With sophisticated resorts, fine restaurants, an active nightlife and numerous outdoor activities, Vallarta (as it’s commonly known) is renowned as one of Mexico’s liveliest resort destinations and the perfect destination for honeymoon couples.
Discover the idyllic honeymoon destination of Puerto Vallarta. Nestled between the palm-covered mountains of the Sierra Madre range and the vast beach-lined Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta is a charming and authentic Mexican town.
Relax on a choice of gorgeous beaches, meander along picturesque cobbled streets crowded with traditional Mexican architecture and party the night away at a boisterous nightclub.
You can also explore Mexico’s cultural traditions: in Puerto Vallarta lies the origin of the charro (traditional costume), the national drink tequila and the music of the Mariachi bands.
Stroll along cobblestone streets lined with red-roofed white stucco buildings or sip coffee on the malecon, a wide seaside promenade that hugs the ocean front.
Honeymoon couples have a choice of outdoor activities in Puerto Vallarta, including scuba diving, kite-surfing, hiking, mountain biking, eco tours and four-wheel drive safaris into the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
Eco – Puerto Vallarta offers a large range of adventure-style eco tours: paddle a sea kayak among Pacific bottlenose dolphins off Islas Marietas, swim with dolphins at the Nuevo Vallarta Dolphin Centre, watch migrating humpback whales from December to April in Banderas Bay and hike through the Sierra Madre foothills.
Perhaps try one of the 300m-long zip-line canopy tours over lush jungle near Mismaloya. Look out for some of the hundreds of bird species that live around Puerto Vallarta, including doves, macaws, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and parrots.
Diving and snorkelling – Watch sea turtles, sea lions, manta rays and cavorting dolphins while snorkelling and diving the underwater caves and canyons of Los Arcos National Marine Park and around Islas Marietas, both of which teem with colourful fish.
Other good snorkelling can be found around the rocky headlands just off Caletas, Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán beaches. Numerous operators provide snorkelling and diving tours as well as offer full PADI courses up to instructor level.
Kayaking – Hire a kayak or join a tour and paddle the calm waters off Islas Marietas or Caletas Beach to see playful dolphins and sunbathing sea lions.
Surfing – For good surf breaks head to the beaches around Sayulita and Punta Mita just north of Puerto Vallarta. Further south lies Mexico’s top surf beach– Zicatela Beach at Puerto Escondido. Zicaleta is at its best each September and October when the big waves roll in and the annual surf competitions take place.
Game fishing – Hook up a fishing charter on the 38km-wide Banderas Bay and cast your line for sailfish, dorado, marlin, bonita and yellowfin tuna, roostertail, jack cravel, pargo, red snapper and black, blue and striped marlin.
Hiking – Hike through diverse topography in the Sierra Madre foothills. Explore trails through dense jungle with colourful tropical flowers, past cascading rivers and hidden waterfalls, looking out for local wildlife along the way.
Horseback riding – Saddle up and join a charro (cowboy) on a horseback safari across the El Tuito River, visit cascading waterfalls in the midst of the lush jungle, spotting iguanas and coloured guacamayas. Discover trails through the Sierra Madre mountains on a 2-hour ride or longer. Several ranches offer horses and riding excursions to suit riders of all abilities, with overnight camping trips for experienced riders.
Golf – Puerta Vallarta offers a choice of nine courses including: the 18-hole, par-74 ocean view course at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club located along the Marina Vallarta peninsula; the 18-hole, par-72 Los Flamingos Club de Golf, which weaves through lush rainforest; the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Punta Mita Golf Club, featuring the only natural-island green in the Americas (3rd hole); and the Vista Vallarta Golf Club, with a choice of two courses (designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jack Nicklaus), at the same location in the foothills of the Sierra Madre.
Or tee-off from the Robert von Hagge-designed El Tigre course at Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta, with its feared sand traps, water features and the challenging par 5, 621-yard ‘Tiger’ hole to finish.
Discover a diverse choice of 26 beaches surrounding Puerto Vallarta and set along the 100km horseshoe-shaped coastline of Bahía de Banderas.
To the north, explore long wide beaches perfect for swimming and surfing, while to the south, discover secluded beaches and coves bisected by lush mountain ridges, generally accessible only by boat.
Bordered by lush jungle-covered mountains, Puerto Vallarta’s largest and liveliest beach sits on the edge of Viejo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta's beautiful old town.
Often called Playa Olas Altas or Playa del Sol, the wide, almost 2km-long golden-sand beach shelves into the sparkling blue waters of the Bahía de Banderas (Bay of Flags) and is lined with hotels, bars and numerous thatched palapa restaurants where you can enjoy beachside service in the shade.
