Puerto Vallarta is my favorite city in Mexico, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve been to a ton of places. Puerto Vallarta is located on the Pacific coastline and has amazing boutique hotels, nightlife, and unique things to do around town. It also still has that authentic Mexican charm of a small city, and hasn’t been overly “americanized” like Cabo. You’ll find iconic landmarks, such as Los Arcos National Marine Park and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. PV is close to a lot of small towns, like Sayulita & Yelapa, which is perfect for day trips. I go back to Puerto Vallarta at least once a year, so I’m always on the lookout for new restaurants, things to do and boutique hotels. Save this guide for your next trip!
Where to Stay
Casa Kimberly
By far the most beautiful boutique hotel I’ve stayed at in Puerto Vallarta – Casa Kimberly
You might have heard of Casa Kimberly before if you’re a fan of Elizabeth Taylor. It’s pretty famous in Puerto Vallarta because of its history. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had their infamous love affair in Puerto Vallarta decades ago, and Casa Kimberly is where it all happened (well, part of it).
Richard Burton purchased Casa Kimberly for Elizabeth Taylor’s birthday (I believe her 32nd birthday… must be nice to be gifted a Boutique Hotel!) and he had a bridge built to connect his residence to hers.
How romantic!
Casa Kimberly has been renovated and restored back to its original glory. This small boutique hotel features 9 suites – each one thoughtfully and uniquely decorated. Seeing this was Elizabeth’s Taylors house at one point makes a lot of sense because it just oozes with glamour. Chandeliers are everywhere – in the lobby, in the restaurant, in the bathrooms, in the suites.. beautiful!
I have stayed in the Room “VIP” which is the penthouse suite. It has a beautiful wraparound balcony with ocean views and jacuzzi, 4 chaise lounges, small outdoor dining table and an open-concept bathroom. This would be a perfect hotel to enjoy a couple’s weekend, honeymoon or special occasion.
I love the character of each room – I’ve toured all of them except the Elizabeth Taylor suite (that is definitely on my radar!) and each room has stunning views of Puerto Vallarta.
The restaurant on-site, The Iguana, is one of the most popular romantic restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and it’s only open for dinner. You want to book in advance to get a reservation and I would recommend coming around sunset.
If you are staying at Casa Kimberly, you can have breakfast and lunch at The Iguana. Because it’s not open to outside guests, you basically have the whole restaurant to yourself! The Iguana also comes to life at night – the whole property is beautifully lit up and the large courtyard, and entrance to the hotel rooms, is behind the restaurant.
The property also 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.
One of the biggest selling points to this hotel… it’s within walking distance to Downtown PV, El Centro and the Malecon. Pack some good walking shoes because while it’s all up and downhill. You’ll be walking up and down streets & stairs, so wear appropriate shoes!
You can check out my Instagram for a full room hotel. Casa Kimberly is the perfect centrally located Boutique Hotel, close to all the action!
Hotel Mousai
Alright, now let’s talk a larger hotel, a Puerto Vallarta staple now – Hotel Mousai. I have stayed at Hotel Mousai three times and it’s definitely on my list of places to recommend to anyone coming to Puerto Vallarta. Hotel Mousai is a big hotel with all the classic amenities and even has an all-inclusive option.
It’s part of a larger hotel brand, Garza Blanca, which you might have heard of. Hotel Mousai is Garza Blanca’s adults-only property, which is frankly hard to find these days when you have a big hotel.
The 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 features “smart” interior design. The TV, curtains/blinds and lights are all controlled by a touchscreen tablet.
Hotel Mousai is most known for its amazing rooftop infinity pool and spa. The rooftop infinity pool is breathtaking and all you see is the gorgeous blue ocean past the infinity pool. You are on like the 30th floor, so you can just see for miles.
There are plenty of chaise lounges and cabanas and there is a rooftop bar/restaurant too. The rooftop offers a small menu with tacos, ceviches and salsas. 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. They also have many different spa rooms for massages and facials. You can email Spa Imagine ahead of time for prices and I recommend booking well ahead of your trip.
Hotel Mousai now has a new “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, that’s also where the gym and spa are located. Keep that in mind when booking your room at Hotel Mousai.
