So what is the best way to spend a weekend in Puerta Vallarta? When I was 18, I came to Puerto Vallarta for the first time on my high school grad trip. We focused on cheap tequila, foam parties, and returning with the best tan. Back then, it felt like the edge of the world – loud, messy, and just grown-up enough to pretend we were adults. That was definitely not the best way to spend a weekend in Puerta Vallarta, LOL.
Now that I live in a sleepy little beach town in Nayarit, PV has become something totally different. It’s the big city fix an hour south. Where we come to run errands, grab a proper espresso, and handle all banking and residency needs. There are high end design stores and health clinics that remind you you’re not in rural Mexico anymore. And how can we forget – incredible restaurants, diverse people and art galleries that bring the variety and culture we all crave.
We will visit PV often over the next year sourcing materials for our house project, Casa Chico (more on that to come). This city is becoming a regular character in our lives, so we are leaning in to find all the good. We recently spent a magical long weekend here, so let’s unpack the best way to spend a weekend in Puerta Vallarta!
Zona Romántica
There’s something about the Zona Romántica in PV that feels alive in a way no other part of Vallarta does. You’ll also hear this area called Old Town or Viejo Vallarta. Everything here is walkable, from espresso to ceviche to rooftop cocktails. The streets are buzzing with energy day and night. A Mexican neighborhood with true pedestrian elements and a sense of safety while walking; that is a win. I love the cobblestone roads, the lush jungle hills rising in the background, and the way mature trees frame little pockets of calm. It’s cozy, vibrant, and bustling enough to keep things interesting.
*Pro Tip ~ high season in this region runs October to May. You can expect dry skies, warm days, cool-ish nights, perfect ocean temp and little humidity. Basically, perfect.
LGBTQ+
Did you know? Puerto Vallarta and more specifically the Zona Romántica has been a beloved LGBTQ+ destination since the 1980s. During this time artists, expats, and free spirits started settling in this neighborhood. What started as a quiet escape grew into one of the most vibrant queer communities in Latin America. Today, the city is home to gay beaches, drag shows, rooftop parties, and friendly nightlife. It’s not just tolerated here, it’s celebrated, with Pride events and rainbow crosswalks woven right into daily life.
Art Walk
Come during high season and catch the Art Walk on Wednesdays, when galleries stay open late and pour you wine as you browse. Even if you miss the official walk, these streets always have a buzz. Open studios, garden sculptures, and outdoor art will lure you along. You can find the Art Walk galleries online and pop in any time of year. Inside, expect a mix of price points, fresh faces, and established names. There’s something for every kind of collector (or curious wanderer). We ducked into a few galleries and chatted with passionate curators. This is what makes PV unique, it’s part city, part beach town, and part art enclave, depending on where you stand.
All of our faves listed below offer something unique and will get you in the right pockets for your art and home decor wanderings.
Galleries
• Galleria Dante – one of the largest and most eclectic galleries in Puerto Vallarta. They feature a lush courtyard and rooms packed floor-to-ceiling with paintings, sculpture, and mixed media. We love that somehow this place feels like a hidden gem, even though it’s massive.
• Unfinished Gallery – come for the funky art, stay for a spritz and chat with the charming owner. We loved hearing about how he personally remodeled the building and that all the metal work inside was done by him. A true artist supporting other artists. He is turning the upstairs into a vibe-y lounge, be on the lookout for that!
Home Decor
• Casa Oaxaca Art & Home Decor – any textile or Oaxacan art lovers in the house? This is your place for custom rugs, pottery, wall hanging, and pillow shams from the motherland. The beauty is they have strong ties to their artisans and you are directly supporting Oaxacan communities. Their customer service was top notch and they offer interior design services as well.
• Hacienda:HDA Gallery & Lounge – a design-forward concept store that is part gallery, part home decor. The space feels more like a curated home than a shop. We love their sculptural lighting, handmade furniture, and objects that toe the line between functional and artful. You know the lusty ceramics you eat and drink from at trendy Mexican restaurants? Buy those here!
Food and Drinks
After the art coma, you guessed it – it’s time for food and drinks! You can’t go wrong at these places during your weekend in Puerta Vallarta.
Food
• Le Bistro – this place feels old-school in the best way. Nestled by the river on Isla Cuale, Le Bistro nails the ambiance with amber lighting and live jazz. We enjoyed French-Mexican fusion dishes that were actually well-executed. My favorite was the moules-frites with a chipotle twist to the both and perfect martinis poured table side, yes please! Great for date night or an easy upscale group dinner.
• Joe Jack’s Fish Shack – touristy? Sure. But it’s a classic for a reason. Their rooftop is low-key perfect for sunset and their whole red snapper and crab louie tostadas are excellent. This is your safe bet when you want seafood and a crowd-pleaser.
• Casita & Garden – this dreamy little spot feels like a tucked-away garden party with seriously good tapas. Housed in a restored villa with garden lights and a lush courtyard, it’s the kind of place where you order a bottle of wine ‘just to start’ and suddenly two hours have passed. The menu is full of shareable Mediterranean-style bites, perfect if you need to pause on the Mexican food. If you are lucky they will have a DJ spinning.
Drinks
• Elixir Mixology Bar – this apothecary-style bar in the heart of Zona Romántica is mixing up playful potions. Elixir Bar leans into herbs, botanicals, and a little bit of woo – in the best way. The drinks have names like ‘Third Eye’ and ‘Lover’s Potion’ and the menu balances mezcal, gin, and housemade infusions. Perfect for a quirky first date or a post-dinner cocktail with a twist.
