Puerto Vallarta
Country: Mexico · Region: Mexican Riviera · Area: Jalisco · Arrival: dock · Currency: Mexican Peso
A cultured resort city on Banderas Bay with a famous seaside Malecon and a walkable old town.
Top sights
- The Malecon boardwalk & sculptures
- Zona Romantica (Old Vallarta)
- Playa Los Muertos
- Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Marietas Islands hidden-beach tour
- art galleries
Things to do
- Malecon
- A bustling oceanside boardwalk featuring shops, restaurants, hotels, and street performers including mimes, breakdancers, and artists.
- Zona Romantica
- The historic old town core at the southern tip of the city, now the center of nightlife and dining with boutique hotels and character-filled streets.
- Mismaloya
- Historic site south of Puerto Vallarta where the film The Night of the Iguana was filmed in the early 1960s.
- Marietas Islands
- Islands in the Bay of Banderas offering tropical fish, snorkeling, and scuba diving opportunities.
Beaches
- Playa de los Muertos
- Beach featuring a seahorse sculpture and public artworks along the seaside promenade.
- Bay of Banderas
- One of the largest and deepest bays in the world, home to humpback whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and manta rays.
Where to eat
- Malecon restaurants
- Multiple restaurants line the oceanside promenade offering various dining options.
- Zona Romantica restaurants
- The historic district features numerous gourmet restaurants and dining establishments catering to tourists.
Bars and nightlife
- Zona Romantica bars
- The historic quarter is known for its vibrant nightlife with many bars, particularly welcoming to LGBT tourists.
Forecast for Puerto Vallarta
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Weather in Puerto Vallarta by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 80°F | 65°F | 0.5 in | 3 |
| February | 80°F | 64°F | 1.2 in | 4 |
| March | 80°F | 63°F | 0.9 in | 5 |
| April | 82°F | 66°F | 0.0 in | |
| May | 85°F | 70°F | 0.2 in | 3 |
| June | 86°F | 75°F | 4.6 in | 13 |
| July | 88°F | 77°F | 8.0 in | 24 |
| August | 87°F | 77°F | 9.4 in | 27 |
| September | 86°F | 76°F | 10.6 in | 24 |
| October | 86°F | 75°F | 5.9 in | 16 |
| November | 84°F | 71°F | 0.9 in | 5 |
| December | 81°F | 67°F | 0.7 in | 2 |
Getting around
You dock at the Maritime Terminal ~10-15 min north of the Malecon; take a taxi or bus in, then it's very walkable.
What to eat
Birria, street tacos, fresh ceviche, and tequila/raicilla tastings.
Budget notes
Moderate; options at every price point.
Tips
Whale-watching runs Dec-Mar. Confirm taxi rates before riding.
Best for
Culture, beaches, food
More ports in Mexican Riviera
Cabo San Lucas · Ensenada · Ixtapa / Zihuatanejo · La Paz · Loreto · Manzanillo · Mazatlan · Topolobampo