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Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful beach resort town on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Renowned for its gorgeous white sands, thriving nightlife, and charming historic old town, Puerto Vallarta is a fabulous destination for a romantic getaway or a fun vacation with friends.
If you’re considering visiting Puerto Vallarta for the first time, you might be wondering which part of the city to stay in. Let’s take a look at the region’s most popular neighborhoods and highlight some top Puerto Vallarta hotels to help you get started planning your trip.
Centro for First-Time Visitors
Highlights: Malecon Boardwalk, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Rosita Beach, Los Arco Marine Park, Los Arco Amphitheater, Naval History Museum
El Centro is otherwise known as Downtown Puerto Vallarta and is one of the oldest and liveliest neighborhoods in the city. You’ll find a host of popular landmarks and attractions here, such as the mile-long Malecon Boardwalk, which is lined with sophisticated restaurants and bars and offers gorgeous Banderas Bay views.
There’s lots of Spanish colonial architecture to admire in Centro, and it’s a joy to walk through the charming cobbled streets to take in the historic buildings.
Centro is a compact area with plenty of attractions and amenities within easy walking distance, including the popular Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Arco Marine Park, and the Naval History Museum.
There’s also Rosita Beach, although it’s narrow and rocky compared to some of Puerto Vallarta’s southern beaches, which are significantly better for sunbathing. If you’ll be visiting Puerto Vallarta for the first time, Centro is a convenient area to stay in.
Keep in mind that it tends to be busy and therefore quite noisy, particularly at night. So, if you’re looking for a peaceful vacation, Centro is not the neighborhood for you.
Where to Stay
Due to its history, Centro has a more authentic Mexican vibe than other Puerto Vallarta neighborhoods, which were developed primarily to accommodate tourists.
Many of the hotels here are housed in charming colonial buildings. Hotel Rosita was Puerto Vallarta’s first formal hotel and is a fantastic example of typical Mexican architecture.
It has its own mile-long seafront promenade and boardwalk, as well as an outdoor pool, a rooftop terrace, and a relaxed restaurant. The Crown Paradise Golden All Inclusive Resort is a sophisticated adults-only establishment with modern, colorful rooms that offer bay views from their private balconies.
Marina Vallarta for Lovers of Luxury
Highlights: El Faro Lighthouse, Marina Vallarta Golf Club
Marina Vallarta lies north of Centro and is identifiable by its renowned whale and Neptune sculptures and striking El Faro Lighthouse. It centers around a large marina that can accommodate almost 500 vessels, many of which are luxurious yachts. A pretty promenade runs alongside the marina so that pedestrians can appreciate gorgeous waterside views.
One of the most famous attractions in Marina Vallarta is its scenic 18-hole golf course, but the neighborhood also has tennis courts, a bowling alley, multiple spas, and copious restaurants and bars. Plus, it’s home to multiple shopping centers for those who love retail therapy.
Keep in mind that Centro is around 10 or 15 minutes away by car, but parking in Marina Vallarta is limited. If you plan to drive here, you’ll need to book a hotel that offers parking.
This neighborhood is a five-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, making it a great base for those planning a very short stay in the city. It’s also an excellent choice for anyone wanting an ultra-luxurious vacation because accommodation is primarily upmarket resorts.
Where to Stay
Velas Vallarta is an indulgent, family-friendly, all-inclusive resort with rooms and suites available. It has multiple outdoor pools, tennis courts, and a kids’ club. Casa Velas is an all-inclusive adults-only resort with lush grounds surrounding its swimming pool and cabanas. There’s an on-site golf course and a host of restaurants and bars.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa is a beachfront hotel with contemporary rooms and suites, some of which have ocean views. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, multiple eateries and bars, and a gym.
Zona Hotelera for Families
Highlights: Beautiful beaches, Galerias Vallarta Shopping Mall, La Isla Shopping Mall, Los Mangos Public Library
Zona Hotelera is where some of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta can be found. It sits in between Centro and the Romantic Zone, which means you can enjoy easy access to the city’s main sights. The biggest draw of this neighborhood is its beaches. Playa de Oro, Playa Tranquila, Playa las Glorias, Playa los Tules, and Playa Camarones are some of Puerto Vallarta’s most beloved beaches, and they’re all right here in the Hotel Zone.
There’s great shopping to be had in the Hotel Zone. Galerias Vallarta Shipping Mall has a wide selection of national and international brands available, and there are plenty of independent boutiques to explore elsewhere in the neighborhood. You’ll also find excellent restaurants and bars in the Hotel Zone.
Keep in mind that the high concentration of hotels makes the Hotel Zone incredibly touristic. It can get very crowded, particularly when cruise ships dock at the Maritime Terminal and thousands of passengers set out to explore the city at once.
If you’re looking for a beautiful oceanfront resort to call home when you visit Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find it in the Hotel Zone. There’s a good mix of luxury and midrange hotels which means almost all budgets are catered for. Plus, many resorts in this neighborhood are family-friendly, so look for accommodation here first if you’re planning a vacation with kids.
Where to Stay
Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive & Spa is a family-friendly resort with 11 on-site dining options, a kids’ club, a kids’ playground, and access to a private beach.
For a more opulent experience, try Hotel Mio Vallarta, a 5-star hotel with contemporary, unfussy rooms that include televisions, minifridges, coffeemakers, and access to a rooftop pool and gym. If you’d prefer a less formal atmosphere, consider Hacienda Buenaventura Hotel which is a friendly hotel with a relaxed vibe. It has a business center, an outdoor pool with a hot tub, a tropical garden, a spa, and three on-site eateries.
