How to Spend 7 Unforgettable Days in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Here’s a detailed one-week itinerary for visiting Puerto Vallarta, with a focus on exploring the best of the city and its surroundings.

This itinerary includes beaches, markets, day trips, adventure, good food and relaxation!

Puerto Vallarta is one of my favorite cities, and I’ve been lucky enough to visit about a dozen times now. After my most recent trip in December 2024, I figured it was time to put together the ultimate itinerary for visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

I think 7 days is the perfect amount of time to spend here, but you can easily spend 3 or 4 days not feel like you were too rushed.

And of course, if you have a longer visit, you’ll never run out of things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

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Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

The view from the rooftop at Pinnacle 179

Puerto Vallarta is the perfect destination to skip the all-inclusive resorts and embrace the local experience! This city is brimming with incredible restaurants, bars, and local eateries that showcase the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine.

I prefer to stay at smaller, boutique hotels because it’s so much fun to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and charm of the area.

I recommend staying in either Zona Romántica or Old Town which offer safe and walkable environments with colorful streets, cozy accommodations, and easy access to the city’s best attractions (and food and coffee)!

My Favorite Hotels in Puerto Vallarta:

Pinnacle 179 – An adults-only apartment-style hotel with the best rooftop pool, 2 blocks from the beach & perfect for longer stays.

Rivera del Rio Boutique Hotel – A unique property blending vintage elegance and modern comforts, known for its artistic flair and vibrant design elements.

Luna Líquida Hotel Boutique – Nestled in the hills near Old Town, this boutique hotel boasts panoramic views of the city and bay, vibrant artistic decor, and a tranquil rooftop pool.

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway – Adults-only, quiet beachfront hotel offering personalized service, chic accommodations, and a serene atmosphere perfect for couples.

Villa Premiere is located a little further down the Malecon, but still very walkable to anywhere. They also offer the choice to do all-inclusive or not, so this is a great middle-ground resort if you can’t decide!

Travel Tip for Booking Your Puerto Vallarta Hotel:

If you want to find a great deal on your next hotel stay, check out Plannin.com, where many hotels are up to 40% off.

On my most recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, I saved over $300 by booking it through Plannin when I stayed at the Pinnacle 179 (I shared all the details in my video, here).

Plannin is a trip-booking platform where trusted creators add their personal tips, photos, videos and things to know about their favorite hotels or tours they’ve been on.

So you can feel confident that the information is accurate and up to date.

It’s also a brilliant way to sift through all the impersonal and anonymous (and lately fake and AI-generated) reviews on other sites.

I’ve added all my recommendations on my profile for you to browse through the next time you’re planning a trip!

All you have to do is create a free account here and you get immediate access to exclusive member deals that can be up to 40% cheaper than the exact same rooms on other websites.

And if you’re a fellow travel creator, you can add your travel content on Plannin and start earning on your recommendations!

Creators – sign up for Plannin here!

Day 1: Arrival Day!

After arriving in Puerto Vallarta, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day unwinding by the pool, sipping on a refreshing margarita, and getting into vacation mode.

After the sun goes down, if you’re staying at one of the above hotels, here are a few places you could visit for a margarita (or any tropical beverage of your choice):

Cuates y Cuetes: my favorite beach bar, try the hibiscus margarita
Bar Chictini: rooftop pool bar with amazing views and great happy hour
Margarita Grill: best margaritas in town (and prices are pretty good)
La Bodeguita del Medio: fun Cuban bar with great live music and dancing

Day 2: Explore Zona Romántica, Rio Cuale Market, and the Malecón

Morning

Start your day by wandering through the charming Zona Romántica, known for its colorful cobblestoned streets and lively ambiance.

For breakfast, try The Porch, which is perfectly named, tucked away on a quiet little street in the Zona Romantica.

It’s breakfast/brunch and lunch only and they’ve got all the classics, everything is fresh and portions are huge.

I would have come here every day for breakfast. It’s also Cash only.

Afternoon

Next, head to the Rio Cuale Market to pick up handmade crafts, jewelry, and souvenirs.

My favorite purchase was my custom-made Aly Smalls license plate sign!

There’s also a beautiful park-area at the end (keep a lookout for friendly stray cats who live here)!

Stop for a beverage at the Circle Bar!

It’s really fun and they have probably the largest cocktail menu in all of PV, so if you never know what to order – they have everything listed on the wall!

My favorite was the cafe de olla carajillo.

Evening

In the evening, take a walk along the Malecón, Puerto Vallarta’s iconic oceanfront boardwalk.

Marvel at the stunning sculptures, vibrant street performances, and golden sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

Dinner Options

For dinner, if you want to stay in Old Town, I recommend Tacos Acapulco Vallarta.

This is an authentic Mexican restaurant that both locals and visitors love.

The menu is centered around specialty tacos, grilled veggie side dishes and several kinds of queso fundido.

I highly recommend the grilled cactus for a unique side dish. And prices are quite reasonable.

If you want to eat in the Zona Romantica, my favorite hidden gem restaurant is Jorge’s Hideaway Shrimp Shack.

I recommend the Kahlua Shrimp!

Day 3: Mirador de la Cruz, Old Town, and Beach Time

Visit Eulo’s Bakery for some cinnamon buns, banana bread or donuts to start your day!

