Puerto Vallarta
Updated October 19, 2026
Also known as: Vallarta, PV, Las Peñas
Main Landmarks in Puerto Vallarta
History
The area around Banderas Bay, on Mexico's Pacific coast, was home to Indigenous peoples long before the Spanish arrived, and archaeological finds show settlements dating back more than 2,000 years. The bay is said to have been named Bahía de Banderas, Bay of Flags, after an encounter in 1525 between the Spanish captain Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura and Indigenous warriors carrying feathered banners. For centuries, the coast saw only occasional visits from Spanish galleons and pirates. In 1851 Guadalupe Sánchez Torres founded a settlement called Las Peñas at the mouth of the Cuale River, supplying salt to mining towns in the mountains. In 1918 it became a municipality and was renamed Puerto Vallarta in honour of Ignacio Vallarta, a governor of Jalisco. The town remained a quiet fishing village until 1963, when the director John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana nearby, with Richard Burton and Ava Gardner. Burton's romance with Elizabeth Taylor, who accompanied him, drew international press attention. An airport and roads followed, and Puerto Vallarta grew into a major resort. Today about 290,000 people live in the municipality.
Culture
Puerto Vallarta combines the charm of a traditional Mexican town with the amenities of an international resort. Its old town, the Zona Romántica and Centro, has cobbled streets, white-walled houses with red-tiled roofs and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its distinctive crown. The Malecón, a seafront promenade, is lined with bronze sculptures, restaurants and bars, and is the social centre of the city. Puerto Vallarta is known as one of the most welcoming destinations in Latin America for LGBTQ+ travellers, with a lively scene in the Zona Romántica. The city has a strong art tradition, with many galleries and a weekly Art Walk on Wednesday evenings during the high season. Huichol, or Wixárika, artisans from the Sierra Madre sell colourful beadwork and yarn paintings. Food ranges from beach stalls selling fish on a stick to fine dining, and the city holds an annual gourmet festival. Festivals include the celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe in December, with daily processions. Many North American retirees and residents spend winters here, adding to the international atmosphere.
Climate
Spring
18–31°C
March to May is warm, sunny and dry, with 28–31°C days and comfortable nights, and the sea is calm and clear for snorkel…
Summer
24–34°C
June to September is hot, humid and rainy, with 32–34°C days and strong evening thunderstorms. The jungle turns lush and…
Autumn
21–32°C
October and November bring decreasing rain and pleasant 30–32°C days. It is a good time for sea turtle releases, and the…
Winter
16–29°C
December to February is the high season, with dry, sunny 27–29°C days and cool evenings. Humpback whales arrive in the b…
Fun Facts
A film made the town famous
In 1963, the director John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana in Mismaloya, just south of Puerto Vallarta, starring R…
One of the largest bays in Mexico
Banderas Bay, on which Puerto Vallarta sits, is one of the largest bays in Mexico, with about 100 km of coastline. It is…
Humpback whales give birth in the bay
Every year, from about December to March, humpback whales migrate thousands of kilometres from the cold waters of Alaska…
A church with a crown
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the centre of Puerto Vallarta, built between 1918 and 1951, is topped by a large …
Sculptures line the Malecón
The Malecón, Puerto Vallarta's seafront promenade, about 1 km long, is an open-air sculpture gallery, with more than a d…
Islands formed by arches of rock
Los Arcos, a group of granite rock islands rising from the sea south of Puerto Vallarta, are famous for their natural ar…
Local Cuisine in Puerto Vallarta
Practical Travel Information
Transport & Accessibility
International Transport
Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz (PVR), about 7 km north of the centre, has direct flights to many cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and some European destinations in the high season. Long-distance buses connect Puerto Vallarta with Guadalajara in about 5 hours, as well as Mexico City and other destinations. A new highway between Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta has reduced travel time. Cruise ships dock at the port near the Marina, bringing many visitors during the high season.
Local Transport
Local buses run frequently along the main road, connecting the airport, the Hotel Zone, the Marina, the centre and the Zona Romántica, for about 10–15 pesos per ride. Taxis are common and do not use meters, so agree on the fare before departure. Uber is available. Water taxis from Los Muertos Pier and Boca de Tomatlán reach beaches and villages only accessible by sea, such as Yelapa, Las Ánimas and Quimixto. The centre and Zona Romántica are walkable, though the hills can be steep.
Safety & Health
Personal Safety
Puerto Vallarta is generally considered one of the safer tourist destinations in Mexico. Petty theft can occur on beaches and in crowded areas, so keep valuables secure and use hotel safes. Use authorised taxis or Uber, especially at night, and agree on taxi fares in advance. Be careful with drinks in bars and clubs. Swim at beaches with lifeguards, follow flag warnings and be aware of strong currents at some beaches. Timeshare sellers can be persistent; politely decline. In an emergency, call 911.