• Social Club PV – hidden gem alert, 🚨. This place is part dive bar, part speakeasy, with a killer playlist and friendly regulars. Think vinyl on the walls, local art, dim red lights, and bartenders who are happy to chat. It’s easy to settle in here, grooving to the live pianists and enjoying the salty popcorn they serve with their drinks. Delicious bar snacks are the way to my heart.
Trip in a Trip
Who doesn’t love a trip in a trip? If you really want to level up your weekend in Puerto Vallarta, head 20 minutes south and book a stay at Villa Lala Boutique Hotel – Adults Only. This hidden oasis in Boca de Tomatlán feels worlds away from the buzz of the city. Perched cliffside with lush jungle and ocean views, the suites are straight-up fantasy. They feature private plunge pools, infinity views, and jungle sounds at night. This is the slow, sexy, recharge part of your weekend. Also, we love anything with adults only in the name, haha.
There’s something wildly romantic about a place you can’t reach by road…
Everything south of the city limits gets wilder – cliffside, remote, and in many cases, boat-access only. From the Los Muertos Pier in Zona Romántica, you can hire pangas (local boats) to shuttle you to hidden beaches and dreamy hotels. If you have a car, stay in Mismaloya or Boca, then hop on a water taxi to places like Quimixto, Playa Caballo, Las Ánimas, Yelapa, and beyond. There’s something wildly romantic about a place you can’t reach by road. These little coves and villages don’t just feel remote, they feel untouched. No cars, no chaos, just the hum of the ocean and the thrill of arriving somewhere on the water.
Explore the Wild Southern Coastline
From here, you’re in the perfect spot to explore the wild southern coastline by boat. And trust us, this is where Vallarta really shows off. We booked a private panga for just the two of us, complete with cushy captain chairs and a solid shade structure. Total game changer compared to similar boats I’ve been on before, packed with people and wooden benches. *Pro tip ~ shop around, ask to see the boat before committing!
There are so many points of interest to explore via boat and stay the night if you are feeling the vibe. I recommend researching activities and restaurants and creating your own itinerary. Here are some highlights of the region:
Dine and Stay
• Xinalani Retreat – if you want to stay somewhere fab in the Quimixto area head here. Xinalani offers structured retreats or DIY wellness escapes, with beachside bungalows, healthy Mexican meals, and daily classes. They range from vinyasa, meditation, breathwork, sound healing, etc.
• Casitas Maraika– a luxe beach club and eco-hotel you can only reach by boat. Swing by for a day pass at Ánima, their vibey beach club. Expect ceviches, craft cocktails, and DJs spinning into sunset. Or stay overnight in breezy palapa-style suites and wake up to crashing waves and yoga on the deck. Check their calendar for wellness retreats and special events.
Activities
• Mismaloya & Los Arcos – head to the dramatic cliffs to Los Arcos Marine Park. Snorkel through arches and underwater caves packed with colorful fish. Mismaloya is tiny but lush town, with swimable waters and a fisherman charm (this is where The Night of the Iguana was filmed).
• Adventure Park Las Animas – a hidden jungle playground just behind the beach, only reachable by boat. Zipline through the trees, cross hanging bridges, and soak in sweeping ocean views before posting up on the sand. A total winner if you’ve got kids (or want to feel like one).
Villages
• Quimixto – this sleepy beach town with no cars is a whole lot of cute. Rent a horse or ATV or hike the jungle trail up to the Quimixto Waterfall. Reward yourself with a cold drink and swim in the fresh water. A 90 minute to 2 hours excursion via horse after the panga drops you at Quimixto beach.
• Yelapa – another boat-in only village farther south tucked into a crescent bay where the jungle meets the sea. Off grid in all the right ways. There are no cars, just winding footpaths, lazy donkeys, and beachfront palapas serving grilled fish and cold cervezas. You can hike to the waterfall, kayak, nap in a hammock, or just watch the tide roll in. Santuario Yelapa‘s dreamy yurts caught my eye, if you stay here during your weekend in Puerta Vallarta let us know how it goes!
The PV Takeaway
The PV takeaway – this city is full of surprises. Equal parts pretty and gritty, local and global, restful and electric. It’s one of those rare places that shapeshifts depending on what you need. A design-forward city break, a romantic beach escape, hikers paradise, or an artsy, walkable weekend with great food and people-watching. How many cities in the world can boast all that? And we didn’t even touch on the world class and extremely progressive medical scene.
I think trendy travelers come to this area and fall in love with Punta Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho (for good reasons) and PV gets discarded as chaos and somewhere to avoid. If you plan on spending more time in this region I recommend looking under the hood and becoming friendly with the big city. I’m stoked to be learning the lay of the land, the very unique driving situation 😱, and discovering new coastlines. As always, let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for us!
Besos,
Rach
PS ~ If you’ve already tackled Zona Romántica and want something a little more under the radar, head 15 minutes inland to Versalles. This up-and-coming neighborhood is full of indie coffee shops, buzzing restaurants, and cool-kid energy, without the crowds. It doesn’t have the ocean views or big resorts, but that’s the point. The Los Feliz of PV if you will.
PSS ~ If your San Pancho trip booked, check out our turn key guide here!