Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta (Best Areas & Places)

6 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is longer than it is wide. The city hugs a north-to-south strip between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Coast.

That means many places have great mountain or beach views, and pretty much every part of the city is close to a beach. Of course, some areas are better than others, so let’s rank the best areas to stay in, starting with the obvious choice: 

Zona Romantica (The Romantic Zone)

👉 My Favorite Area | ✨ Best Romantic Zone Hotels: Vallarta Shores • Hotel Posada De Roger • Joint Boutique Hotel Casa Maria Hotel Boutique

When my partner Clara and I visit Puerto Vallarta, we usually try to stay in Zona Romantica (aka the Romantic Zone or Old Town Puerto Vallarta). 

Zona Romantica is the most walkable area of Puerto Vallarta and is home to many of Puerto Vallarta’s best restaurants, bars, and top things to do. It is also the center of Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ scene, and popular with LGBTQ travelers.

A great hotel here (if you can snag availability) is the beachside Vallarta Shores. It’s a lovely boutique, so popular that many guests come back year after year. If that’s booked out (it often is), check out the nearby Hotel Posada De Roger.

For an affordable but central stay, consider Joint Boutique Hotel. The rooms aren’t particularly special, but it’s clean, safe, and very centrally located. For the price, you won’t find a better value. 

To me, Zona Romantica feels like a mini town within Puerto Vallarta. It’s fairly compact, but it packs so much into that space that many travelers who stay here barely leave the neighborhood. 

The Old Town / Romantic Zone area is also home to the popular Los Muertos beach. But staying here means it is also easy to get to the less crowded and more tropical southern beaches like Mismaloya or Yelapa. 

Zona Romantica also connects to the Malecón, Puerto Vallarta’s beachfront boardwalk that extends into the neighboring Centro Puerto Vallarta area.

Pros of Staying in Zona Romantica:

• Most walkable part of Puerto Vallarta
• Home to fantastic restaurants and bars
• Easy to get to the southern beaches
• Tons of boutique hotels around Old Town / Romantic Zone
• Very safe area 

Cons of Staying in Zona Romantica:

• Some parts of the Old Town area can be loud at night
• You have to cross the city to get to Puerto Vallarta International Airport
• You may have to walk up and down the hills a bit, depending on where you’re staying in Old Town
• No large supermarkets

Centro / 5 de Diciembre (“Downtown Puerto Vallarta”)

👉 Best Area For Central Location | ✨ Best Downtown Hotels: The Paramar Beachfront Boutique • Casa Victoria Malecón – Adults Only • Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel

Centro and 5 de Diciembre are technically two different neighborhoods, but together they essentially comprise Puerto Vallarta’s main downtown area. 

This is the most central area of Puerto Vallarta and where you’ll find the city’s Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and iconic landmarks like the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Malecón boardwalk.

Puerto Vallarta can be very touristy and foreigner-dominated, but this is one area where there is a bit more of a mix of Mexican tourists, locals, and foreigners. If you want to stay away from the big resorts, this is the place. 

My top overall pick, The Paramar Beachfront Boutique, is located here. It’s right on the boardwalk, so you can walk all the way to the Romantic Zone quite safely. For an adults-only experience, check out Casa Victoria Malecón or Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel.

Pros of Staying in Centro or 5 de Diciembre :

• Central, with easy access to the Malecón boardwalk
• More affordable accommodation options
• A slightly more authentic Mexican vibe than other popular parts of Puerto Vallarta

Cons of Staying in Centro or 5 de Diciembre:

• Parts of these neighborhoods can be a bit lively, and thus loud
• Relatively few beaches (instead there is a boardwalk)

Marina Vallarta

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Marina Vallarta Hotels: Westin Resort & Spa • Marriott Resort & Spa • Holiday Inn & Suites Marina & Golf

Located on the north side of Puerto Vallarta, Marina Vallarta is a developed area of beach resorts, hotels, and condos surrounding the Puerto Vallarta Marina. The Marina itself is a worthy attraction, and is worth a visit for a stroll even if you choose to stay elsewhere.

Marina Vallarta is also very close to the airport, which makes it easy to get in and out of town if you only have a short time in Puerto Vallarta. It’s also home to the city’s best golf course. Plus it’s a very quiet and safe area. The downside is that the area isn’t the most lively (apart from the Marina itself), and it is filled with tourists.

Overall, I would recommend staying in the Marina area if you’re traveling with children or if you’re looking for a beach resort experience. The Westin in particular has a truly fantastic pool that is worthy of a trip in and of itself. 

