5 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

      Walk it at sunset, then continue south over the river bridges to dinner in the Zona Romántica. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. (30 minutes, free).

   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

      Go early in the morning or near sunset to avoid the heat, and bring water. (1 hour, free).

   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. (3–4 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Marina Vallarta boardwalk

      Stroll it in the evening and pick a waterside restaurant for dinner as the boats come in. (1–2 hours, free).

   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. (1 hour, free).

   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

      Go on a calm morning for the best visibility, and choose an operator that limits group size. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Mismaloya

      Take the local bus marked 'Mismaloya' from the Zona Romántica for a cheap ride along the coast road. (Half a day, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Aguachile

      Marisquerías across town and on the beaches.

   4. Afternoon

      Vallarta Botanical Garden

      Take the Tuito bus from the Zona Romántica, and stay for lunch to watch hummingbirds from the terrace. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   5. Evening

      Zona Romántica

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Yelapa

   About 30–45 minutes by water taxi each way. Getting there: Water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán or Los Muertos pier.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Yelapa

      About 30–45 minutes by water taxi (Water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán or Los Muertos pier); about 30 km.

   2. Day

      Yelapa

      A village on a cove with no road access, with a sandy beach, palapa restaurants and a short jungle walk to a waterfall. Best for couples, quiet stays and beach.

   3. Evening

      Back in Puerto Vallarta

      Dinner: try Birria.

5. Day 5: Playa Conchas Chinas and Boca de Tomatlán and Playa Colomitos

   Playa Conchas Chinas, Boca de Tomatlán and Playa Colomitos and Playa Las Ánimas, then The Malecón in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Playa Conchas Chinas

      Walk south along the shore from Los Muertos at low tide, then return by taxi. (2–3 hours, free).

   2. Late morning

      Boca de Tomatlán and Playa Colomitos

      Wear proper shoes for the rocky trail and take a water taxi back from Las Ánimas. (Half a day, low cost).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Birria

      Birria stands and small restaurants in the 5 de Diciembre and Pitillal neighbourhoods, mostly in the mornings.

   4. Afternoon

      Playa Las Ánimas

      Catch a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán, which is shorter and cheaper than from Los Muertos pier. (Half a day, low cost).

   5. Evening

      The Malecón

      Large dance clubs and bars facing the bay, busiest after 11pm.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Whale watching in the bay before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 30–40 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Puerto Vallarta

Questions travellers ask