Why Honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta gives you two trips in one. Days can be spent on a boat in the bay or at a cove south of town. Evenings are spent in a lively city with good restaurants, rooftop bars and street food, all within walking distance if you stay in the Zona Romántica.
Nature is close. Humpback whales arrive in the bay each winter to calve, the marine park at Los Arcos has good snorkeling and the jungle hills hide waterfalls and a large botanical garden.
It is also good value. Boutique hotels and dinners here often cost noticeably less than equivalent stays in Los Cabos or the Riviera Maya. Couples who want a more exclusive resort can still drive north to the Riviera Nayarit for a few nights.
When to Go
November through April is the best window. Days are sunny and dry, highs sit in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit and the evenings are pleasant for walking. December to March is humpback whale season, a big draw for a winter honeymoon.
May is warmer and still dry, a good shoulder month with fewer crowds. From mid-June to mid-October the rainy season brings humid, hot days and heavy evening storms. August and September are the wettest. The hills turn very green and prices fall, but some boat trips and restaurants cut hours.
Direct hurricane hits are rare, but storms can still bring heavy rain and rough seas, so watch forecasts in late summer. The Christmas and Easter holidays are the most expensive weeks.
Where to Stay
The Zona Romántica is the best base for couples who like to walk to dinner. It has small hotels, rooftop pools and Playa de los Muertos at its edge. Hacienda San Angel, a cluster of restored villas on the hill near the cathedral, is a classic romantic choice with views over the rooftops.
Conchas Chinas and the coast south toward Mismaloya are quieter, with hotels stepped down cliffs above small coves. Garza Blanca Preserve sits on this stretch beside the jungle.
North of downtown, the Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta have larger resorts near the airport. Kid-free picks include Hotel Mousai on the south coast and Casa Velas in Marina Vallarta. Approximate rates: US$150 to US$350 a night for good boutique hotels, often US$500 or more for top kid-free resorts.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk the Malecón at sunset, past its bronze sculptures, then climb the side streets to the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its crown-topped tower.
Take a water taxi from Los Muertos pier or Boca de Tomatlán to Yelapa, a village with no road access. Hike to its waterfall, have lunch on the sand and come back in the afternoon.
In winter, book a small-boat whale watching trip in the morning, when the bay is calm. Snorkel at Los Arcos, the rock arches offshore from Mismaloya, where the 1960s film The Night of the Iguana was shot.
Spend a morning at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, about 40 minutes south, for orchids, a river swim and lunch overlooking the jungle.
Getting There and Around
Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) has nonstop flights from many US cities, including Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Phoenix and Chicago, with more seasonal routes in winter. Flight times are about three hours from the West Coast and Texas. Routes change, so confirm before you book.
From the airport, authorized taxis and prebooked transfers take 15 to 30 minutes to the Zona Romántica depending on traffic. Ride-hailing apps work in the city. Inside the old town you will mostly walk, though the hills are steep and the cobblestones uneven, so pack comfortable shoes.
Water taxis run from Los Muertos pier and Boca de Tomatlán to the southern coves. Taxis are inexpensive for short trips, but agree on the fare first if there is no meter.
Food and Drink
Vallarta has one of the best food scenes on Mexico's Pacific coast. Start with street tacos: fish and shrimp at lunch, al pastor at night. Try pescado zarandeado, a butterflied fish grilled over coals, at a beach restaurant.
Raicilla, a smoky agave spirit made in the Jalisco hills, is the local drink to try, along with tequila from the state's highlands. Order it neat with orange slices.
The Zona Romántica and Centro have plenty of sit-down restaurants for a special dinner, many on rooftops or along the river. Food tours are a good way to learn the neighborhoods on your first evening. Drink bottled water, which most restaurants use for ice as well.
Honeymoon Tips
- Read the Jalisco section of the State Department's Mexico advisory before booking. It rates the state "reconsider travel" but does not place extra limits on government staff visiting Puerto Vallarta itself. Stay in tourist areas and avoid driving between cities at night.
- Use authorized airport taxis and be ready for timeshare sellers in the arrivals hall. A polite "no, gracias" and walking on works.
- Rip currents can be strong on open beaches. Swim where others are swimming.
- Mosquitoes are worst in the rainy season. If you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
- Cobblestones and steep stairs are everywhere in old town. Choose flat sandals or sneakers over heels.