Sunbathe, swim, relax on the beach at sunset with a daiquiri or enjoy one of the numerous beachside activities, including beach volleyball, parasailing and jet-skiing.
Take a water taxi to explore south shore beaches or hook up a fishing charter at Los Muertos Pier and then, in the evening, listen to wandering mariachi who parade along the atmospheric beachside malecon.
Typically, families congregate at the northern end of the beach, while a gay-friendly area – easily recognisable by the blue chairs – lies at the southern end of the beach.
This long and wide sandy beach stretches north of downtown Puerto Vallarta and boasts a string of beachside condominiums, sprawling resort hotels, three golf courses, a water park, yacht club and marina, restaurants and a large air-conditioned shopping mall.
Don't miss swimming with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre.
This wide white-sand beach lined with resort hotels, beachfront bars and restaurants, stretches south from Marina Vallarta to El Centro.
The beach is usually accessed through one of the hotel lobbies and offers a variety of watersport activities as well as a vibrant nightlife in the adjacent streets. Don’t miss JB, a popular Latin dance club.
Just north of downtown lies a stretch of wide beaches that front some of the town's largest hotels, including the Marriott, Mayan Palace and the Westin Regina Resort.
Explore white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimming and surfing and easily reached by road from Puerto Vallarta.
Discover a long golden-sand beach that shelves gently into calm and shallow waters. Relax with a cool drink and savour freshly shucked giant oysters in the shade of a thatched palapa restaurant, locally renowned for delicious seafood. Then wander into town and browse the colourful outdoor market by the main plaza.
The peninsula of Punta de Mita offers two public white-sand beaches and an exclusive resort development reserved for paying guests.
One of the resorts is the ritzy Four Seasons Punta Mita, located on a pristine soft white-sand beach and fronting rocky islands – perfect for snorkelling.
At El Anclote waves break right in front of the beach, making it a good spot to learn to surf before heading to bigger waves along the coast.
Enjoy swimming, sailing catamarans, kayaking and snorkelling coral reefs just offshore or rent a boat to take you whale watching and to the nature reserve at Las Marietas Islands, which is perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving among sea lions, turtles, bottlenose dolphins and other protected marine life. Later enjoy fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants in El Anclote fishing village.
Nearby Destiladeras offers a wide, several kilometre-long white-sand beach good for sunbathing, strolling and surfing waves of up to 1.5m. Enjoy fresh seafood at one of the palapa-shaded restaurants or bring a picnic and enjoy a gorgeous sunset.
Punta de Mita is located just a 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta.
These uninhabited islands lie off Punta Mita and offer great opportunities for beachcombing pristine deserted beaches, diving, snorkelling rocky headlands, bird-watching and spotting humpback whales during the winter months.
See blue-footed booby birds (found only here and in the Galapagos Islands), giant manta rays, sea lions, turtles and colourful tropical fish.
Explore secluded coves, hidden caves and stroll across the stunning Playa de Amor (Lover’s Beach), which can only be seen at low tide (photo).
(Pacific Coast) – Discover this gorgeous, windswept white-sand beach located just a few kilometres outside the bay.
Also known as San Francisco Beach, this pristine beach offers a range of activities including surfing, kayaking, sport fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.
Don’t miss exploring the beachside town, with its traditional Mexican atmosphere. Located just a 55-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta.
(Pacific Coast) – Fronting the picturesque fishing village of Sayulita, this region north of Banderas Bay offers numerous secluded coves and noted surf beaches. Sunbathe, swim, ride the waves, take a surf lesson or relax in one of the many beachfront palapa restaurants.
Explore the village with its traditional Mexican atmosphere (much how Puerto Vallarta was a few decades ago), and grab a shady bench in the village plaza and watch village life go by, especially in the evenings.
Sayulita is less than an hour’s drive from Puerto Vallarta.
The South Shore offers a region where the lush jungle-covered Sierra Madre Mountains meet the beaches and rocky coastline of Banderas Bay.
Discover tiny palm-fringed coves and secluded bays lined with crescents of gorgeous white sand that are often accessible only by boat from the small fishing village of Boca de Tomatlan or Los Muertos Pier in Puerto Vallarta.
Pack a picnic and snorkel mask and enjoy this quiet, palm-fringed, white-sand beach located off the Barra Navidad road on the way to Mismaloya. Or stay longer at the beachfront Playa Garza Blanca Resort.
This crescent of golden sand is fringed by palm trees and stretches between two rocky headlands, then shelves dramatically into the deep blue waters of the Pacific.