Pros of Staying in Marina Vallarta:

• Home to many of Puerto Vallarta’s top resorts (including my favorite, The Westin Resort, which has an unbelievable outdoor swimming pool) 
• The Marina is fantastic for taking an evening stroll or grabbing a bite
• Very close to the Puerto Vallarta airport
• The Marina is one of the safest areas of Puerto Vallarta

Cons of Staying in Marina Vallarta:

• A fairly touristy area so does not offer the most authentic Mexican experience
• Not the city’s best beaches (and you have to watch out for crocodiles!)
• Located far from the (better) southern beaches

Zona Hotelera (the Hotel Zone)

👉 Best Area For Beach Resorts & All Inclusives | ✨ Best Zona Hotelera Hotels: Hotel Mio Vallarta • Krystal Grand Puerto Vallarta – All Inclusive • Fiesta Inn Puerto Vallarta Isla • City Express Plus by Marriott

Puerto Vallarta’s largest concentration of hotels can be found in the aptly named Hotel Zone. This area is a narrow strip that runs between the main road and the beach between downtown and the Marina. 

If you’re looking for an adults-only property in the mid-range price point, I highly recommend the fantastic rooftop at the Hotel Mio Vallarta.

Apart from two shopping malls (Galerias Vallarta Shopping Mall and the La Isla Shopping Center), there is not much here except a ton of beaches and a ton of beach hotels. If you do prioritize access to a shopping mall, the Fiesta Inn Puerto Vallarta Isla is connected to one. I stayed here and appreciated the value-for-money that it offers.

Pros of Staying in the Hotel Zone:

• Easy access to some of the best and largest stretches of beach in Puerto Vallarta
• Lots of all-inclusive hotels to choose from
• Very centrally located, so easy to get around

Cons of Staying in the Hotel Zone:

• It’s a fairly empty (in my opinion, boring) area, so be sure to pick a good hotel
• This area gets bombarded with day trippers from cruise ships during port days

Conchas Chinas

👉 Best Area For Romantic Getaways | ✨ Best Conchas Chinas Hotels: Patio Azul Hotelito Boutique • Mondavi Wellness Resort & Spa • Grand Miramar Suites

For a romantic getaway or for a peaceful and relaxing retreat, I’d suggest the exclusive Conchas Chinas area.

Located around a mountain bend just south of Zona Romantica, this hillside neighborhood offers some of the most fantastic views over Banderas Bay. If you’re visiting during whale watching season and squint, you can probably even see a whale from your hotel room’s private balcony or rooftop terrace!

If you like art and design, stay in my favorite boutique hotel: Patio Azul Hotelito. Or if you want more space and a suite, check out the fantastic but affordable Mondavi Wellness Resort. I stayed in both and loved them.

It’s important to understand that Conchas Chinas is geographically separated from the rest of Puerto Vallarta by the hills. This makes it quiet, serene, and peaceful. But it also means it’s not the liveliest area, and you do have to contend with steep inclines on most of the streets. Still, for a romantic getaway, this is the place to be. 

Pros of Staying in Conchas Chinas:

• Incredible views over Banderas Bay
• Very quiet, safe, and secluded
• Conchas Chinas is a hidden beach that is rarely crowded

Cons of Staying in Conchas Chinas:

• It’s very hilly so you need Ubers or need to hike
• Very few restaurants, no bars, and only one convenience store 

Puerto Vallarta’s South Zone & Southern Beaches

👉 Best Area For Beach Getaways | ✨ Best Southern Beach Hotels: Hyatt Ziva • Garza Blanca Preserve Resort • Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort • Barceló (Mismaloya)

Want to know a secret about Puerto Vallarta? The best beaches are not actually within the city limits: they are actually dotted along the southern coastline where the lush Sierra Madre Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. 

Puerto Vallarta’s south zone includes secluded beach areas like Mismaloya, Playa Palmares, and Boca de Tomatlan. Further south via water taxi from Boca de Tomatlan, you can find even more secluded tropical beach towns like Yelapa, home to a stunning golden sand beach.

Most beaches are located in bays or coves against the dramatic setting of the mountains, and the lush ambiance reminds me a lot of Southeast Asia. You can find many all-inclusive resorts and luxury hotels in Puerto Vallarta here. My overall top hotel in Puerto Vallarta, the fantastic Hyatt Ziva, even has its own private cove!

Just realize that Ubers and taxis to Puerto Vallarta can be scarce at night, so the South Zone is really a place to stay only if you don’t plan to leave your all-inclusive resort or if you are renting a car (use Discover Cars to find the best deals). 

Pros of Staying in Puerto Vallarta’s South Zone Beaches:

• Some of the most beautiful golden sand beaches in Mexico
• Fantastic all-inclusive resorts, many with a private beach
• Quiet, peaceful, and secluded  

Cons of Staying in Puerto Vallarta’s South Zone Beaches:

• It’s 20-40 minutes from central Puerto Vallarta, along a winding mountain road, so you need a car or taxis to get around
• Very few restaurants or conveniences outside of the resorts

Tips for Staying in Puerto Vallarta

Summers Are Hot and Muggy

The first time I visited Puerto Vallarta was during June and July, and I honestly had a rough introduction to the city because it was just so incredibly hot and muggy. During the summer, Puerto Vallarta gets a ton of rain. While it’s fortunately usually not the kind of rain that runs all day, when it rains, it really pours – so much so that the streets often flood. For this reason, I would try to avoid visiting this part of Mexico during the summer.

