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5 Reasons to Visit Puerto Vallarta
Beach days, jungle adventures and old town trips – here's what to do in Puerto Vallarta.
If you’re considering a holiday to Mexico, put Puerto Vallarta on your list. Occupying a prime slice of the Pacific Coast, this seaside city sits plum in the middle of Banderas Bay. That means you get ocean views on one side, the Sierra Madre mountains on the other, and a long list of tropical beaches unfurling like a runway in-between.
Factor in a seafront prom stacked with waterside restaurants and an old town packed with cultural finds, and Puerto Vallarta is a great all-rounder. Take a look at our top five reasons to visit Puerto Vallarta and get a glimpse of the place for yourself.
When you’re ready, check out our All Inclusive holiday deals to Puerto Vallarta
1. The beach life is hard to beat
OK, let’s get the biggie out of the way to begin with: beaches. Puerto Vallarta’s shoreline ticks every single box going – from the tropical sands of Conchas Chinas in the south, to the surf-friendly waves of Playa de Oro in the north. Somewhere in the middle you’ve got Los Muertos, the most popular stretch. It’s thanks to a combination of watersports-ready waters and pristine sands backed by an impressive line-up of restaurant and bars.
2. The food is glorious
On the subject of places to eat and drink, Puerto Vallarta’s foodie scene is five-star. Saunter along the malecón – the pedestrianised boardwalk that runs along Puerto Vallarta’s oceanfront – and take your pick of street food stalls serving up steaming fish tacos loaded with zingy salsa. There are plenty of sit-down eateries to pick from here, too, so you can pull up a chair and dine with a backdrop of sunset views and street performers.
3. There’s culture on tap
Puerto Vallarta’s old town – Viejo Vallarta – which is often referred to as the Romantic Zone, is the place to head for a proper Mexican experience. We’re talking cobbled streets, tucked-away art galleries and traditional restaurants around every corner. Follow the malecón a little further north from here and you’ll reach the central area of town, where culture comes in the form of sights like The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And if you want to keep walking, stroll the prom all the way up to the marina at the other end – taking in the sea views along the way.
4. The snorkelling is spot on
Prefer your sea views in close-up? Then you’re in luck in Puerto Vallarta. Take a boat trip out to Los Arcos Marine Park and you can snorkel or scuba dive in colourful corals and clusters of rock formations. You can access some of Puerto Vallarta’s lesser-known beaches by boat, too, or learn to surf in the waves off Playa de Oro. That’s if you can tear yourself away from your palapa on Los Muertos, of course.
5. There’s adventure inland, too
Backed by the jungle-cloaked Sierra Madre mountains, Puerto Vallarta’s got lots to offer in the other direction to the coast. Head inland to visit traditional Colonial villages, rappel down cascading waterfalls, or zip-line your way through the jungle canopy. There’s a line here that’s a whopping 4,000 feet long. And if you need a little something to steady yourself after all that, you could tour one of the area’s traditional tequila distilleries. It’d be rude not to taste the produce at the end.
Browse our All Inclusive holidays to Mexico. Then, take a look at the best places to visit in Mexico, find out the best time to visit Mexico and have a read of the best hotels in Mexico while you’re at it.
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Author: Katie Gregory
Last updated: 14/09/23