Medical Services
Puerto Vallarta has good private hospitals, such as Hospital CMQ, Hospital San Javier and Amerimed, with English-speaking doctors and international standards. Travel insurance with medical cover is recommended. Pharmacies are common, and many are open 24 hours. Drink bottled water, which is widely available. Protect yourself from the strong sun with sunscreen and stay hydrated. Use insect repellent, as mosquitoes can carry dengue, especially in the rainy season. Be careful with seafood from street stalls if you have a sensitive stomach.
Budget & Costs
Travel Costs
Puerto Vallarta offers options for most budgets. A hostel bed costs about 350–600 pesos, a mid-range hotel 1,500–3,000 pesos and an all-inclusive resort from 5,000 pesos per night. A taco costs about 25–50 pesos, a seafood meal on the beach 250–500 pesos and dinner at a top restaurant 800–1,500 pesos per person. A bus ride costs 10–15 pesos, a water taxi to Yelapa 300–500 pesos return, a Los Arcos snorkel tour 1,000–2,500 pesos and a whale-watching tour 1,200–2,500 pesos. A mid-range traveller should budget about 2,000–3,500 pesos per day.
Budget Tips
Stay in the Zona Romántica or the centre, where hotels and restaurants are cheaper than in the resort areas. Use local buses, which are cheap and frequent. Eat at taquerías and beach stalls, and try fish on a stick on Playa Los Muertos. Take water taxis instead of organised boat tours to reach Yelapa and other beaches. Enjoy free activities such as the Malecón, sunsets and the Wednesday Art Walk. Visit in the shoulder season, from May to June or November, for lower prices.
Culture & Traditions
Social Norms
Puerto Vallarta is relaxed, friendly and international, and English is widely spoken in tourist areas. Greet with hola or buenos días, and thank with gracias. Beachwear is fine on beaches, but cover up in restaurants, shops and churches. Tipping of 10–15% is customary in restaurants, and small tips are appreciated by guides, drivers and hotel staff. The city is known for its open and welcoming attitude towards LGBTQ+ travellers. Respect the environment by not touching coral or disturbing wildlife. A few words of the local language are always appreciated.
Cultural Activities
Join the Wednesday evening Art Walk in the high season, visiting galleries in the centre. Watch the processions of the Virgin of Guadalupe festival in December. See the Papantla flyers perform on the Malecón. Buy Huichol beadwork and yarn paintings from Wixárika artisans. Take a cooking class to learn Mexican dishes. Visit the farmers' market in Lázaro Cárdenas Park. Attend the Festival Gourmet International in November. Explore the mountain towns of San Sebastián del Oeste and Mascota. Check local listings for free events during your stay.
Unique Experiences in Puerto Vallarta
Watch humpback whales breaching, tail slapping and caring for their calves in Banderas Bay from December to March, on regulated whale-watching tours from the city or La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Tours cost about 1,200–2,500 pesos. Choose a small-boat operator for a closer, quieter experience.
Take a water taxi to Yelapa, a village reachable only by boat, relax on the beach, hike to waterfalls and eat homemade pie sold on the sand. Water taxis cost about 300–500 pesos return. Stay overnight for a quiet evening without cars or crowds.
Swim through a tunnel to reach the Hidden Beach, Playa del Amor, on the Islas Marietas, inside a crater open to the sky, on a tour with permits. Tours cost about 1,500–3,500 pesos. Book with authorised operators, and check access, which is limited to protect the site.
Watch the sunset from the Malecón, strolling among bronze sculptures as street performers entertain and the sky turns orange over Banderas Bay. It is free. Stay for dinner at a restaurant with sea views, and book a table in the high season.
Release baby sea turtles into the ocean with a local conservation programme from about July to December, when hatchlings emerge on the beaches. Some programmes ask for small donations. Follow the guides' instructions, and avoid touching the turtles with sunscreen on your hands.
Travel Recommendations for Puerto Vallarta
Stay in the Zona Romántica for a walkable base with restaurants, nightlife and beach access, or in Nuevo Vallarta for al…
Take a boat trip to the islands and beaches of Banderas Bay, such as Los Arcos, the Islas Marietas, Yelapa and Las Ánima…
Visit from December to March for humpback whale watching, one of the highlights of Puerto Vallarta. Book tours with resp…
Explore beyond the city by visiting Sayulita, San Pancho and the mountain towns of San Sebastián del Oeste and Mascota, …
Politely decline timeshare presentations, which are common at the airport and in tourist areas, often disguised as free …