Guidebook for Puerto Vallarta

Jacob
Guidebook for Puerto Vallarta

Food Scene

Across the street, 4/5 stars
Mariscos Esmeralda
846 16 de Septiembre
Across the street, 4/5 stars

Sightseeing

31 locals recommend
Centro Pitillal
31 locals recommend
Newer hotel area. Never been.
101 locals recommend
Nuevo Vallarta
101 locals recommend
Newer hotel area. Never been.
84 locals recommend
Centro
84 locals recommend
Really mean the area north of here, Zona Romantica, but Google Maps or AirBnB doesn't have a selectable location for it. Lots and lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping. Considered the LGBT+ neighborhood.
12 locals recommend
Amapas
12 locals recommend
Really mean the area north of here, Zona Romantica, but Google Maps or AirBnB doesn't have a selectable location for it. Lots and lots of bars, restaurants, and shopping. Considered the LGBT+ neighborhood.

Shopping

Closest meat-market, 3/5 stars
Carnicería Sierra Costa
866 16 de Septiembre
Closest meat-market, 3/5 stars
75 locals recommend
Olas Altas Saturday Market
Lázaro Cárdenas
75 locals recommend
Tianguis Turístico
Regular shopping mall in case you need it.
245 locals recommend
Galerias Vallarta Shopping Mall
2920 Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio
245 locals recommend
Regular shopping mall in case you need it.
Local's shopping mall. Much more budget friendly. Has a Soriana. Casa de Cambio outside, but only does 16MXN/1USD exchange rate (pretty poor).
106 locals recommend
Plaza Caracol
Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio
106 locals recommend
Local's shopping mall. Much more budget friendly. Has a Soriana. Casa de Cambio outside, but only does 16MXN/1USD exchange rate (pretty poor).
Best local's shopping mall and closest. Has a WalMart. Accepts USD with very good exchange rates, 17+MXN/1USD. Gives change in MXN only. Maximum change from exchange purchase is 1,000MXN.
23 locals recommend
Macroplaza Puerto Vallarta
1526 Av. Francisco Villa
23 locals recommend
Best local's shopping mall and closest. Has a WalMart. Accepts USD with very good exchange rates, 17+MXN/1USD. Gives change in MXN only. Maximum change from exchange purchase is 1,000MXN.

Drinks & Nightlife

Lots of bars, restaurants, touristy culture stuff and shopping. Very lively nightclub scene at night. Great views of the bay, day and night. Music pit in the middle of the length. Pier at southern end.
770 locals recommend
Malecon Puerto Vallarta
S/N Paseo Díaz Ordaz
770 locals recommend
Lots of bars, restaurants, touristy culture stuff and shopping. Very lively nightclub scene at night. Great views of the bay, day and night. Music pit in the middle of the length. Pier at southern end.
Really at 301 Insurgentes. Best "Cheers" personality type bar. Great staff, drinks and food after 7. Loteria (like Bingo) every Thursday at 8pm.
Frida un Bar
Really at 301 Insurgentes. Best "Cheers" personality type bar. Great staff, drinks and food after 7. Loteria (like Bingo) every Thursday at 8pm.

Parks & Nature

187 locals recommend
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Km 24 Carr. Costera a Barra de Navidad
187 locals recommend
Less crowded, cleaner beach.
46 locals recommend
Conchas Chinas
46 locals recommend
Less crowded, cleaner beach.
Crowded dirty, rocky beach at Zona Romantica. Considered the LGBT+ beach area, non-nude.
397 locals recommend
Los Muertos Beach
397 locals recommend
Crowded dirty, rocky beach at Zona Romantica. Considered the LGBT+ beach area, non-nude.

Arts & Culture

Downstairs stage for cabaret. Upstairs piano bar with dining. Terraces on both levels for drinking/dining.
23 locals recommend
Incanto
109 Insurgentes
23 locals recommend
Downstairs stage for cabaret. Upstairs piano bar with dining. Terraces on both levels for drinking/dining.
Three stages: Main stage for theatrical shows, Red Room for cabaret, and Encore Lounge for piano bar like lounge.
75 locals recommend
Act ll Entertainment Stages
Basilio Badillo
75 locals recommend
Three stages: Main stage for theatrical shows, Red Room for cabaret, and Encore Lounge for piano bar like lounge.
Cabaret Bar.
51 locals recommend
The Palm Cabaret and Bar
508 Olas Altas
51 locals recommend
Cabaret Bar.

Essentials

Best exchange rates I can find. Probably one closer to Progreso. 17+MXN/1USD when everyone else is 16+MXN/1USD. MUST bring photocopy of passport.
6 locals recommend
Cajero Banorte
500 Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio
6 locals recommend
Best exchange rates I can find. Probably one closer to Progreso. 17+MXN/1USD when everyone else is 16+MXN/1USD. MUST bring photocopy of passport.
Decent doctor. Speaks intermediate English, receptionist speaks no English. 300MXN/visit including follow-up. Facility has specialists in Urology, Gastronomy, OB-GYN, Diagnostic Imagery and more. Has urgent care facility. Has pharmacy.
Grupo Diagnosti-k
1389-A Av. Francisco Villa
Decent doctor. Speaks intermediate English, receptionist speaks no English. 300MXN/visit including follow-up. Facility has specialists in Urology, Gastronomy, OB-GYN, Diagnostic Imagery and more. Has urgent care facility. Has pharmacy.
Closest very large grocery store. Accepts USD (and CAD probably) at a very good rate, 17+MXN/1USD, at the cash register.
16 locals recommend
Soriana Híper Pitillal
1642 Av. Francisco Villa
16 locals recommend
Closest very large grocery store. Accepts USD (and CAD probably) at a very good rate, 17+MXN/1USD, at the cash register.