What to see and do
Strolling alongside the mile-long Malecón is an effective introduction to Puerto Vallarta. The ocean views from this famed boardwalk are unparalleled, and there are many boutiques, artwork galleries and eating places providing genuine items and dishes. Artwork is in all places, from the murals painted on the perimeters of buildings to the expertly beaded handicrafts made by Indigenous Huichol artists residing within the close by Sierra Madre Mountains. Admiring the sculptures alongside the Malecón is a should.
The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, or Church of Our Girl of Guadalupe, is gorgeous in and out, topped with an ornate crown of angels. The cathedral is open to guests, who’re welcome to remain for each day providers (you will know it is time if you hear the church bells ring). Yearly from Dec. 1 to 12, celebrants congregate for the Our Girl of Guadalupe Pageant, gathering for processions to the church and the encircling streets full of distributors providing meals, toys and souvenirs.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the information behind the information, plus evaluation from a number of views.
SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
Join The Week’s Free Newsletters
From our morning information briefing to a weekly Good Information Publication, get the most effective of The Week delivered on to your inbox.
From our morning information briefing to a weekly Good Information Publication, get the most effective of The Week delivered on to your inbox.
Snorkelers and swimmers ought to plan on visiting Los Arcos Nationwide Marine Park, the place it is simple to spend all day exploring the caves, tunnels and coral reef. Puerto Vallarta has a tropical local weather, and it is all the time seaside season — sizzling spots embrace Playa del Oro, Los Tules and Boca de Tomates. The town can be on the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains, a dramatic backdrop. Discover the greener facet of Puerto Vallarta by testing the Vallarta Botanical Backyard. It is identified for its lovely orchid assortment and can be a nature reserve.
Get pleasure from dinner and a present underneath the celebs with Rhythms of the Evening. All of it begins with a cruise (with an open bar) that departs Banderas Bay at sundown, sure for Las Caletas seaside. Whenever you arrive, the seaside is aglow with candles, and dinner is served buffet-style on open terraces and eating rooms. The evening caps off with Alma, a high-energy present within the open-air amphitheater that includes acrobats, dancers and hearth jugglers.
The place to eat
(Picture credit score: Greg Vaughn / VW Pics / Common Photographs Group by way of Getty Photographs)
Contemporary seafood is all the time on the menu at Juan Tiburón. Diners rave concerning the ceviche, sashimi and coconut shrimp, in addition to the pleasant service. For a meal with a view, El Dorado is the place. It is proper on the seaside, with the waves offering your dinner’s soundtrack. Tacos and tostadas are the appropriate selection at Maria Baja. The preferred menu objects are the scrumptious recent fish tacos, tuna mango tostadas and shrimp ceviche.
The place to remain
Beachfront motels make enjoyable simple
(Picture credit score: Eye Ubiquitous / Common Photographs Group by way of Getty Photographs)
Puerto Vallarta has a variety of choices on the subject of lodging, from funds lodging to five-star residing. Many are all-inclusive, just like the reasonably priced Villa Del Palmar Seashore Resort & Spa on the shores of Banderas Bay. Nice for households, there are a number of eating places on the property, together with El Patron for Mexican delicacies, the Japanese spot Yashinoki and La Trattoria, that includes Italian dishes.
The luxe adults-only Casa Velas has an on-site golf course, an natural backyard the place its eating places develop their herbs, and resident peacocks that roam the grounds. There are totally different ranges of suites, with the Grand Class Plus together with a non-public immersion pool within the backyard.
Touring with plenty of buddies or household? The Lodge Playa Fiesta is a captivating boutique resort that focuses on catering to massive teams. There are commonplace rooms for solo friends or {couples} all the best way as much as the three-bedroom penthouse suite, with a full kitchen, residing and eating rooms, two bogs and a wraparound terrace with sweeping views of the pool and Banderas Bay.
