Two of my best friends and I decided a long time ago that we would celebrate our 30th birthdays together with a vacation – this was our year! We knew we wanted to go somewhere tropical, easy to travel to, and with fun bars and restaurants for celebrating. Puerto Vallarta was perfect for the occasion! What sets Puerto Vallarta apart from other popular resort destinations in Mexico is the mountainous landscapes, authentic spirit, and the overall accessibility (Jetblue flies direct from JFK).
In this travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in vibrant Puerto Vallarta. Oh…and I highly recommend vacationing for your birthday!
Table of Contents
STAY
As with most destinations, there are many homes on Airbnb, as well as hotels and resorts to choose from for accommodations. Keep reading for the reasons we chose to stay in an Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta.
AIRBNB
Book the house HERE!
LOCATION | This Airbnb is located in the Amapas neighborhood in the lush Sierra Madre mountains. Not only is it scenic here, but it is also a bit calmer than the nearby Zona Romántica neighborhood. Taxi and Uber rides to Zona Romántica and Downtown take no more than ten minutes. The house has a 24/7 security staff that was able to assist in calling taxis, which was very helpful for our group, since Uber XL was not always readily available.
SPACE | Having a shared space to hangout is ideal when traveling with a group. This house has three levels, four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private pool, and multiple sitting areas indoors and outdoors. There are views of the jungle, ocean, and sunset that can be seen throughout the house.
Party Tip: I ordered this customizable gold banner and white paper picado for a little birthday décor in the house.
POOL | We especially loved that our house had a private heated pool so that we could control the playlist, make poolside margaritas, and take a swim whenever we wanted! No matter where you stay in Puerto Vallarta, a pool is a must!
Party Tip: Everyone loved these drink name tags, drink stirrers, drink umbrellas, and flamingo straws that paired perfectly with these pink glitter party cups. Bring pool floats (if you have room in your suitcase) – mine are sold out at Target but these glitter pool floats look similar!
COOKING | Our home came with a personal chef that we used for daily breakfast, snacks, and one dinner which made us feel so pampered. We were able to arrange for food and drinks to be stocked in the kitchen upon arrival, too – cost effective and easy! I am still thinking about the chilaquiles we had for breakfast on the first morning…
This home also comes with a masseuse and daily housekeeping. How do you say “no” to that?!
Book the house HERE!
ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT
There are also amazing hotels and resorts in Puerto Vallarta that would be perfect for a couple, couples trip, or a small family. Check out Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta for that! The best way to book your stay is by using World of Hyatt points – whether you transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards (use this link to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and receive an amazing bonus offer) or earn points directly through Hyatt (use this link to apply for the World of Hyatt Credit Card and receive an amazing bonus offer).
EAT AND DRINK
An essential part of every Jetset with Jasmine guide is bar and restaurant recommendations that offer good food + drinks AND good vibes, and this Puerto Vallarta travel guide is no different! Keep in mind that we had coffee, breakfast, and lunch at our Airbnb every day (which passed the good food + drinks AND good vibes test), so my list is focused to dinner and drinks below.
I highly recommend making some reservations in advance of your travels – most of the best spots in this Puerto Vallarta travel guide are on Open Table.
If I were in Puerto Vallarta for longer, then I definitely would have booked this tacos and tequila tour during the day!
DINNER
The Iguana | If you can only eat at one place in Puerto Vallarta, then this has to be it. It is set in the former home of Elizabeth Taylor, which is absolutely stunning. The food and drinks are exceptional, the service is a 10/10, and the views are scenic.
iK Mixology | Not only a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset, but also a fun table setting with delicious drinks and fusion cuisine. Make a reservation right before sunset, and request to sit in a nest.
