Puerto Vallarta began as a quiet fishing village on Bahía de Banderas and bloomed into a beloved Pacific escape after the 1963 filming of The Night of the Iguana in Mismaloya. Today, its historic center and cobblestoned Zona Romántica spill onto golden beaches, with the Malecón boardwalk serving as an open-air gallery of bronze sculptures and sunset theater.

Beyond the shoreline, jungle-clad Sierra Madre foothills hide rivers, swinging bridges, and ranches, while offshore marine parks protect arches, islets, and technicolor reefs. The city’s culinary scene is a destination in itself—think beachside ceviche, taco al pastor at midnight, and refined tasting menus that showcase Jalisco’s terroir.

Practical notes: Hurricane season runs June–November; winter brings whales and crisp sunsets. Carry pesos for markets and beach vendors, and use reputable taxis or ride-hailing. Drink purified water, use reef-safe sunscreen, and respect currents and marine life. For flights to PVR (Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International), search on Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Puerto Vallarta

Old Town’s red-tiled roofs and the crown-topped Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe anchor a walkable historic core. The Malecón unfurls ocean views by day and a carnival of street art, music, and families by night. South along the coast, jungle coves like Conchas Chinas and Mismaloya frame the Los Arcos Marine Park; north, Marina Vallarta mixes yachts, brunch, and beach paths.

Top sights and activities include: the Malecón and Los Muertos Pier at sunset; gallery-hopping and Wednesday evening Art Walk (in season); snorkeling or sailing to Marietas Islands; ATVing to the record-long Jorullo suspension bridge; sea turtle releases in season; and a candlelit jungle show accessible only by boat.

• Where to stay: For walkability and nightlife, base in Zona Romántica or Centro. For quieter beaches, look at Conchas Chinas. For families and golfers, Marina Vallarta is convenient. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• How to get there: Fly into PVR; Old Town is ~25–40 minutes by Uber/taxi (about 200–350 MXN). Search flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Malecón Magic, and Beachy Bites

Afternoon: Touch down at PVR and ride 25–40 minutes to your hotel or VRBO. Drop your bags and stretch your legs along the Malecón—snap the “Boy on the Seahorse,” peek into the Los Arcos amphitheater, and browse Huichol beadwork at stalls on Isla Cuale. For a pick-me-up, grab an iced latte and banana bread at A Page in the Sun or a cold agua fresca from a street stand.

Evening: Ease into the trip with a barefoot dinner. Choose El Barracuda for grilled octopus, shrimp tacos, and toes-in-the-sand seating, or La Palapa for coconut shrimp and catch of the day with tiki torches and live music. Cap the night with craft cocktails at Bar La Playa (try a passionfruit mezcalita) or a mango IPA at Monzón Brewing in Zona Romántica.

Where to sleep: Compare rates and map neighborhoods on Hotels.com or find a beachfront condo via VRBO.

Day 2: Old Town Icons and a Prize-Winning Food Tour

Morning: Breakfast at Miscelánea Café—order the chilaquiles verdes with a flat white—or Coco’s Kitchen for eggs Benedict under the bougainvillea. Walk to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (note the filigreed crown), then wander Mercado Municipal Río Cuale for spices, woven bags, and hand-painted ceramics.

Afternoon: Taste the city bite-by-bite on the acclaimed downtown food walk:

Winner 2025 Downtown Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours — 3.5 hours of tacos, birria, ceviche, and sweet stops while your local guide decodes recipes and history (typically ~$60–75 USD). Expect 8–10 tastings and minimal walking between spots.

Evening: Watch sunset halo the sailboats from Los Muertos Pier. For dinner, book Café des Artistes for a multi-course ode to Mexican flavors (go early for the garden courtyard), or choose Gaby’s for mole poblano and tableside guacamole. Nightcap at El Colibrí—house infusions and herbaceous mezcal cocktails in a moody courtyard.

Day 3: All-Inclusive Cruise to Marietas Islands National Park

Full-day: Sail across Bahía de Banderas to a protected wildlife sanctuary on this all-ages favorite:

Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour — Snorkel among reef fish, spot blue-footed boobies, kayak or paddleboard off the boat, and enjoy lunch with open bar (usually ~$110–140 USD). The Hidden Beach requires a special-permit tour and calm seas; if that’s a must, inquire in advance for a permit day.

Tip: Bring a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, and a dry bag. Motion-sickness tablets help on choppy crossings.