Mismaloya was the setting for the movie Night of the Iguana, filmed in 1963 and firmly establishing Puerto Vallarta on the international tourist scene. Check out the remains of the old movie set, go swimming and snorkelling, relax on the beach or in the shade of a palapa restaurant with a cool drink and fresh seafood.
Located just a 25-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta.
Discover a gorgeous and quiet cove with a small, palm-fringed white-sand beach at the mouth of the Tomatlan River.
Go swimming, sunbathe and savour freshly caught fish and Mexican fare at any of the palapa restaurants.
The beach is an easy boat ride or 25-minute taxi ride from Puerto Vallarta.
This pretty, secluded cove features three small golden-sand beaches and was formerly the private retreat of movie director John Huston.
Go swimming, kayaking, snorkelling or scuba diving the reef. A groomed path offers a coastal hike with dramatic views. Allow about an hour’s drive from Puerto Vallarta.
Nestled between towering jungle-covered ridges, this pretty white-sand beach shelves into crystal clear shallow waters perfect for swimming, kayaking, snorkelling and parasailing.
The 1.5km-long beach features a small jetty and several thatched palapa restaurants where you can relax on the white sand in a colourful beach chair with a cool drink and a meal of fresh seafood.
The beach is only accessible by boat, with water taxis or pangas available from Los Muertos Pier in Puerto Vallarta taking around 30 minutes.
Nestled in front of a small fishing village and beneath lush mountains, this pretty, palm-fringed white-sand beach is a 30-minute boat ride south of Puerto Vallarta.
Surf the only break on the south side of the bay, swim or snorkel the rocky headland or relax with a cool drink in the shade of one of several thatched palapa restaurants. Away from the beach, explore on foot or by horseback scenic waterfalls at the end of a nearby canyon.
Nestling in a jungle-covered cove between two rocky headlands and accessible only by boat, this semi-private golden-sand beach is home to the luxurious Majahuitas Resort.
Relax on the gorgeous beach and swim, snorkel or dive the crystal clear waters in idyllic surroundings with every imaginable creature comfort just a short stroll away.
Nestled at the end of a sheltered inlet, this golden-sand beach is divided by a rocky vegetation-covered headland and offers thatched-roof palapa restaurants and a quiet ambience only interrupted by visiting tourist boats.
With few roads leading in, the beach is best visited by boat from Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding coastal region offer a huge range of accommodation options to suit all budgets, including the following 5-star resorts…
Hotel Mousai - Adults Only
Location: Carretera a Barra de Navidad KM 7.5, Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD693 per room
Description: Offering 4 à la carte restaurants, Hotel Mousai is the first 5 Diamond, Adults Only Hotel in Puerto Vallarta. It is located in Garza Blanca Beach, only 5 km from Mismaloya Beach. The suites offer a flat-screen TV, air conditioning and ceiling fans. Featuring a walk-in rain shower, private bathroom also comes with exclusive bathroom amenities and striking moon mirror in onyx frame, lit with LEDs. The rooms with the hot tub at the private terrace also feature ocean views. Extras include a minibar, an iPad dock and Free WiFi. Guests can enjoy the roof-top infinity pool with panoramic sea views. The roof top also offers live music, DJ Sets, entertainment, and a cigar lounge. At Hotel Mousai - Adults Only you will find a tennis court and activities such as hiking to waterfalls, kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkelling. A luxury spa with unique décor, hair and beauty services, and state of the art hydrotherapy circuit are also offered. This property is 10 minutes’ drive from Puerto Vallarta main square and nightlife, and 10 minutes’ by boat from Los Arcos. Puerto Vallarta International Airport is 30 minutes’ drive away.
Secrets Vallarta Bay Resort & SPA - Adults Only
Location: Zona Hotelera Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD391 per room
Description: On Puerto Vallarta’s Las Glorias Beach, Secrets Vallarta Bay Resort & SPA features an outdoor swimming pool and a spa. Its attractive rooms and suites offer garden or ocean views. All spacious accommodations at Secrets Vallarta Bay Resort & SPA has bright, modern décor. There is a balcony or patio, free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, minibar and a coffee maker. Pan-Asian and French cuisine is offered in the Secrets’ restaurant. There are also 3 bars. The hotel spa offers a range of treatments including massage, facials and body wraps. There is also a sauna, steam room and a hot tub. The center of Puerto Vallarta is just over half a mile from the hotel. The city’s airport is a 5 minute drive away. Until June 30, 2013, guests enjoy free green fees at La Vista Golf Club and Marina Vallarta Golf Club.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Location: Playa Las Estacas, Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD351 per room
Description: Offering an outdoor pool and a spa and wellness centre, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is located in Puerto Vallarta. The accommodation will provide you with air conditioning and a minibar. Featuring a shower, private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and bathrobes. Extras include a DVD player, a CD player and satellite channels. At Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta you will find 4 à la carta restaurants, 1 Buffet Restaurant, a 24-hour Deli Coffe Shop, 24-hour room service, a tennis court and a fitness centre. Other facilities offered at the property include entertainment staff, meeting facilities and a tour desk. If you feel like visiting the surroundings, check out Cruise Ship Pier located 7.7 km from the property. This resort is 11 km from Lic. Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Airport.