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 are different restaurants at each and if you opt for the all-inclusive route, you’ll want to check out all of them. They have a nice variety – Sushi restaurant, Steakhouse, Mexican Cocina and more.
If you’re looking for a larger adults-only hotel with amenities, make sure to check out Hotel Mousai.
Villa Divina
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’s a small and intimate hotel, with 9 rooms and a penthouse 2-bedroom suite. The highlight (for me) is the infinity pool. Unobstructed ocean views!
This hotel is set up almost like a bed-and-breakfast. The lobby has a large 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 open concept kitchen on the main level is spacious and there is a single chef that cooks everything from scratch. The food is incredible fresh and delicious. With that, comes a bit of a wait though.
What sets this hotel apart is the service and hospitality. Carmen, the receptionist & hotel manager, is a wealth of knowledge. She knows all the great spots to eat around town and is more than helpful with any request you have. Because I was staying during the week and it was a bit slower, she gave me a tour of every room in the hotel!
Pasqual, the resident bartender and server, is great. He wipes up the tastiest margaritas with fresh ingredients, like using real fresh mangos for our margaritas vs mango juice. I’ve been back to Villa Divina twice now, and both Carmen and Pasqual (and the entire Villa Divina team) are amazing.
Each room has incredible views of the ocean, spacious bathrooms and some rooms feature a jacuzzi on the balcony. Each room has A/C, a large closet and some feature walk-in showers and/or bathtubs.
I stayed in the Deluxe Suite, Room 7, which in my opinion, has the best view. I absolutely love the modern design of their bedrooms, but they also kept some of that Spanish charm. You can check out the full video room tour on my Instagram page.
Villa Divina is the perfect hotel for a group, party or celebration. It can sleep over 15 people so this would be ideal for a large gathering. You can do a buy-out of the property which would be perfect for a big birthday party or family reunion. Highly recommend checking out Villa Divina!
Where to Eat
Barcelona Tapas
If you’re looking for a lunch or dinner spot, check out Barcelona Tapas. The highlight of this restaurant is their rooftop bar with live music and panoramic views of the city and Bay. They have a large menu, with something for everyone.
My group shared the paella and it was more than enough for 3 of us. This restaurant is more casual than fancy and good for a large family or group.
No Se Nada
No Se Nada is a small, local restaurant in El Centro. You can walk there from Casa Kimberly and it’s centrally located to many other restaurants and bars. If you are around the Malecon, walk over to No Se Nada and head up to their rooftop for lunch.
Check out this video of their rooftop!
They have a small menu but you’ll get fresh, authentic Mexican food. There is a no thrills, no fuss restaurant and you’ll notice it too when you get your check.
They have Happy Hour and when we went during the day, it was 2-for-1 beers. After a few beers and tacos, we walked out of there feeling full, happy and our wallets weren’t crying – It was cheap! What a great find and highly recommend for lunch!
La Cappella
You probably don’t think of Italian food when you come to Puerto Vallarta, but this place may change your mind. The live music and the views of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe are breathtaking. My recommendation would be to come here around sunset because you get to see the church light up after sunset.
Depending on where you are staying, this restaurant is walking distance to Casa Kimberly, Luna Liquida and the Malecon. Reserve on OpenTable well ahead of your trip!
Sendo
Sushi… in Mexico?
Yes! And I found the best spot (maybe the only spot?) in PV.
Sendo is an Omakase-style dinner restaurant, just around the corner from the Malecon. Omakase basically means… that it’s up to the chef. There are four different Omakase choices, ranging from 11-piece to 17-piece courses. They also offer a vegetarian-only Omakase.
Sendo is located on the second floor and has peek-a-boo ocean views. It has a beautiful design aesthetic – clean lines and modern.
The food was delicious and all of it was made right in front of us. We were delighted to taste many different dishes and some had truffle shavings & foie gras.
During the day, Sendo offers a small menu of rolls and nigiri, which is on my radar for my next visit. We didn’t have a problem walking in on a Wednesday night but on the weekends, you may want to book a reservation.
