Your Trip to Puerto Vallarta: 5 Days of Local Favorites and Hidden Gems (2026)

If you caught the winter blues (or any seasonal blues), it’s nothing that a little seaside town in Mexico can’t fix. We New Englanders have a term for people who escape the colder months by traveling south: Snowbirds.

But Snowbirds teach us a good lesson: rather than shovel snow, find cool things to do in Puerto Vallarta. It seems this city in Mexico has gotten a lot of people on board to do just that. According to Mexico Daily News, Mexico wins for the number one place North Americans look for a second home abroad.

Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorites places to visit in Mexico, and luckily enough, one of my best friends grew up there. Every time I visit her, I’m treated with the local experience. This itinerary shows the a bit of both worlds: the Puerto Vallarta that locals know, and the other side that is popular with visitors.

Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

There’s a reason why Puerto Vallarta exploded in popularity. In 2023, 4.46 million visitors landed in this coastal destination either by air or cruise ship. Between the wild nightlife and the quiet hidden streets, you can experience so many different sides of the city.

If you’re looking for things to do in Puerto Vallarta, then you’ll definitely find something (or multiple somethings) that fits your fancy!

Day 1: Beachy Hidden Gems 

It’s cute. It’s petite. Can you guess what “it” is? It’s Colomitos, the smallest beach in all of Mexico. You can only get there by walking on a rocky path on a cliffside. Pack all your beach items in a waterproof bag and be prepared to carry them on the trail. Don’t forget a sand-proof blanket, packable towels, and good-quality sunscreen. 

Start in La Quebrada 

Take a drive down to La Quebrada on the southern coast of Puerto Vallarta and park in the little parking lot called Boca De Tomatlan. You can usually find free parking next to the water, but you can also pay a few pesos to someone who can park the car for you. 

I recommend this option only if you speak Spanish. This neighborhood is super cool, but a little run-down. Expect dirt roads and wild dogs. Walk through La Quebrada and explore the neighborhood for a bit before starting your trek on the cliff path. You’ll want to look for signs that read Camino a Colomitos (the walk to Colomitos beach). 

Something to note: This pathway is, in general, pretty rocky and not always even. I would say it works best for all fitness levels, but it is not handicap accessible. Make sure to wear closed-toe shoes and bring sandals for when you get onto the beach. 

Visit Colomitos Beach and Casitas Maraika

Once you walk the trail and arrive at Colomitos, you can easily spend a day here relaxing by the beach. Beach access is obstructed by a thick forest, and there is no parking, which makes it an excellent getaway from the otherwise packed areas of downtown.

I like to start my travels with a less touristy things, and in this case you might have the beach all to yourself. 

If you get hungry in the afternoon, you can stop over at Ocean Grill Vallarta, which is a cliffside restaurant right next to Colomitos. In fact, while you’re walking on the Camino a Colomitos, you’ll pass by a sign for it. 

This restaurant was seen on 90 Day Fiancé and has since gotten really popular. The food isn’t as good as it used to be, but the views are amazing. If you prefer to have a nice ambiance, then this is a good spot. 

Discover a jungle-shrouded bar

With the right shoes, anything is possible. Walk further down the Camino a Colomitos, past the beach, and into the woods. Yes, this part requires a bit of endurance as you’ll be hiking along the coast.

Soon, you will arrive at a three-star hotel on the water called Casitas Maraika with a stunning beach bar. After going on a long hike, there is nothing like finally coming across a bar where you can quench your thirst with a fresh margarita and dig your feet in the sand. 

My friends and I intended to go to Casitas Maraika for a quick lunch, but ended up staying for four hours! There was a DJ spinning tunes, so we ate, drank, danced, and repeated that cycle a few times before we were ready to go back into town. 

Pro Tip: Since the only way to get to Colomitos or Casitas Maraika is by hiking on the Camino a Colomitos, the journey can get quite tiring. Especially after spending the day on the beach, or dancing at the hotel restaurant/bar! You can alternatively take a water taxi with pickup points at Playa Las Animas (Las Animas Beach) and Colomitos Beach. 

Day 2: Go for a Whale Watch 

This is a favorite spot for humpback whales, and you can regularly catch a glimpse of a wide tail or fin splashing out from the water if you’re patient enough. 

While diving in Puerto Vallarta, I was shocked to find how cloudy the water was. Being in a tropical resort town, you expect crystal clear water that’s visible all the way to the bottom, but I wasn’t able to see three feet ahead of me! That’s because there is a superabundance of plankton during some seasons – a tasty meal for whales! 

This innumerable number of plankton is a feeding frenzy for whales, hence why you find them traveling so close to the beaches! 

Explore Zona Romantica 

While there is a lot to see and do in Zona Romantica during the day, the night is really when this neighborhood comes alive. 

Zona Romantica is Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood, and the night comes alive with drag shows, gay bars, and dancers filling the streets. Regardless of your orientation, everyone comes to this neighborhood to have a good time, and there is plenty of it to be had! 

There’s a cheap and delicious restaurant right in the middle of all the action called La Cantina. It has an outdoor terrace and if you get a seat close to the sidewalk, you can check out all of the street-level spectacles before you move onto a bar or nightclub. 

Day 3: Get Outdoorsy

While the downtown may be an attraction for foodies and nightclubbers, the outdoorsy types can find plenty of things to do in Puerto Vallarta. The city is snuggled between the ocean and a lush mountain range, the Sierra Madre. This is where nature enthusiasts get their dose of fresh air and greenery. 

