Mexico Vacations: Which Puerto Vallarta Neighborhood is Right For You? Mark Chesnut - Latin Flyer
go to original March 30, 2015

Statues on the waterfront Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

I love Puerto Vallarta. and one of the things I like about it most is the diversity of experiences that you can have there — from outdoor adventures and water sports to sophisticated culinary experiences, from history and art to day trips.

When a friend recently asked me to recommend the best parts of town in which to stay in Puerto Vallarta, I realized that choosing the right neighborhood is an important part of creating the perfect Puerto Vallarta vacation. This Mexico beach destination is graced with several very distinct neighborhoods — all of them great for vacations, but each with its own unique selling points. So depending on the type of traveler you are and the type of vacation you desire (as well as the type of hotel you prefer), you might find that some areas fit your needs better than others.

Here are a few of the places in Puerto Vallarta that can fit the bill for your next Mexico vacation:

Marina Vallarta

There are some very nice hotels in the Marina Vallarta area (read my review of the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, and there is also a Westin there), and the fact that there’s a marina and golf course there makes it great for people who’d like to tee off or head out onto the beautiful Pacific waters. //latinflyer.com/mexico/hotel-review-casamagna-marriott-puerto-vallarta-resort-spa/

It’s also one of the most conveniently close neighborhoods to the airport, making arrivals and departures easy.

Marina Vallarta is at least a 15 or 20 minute taxi ride into downtown Puerto Vallarta, though, so keep that in mind if you plan on spending a lot of time in town.

Best For: Golfers, boating enthusiasts, people who like full-service hotels and all-inclusive options.

The Zona Romántica

The Romantic Zone is the most central neighborhood, meaning you can walk to the beach, restaurants, galleries, nightlife and shops — but the hotels there tend to be smaller.

The last time we stayed on our own, we rented part of a “villa” in the Romantic Zone, so you might want to check VRBO, Homeaway and AirBNB, as there are a lot of private apartments, villas and small homes downtown that are owned by foreigners and rent out short-term.

The Zona Romántica is also the gayest neighborhood in the very LGBT-friendly Puerto Vallarta; there are several gay hotels there. I’ve heard that one of the nicest gay hotels is Casa Cupula, though I haven’t stayed there myself.

Best For: Vacationers who like being in a smaller place that’s walking distance to restaurants, beach, galleries and nightlife.

Read the rest at Latin Flyer.