Day 4: Beach Time, Galleries, and a Candlelit Jungle Spectacular

Morning: Swim early at Conchas Chinas, a cove-y stretch with tide pools and clear mornings. Brunch afterward at The Green Place (vegetarian bowls, smoothies) or Vallarta Bagel for a proper lox bagel.

Afternoon: Gallery-hop in Centro—peek into contemporary spaces along Leona Vicario and Juárez, then stroll the Malecón bronze collection. If you’re here in high season (Oct–May), the Wednesday evening Art Walk adds openings and wine pours.

Evening: Board a sunset boat to a torchlit cove for dinner and a world-class show:

Rhythms of the night, sunset cruise, open bar & oceanfront dinner — Sail at golden hour, feast on a gourmet buffet beneath the palms, then watch ALMA unfold in a jungle amphitheater (typically ~$149–179 USD). It’s equal parts ceremony, acrobatics, and myth.

Pre-show snack: Split a plate of aguachile negro at Mariscos 8 Tostadas or a quick pastor taco at Pancho’s Takos if you’re extra hungry before boarding.

Day 5: Jungle Adventure to Jorullo Bridge + Seafood by the Surf

Morning: Trade sandals for goggles and dust off in the Sierra Madre on a guided ride:

ATV and RZR Jorullo Bridge Experience in Puerto Vallarta — Cross one of the world’s longest vehicular suspension bridges, splash riverbeds, and pause for valley vistas (~3–4 hours, from ~$90 USD per person; damage deposit and valid license required for drivers).

Afternoon: Refuel with riverside grilled meats and handmade tortillas at Moro Paraíso on the Cuale River, or head back to town for a cooling raspado (shaved ice) along Basilio Badillo. Siesta or pool time recommended.

Evening: Seafood feast at Marisma Fish Taco (crispy fish with cabbage and pico) or Lamara for ceviches and tostadas with house salsas. Finish with rooftop views and a tamarind margarita at Pinnacle Sky Bar.

Day 6: Vallarta Botanical Garden and Zona Romántica Nightlife

Morning: Take the El Tuito bus from Old Town or an Uber (~45–60 minutes) to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, one of Mexico’s finest. Wander orchids, vanilla vines, and a native oak forest; swim where the Horcones River pools (bring water shoes). The on-site Hacienda de Oro restaurant serves warm tortillas, fresh salsas, and hibiscus agua fresca.

Afternoon: On the return, detour to Mismaloya Beach for a cold coconut and bay views where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton helped put PV on the map. Back in town, shop for huaraches and embroidered dresses along Basilio Badillo.

Evening: Dinner at La Cigale Bistro (French-Mex comfort: onion soup, steak frites) or María Baja (tuna tostadas, grilled octopus). Dance to live Cuban at La Bodeguita del Medio on the Malecón, or slip into El Soñador for mezcal and vinyl.

Day 7: Last Swim, Brunch, and Departure

Morning: Sunrise walk and ocean dip at Playa Los Muertos. Brunch at Fredy’s Tucan (classic Mexican breakfasts, fresh-squeezed juices) or Memo’s Pancake House for a sweet send-off.

Afternoon: Pick up final gifts: vanilla, woven beach blankets, and locally roasted coffee. Allow 60–90 minutes for the airport in high season; Uber/taxi runs ~200–350 MXN to PVR. Check or modify flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If your flight’s later, laze at Swell Beach Bar with ceviche and a paloma, or grab a final al pastor at Pepe’s Tacos near the Hotel Zone. Adiós, PV—see you at the next sunset.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have Extra Time)

• Sea Turtle Release (Aug–Dec): Join conservationists at sunset to help hatchlings reach the sea.
• Los Arcos Snorkeling: Hire a panga at Mismaloya for a quick hop to the arches on calm mornings.
• Yelapa by Water Taxi: From Boca de Tomatlán, ride to this car-free village for a waterfall hike and beach time.

Booking Hub: Stays on VRBO and Hotels.com; flights via Kiwi.com or Trip.com.

Puerto Vallarta rewards curiosity: a sunrise on the pier, a hidden cove after a jungle trail, a family-run taco stand that becomes your nightly ritual. Over seven days you’ll slip into the rhythm—salt on your skin, music in the plazas, and the Pacific shimmering at every turn.

From spirited food tours to candlelit jungle theater and island snorkeling, this itinerary balances adventure and ease. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes and a list of reasons to come back.