Matt's Puerto Vallarta Guidebook
Food scene
Amazing romantic Italian food experience. Be sure to make a reservation and trying arrive before sunset so you can see the sunset. They usually also have live violinists performing.
52 místní doporučují
La Cappella
363 B C. MiramarAmazing romantic Italian food experience. Be sure to make a reservation and trying arrive before sunset so you can see the sunset. They usually also have live violinists performing.
Beautiful garden dining setting. Live music and romantic vibe. Five star experience with high end cuisine. Considered one of the best restaurants in all of Puerto Vallarta.
192 místní doporučují
Café des Artistes
740 Calle Gpe. SánchezBeautiful garden dining setting. Live music and romantic vibe. Five star experience with high end cuisine. Considered one of the best restaurants in all of Puerto Vallarta.
Located in the hotel sight of Elizabeth Taylor’s former mansion. AmazIng romantic experience. Be sure to make a reservation and trying arrive before sunset so you can see the sunset.
44 místní doporučují
The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar
445 C. ZaragozaLocated in the hotel sight of Elizabeth Taylor’s former mansion. AmazIng romantic experience. Be sure to make a reservation and trying arrive before sunset so you can see the sunset.
Amazing romantic experience. Be sure to make a reservation and trying arrive before sunset so you can see the sunset.
43 místní doporučují
Hacienda San Angel
336 C. MiramarAmazing romantic experience. Be sure to make a reservation and trying arrive before sunset so you can see the sunset.
Fantastic Omakase experience. One of the best I’ve had. Reasonably priced compared to similar experiences in other countries.  Though their pricing is still high, compared to other restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. 
Sendo
Fantastic Omakase experience. One of the best I’ve had. Reasonably priced compared to similar experiences in other countries.  Though their pricing is still high, compared to other restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. 
Amazing handmade Italian pastas and dishes. The chef updates the menu often.
40 místní doporučují
Tre Piatti
292 Lázaro CárdenasAmazing handmade Italian pastas and dishes. The chef updates the menu often.
Tintoque
445 Aquiles SerdánExquisite menu. Riverside dining in an elegant environment.
Maybe our favorite hidden gem in PV! Amazing seafood. The Tuna is out of this world. The blended Tamarindo margaritas are so addicting! They only accept cash. Located on the second floor of the building. You will find the door on the side street and walk up the stairs.
17 místní doporučují
Tuna Azul
Maybe our favorite hidden gem in PV! Amazing seafood. The Tuna is out of this world. The blended Tamarindo margaritas are so addicting! They only accept cash. Located on the second floor of the building. You will find the door on the side street and walk up the stairs.
Cute trendy Asian-dining experience. Located river front with limited seating on the patio overlooking the river. They offer dim sum on select Sundays. Call them for availability and hours.
12 místní doporučují
Bonito Kitchen & Bar
512 InsurgentesCute trendy Asian-dining experience. Located river front with limited seating on the patio overlooking the river. They offer dim sum on select Sundays. Call them for availability and hours.
Whether you are vegetarian or just love great food, this cute restaurant has the freshest ingredients and is one of my go-tos every time I’m in PV.
26 místní doporučují
Veggitalia
172 CoronaWhether you are vegetarian or just love great food, this cute restaurant has the freshest ingredients and is one of my go-tos every time I’m in PV.
Best tacos in Puerto Vallarta! Many people say Pancho’s Tacos is the best, but there is always a wait. Manchus is really not worth the hype. Everyone we have introduced to this restaurant thinks it is better. They also have a good vegetarian taco options .
17 místní doporučují
Sonorita Olas Altas
232 Pino SuárezBest tacos in Puerto Vallarta! Many people say Pancho’s Tacos is the best, but there is always a wait. Manchus is really not worth the hype. Everyone we have introduced to this restaurant thinks it is better. They also have a good vegetarian taco options .
Great tacos if you don’t have to wait...but not worth the usual 1 hour wait. If you walk by and there isn’t a wait, check them out. The tacos al pastor are the best.
158 místní doporučují
Pancho's Takos
162 Basilio BadilloGreat tacos if you don’t have to wait...but not worth the usual 1 hour wait. If you walk by and there isn’t a wait, check them out. The tacos al pastor are the best.
Healthy food and smoothies/drink options  Great for breakfast or brunch. They have very limited hours .
81 místní doporučují
Salud Super Food
534-A Olas AltasHealthy food and smoothies/drink options  Great for breakfast or brunch. They have very limited hours .
La Palapa Restaurant
105-3 PúlpitoGood food offering a great beach front dining experience.
