Discover the Best of Puerto Vallarta
Explore beautiful beaches, great places to stay, and experiences worth traveling for.
Your Next Adventure Starts in Puerto Vallarta
Find low fares and travel to your ideal destination.
Find Your Perfect Stay in Puerto Vallarta
From all-inclusive resorts to beachfront hotels, discover the perfect place for your next vacation.
Fly from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta
- Nov–AprDry, sunny season
- Dec–MarHumpback whales in the bay
- ≈1 h 30 minNonstop flight from Mexico City
- ≈25–35 minFrom PVR airport to the Zona Romántica
Postcards from Puerto Vallarta
The church's crown, emerald coves, nights over the bay and the mountains that wrap around Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta FAQ
Seasons, the airport, where to stay and bay excursions, answered before you pack.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?
November through April: it barely rains, the sea is calm, and from December to March humpback whales visit the bay. June to October is the rainy season, with afternoon storms, more heat and humidity; Pacific hurricane season runs from mid-May to November. Easter week and the year-end holidays are the busiest times.
When can I see humpback whales in Vallarta?
The official whale-watching season runs roughly from December to March, with January and February usually best. The whales come to Banderas Bay to mate and give birth. Book with a licensed operator that keeps the required distance from the animals.
Which airport do I fly into, and how far is my hotel?
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), on the north side of town next to Marina Vallarta. The Hotel Zone is a few minutes away, and the Zona Romántica or downtown is about 25 to 35 minutes by car depending on traffic. Authorized taxis, ride-hailing apps and private transfers are available.
Which area should I stay in?
The Zona Romántica is bohemian, full of restaurants and home to Los Muertos Beach; downtown sits by the Malecón and the church; the Hotel Zone has large beachfront hotels; Marina Vallarta is quiet and close to the airport. Just north, in Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta's all-inclusive resorts suit families.
How many days do I need in Vallarta?
Four or five days lets you walk the Malecón and downtown, spend an evening in the Zona Romántica, take a boat to Los Arcos or Yelapa, and give a full day to the Marietas Islands or the mountains. Add a day or two if you want to see Sayulita or other Riviera Nayarit towns.
How do I visit the Marietas Islands and Hidden Beach?
The Marietas Islands are a national park off the Nayarit coast, about an hour by boat from Vallarta. You can only visit with licensed operators; Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) has a limited daily quota, is entered by swimming in small groups and must be booked in advance. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.
What is there to do in Puerto Vallarta?
Walk the sculpture-lined Malecón at sunset, climb up to the Guadalupe church, catch a boat from Los Muertos pier to Yelapa or Las Ánimas, snorkel at Los Arcos, visit Vallarta Botanical Garden on the road south, and head into the hills by zipline or off-road vehicle.
What local food should I try?
Wood-grilled pescado zarandeado, seafood tacos, ceviche and shrimp from the bay. On the beach, look for pescado embarazado, smoked fish on a stick sold by vendors. For a toast, raicilla is the agave spirit from the Jalisco mountains.
How do I get around Vallarta?
Downtown and the Zona Romántica are walkable, though the cobblestones and hills call for comfortable shoes. For longer trips there are taxis, ride-hailing apps and city buses along the main avenue. Beaches such as Yelapa and Majahuitas are reached by boat or water taxi.
How will I receive my booking confirmation?
Once you complete your purchase, the confirmation arrives by email. Change and cancellation conditions depend on each fare and hotel and are shown before you pay, so review them when you choose.
Keep your flights and Vallarta hotel booking on your phone with the Ticketón Travel app.