Zona Romantica for Night Owls
Highlights: Playa de Los Muertos, Old Farmers Market, Mercado Isla Rio Cuale
The Romantic Zone, also known as Old Town or Viejo Vallarta (Old Vallarta), lies immediately south of Centro. It has charming cobblestone streets and colonial architecture, much like Centro. Visitors love the colorful buildings, narrow streets and lanes, and unique array of independent shops, boutiques, and galleries.
Playa de Los Muertos is a popular beach that lies along Zona Romantica’s border, and it’s this that draws many visitors to the neighborhood. It’s the perfect beach for relaxing and sunbathing, and beach chair rentals and food and drink vendors make it easy to spend a full day there. Waves tend to be gentle on Los Muertos Beach, so you can safely go paddling or swimming with the kids.
The Old Town Farmer’s Market takes place in the Romantic Zone every weekend, and this is a fantastic place to pick up fresh local produce and artisanal chocolates, cheeses, and baked goods. There’s also an excellent flea market called Mercado Isla Rio Cuale which is a great spot for picking up handmade souvenirs.
The central position of the Romantic Zone allows it to offer easy access to Centro, Conchas Chinas, and Jalisco’s more southern beaches. It’s also a very compact and walkable area with plenty of excellent restaurants and bars.
The nightlife here is fantastic, and there’s a thriving LGBTQ+ scene, which makes the neighborhood incredibly welcoming. If you want to spend your days on the beach and your nights on the town, the Romantic Zone is a great location.
Where to Stay
There are lots of very good hotels in the Romantic Zone, many of which are in charming historic buildings. Playa Los Arcos Hotel Beach Resort & Spa is a friendly, relaxed hotel with colonial, hacienda-style decor. Free WiFi and parking are included, and there are multiple pools, a spa, a bar with live music, and three restaurants on site.
Conchas Chinas for Couples
Highlights: Jorulla Bridge, Playa Conchas Chinas
Conchas Chinas, named after the Chinese Shells that are abundant on the neighborhood’s beach, is known by locals as the Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta. It’s an affluent and exclusive hillside neighborhood where some of the region’s wealthiest locals reside.
Conchas Chinas is significantly quieter and more relaxed than Centro and the Romantic Zone. It’s the perfect base for a secluded, romantic vacation in an elegant hotel or a luxury condo. It’s also home to a popular Yoga Retreat Center for those keen to find a restful escape.
There are very few sights in Conchas Chinas itself, so you’ll need to travel to go sightseeing. This is best done by taxi if you don’t plan to hire your own car. The area is very hilly and difficult to walk around, particularly in hot weather, and there is just one convenience store and a few restaurants in the neighborhood. Instead, the luxurious resorts here have on-site restaurants and bars for guests to enjoy.
Where to Stay
If you want a sophisticated vacation in an opulent resort, you’ll find it in Conchas Chinas. Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is a luxury hotel with comfortable, airy rooms, some of which have terraces, ocean views, and private plunge pools. Room service is 24/7 and a butler service is available at the pool and private beach.
Grand Miramar Resort is an upscale hotel with colorful, stylish suites and villas that include terraces with ocean views. Free breakfast and WiFi are included, and the resort has three restaurants, two bars, and four pools.
South Zone & Southern Beaches for Nature Lovers
Highlights: Quiet beaches and bays, Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Some of the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta are outside of the city limits and dotted along the rugged southern coastline. The likes of Mismaloya, Boca de Tomatlan, and Playa Palmares are beautiful and relatively quiet beach zones where you can check in to total serenity in sprawling, secluded resorts.
Boca de Tomatlan is a particularly good village to stay in if you want peace and quiet. It lies 11 miles south of Puerto Vallarta and is accessible by car, taxi, bus, or boat. The waters here are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Plus, you can make use of the village’s water taxis to reach even more isolated beaches further south, such as Las Animas, Quimixto, and Majahuitas.
Where to Stay
You’ll find small independent inns and B&Bs in the villages of the South Zone and large resorts set in tropical countryside.
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta is an oceanfront hotel set in 85 acres of tropical jungle. Guests can enjoy multiple on-site infinity pools, high-quality restaurants, and a world-class spa.
Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort is a luxurious beach resort with sophisticated rooms and suites that feature balconies overlooking the ocean. Amenities include infinity pools, a full-service spa, a swim-up bar, and multiple eateries. The Junior Suite’s views are spectacular!
Nuevo Vallarta for Active Travelers
Highlights: El Tigre Golf Club, El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary, waterparks
New Vallarta, known as Nuevo Nayarit since 2022, is a neighborhood north of Marina Vallarta. It offers modern, luxurious resorts, restaurants, and bars, excellent cuisine, and beautiful beaches. Watersports like snorkeling, scuba diving, and windsurfing are popular here, and there are lots of opportunities to play golf and tennis.
Since it’s a relatively new neighborhood, New Vallarta doesn’t have the culture and history of central Puerto Vallarta, but it’s a short drive to the neighboring town of Bucerias where there’s a vibrant art and food scene. Many people choose New Vallarta for its safe, friendly atmosphere and amenity-rich resorts.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of hotels, resorts, and condos in this neighborhood to suit a range of budgets. Hotel Boutique Marina Banderas Suites is a relaxed all-suite hotel with a rooftop bar and an on-site Italian restaurant. Its suites have balconies with marina views, minibars, microwaves, and coffeemakers, and those with two or three bedrooms have full kitchens.
Book Your Puerto Vallarta Getaway
Puerto Vallarta has a stunning coastline with no shortage of excellent hotels and resorts to choose from. Now that you’re familiar with the key neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta, you can start booking your vacation to this tropical haven.
