I have been staying in the Amapas neighborhood for a few weeks now, and I have to tell you, it is absolutely the best place to rent in the whole city.
The views from the hillside are spectacular, but my favorite part is how easy it is to live like a local here.
Every morning, I wake up and walk down the hill toward the Mercado Municipal Emiliano Zapata.
This market is the heart of the area, located right where Old Town and the Zona Romantica meet.
It is the same vibrant neighborhood I’ve always loved, full of life and the best smells you can imagine.
Since it is June, the mangoes are out of this world!
I saw piles of them at the market today, along with the biggest pineapples I’ve ever seen.
I love grabbing a basket and picking out fresh tomatoes, bright green cilantro, and a handful of spicy serrano peppers.
Everything is so fresh because the vendors bring it in daily.
I also stopped by the seafood counter to get some fresh-caught shrimp for dinner tonight.
There is something so special about buying your food directly from the people who know exactly where it came from.
Once my bag was full, I headed back up to my condo in Amapas to get started on lunch.
The kitchens in these Amapas rentals are so modern and easy to use.
I love having a big granite countertop to spread out all my ingredients.
Cooking at home in PV is such a relaxing experience compared to a busy restaurant.
I put on some music, opened the windows to let the breeze in, and started chopping.
If you are a solo traveler or even with a group, having a real kitchen changes the whole vibe of your trip.
You get to experiment with local flavors and save a little time for more beach lounging later!
I decided to make a fresh mango salsa to go with my grilled shrimp.
It is so simple: just diced mango, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
The colors alone make me so happy!
If you want to find more hidden gems like this market, you should definitely check out our guide to local secrets for your next trip.
When I’m looking for the perfect place to stay, I always look for Puerto Vallarta condos for rent by owner because they feel more like a home and less like a hotel.
Our kitchen has everything we need, from a high-powered blender for margaritas to sharp knives for all those veggies.
It makes the whole process so much fun!
After a long afternoon of exploring, sitting down to a home-cooked meal on the balcony is just the best.
The shrimp were so sweet and the mango salsa had the perfect kick.
I honestly think Amapas is the best place to rent because you get the peace of the hills while being just minutes away from the market.
I really appreciate how easy the owners make it to settle in and start feeling like you belong here.
I am already planning what to cook for dinner tomorrow night!
Maybe some fresh fish with a traditional Mexican spice rub?
Finding your own apartaento de mi sueno makes every meal feel like a special occasion.
I highly recommended taking a morning to visit the local market and trying your hand at a local recipe.
It is the best way to really taste the flavors of Puerto Vallarta.
If you want to learn more about what to do when the weather turns rainy in Puerto Vallarta, it is a fun read before your trip.
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