Everything You Need To Know About Traveling to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
History of Puerto Vallarta -
Puerto Vallarta was given that name in 1918, but was a town site before that time. The location itself can date back to mid-1800s. PV is located in west-central Mexico and is found along the Pacific Ocean. In the1920s, the population hit a surplus as banana plantations were introduced into the area. Now the destination is mainly supported by tourism. It is known for its beaches, fishing, night light, and water sports.
Where to Stay -
Through my various travels to Puerto Vallarta, I would not recommend any of the resorts I stayed at. Those locations include the Hilton Vallarta Riviera and the Hyatt Ziva.
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
I would recommend the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa. Although I haven't been to the one in PV, I've been to the one in Cabo and it is still my favorite Cabo resort. The Garza Blanca in Puerto Vallarta offers penthouses, ultra suites, a spa, 3 on-site gourmet dining options, a kids club, gym, tennis courts, hiking trails, heated pools, and much more. It is nestled against the water and has a private white sand beach for guests.
Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa
My second recommendation would be Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa. This resort includes a variety of suite options, dining, a spa, kids club, snorkeling, evening entertainment, dance classes, various pools, and more.
Where to Eat -
My favorite restaurant is in the heart of PV: L’Angolo di Napoli. This Italian inspired restaurant has a menu that includes pizza, pasta, and other Italian delicacies. You can reserve online by going to their website to plan a delicious evening in advance.
A few other highly reviewed restaurants include:
The Blue Shrimp - They serve a wide variety of seafood options and the atmosphere is very fun and coastal!
Barcelona Tapas - The location overlooks the water and the environment is more on the high-end side. They serve Spanish inspired meals, where you can order paella, a wide variety of wine, and high acclaimed desserts!
La Palapa Restaurant - The word used to describe this restaurant is elegant. They have a stunning view of the water and coast, live music, and even a beach club.
What To Do -
The coolest experience was taking the boat on a day trip over to a private beach called Las Caletas Beach! Las Caletas Beach is a magical private beach, specially designed for full relaxation. Famous movie director John Huston used this place as a home back in the day.
Vallarta Adventure Tours hosts the access to this beach; tours begin at 9:00 a.m. and go until 4:00 p.m. All it take is a 1-hour boat ride to reach the island. Once you’re there, be ready to jump into the water and scuba dive, snorkel, or paddle board. Drinks and meals are included on the tour. Children are sure to have lots of fun in the shallow waters, and for the adults, there is a private section with hammocks by the sea and a spa at the top of a cliff.
My Puerto Vallarta Experience
My first time to Mexico was at the age of 21 and it was to Puerto Vallarta. I had won an incentive trip for my college internship, selling educational books door to door. Although PV is not my favorite location in Mexico, it does hold a special place in my heart as it was my first Mexico trip and it was also where I met my now husband 9 years ago.
We wanted to break down the pros and cons of visiting Puerto Vallarta so you can decide for yourself if the trip is best for you!
Pros of PV -
- Old city charm with brick roads, awesome murals, and great clubs
- It's less modern, so the environment is filled with established greenery and old school vibes
- The people there are super nice and very inviting
- The scene is great for 18-25 year olds that are looking for the bar and club atmosphere
- The location is much less expensive than other destinations in Mexico
Cons of PV -
- Not great beaches - you will find more beaches with brown, rocky sand
- Not the best water and coastline
- Hotels are still not as modern or commercialized, so you can run into bug or pest issues
- Not really a high-end experience - if you are wanting luxury, PV is not the best location
- The food isn't anything amazing - there aren't as many nice off-resort restaurants
- Less shopping than you can expect from Cancun, Tulum, or Cabo
