Since we first started our journey as digital nomads, my partner and I have stayed in plenty of different spots across Mexico. But honestly, nothing compares to the lifestyle we’ve found in Puerto Vallarta. While most people spend their entire vacation hunting for the next trendy restaurant, we’ve discovered a secret that makes our stay so much more meaningful.
We absolutely LOVE cooking in our own kitchen, especially when that kitchen is nestled in the hills of Amapas.
If you are a solo traveler or a couple looking for that perfect balance of productivity and relaxation, you probably already know that eating out for every single meal gets old fast. Your stomach starts to protest, and your bank account definitely notices. But here in PV, the real magic happens when you bring the flavors of the city back to your own space.
The Morning Market Ritual
Our day usually starts early with a quick walk down the hill. While Old Town and Zona Romantica are the same place and offer plenty of charm, we find that living just a few minutes away in Amapas gives us the best of both worlds. It’s quieter, more private, and the views from the kitchen counter are unbeatable.
Our first stop is always the Emiliano Zapata municipal market. If you haven't been yet, it is highly recommended for anyone who wants to see the real soul of the city.
The smell of fresh cilantro and roasting chiles hits you the moment you walk through the doors. We’ve become regulars at a few stalls, and there’s a genuine warmth in the way the vendors greet us. We usually grab a huge bag of fresh shrimp, the kind that was swimming in the bay just hours ago, and a stack of warm, hand-pressed tortillas that are still steaming in their paper wrap.
We also make sure to check out the local secrets for street tacos because having a kitchen with the right gear makes all the difference when you're bringing home a market haul.
Creating a Masterpiece at Home
Back at the condo, the real fun begins. One of the reasons we specifically chose our current spot in Amapas is the interior design. We are suckers for traditional Mexican motifs, and our kitchen has this incredible Talavera tile backsplash that makes even chopping onions feel like an artistic experience.
The blue and yellow patterns are so vibrant! It’s the perfect backdrop for our afternoon cooking sessions. We’ve found that incorporating local textiles into our living space, like the hand-woven runner on our dining table, makes the condo feel like a real home rather than just a rental.
Cooking at home also allows us to experiment with local ingredients we might be shy to try in a restaurant. Have you ever tried making your own salsa verde with fresh tomatillos? It’s surprisingly easy and sooo much better than anything you’ll find in a jar.
We usually whip up a batch of "Ceviche Vallarta" or some simple shrimp tacos. We’ve learned that the secret is in the lime, lots and lots of fresh Mexican lime. If it happens to be a grey afternoon, we find that living like a local with these best-kept secrets still inspires us to slow down, stay in, and perfect our guacamole recipe.
Why Amapas is the Best Move
We’ve stayed in many areas, but Amapas is easily our favorite place to rent. It’s elevated, which means you get those cooling breezes while you’re standing over a hot stove. Plus, the condos here often have more of that authentic Mexican character we crave, think Saltillo tile floors and carved wood accents that look amazing against a modern kitchen setup.
If you’re looking for condo and apartment rentals puerto vallarta, you can really find some gems in this neighborhood. We’ve found that owners in Amapas take a lot of pride in their interiors, often decorating with high-quality artisan textiles and locally sourced furniture.
It’s about more than just a place to sleep; it’s about the environment. When you’re a digital nomad, your workspace and your living space are often the same. Working from a beautiful wooden table with a view of the jungle while the smell of fresh salsa wafts through the air is the ultimate productivity hack.
Bringing the Outside In
Even when we aren't cooking, we spend a lot of time admiring the craftsmanship in our rental. The way the light hits the textured tiles in the afternoon is just stunning. We’ve actually started picking up small pieces of decor from the local craft markets to bring a bit of that PV flavor into our permanent lives.
A few small Talavera tiles can make a great coaster, and a hand-embroidered cushion can transform a plain sofa. We’ve learned that you don't need a massive renovation to make a space feel special, just a few well-chosen local elements.
For anyone planning their next trip, we can’t recommend the Amapas area enough. It really is the rent apartments in puerto vallarta choice for anyone who wants a more grounded, authentic experience in Puerto Vallarta.
Best of all, you get to live like a local. You learn the rhythms of the neighborhood, the best time to buy fish, and the joy of a home-cooked meal shared on a balcony while the sun goes down. It’s simple, it’s beautiful, and it’s why we keep coming back.
If you want to see more of our kitchen creations and the beautiful spots we find, you should definitely follow us on Instagram.
About the Author