On my list for next time: Tintoque, Barcelona Tapas, El Dorado
DRINKS
Cocktails: Bar La Playa, El Colibri, Mezcal y Sal, Elixir Mixology Bar
SEE AND DO
BOOK A DAY CRUISE
A day cruise with Ally Cat Sailing Adventures is a MUST if you are celebrating anything in Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, or Sayulita! We booked the Fat Cat Day Cruise, which lasted six hours and was on board a 60-foot luxury yacht with comfortable seating and shade. Everything was included in the price – breakfast, snacks, lunch, an open bar (mimosas, piña coladas, margaritas, beer, soft drinks, juice, coffee, water, etc.), and water activities (slides, high dive, lily pads, paddle boards, etc.). We also made stops at the Marietas Islands for swimming and snorkeling at Playa la Nopalera + Playa la Manzanilla for water activities. The crew was so friendly and fun, too! Everyone on board seemed to be celebrating something – birthday, honeymoon, bachelorette, you name it!
EXPLORE ZONA ROMÁNTICA & DOWNTOWN
If you cannot already tell from all the photos in this Puerto Vallarta travel guide, this destination is beautiful! The Sierra Madre mountains are lush, the Banderas Bay is deep blue, and the town itself is colorful and authentic. Here is a list of picture perfect places to find when you are exploring Zona Romántica and Downtown:
Casitas Coloridas
El Parque de los Azulejos
iK Mixology
Casa Kimberly
Mirador de la Cruz
Iglesia de Guadalupe
El Malecón
Lastly, there are so many beautiful beaches for relaxing and hiking + nearby colorful towns to explore like Sayulita. I hope you enjoyed this travel guide to Puerto Vallarta and are planning to visit soon! I will definitely be coming back!
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful destination any time of the year. I actually visited during the low season (July-September), which is also considered the rainy season, but truth-be-told, the rain was scarce during the day and was only an issue in the evening. The sun still shined, and I still got a tan!
If you are interested in whale watching, the best time to visit is from December-March.
CURRENCY
Mexican Pesos are the local currency. The conversion rate is more or less $1 USD = $20 MXN. I recommend that you keep some cash on hand for taxis, local vendors, and tipping. We found that most ATMs were closed on Sunday, so plan accordingly.
GETTING AROUND
To/From PVR Airport: Leaving the airport, I recommend using Uber, as taxis and shuttles are actually more expensive! The pick-up point for Uber is a left after you exit the terminal, another left at the end of the building, and across the pedestrian bridge (4-5 minutes of walking in total). Arriving at the airport, you can use Uber or a taxi, which will drop you off right in front of the departures entrance.
Uber is available throughout Puerto Vallarta and is very affordable (it never costs more than $5 USD to go from Amapas to Zona Romántica). Taxi services are also easy to find, but keep in mind that you will need to pay in Mexican Pesos. Otherwise, Zona Romántica and Downtown are super walkable.
Tip: Save locations to a list on Google Maps – your hotel, bars and restaurants, sights, etc. for planning your days efficiently. This will help you see which sights, bars, and restaurants are in the same areas.
PACKING
Pack several pool/beach outfits + my favorite essentials: these hair claw clips, these hydration packets, and this travel and reef-friendly sunscreen.
For the evenings, I recommend that you dress up a little – think dresses for the ladies and casual button-downs for the gents.
And if you’re celebrating anything like we were, don’t forget all of the party décor that I mentioned earlier!
My complete guide to how to pack for travel is saved HERE!
P.S. DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT!
LANGUAGE
You do not need to speak Spanish, but it does help a lot. Not everyone that you encounter will be able to speak English – be patient. I always encourage people to attempt to learn a few key words, though!
| English | Spanish |
| Hello | Hola |
| Good morning/day | Buenos días |
| How are you? | ¿Cómo estás? |
| I’m good! | Estoy bien |
| Do you speak English? | ¿Hablas inglés? |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Gracias |
| You’re welcome | De nada |
| Bye | Adios |
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
COVID-19
With the spread of COVID-19, all travelers should prioritize their health and safety. Rules and restrictions are constantly changing, so stay updated HERE for related rules and restrictions in Mexico.
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