The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta for good weather is generally between November and May, when it is sunny and dry. Just note that December through March is the high season, so prices are higher during this time.

👉 Read Next: My Best Tips for Travel to Mexico

Come for Whale Watching Season

High season in Puerto Vallarta coincides with whale watching season. Banderas Bay absolutely fills up with humpback whales from mid-December to early March.

The best way to see the whales is via a boat tour, such as this whale-watching tour that is guided by a biologist. Just be sure to book in advance, as this is a popular activity.

If you come during this period, you’re more or less guaranteed to see a whale. You are also likely to see dolphins on your cruise and, if you’re lucky, maybe even manta rays or sea turtles.

Fireworks Are a Nightly Event in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta absolutely loves fireworks. Coming for New Year’s to see Banderas Bay lit up from end to end is an absolute spectacle. But, no matter when you visit Puerto Vallarta, you’re likely to catch a few fireworks in the evenings.

Many of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta – such as my favorite, The Westin Resort & Spa – put on nightly fireworks shows you can catch from almost anywhere with a view over the bay.

The InDriver App Works Better Than Uber

Uber does work in Puerto Vallarta, but often wait times can start to get a little excessive. Most locals and local drivers prefer another app called InDriver.

It works pretty similarly to Uber, but the key thing to know is that you have to pay in cash (and the drivers usually don’t have change). I usually find that InDriver has way more cars available in Puerto Vallarta than Uber.

Power Outages Are Common in Puerto Vallarta

Power outages are a reality of life in Puerto Vallarta. Particularly during the summer, many areas of Puerto Vallarta experience near-nightly power outages (usually during summer storms). 

If you’re staying in a luxury resort or a luxury hotel, they may have a backup generator. Otherwise, you’ll just need to come prepared to wait it out (in my experience, they last anywhere from a few minutes to all night long).

It helps to have a backup power bank for your electronics, which is why it’s one of the essentials on our Mexico packing checklist.

Get a Place With a Great View

One of the best things about Puerto Vallarta is that the topography of the Sierra Madre Mountains plunging into the Pacific Ocean means that many hotels offer incredible ocean views. 

Check out my guide to the best Puerto Vallarta hotels for inspiration. 

If you want to book some of my favorite hotels in Puerto Vallarta with great views, check out Patio Azul Hotelito Boutique or Mondavi in Conchas Chinas. 

Book Early if Visiting Puerto Vallarta During a Holiday

Puerto Vallarta is a very popular destination during the holiday season, especially for New Year’s. It also has surges of traffic during Spring Break and around American Thanksgiving. If visiting during these times, be sure to book your Puerto Vallarta hotel well in advance. 

Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to find Puerto Vallarta hotels that offer free cancellation. Just try a search of Booking’s top hotels in Puerto Vallarta.

You Can’t Go Wrong Staying in the Romantic Zone

If you’ve made it this far in the guide to the best places in Puerto Vallarta, then you may be the indecisive type. If that’s you, my advice is to just search hotels in the Romantic Zone and leave it at that.

Unless you want an all-inclusive resort, the Romantic Zone really is the most central and best overall area. I think you can’t go wrong!

👉 Read Next: Best Places to Stay in Mexico City

FAQs about Puerto Vallarta Hotels

Where do celebs stay in Puerto Vallarta?

Many celebrities have been seen staying at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta. Celebs have also been spotted in Punta Mita, a coastal town an hour north of Puerto Vallarta along the Riviera Nayarit. 

Where is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay?

The safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in is the Romantic Zone or Marina Vallarta. Both are very tourist-friendly, with the Romantic Zone catering more to couples and younger travelers, and Marina Vallarta catering more to families and groups.

Is it safe to walk around Puerto Vallarta at night?

In general, it is safe to walk around Puerto Vallarta at night, as long as you are sticking to the main tourist neighborhoods located within a kilometer of the beach. Puerto Vallarta is generally very safe for travel and is often cited as one of the safest destinations in Mexico.

Where should you AVOID staying in Puerto Vallarta?

Avoid staying outside of the areas listed in this guide, and particularly anywhere too far inland. As a general rule, the neighborhoods that hug the coastline in Puerto Vallarta tend to be safer and more tourist-friendly, while it can be a bit of a mixed bag as you move inland towards the mountains.

How many days do you need in Puerto Vallarta?

To truly experience the best Puerto Vallarta has to offer, you need to spend at least 3 days and nights in Puerto Vallarta. However, there is a lot to do, and many travelers choose to stay for a week or even a month or more.

***

Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Keep planning with Clara’s guide to the best stuff to do in Puerto Vallarta.