For those who aren’t afraid of heights, you can cross the world’s longest suspension bridge. Jorullo Bridge passes over the Cuale River and a canyon of treetops. Not too far off is Cascada Palo Maria, a natural waterfall in the middle of the forest. 

If you prefer to explore on foot, you’ll find a lot of great nature trails in the Sierra Madre mountains. The highest peak is Cerro Alto, which is conveniently located right next to the city.

There’s a panoramic observation deck (Mirador el Cerro de la Cruz) made out of concrete at the top. Most of the walk cuts through a residential area, but there aren’t too many places to stop for water once you get onto the path. 

Explore the Malecón in the evening 

A trip to Puerto Vallarta is incomplete without experiencing the frenetic energy of the Malecón. This paved pedestrian way travels right beside the ocean, so at any time of day, you’ll hear the ocean waves crashing onto the shore. On the opposite side are a row of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.

It truly comes alive when the sun goes down! If you want to go dancing, check out Rakata or La Vaquita down the street. Ask nicely and you may take a ride on the swing. 

Day 4: History and Hollywood

Aside from the impressive city nightlife, check out Puerto Vallarta’s historical avenues. From the early 1900s, Puerto Vallarta was a tiny, somewhat nondescript fishing village. It was a quiet haven for families that made their living from the ocean.

Later on in the century, Hollywood celebrities discovered the charm of Puerto Vallarta and carved out a little piece of the village for themselves. Credits go to The Night of the Iguana, a 1964 film starring Ava Gardner and Richard Burton, for establishing Puerto Vallarta on the proverbial map.

After the filming came to an end, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor bought a property in Gringo Gulch and would often travel here as a relief from their hectic lives in Los Angeles. 

Explore the remnants of Old Hollywood

Added to your list of historical things to do in Puerto Vallarta is checking out the hotel Casa Kimberly Vallarta, which is the former residence of Burton and Taylor. The iconic arched bridge (it looks like a miniaturized version of Ponte di Rialto in Venice!) is a spot where Elizabeth Taylor used to stand out and enjoy the views.  

Gringo Gulch is the residential enclave not too far off from Casa Kimberly. It earned its name from the foreigners who once claimed this little neighborhood as their own. Now it belongs to wealthier residents of Puerto Vallarta and shows a quiet and upscale side to coastal living in Mexico. 

Day 5: The City Has an Artsy Side

Puerto Vallarta wears multiple masks. On one side, you may think it’s a nightlife haven, but from a different perspective, you could see Puerto Vallarta as a fisherman’s village dressed up in expensive clothing. The perfect Puerto Vallarta itinerary will, ideally, have a mix of all these masks. 

Here’s another interesting angle you’ll find in the city: you could see the town as a classic Hollywood stopping point. Let’s also not forget about the other face you may see here, which is the community of artists and craftsmen. 

Artists in Puerto Vallarta 

Puerto Vallarta’s best-known painter, Manuel Lepe, earned his international fame for depicting the soft and sweet faces of neighborhood children in whimsical settings.

Although an original piece of Lepe’s work will cost you a few thousand dollars, you can find prints of his work all through the town. The best thing to do in Puerto Vallarta is a scavenger hunt for the printed versions of Manuel Lepe‘s oil paintings. 

Enjoy dinner at Cafe des Artistes

For dinner, stop at the aptly named Cafe des Artistes. This is not quite a hidden gem, as you typically need to make reservations several days in advance to sit at the garden terrace. Walk the surrounding El Cerro(The Hill) neighborhood, where Puerto Vallarta’s artistic heart still exists.

To further extend the artistic experience of Puerto Vallarta, plan a trip over to the Marina. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive from the downtown area, but if you visit during one of the night markets, it will be well worth the journey! 

Every Thursday evening during the summer months, there is a night market that hosts a ton of vendors. Local artists set up booths and sell their Huichol, culturally authentic, and often Indigenous handicrafts and art pieces.

For a snack, check out Vina & Salvador’s Wine Bar right on the Marina. They have a great selection of shareable plates and wine from all over Mexico. 

Travel Tips for Puerto Vallarta

While Puerto Vallarta is generally quite safe, there are some rough areas of town that you may want to avoid. Also, heightened violence from cartels in the area has put some travelers on edge. Understandably so.

In February, 2026, there was a violent clash between the cartel and the local authorities after their leader was assassinated. This prompted a shelter in place order for both locals and tourists. So of course, this may make some people worried.

The truth is, there is trouble in any major city, especially if you go looking for it. The heightened violence in Puerto Vallarta is terrible, but I don’t think it means Puerto Vallarta shouldn’t be on your list.

Best tourist neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta

When you plan your Puerto Vallarta visit, choose a bed and breakfast that’s close to Centro or Zona Romantica, both of which are close to nightlife and restaurants. In the tourist-friendly areas, the biggest issue you may come across are scams.

Keep your valuables secure

Always keep your belongings secure. Lots of restaurants have outdoor seating on terraces, or rooftop bars. If you happen to be in an outdoor setting, always be wary about leaving your bag unattended, as someone could snatch it as they walk by.

Embrace the buddy system

I feel lucky to have a friend who grew up and currently lives in Puerto Vallarta, but I know it’s not always possible to know a local in every place you travel. That said, one of the best Puerto Vallarta travel tips is to travel with a friend. Even if that person isn’t a local, there is always more power in numbers, and walking alongside someone else will usually help you stay safe.