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
Location: Km 7.5 Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD329 per room
Description: This Puerto Vallarta hotel overlooks Banderas Bay and the Los Arcos landmark. The hotel offers a private beach, gourmet restaurant, full-service spa and 24-hour concierge. Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa features a flat-screen TV, DVD player and iPod docking station in every guest room. Junior, 1 and 2-bedroom suites offer a hot tub. The 1 and 2-bedroom suites are also equipped with a full kitchen, washer and dryer. Kids eat and stay for free when booking the All-inclusive rate. Recreational facilities at the Garza Blanca include an infinity outdoor pool and spacious hot tub. Free parking and 24-hour security are also provided. Blanca Blue Restaurant is a fully air-conditioned restaurant, offering views of Banderas Bay and a world-class wine selection. Guests can enjoy a drink in Blanca Blue's trendy lounge. The hotel also offers Aquazul, a specialty beach restaurant.
Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences
Location: Colonia Conchas Chinas, Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD244 per room
Description: With a stunning view of city and Pacific Ocean, this hotel is located on the hills of the exclusive Conchas Chinas area. The main terrace features 3 pools, one exterior hot tub and activity space. Boasting an adult-only terrace, it features 2 hot tubs and a heated pool. Also, all the suites are richly appointed with a modern-style décor and include a flat-screen TV, luxurious amenities and a distinctive combination of marble and wood detailing. Some units have their own outdoor hot tub. The private chef assures a dining experience for the guests. Venue choices include two specialty restaurants, poolside snacks and 24-hour suite service. A wine and spirits selection is available and the breakfast buffet included is only for adults. Grand Miramar Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta is the only property with a stunning view of the full bay and has a beach club that features a snack bar and is located a short 5-minute drive from the resort. It has a lounge snack bar and the service hours are 09:30 to 18:30. Direct transportation including round trip exclusively for guests is offered. The spa has a hydrotherapy area and a large selection of massages and treatments. This property is a 10-minute walk from the beach.
Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Location: Paseo La Marina Norte 435, Marina Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD199 per room
Description: This luxury resort offers a private beach area and an infinity pool overlooking Banderas Bay. Each spacious room includes flat-screen satellite TV, an iPod dock and views of the gardens or ocean. The Marriott CasaMagna’s air-conditioned rooms are decorated in bright colors. They include a sitting area and a free safe. Bathrooms come with amenities and bathrobes.
The hotel’s 4 restaurants offer a wide variety of cuisine, from Japanese sushi to traditional Mexican dishes. The Lobby Bar serves tapas and cocktails and has panoramic ocean views. Guests of the Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa can book treatments in the Ohtli Spa. It includes an indoor pool, hot tub and steam bath. The resort also has a gym and tennis courts. The resort is next to Marina Vallarta Golf Club. Puerto Vallarta International Airport is just 2 miles away. The center of Puerto Vallarta is a 10-minute drive away.
Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta
Location: Puerto Vallarta
Rating: 5-star
Ave nightly price: AUD147 per room
Description: This family-friendly resort and spa is on a private beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and features a variety of on-site activities, and first-class amenities and services. The Westin Resort and Spa Puerto Vallarta has everything needed for an unforgettable stay. Relax with a beachside massage, browse for gifts at the souvenir shop, plan the next's day's activities with concierge desk or enjoy a gourmet meal at one of the on-site restaurants. There are a variety of activities and attractions surrounding the Westin Puerto Vallarta. Explore the charming Marina Vallarta waterfront, filled with art galleries, shops and entertainment, view exciting wildlife or participate in a number of water sports.
The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta is from November to May, when the region experiences relatively dry and warm weather.
Puerto Vallarta has a hot, tropical climate year-round, with a drier, slightly less-hot season from December to April, and a hot, wet and muggy season from June to October.
For more climate info: Puerto Vallarta weather
Latest update: Puerto Vallarta: 10 January, 2023
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