El Dorado Restaurant
102 PúlpitoGood food offering a great beach front dining experience.
Barcelona Tapas
906 C. MatamorosGood tapas restaurant with views of the city and ocean
Best Vietnamese restaurant in PV. Owner is super nice and brought his family recipes from the US. 👌🏻
Let's Pho PV Vietnamese Cuisine
Best Vietnamese restaurant in PV. Owner is super nice and brought his family recipes from the US. 👌🏻
Archie's Wok
130 Francisca RodríguezAsian fusion dining experience in a cute setting.
Hidden gem! Amazing tacos, in a very casual environment. Large selection of salsas too.
14 místní doporučují
Maria Baja
496 Carr. Costera a Barra de NavidadHidden gem! Amazing tacos, in a very casual environment. Large selection of salsas too.
If you’re looking for an affordable, quick, reliable breakfast spot with a variety of breakfast and lunch options, Freddy’s is a great spot in the heart of Zona Romantica. They are cash only
355 místní doporučují
Restaurante Fredy's Tucan
245 Basilio BadilloIf you’re looking for an affordable, quick, reliable breakfast spot with a variety of breakfast and lunch options, Freddy’s is a great spot in the heart of Zona Romantica. They are cash only
Xalli Club
Perfect for poolside beach day with great food and cocktails
Cocktails
If you’re looking for a nice cocktail with an impressive view, Chictini offers one of the best views in Zona Romantica. It’s small but worth checking out.
Chictini by Pinnacle
179 PúlpitoIf you’re looking for a nice cocktail with an impressive view, Chictini offers one of the best views in Zona Romantica. It’s small but worth checking out.
My favorite beach club in PV. Threat drinks and food, private beach, pool/spa and great service.
Xalli Club
My favorite beach club in PV. Threat drinks and food, private beach, pool/spa and great service.
Morning Vibes
These are my favorite spots for morning breakfast and coffee
Amazing Açaí bowls and good coffee in a cute Tulum Vibe cafe. They are not open every day and their hours are short so check their schedule.
ONO Smoothie Bowls
228 Basilio BadilloAmazing Açaí bowls and good coffee in a cute Tulum Vibe cafe. They are not open every day and their hours are short so check their schedule.
Salud Super Food
534-A Olas AltasMy favorite healthy food option for breakfast and lunch
Extensive menu for breakfast and lunch. Cheap and quick. Consistently good food.
355 místní doporučují
Restaurante Fredy's Tucan
245 Basilio BadilloExtensive menu for breakfast and lunch. Cheap and quick. Consistently good food.
Large menu with lots of options. American and Mexican breakfast options. Cute patio setting.
157 místní doporučují
Coco's Kitchen
Large menu with lots of options. American and Mexican breakfast options. Cute patio setting.
Barra Light
134 C. Rodolfo GómezHealthy menu
Casa Nicole Boutique Hotel
203 Pino Suárez
Oakberry Açai Bowls & Smoothies Puerto Vallarta
Neighborhoods
Great local vibe with Cobblestone streets, old and new architecture, shops, great dining and beaches
178 místní doporučují
Zona Romantica
Great local vibe with Cobblestone streets, old and new architecture, shops, great dining and beaches
Los Muertos Beach
Walking path along the ocean with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and vendors. Ideal for a walk/run, exploring new places, and people watching.
8 místní doporučují
Malecón
MalecónWalking path along the ocean with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and vendors. Ideal for a walk/run, exploring new places, and people watching.
Cute little surfer town about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. Great for a day trip. Check the rate for a car to take you over there and back. Uber and taxi are also possible and not too pricy, but may be hard to get one back to PV. Ideally check out San Francisco which is 10 minutes past Sayulita, during your visit. It’s a cute town too.
350 místní doporučují
Sayulita
88 Avenida RevoluciónCute little surfer town about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. Great for a day trip. Check the rate for a car to take you over there and back. Uber and taxi are also possible and not too pricy, but may be hard to get one back to PV. Ideally check out San Francisco which is 10 minutes past Sayulita, during your visit. It’s a cute town too.
Cute little town about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. Great for a day trip. Check the rate for a car to take you over there and back. Uber and taxi are also possible and not too pricy, but may be hard to get one back to PV. Ideally check out Sayulita which is 10 minutes before San Francisco, during your visit. It’s a cute town too.
165 místní doporučují
San Francisco Nayarit
Cute little town about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. Great for a day trip. Check the rate for a car to take you over there and back. Uber and taxi are also possible and not too pricy, but may be hard to get one back to PV. Ideally check out Sayulita which is 10 minutes before San Francisco, during your visit. It’s a cute town too.
Great for a day trip. Beautiful beaches and waterfall hikes. Take a water taxi from Puerto Vallarta or price out a car service there and back.
173 místní doporučují
Yelapa
Great for a day trip. Beautiful beaches and waterfall hikes. Take a water taxi from Puerto Vallarta or price out a car service there and back.
