Puerto Vallarta is stop 3 of 3 on our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route. Follow it as-is or lift Puerto Vallarta into your own plan.
Stop 3 of 3
Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta
Mariachi, agave fields and Pacific bays
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Nov – Apr
- Pace
- easy
- Before: Tequila
Getting here and onward
- Tequila to Puerto VallartaTequila is about 147 km / 91 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Puerto Vallarta month by month
Average daily highs run from 31°C / 88°F in December to 38°C / 100°F in May. August is the wettest month, with about 343 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan31° / 88°F average high, in our recommended season
- Feb32° / 90°F average high, in our recommended season
- Mar35° / 94°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr37° / 98°F average high, in our recommended season
- May38° / 100°F average high
- Jun36° / 96°F average high
- Jul33° / 91°F average high
- Aug33° / 91°F average high
- Sep32° / 90°F average high
- Oct33° / 91°F average high
- Nov32° / 90°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec31° / 88°F average high, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Puerto Vallarta weather and the best time to visit →
Near Puerto Vallarta
2 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.
Puerto Vallarta questions, answered
How many days do you need in Puerto Vallarta?
Our route notes suggest 3 nights in Puerto Vallarta. On our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 27 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Puerto Vallarta best known for?
Stay 3 nights for the old town, beaches, a boat day and sunsets on the bay. Standouts on our list: Malecón (Seafront promenade lined with bronze sculptures, ending near the crown-topped church); Zona Romántica (Cobbled old-town district of restaurants, shops and the Los Muertos Pier); Vallarta Botanical Garden (Hillside gardens of orchids and native plants, with a river for swimming).
When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
Our Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route is best Nov – Apr. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in May (38°C / 100°F), the coolest in December (31°C / 88°F) and the most rain in August (about 343 mm).
What are the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta?
Start with Malecón, Zona Romántica, Vallarta Botanical Garden, Yelapa and Islas Marietas. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 3 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.
Where should a group eat in Puerto Vallarta?
Our picks: Café des Artistes (Centro); Pancho's Takos (Zona Romántica). Expect a line after 10 pm (Pancho's Takos).
What is near Puerto Vallarta?
The closest destinations in our guides are Tequila (about 147 km / 91 mi) and Guadalajara (about 195 km / 121 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Puerto Vallarta with your crew
Open the Guadalajara, Tequila & Puerto Vallarta route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around Puerto Vallarta
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- Best Shopping in Mexico 6 places
- Puerto Vallarta weather by month
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