Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide
Puerto Vallarta is such a special place – the city has so much history among Hollywood, its prided itself (no pun intended) on being a truly welcoming destination and it offers something for everyone. It’s conveniently located near other small towns, like Punta de Mita, Sayulita & Yelapa, which are great for day trips. Bookmark this guide for your next trip!
Where to Stay
Puerto Vallarta has a unique mix of places to stay. From my experience, you’ll find some great boutique hotels in places like El Centro and Conchas Chinas. There are larger, more “chain” hotels too offering all-inclusive packages along the coastline. But what you won’t find is the “luxury” resort brands, like a Four Seasons or Ritz, in town. You’ll have to travel over an hour to get to those places. This guide is for those that want to stay in Puerto Vallarta. I’ve really found the best of the best to stay, see, eat and do. Enjoy!
By far, the most beautiful Boutique hotel I’ve stayed at in Puerto Vallarta. It has so much history!
You might have heard of Casa Kimberly if you’re a fan of Elizabeth Taylor, or Taylor Swift. It’s pretty infamous. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had their storied love affair here, decades ago, and Casa Kimberly is where it all happened (well, part of it).
Richard Burton purchased Casa Kimberly for Elizabeth Taylor’s 32nd birthday and he had a bridge built over the street to connect his residence to hers.. Away from the paparazzi and wondering eyes of the community. How romantic, cue the tears.
Casa Kimberly has been renovated and restored back to its original glory. This small boutique hotel features only 9 suites – each one thoughtfully and uniquely decorated. It just oozes with glamour.. Chandeliers are everywhere – in the lobby, in the restaurant, in the bathrooms, in the suites.. Just a stunning property!
The restaurant on-site, The Iguana, is one of the most popular “romantic” restaurants in town because it has incredible ocean & sunset views. It’s only open for dinner so you’ll want to book in advance to get a reservation through OpenTable. If you are staying at Casa Kimberly though, you can enjoy breakfast and lunch at The Iguana. Because it’s not open to outside guests, you basically have the whole restaurant to yourself and everything is made to order.
At night, the property comes to life – the chandeliers cast a beautiful glow, candles light the tables and courtyard areas and from your room, you also see the entire town lit up.
During the day, to cool off, the property has a pool, which is perfect for those warm Puerto Vallarta days. It’s not heated though, so think of it more like a dipping pool. It is refreshing but sometimes, a bit too refreshing for my liking.
Off property – You’re within walking distance to Downtown PV, El Centro and the Malecon, which has great restaurants and things to do. Pack some good walking shoes because it’s all up and downhill. Get those steps in!
You’ll be hard pressed to find a more luxurious, secluded boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta. This IS “old Hollywood glamour” and best believe, you’ll sleep nicely knowing that Elizabeth Taylor shared the same space as you. Book here.
Alright, now let’s talk a bigger hotel, slightly out of town but well-known for its incredible views, Hotel Mousai. I first stayed here when it had only one tower. I’ve since stayed 2 other times and although they have expanded (which I typically don’t like) .. their rooftop pool and spa keep me coming back.
It’s part of a larger hotel group, Tafer Hotels, which has properties like Garza Blanca around Mexico. Hotel Mousai is Garza Blanca’s “adults-only” sister property.
The large rooms, the rooftop infinity pool and the spa are the true highlights. Soooo many great spots for taking Instagram pictures! Every room has ocean views, a large jacuzzi on the balcony, oversized hammock and has “smart” interior design features like automatic blinds and lights.
Hotel Mousai is most known for its amazing rooftop infinity pool and spa, both have expansive unobstructed views of the water. You are on like the 30th floor, so you can see for miles.. even for whale watching! The rooftop is only open to Hotel Mousai guests during the day. After 6pm, it’s open to all guests who are staying at Mousai and Garza Blanca.
Every time I go back to Puerto Vallarta, regardless of where I am staying, I always spend one day at the Hotel Mousai Spa, Spa Imagine. Of all the spas I have checked out over the years, this is my number one favorite. The views, once again, are stunning. They have a nice hydrotherapy circuit, where the spa attendants walk you through the entire journey. See pictures of the Spa at the bottom of this guide.