The famous Arch formations coming up out of the ocean. Located between Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa. Best seen from a water taxi, can be picked up at the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
Los Arcos
Los ArcosThe famous Arch formations coming up out of the ocean. Located between Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa. Best seen from a water taxi, can be picked up at the beach in Puerto Vallarta.
Island off the tip of Punta Mita. Limited entry each day but you can take a water taxi from Puerto Vallarta and take the boat up to the island and swim under the arches to a private beach area. If you’re lucky you’ll see dolphins and whales on the boat ride over.
20 místní doporučují
Islas Marietas
Islas MarietasIsland off the tip of Punta Mita. Limited entry each day but you can take a water taxi from Puerto Vallarta and take the boat up to the island and swim under the arches to a private beach area. If you’re lucky you’ll see dolphins and whales on the boat ride over.
Sightseeing
Farnost Panny Marie Guadalupské
370 HidalgoGreat sightseeing stop
Great spot for photos, people watching and exploring. Lots of great dining and shops around this area. Right on the beach.
197 místní doporučují
Přístaviště Los Muertos
121 Francisca RodríguezGreat spot for photos, people watching and exploring. Lots of great dining and shops around this area. Right on the beach.
Outdoor acrobatic show in the middle of the jungle. You can book an excursion through Vallarta Adventures to take a one hour boat to the beach where the show takes place and watch the show, with dinner included. I recommend the earlier show time so you can watch the sunset on the boat ride. If you do the later show, you may be in the dark the entire time. Dress warm, it can get cold on the boat.
Rhythms of the Night
Outdoor acrobatic show in the middle of the jungle. You can book an excursion through Vallarta Adventures to take a one hour boat to the beach where the show takes place and watch the show, with dinner included. I recommend the earlier show time so you can watch the sunset on the boat ride. If you do the later show, you may be in the dark the entire time. Dress warm, it can get cold on the boat.
Doporučení související s městem
Místní doprava
Transport from the airport
When leaving the airport: we usually take a taxi. Be careful to proceed all the way outside of the airport building to the official taxi stand. There will be a lot of vendors inside the airport saying they are Uber or Taxi (they usually work for time shares or car service and will try and sell you on things). The taxi outside should cost around $330 pesos or around $16USD (as of March 2021). There is a kiosk right as you leave the airport where you pay by card or cash before you leave the airport. Alternatively, you can grab an Uber but you’ll have to leave the airport & go over a bridge
Místní doprava
Getting around town: Use Uber
The cheapest and easiest way to get around is via Uber. You can use your card on file, but I’m not sure if you need to have a card with no foreign transaction fee to avoid additional fees, ideally link a card without these fees, if you have one. You can also check the Uber price then ask a taxi their price if they are near by. You will likely need to pay in pesos if you use the taxi. If you pay in USD the rate they give you won’t be good.
Jak ušetřit
Paying for things in Puerto Vallarta
If you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee that is the best way to pay. Not everywhere takes card. You should try and exchange some cash for pesos so you have it, but it’s your call how much you’ll need. The best rate will usually be an ATM at a bank. We usually use Intercam, Santander or ScotiaBank.
Místní doprava
Gay beach recommendations
Gay beach club guide: Mantamar Beach Club (there is usually cover, pricy drinks/food, but great chairs/cabanas and pool/hot tub with ocean views), Ritmos (unofficially refered to as Green Chairs, usually no cover, lots of chairs, cheaper drinks/food, tends to be busy), Blue Chairs and Sapphire (usually a bit less busy). All good options depending on what you are looking for.
Místní doprava
Gay Nightlight
Most gay nightclubs/bars are located on one street in Zona Romantica. The street is Lázaro Cárdenas. My favorites are Flamingos (good music, cheap drinks, only cash, indoor/outdoor setting, fun environment), La Noche (nice rooftop ideal for socializing with friends, gogo shows and drag performances), Industry (house music, great audio/visual, ideal for dancing, the large dance floor is in a separate room in the back not always open, sometimes has a high cover to get in), there are many more bars and entertainment options, something for everyone. Reach out if you would like more advice.
Místní doprava
Excursion ideas
There is so much to do in and around Puerto Vallarta! Here are a few ideas: book a boat trip to one of the fabulous beaches to the South; book a drive to Sayulita, San Francisco, Bucerias, or Punta Mita for a day at the beach and small town exploring; take a boat ride to see the outdoor show Rhythm of the Night; book a zip-lining or ATV excursion. If you’re staying in one of our Vacation Rentals, contact our concierge team who can help set up an excursion for you. Also, there are several vacation companies around town offering excursion packages including Vallarta Adventures, and others.