Le Kliff
Just outside of town, about 25 minutes south of Downtown Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find the oceanfront restaurant, Le Kliff. Because it’s located away from the hustle and bustle, you won’t find a big tourist crowd here. You also get unobstructed views of the water. This would be ideal for a romantic dinner, special occasion or celebration.
The restaurant itself is pretty large and sits under a huge palapa. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house. They are known for their craft cocktails, inventive dishes and the service (even during covid) was exceptional.
I would recommend Le Kliff if you are staying south of town.. like Hotel Mousai, Garza Blanca or Villa Divina. It would be too long of a drive if you are staying in El Centro, or Marina area in my opinion. If you’re looking for a romantic or special occasion restaurant closer to town, I would recommend La Cappella, or The Iguana.
Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
Visit the secluded Hidden Beach
If you’re looking to get out of town for a few hours, visiting the Hidden Beach and Marietas Islands is a must. The Hidden Beach is a truly secluded beach that’s only accessible by a 45-minute boat ride. It really is out in the middle of the ocean. What makes it special is that the government limits the amount of people that can visit the beach per day, so you won’t find massive crowds here, nor can you stay very long on your own.
Visiting the Hidden Beach is an experience. In fact, after the 45-minute boat ride, you’ll have to jump into the ocean and swim about 40-50 feet to get to the beach. You’ll have a life vest on, of course and you swim with your group. The tour I went on was a half-day excursion that included some snorkeling and fresh ceviche on the boat. It’s one of my favorite things to recommend in Puerto Vallarta.
Authentic Cooking Class in Downtown Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has some delicious food and if you’re looking for an activity to do in town, I love Gaby’s Cooking Class and Market Tour. I love it so much that I wrote an entire blog post about it! Gaby’s is a popular restaurant in downtown Puerto Vallarta that holds cooking classes twice a week.
Classes are held Mondays & Fridays and are taught by Gaby’s son, Chef Julio. This is a great activity to do solo, or with a small group. You learn authentic Mexican recipes like chicken enchiladas, green salsa and how to make tortillas from scratch. Margaritas are available for order too! Check out my full review of Gaby’s Cooking Class and Market Tour.
Grab a craft cocktail at a Hidden Speakeasy in El Centro
One of my favorite spots in Puerto Vallarta is a hidden gem in El Centro, El Colibri. It’s been since 2019 and it’s unlike any other cocktail bar in PV. This place is open from 8pm to 2am. And even later, 3am on the weekends!
It’s a true speakeasy – hidden behind an unassuming store on Calle Morelos Street.
You walk through a hidden door covered in grass and find yourself in a completely new space, a beautiful outdoor lounge. The vibe reminds me of Tulum – a sexy, jungle escape. Their open-air lounge is very intimate and on weekends, they have a resident DJ. This would be a great spot for a small birthday party.
They have a small food menu, but the true reason to come here is the craft cocktails. Each other is thoughtfully designed and they have a nice mix of tequila cocktails, gin and other spirits. Just look at this presentation…
Do yourself a favor and make sure to visit El Colibri on your next trip!
Walk the Malecon
Puerto Vallarta has a beautiful boardwalk, the Malecon, which runs for about 10 blocks along the coast. You’ll find tons of bars, restaurants, shops and street vendors. You’ll even find a Starbucks here! The Malecon is safe & fun to walk during the day and night. If you’re a big foodie, you may want to look into this Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour. You’ll learn about the history of Puerto Vallarta and check out some of the popular foodie spots along the Malecon. Great way to get your steps in!
If you need a bit of a caffeine boost on your trip, visit Puerto Cafe just off the Malecon. They are known for their delicious brewed teas and speciality coffees.
One of my favorite spots for a quick shot of tequila is the Devils Bar & Grill. If you’re an Arizona State alumni like myself, you get a shot of tequila for free being a Sun Devil! Can’t turn that down!
Hope you enjoyed this Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide! For your convenience, I added a map of all the destinations I listed above. I’ll also update this travel guide as new and exciting places pop up around Puerto Vallarta!
And feel free to drop me your thoughts or questions in the comment box below. And follow me on TikTok and Instagram for hotel room tours and more!
Happy Traveling!
