Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Puerto Vallarta?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Puerto Vallarta?
Many visitors spend three to five days in Puerto Vallarta during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This town offers a number of attractions to explore, including scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife.
Puerto Vallarta is a popular resort town on the Pacific side of Mexico. It' has beautiful beaches and a range of outdoor adventure sports. People enjoy the charming center and the colorful restaurants. There's also a great nightlife scene.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Puerto Vallarta? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Puerto Vallarta?
One week is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so more time would allow you to experience scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend a week in Puerto Vallarta
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Puerto Vallarta is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. Divers in the area may get to experience once in a lifetime opportunities like diving with manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks, hammerheads, or schools of jacks.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Los Arcos Snorkeling Puerto Vallarta ($79)
- Discover Scuba Diving Program ($162)
- Hiking in the Mountain and snorkeling at Colomitos ($87)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this town, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The charming character combined with the authentic local cuisine makes for a wonderful culinary experience. There's everything from taco stands to romantic restaurants that you can try.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours ($59)
- Taste of Pitillal Food Tour by Vallarta Food Tours ($55)
- Taco Adventure Evening Food Tour with Vallarta Food Tours ($55)
Puerto Vallarta is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. There are several walkable neighborhoods in town such as 5 de Diciembre, el Centro, and Zona Romantica.
The beautiful beaches await you in Puerto Vallarta, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are many beaches spread out around town that have soft sand and blue water. Most have all of the amenities you could need. Popular beaches include Playa de los Muertos, Playa Mismaloya, and Playa Conchas Chinas.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Fun 2 hr Surf Lessons in Punta de Mita ($150)
- Natural Route, Hiking, Snorkeling and Boat Ride ($55)
- Private Boat Tour to Yelapa with Snorkeling and Waterfall Hike ($220)
This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. You'll find a mix of active clubs, cozy bars, and cosmopolitan cafes. Head to the Romantic Zone or Los Muertos Beach for some of the best places.
Public transit in Puerto Vallarta is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There are blue, green or orange buses that travel around town.
Shopping in Puerto Vallarta is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There's a mix of shopping malls, open-air markets, boutiques, and international brands.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pitillal food & Shopping Adventure ($50)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Puerto Vallarta.
Perhaps the most famous place in Puerto Vallarta is the Malecon, so don't miss it. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
This town offers some good museums and historic landmarks, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. Pick the ones that appeal to you the most and get started. There are a number of historical sights around town like Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Admission Arte Vallarta Museum ($6)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Puerto Vallarta.
After you've explored most of Puerto Vallarta, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- El Tuito Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta with Tequila and Lunch ($144)
- Sayulita Beach Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta ($59)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Puerto Vallarta.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Puerto Vallarta?
Two weeks is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Puerto Vallarta. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Puerto Vallarta as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
How to spend 2 weeks in Puerto Vallarta
With 2 weeks in Puerto Vallarta, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- El Tuito Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta with Tequila and Lunch ($144)
- Sayulita Beach Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta ($59)
More Info
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