(if you love baked goods, Eulo’s is a must-visit).

Or, here are my other top choices for breakfast in Puerto Vallarta.

Once you’re carbed-up, kick off the morning with a hike to the Mirador de la Cruz viewpoint.

The climb can be steep, but the panoramic views of Puerto Vallarta and the ocean are worth every step.

If you’re starting from the Malecon, find Abasolo street and follow it all the way to the top.

After descending, take some time to explore Old Town, where you’ll find colonial architecture and a more laid-back atmosphere.

We like La Tostaderia for a light and healthy lunch after hiking the Mirador viewpoint.

In the afternoon, head to the beach for some much-needed relaxation.

Playa Los Muertos is a popular spot, but if you’re looking for something quieter, consider Playa Conchas Chinas.

If you finished your hike early, consider taking an Uber to the town of Bucerias for an afternoon at the beach.

It’s about 30-40 minutes away and the beach is wider, less crowded and has softer sand.

There are great beach bars too – we like Mar y Sol or Fat Boys (El Gordo)!

Dinner

Tonight’s dinner is seafood!

And for that we’ve got Tuna Azul! It’s a vibrant spot located on the second and third floors on a busy street corner on Olas Altas.

The service here was excellent, and they helped us pick out several tuna dishes for us to try – each was so fresh

Inside tip: they’re closed on Wednesdays to go fishing, so I recommend visiting on a Thursday for super fresh fish!

The margaritas here are also fantastic – I recommend the jalapeno margarita (the lime and sweetness balances out the spice really nicely).

Day 4: Coastal Hike from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Animas Beach

This is my favorite day of the whole itinerary!

After I booked my hotel, I was browsing experiences & excursions and found this tour called: Full Day Hike to 6 Hidden Beaches & Snorkel.

I booked it immediately and we had the best day!

We met our guide & small group at 9:30 am and hopped on the bus to Boca de Tomatlan, a cute little fishing village.

Over the course of the next 4 hours (about 4 km or 2.5 miles) we hiked along the coast stopping at 6 beaches!

We were treated to stunning views of the ocean, secluded beaches, and lush jungle landscapes.

We swam, snorkeled, sun-tanned and stopped for coconut drinks and cervezas.

We finished at Las Animas, a picturesque beach with all kinds of great beach bars and restaurants.

It was an amazing day – you can book the exact tour we did here on Plannin

Evening and Dinner Plans

You’ll be back in town around 4:30pm, the perfect amount of time to freshen up and then hit the beach or the Los Muertos Pier to enjoy the incredible sunsets here.

If you need a snack, check out Pink Cheladas just up the street from the pier for some of the most epic micheladas!

If you’ve never had one, today is your lucky day!

For dinner, I recommend street tacos!

You can either take a walking taco tour or do a DIY-taco tour on your own!

For that, I mapped out the best places for tacos in Puerto Vallarta in this guide.

We also love the Molcajetes at Republic!

Day 5: Relaxation or Excursion Day

Today is all about flexibility! Choose between:

Relaxation: Spend the day lounging by the pool or soaking up the sun at the beach.

Whale Watching: if you’re visiting between December and March, book a half-day whale watching tour to see humpback whales!

Natural Hot Springs: Join a guided tour to explore the natural hot springs in the Sierra Madre mountains for a rejuvenating experience (great day if you want a break from the city and beaches).

Day 6: Botanical Gardens or Yelapa Adventure

Breakfast

Start with breakfast at Cafe San Angel located on Olas Altas, you can’t miss it.

We came here because it was always busy and I love the airy patio seating.

The menu is extensive – there’s something for everyone and a good selection of classic Mexican dishes (many of which I hadn’t come across yet).

Chris had the classic machaca with eggs – a great choice on any menu, and I decided to go with Huevos Criollos (the mole sauce was incredible).

For today’s adventure, here’s what I recommend:

Botanical Gardens: Immerse yourself in the lush beauty of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Walk through tropical trails, marvel at the orchid collections, and enjoy lunch overlooking the jungle.

Yelapa: Take a boat ride to the charming fishing village of Yelapa.

Explore its laid-back vibe, hike to a nearby waterfall, and relax on its tranquil beach.

Tip: this Yacht all-inclusive day tour to Yelapa is one of the highest-rated experiences!

Good to know:

I think Sayulita is a little too far for a day trip on this itinerary – but if you’re still undecided, I wrote a full guide comparing the differences between Yelapa and Sayulita to help you choose.

Dinner

If you don’t want to eat on the street, we love Tacos Sonorita.

Their pastor smells amazing and tastes even better.

Here, you get a nice selection of salsas and you get a ton of meat on your tacos – I recommend the chicken or pastor.

And if you like margaritas, I recommend either the coconut or cucumber.

Day 7: Flex Day

Use your final day to revisit your favorite spots, explore areas you might have missed, or simply relax before heading home.

Whether it’s one last dip in the pool, another delicious meal in Zona Romántica, or a leisurely stroll along the Malecón, make the most of your last moments in Puerto Vallarta!

If you have more time to spend in the area, check out my hidden gems travel guide for some off the beaten path adventures.

You can catch the whole vlog about spending a week in Puerto Vallarta here: