One day 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, Mirador de la Cruz and Gringo Gulch, 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. Allow 1–2 hours.

   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. Allow 30 minutes.

   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. Allow 1 hour.

   5. Late afternoon

      Gringo Gulch

      Walk up from the Isla Río Cuale stairs and take in the views over the river and the bay. Allow 1 hour.

   6. 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.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Galleries of the Centro and Zona Romántica (Zona Romántica): Look for Huichol art from Wixárika communities in the Sierra, and ask galleries about the artists' cooperatives.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 7–9 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.9 hours in December to 13.4 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Walking. The Malecón, Isla Río Cuale and the Zona Romántica are all within a 20–30 minute walk, though side streets are steep and cobbled.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Puerto Vallarta
• 3 days in Puerto Vallarta
• 5 days in Puerto Vallarta

Questions travellers ask