Highlights: A wide variety of unique beaches (all beaches in Mexico are public by law) & daily activities. Downtown culture and a walk-able Malecon (seawall) with nightly sunsets and activities. Full range of lodging options from the simplest hotels to high-end resorts. Every type of restaurant option, plus some. Craft beer scene with an abundance of Jalisco Tequila & Raicilla. A storied history with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton - Casa Kimberly. LGBTIQA+ friendly. Beyond Puerto Vallarta: Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias & La Cruz offer a wide range of options and vacation experiences. There is something for everyone. Images. YouTube.

Location: Central West coast located on a huge bay (Bahía de Banderas). Our GEM map: Google Maps - Web-based map. How to use the map. Puerto Vallarta - Wiki page.

When to visit: weather guide. Winter & spring season (November - April) is high season with clear sunny days and pleasant evenings. Rainy season is June - October when it’s hot and humid. Hurricanes rarely enter into the bay, but do produce heavy rains. Christmas season and Spring Break (March & April) are busy times. Best months to visit = January & February. Puerto Vallarta is busy year round with travel deals in the summer.

How to get to: Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) has direct flights from major hubs. Go Experience Mexico - air travel guide.

Check flights: Booking.com

Lodging transfers: Viator - Get Your Guide.

Airport taxis are available at the terminal. If you leave the airport to the left, there is a local bus stop at the highway for south-bound buses to Puerto Vallarta centro. If you cross the bridge over the highway, you can pickup local buses going north-bound (Bucerias, Sayulita etc) or pickup cheaper local taxis or Uber/Didi. It’s a 5 minute walk, but there are steps.

Local buses are very extensive in the bay, safe and used by everyone. Consult the GEM map icons for details. Buses run every 20 +/- minutes. Visit Vallarta bus guide - Vallarta Lifestyles - Rutas Vallarta. Google Maps shows all the bus stops with the route numbers.

Cell service in Puerto Vallarta: use your lodging WiFi or read our communications page. Telcel store is listed on the GEM map.

Money $: USD cash is accepted in some tourist places, but you can buy more with pesos. Credit cards are accepted in many places. Our Money $ guide.

>>> Save time! Click here for our organized 9 page restaurant guide. 4.5+ star rated restaurants. Find new places you might have missed otherwise. Eat where the locals know to eat. <<<

Puerto Vallarta / Marina Vallarta / Nuevo Vallarta Lodging: Booking.com - Puerto Vallarta search. Go Experience Mexico - lodging guide.

• Our recomendations

• Hostel - Los Muertos Hostal

• Budget Hotel - Hotel Rosita

• Mid-price Hotel - Tropicana Hotel

• Mid-price Hotel - Hotel Posada de Roger

• Mid-price Hotel - Hotel Rio Malecon

• Mid-priced Hotel - Vallarta Shores

• Apartment - Cárdenas Suites

• Apartment - La Iguana Vallarta LGBT

• Apartment - Maxwell Residences

• Boutique Hotel - Hotel Boutique Rivera Del Rio

• Boutique Hotel - Vallarta Shores Beach Hotel

• Boutique Hotel - BellView Hotel Boutique

• Boutique Hotel - Casa Nicole Boutique Hotel

• Boutique Hotel - Casa Kimberly Boutique Hotel

• Hacienda - Hacienda San Angel

• Adults only Hotel - Hotel Amaca

• Adults only Hotel - Casa Maria

• Adults only Hotel - Hotel Amaca

• Adults only Hotel - La Iguana Vallarta LGBT

• Adults only Hotel - Hotel Mercurio - Gay Friendly

• Resort - Sheraton Buganvilias

• Resort - Marriott Puerto Vallarta

• Resort - Paradise Village

• Resort - Villa Del Palmar Flamingos

• Resort - Hyatt Ziva

• All-inclusive - Friendly Fun Vallarta

• All-inclusive - Fiesta Americana

• All-inclusive - Occidental Nuevo Vallarta

• All-inclusive - Riu Jalisco

• All-inclusive - Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta

• All-inclusive - Grand Velas

Bucerias & La Cruz Lodging: Booking.com search. Go Experience Mexico - lodging guide.

• Our recommendations

• Hostel - Hostal Bucerias

• Hostel - The Octopus's Garden

• Hotel - Aventura Pacifico

• Hotel - Villa Cobojo

• Hotel - La Cruz Inn

• Villa Hotel - Quinta del Encanto

• Luxury Hotel - Hotel Ysuri

• Boutique Hotel - Refugio del Mar

• Bed & Breakfast - Casa Villa Magnolia

• Bed & Breakfast - Delfin B&B

• Apartment - Banderas Suites

• Apartment - Unelma Bungalows

• Apartment - Bucerias Beach House

Restaurant Dining Guide:

Puerto Vallarta (Old Town & Zona Romantica), Bucerias, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, Hotel Zone, Versalles, and south of Puerto Vallarta dining Guide.

Apple users: requires Google Maps

>>> Save time! Click here for our organized 9 page restaurant guide. 4.5+ star rated restaurants. Find new places you might have missed otherwise. Eat where the locals know to eat. <<<

What to do: View the GEM map - how to use the map.

Beach and pool time - Walk the Malecon in the evening for the sunset - Visit different beaches & towns in the bay - Take a tour - Visit San Sebastian del Oeste, (tours) - Take the bus to Mismaloya beach and Boca (for a coastal hike) - Hike Mirador el Cerro de la Cruz for the sunset - Boat trip to Yelapa from Los Muertos Pier, (tours) - Sailing tours - Visit Isla Marietas, (tours) - Sample some Raicilla & Craft Beer - Visit different markets (mercados) - Enjoy the varied restaurants - Street Taco tour - Shopping on Isla Cuale walkway - ARTE Zona Romantica - Visit the Botanic Garden (Blue ACP bus stop) - Hiking tours - Hike Monkey Mountain, (tour) - Explore waterfalls, (tour) - Surfing - Surf lessons - Ziplines - ATV jungle tours - Hop on & off Bus

• Tour list: Viator - Get Your Guide

Downsides: Summer & Fall heat and humidity. Book a room next to the ocean and with A/C. Top Mexican destination and crowds. Crowded airport at times (arrive early). Red tides in the spring before the rains.

We love Puerto Vallarta and hopefully you will too!

Thanks, Bill