3 days in Puerto Vallarta

Day by day

1. Day 1: The Malecón and Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

   The Malecón, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and Mirador de la Cruz, then Playa Los Muertos and the pier in the evening.

   1. Morning

      The Malecón

      Puerto Vallarta's seafront promenade runs for about a kilometre along the old town, lined with bronze and stone sculptures such as the seahorse rider and the ladder-climbing 'In Search of Reason'.

   2. Late morning

      Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

      Visit during the first twelve days of December to see processions arriving with music and dancers.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Pescado zarandeado

      Beach palapa restaurants at Las Ánimas, Mismaloya and Bucerías, and seafood restaurants in town.

   4. Afternoon

      Mirador de la Cruz

      A steep climb of streets and several hundred steps from the Centro leads to a white cross and lookout above the town, with views over the red rooftops, the church crown and the whole bay.

   5. Evening

      Playa Los Muertos and the pier

      Buy a drink or meal for a lounger rather than renting one, and catch a water taxi from the pier to Yelapa.

2. Day 2: Whale watching in the bay and Marina Vallarta boardwalk

   Whale watching in the bay, Marina Vallarta boardwalk and Isla Río Cuale, then Galleries of the Centro and Zona Romántica in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Whale watching in the bay

      Choose a certified operator that follows the whale-watching distance rules; small boats give a closer, quieter experience.

   2. Late morning

      Marina Vallarta boardwalk

      A palm-lined walkway around the marina basin, with cafés, restaurants and yachts moored alongside, overlooked by the marina's landmark lighthouse tower.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Smoked marlin tacos

      Seafood taco stands and marisquerías in town, mainly at lunchtime.

   4. Afternoon

      Isla Río Cuale

      Cross the swinging suspension bridge at the eastern end and wander the craft market on the way to Los Muertos.

   5. Evening

      Galleries of the Centro and Zona Romántica

      Look for Huichol art from Wixárika communities in the Sierra, and ask galleries about the artists' cooperatives.

3. Day 3: Los Arcos and Mismaloya

   Los Arcos, Mismaloya and Vallarta Botanical Garden, then Zona Romántica in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Los Arcos

      Granite rock formations with natural arches rise from the sea off Mismaloya, part of a protected marine park.

   2. Late morning

      Mismaloya

      Take the local bus marked 'Mismaloya' from the Zona Romántica for a cheap ride along the coast road.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Aguachile

      Marisquerías across town and on the beaches.

   4. Afternoon

      Vallarta Botanical Garden

      About 30 km south of town in the mountains, the botanical garden has orchid and bromeliad collections, a cactus garden, trails through the forest and a river where visitors can swim.

   5. Evening

      Zona Romántica

      Cocktail bars, mezcal bars, cabaret shows and LGBTQ+ clubs around Olas Altas and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Before you go

• Whale watching in the bay: Book a few days ahead in January and February, the busiest months.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Zona Romántica keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Centro ($$) suits culture, first-timers and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 22–29 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.4 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Puerto Vallarta
• 2 days in Puerto Vallarta
• 5 days in Puerto Vallarta

Questions travellers ask