Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide

Even farther north is Nuevo Vallarta, where Puerto Vallarta ends and the Riviera Nayarit officially starts, which is even more tourist-centered, although it is also less populated: It has wide, modern streets, long (and delightfully uncrowded) beaches and lots of palm trees. The hotels in this area are all very slick and shiny with nice beaches, and most are also all-inclusive. Construction of new hotels, some absolute knock-outs, is moving at a fast pace along this coast.

The South Side of Puerto Vallarta tends to have more budget accommodations and family-run inns. The Centro, South Side and neighborhoods just south of Vallarta are peppered with bed-and-breakfast accommodations that cater to a wide variety of tastes and budgets.

For upscale stays, don't hesitate to consider a gorgeous villa, located primarily on the south end of town in Conchas Chinas or Gringo Gulch. A full staff and lots of amenities come with the price. Some of the most beautiful (and desirable) villas are tucked away far to the north of Vallarta's maddening crowds.

Puerto Vallarta is very popular December-early May, especially during holidays (both U.S. and Mexican). If you plan to be in Vallarta then, advance reservations are an absolute must. In June, business is a bit slower, and discounts are plentiful. The best rates can be found in the more humid days of September once school starts up again.