Puerto Vallarta walking tour & city guide
A Pacific beach town between jungle hills and the bay.
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Puerto Vallarta lies on the Bay of Banderas, one of the largest bays in Mexico, with green jungle-covered mountains rising behind the town. It has kept the charm of a Mexican village, with cobbled streets and white houses with red tile roofs, while offering beaches, art and a lively evening scene.
The Malecón and the old town
The Malecón, a seafront promenade, is the center of town life, decorated with bronze sculptures and filled with street performers and people watching the sunset. Behind it rises the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its unusual crown-topped tower.
Across the Cuale River, the Zona Romántica, or Old Town, is a charming area of narrow streets, small hotels, galleries and restaurants, with Los Muertos beach and its pier at its heart. The Isla Río Cuale, an island in the river, has a market and shady paths.
Beaches and nature
South of town, the coastal road leads to coves like Mismaloya, where the film The Night of the Iguana was shot in 1963, helping make the town famous. Boats reach beaches that can only be accessed by sea, such as Yelapa and Las Ánimas.
From December to March, humpback whales come to the bay to give birth, and whale watching tours are very popular. The town is also a base for exploring the surfing villages of the Riviera Nayarit to the north.
Visiting tips
The dry season from November to April has the best weather. Summer is hot, humid and rainy, but greener and quieter. Local buses are cheap and run along the coast.
Top sights in Puerto Vallarta
- 1
Malecón
A seafront promenade with sculptures.
- 2
Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
A church with a crowned tower.
- 3
Zona Romántica
The charming old town district.
- 4
Los Muertos Beach and Pier
The main beach of the old town.
- 5
Isla Río Cuale
An island market in the river.
- 6
Yelapa
A village beach reached by boat.
Food markets & where to eat in Puerto Vallarta
Zona Romántica
The town's best area for restaurants and taco stands.
Los Muertos Beach
Beachside stalls with grilled fish on sticks.
Mercado Municipal Río Cuale
A market with small food stalls upstairs.
Street taco stands
Evening stands across the town.
Food to try in Puerto Vallarta
Pescado zarandeado
Butterflied fish grilled over coals.
Shrimp tacos
Fresh from the Pacific.
Raicilla
A local agave spirit related to mezcal.
Birria
Spicy stewed meat from Jalisco.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Puerto Vallarta
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in Puerto VallartaCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Puerto Vallarta.
- eSIM for MexicoStay online from the moment you land.
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