Hotel Mousai has expanded and now also has a “South Tower” which features another rooftop pool and a few restaurants. I toured the south tower and find that I still prefer the pool at the North Tower. Plus, the North Tower also has the gym and spa.
Garza Blanca, the family-friendly property, is located just below Hotel Mousai and you can catch a free tram to take you between the two hotels. There is a “calm” pool in between the two properties, pictured above. There are different restaurants at Garza Blanca and it has a small beach area, so you can get the toes-in-the-sand feel.
One thing to note about this property – it’s not walkable to anything off property, so you’ll need to Uber into town. Bring pesos and cash.
If you’re looking for a larger adults-only hotel with amenities like a Spa and Gym, put this on your list and book here.
Villa Divina is such a special Boutique Hotel. It’s located in Conchas Chinas, which is only about a 5-7 minute Uber ride from Zona Romantica and El Centro. It has 9 rooms and a penthouse 2-bedroom suite. This hotel is set up like a bed-and-breakfast or big AirBnB. They do hotel buy-outs for families and large groups. The entire property can sleep about 15 people.
The “lobby” or living room area, has a big screen TV, two sofas and additional seating. The dining room/kitchen area has a big round table that can easily sit 6-8 people. There is also a large Travelers Book that you can sign and write about your experience staying at Villa Divina.
The highlight (for me no surprise) is the infinity pool. Unobstructed ocean views! There are some resident Iguanas that live in the large tree beyond the pool. Look closely and you’ll likely see them!
Back inside – The open concept kitchen on the main level is spacious and there is a single chef that cooks everything from scratch. The food is incredibly fresh and delicious. With that, comes a bit of a wait though.
What sets this hotel apart is the service and hospitality. You really will get to know the staff well and they all provide wonderful service and recommendations.
Each room has incredible views of the ocean, spacious bathrooms and bedrooms and local Mexican artwork and linens. Check out more photos and book your stay here.
Where to Eat & Drink
Puerto Cafe - Located in El Centro - Cute coffee shop and great coffee along the Malecon
Calmate Cafe - Great breakfast spot with fresh ingredients and local art. Cash Only!
Barcelona Tapas - Rooftop restaurant with live music, sharable plates, ocean views
La Cappella - Italian restaurant with live music, unobstructed views of the Chapel
Le Kliff - A bit out of town but worth it. Cliffside, overlooking the water
La Iguana at Casa Kimberly - "Romantic" restaurant with American classics and sunset views
El Colibri Bar - A true speakeasy! Must visit Enjoy their speciality cocktails.
Sendo - Sushi in Mexico? You might be skeptical but it makes total sense - they get the best, freshest fish.
Torio PV - Sendo's lil sister - the only handroll bar in town!
What to do
Puerto Vallarta has lots to do around town. Here's my top 3 favorites:
1. Hidden Beach (Marieta Islands) – This secluded, semi-private excursion is a must-do. The hidden beach is a beach, located within a crater, out in the middle of the ocean. It is accessible only by boat and during low-tide, when you can swim under the crater. Only about 400 people can visit the islands per day to help preserve it. Because it’s a trek to get out there, you won’t find it terribly crowded or busy.
2. Cooking Class at Gaby’s Mexican Restaurant – One of the highlights from our trip! If you are looking for something in town – check out Gaby’s. They host cooking classes twice a week and their schedule is updated on their Facebook Page. For the first hour, you walk to local markets and buy all of the ingredients needed. Then, once you’re back at Gaby’s, you divide and conquer. Making fresh tortillas, salsas, grilling the proteins etc. Oh, don’t forget – sipping margaritas too!
3. SPA Day at Hotel Mousai – Like I mentioned above, this is one of my favorite spas in the entire world and you can book a massage, even if you are not staying at the property.
If you are less inclined to do excursions or tours – check out the Malecon, where you can walk along the boardwalk … or shop the local stores around El Centro and Zona Romantica.
