I have spent plenty of time walking around Amapas after a full workday, and I think it is one of the best places in Puerto Vallarta for couples and digital nomads.
The neighborhood gives us an easy way to close the laptop, stretch our legs, and enjoy the city without planning a complicated outing. Amapas is close to Old Town, also known as Zona Romántica, while still feeling calmer and more residential.
Best of all, Amapas is my favorite place to rent when I want a peaceful home base within walking distance of cafés, markets, restaurants, and the beach.
Why Amapas works so well after work
Amapas sits on a hillside above the busier streets, so the walk home usually includes fresh air, colorful views, and a little exercise. The streets are steep in places, but that is part of the neighborhood’s character.
For couples working remotely, the location creates a natural boundary between work time and vacation time. We can finish a video call, shut the laptop, and be on a real walk within minutes.
The area also gives us choices. We can take a short stroll toward Los Muertos Beach, walk into Old Town for dinner, or spend an hour browsing local crafts and textiles.
I recommend leaving phones on silent except for navigation. That small change helps the walk feel like time together instead of another work task.
Walk 1: Amapas to Los Muertos Pier
This is my easiest after-work route when we want movement without committing to a long evening.
From lower Amapas, walk downhill toward Los Muertos Beach. The trip usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your starting point and pace. The streets can be uneven, so I always choose comfortable sandals or walking shoes.
Once we reach the beach area, we can pause near Los Muertos Pier and watch the activity around the shoreline. The pier has a distinctive sail-like shape and makes a memorable meeting point if you and your partner are coming from different locations.
From there, we can continue along the pedestrian beach area or turn into the nearby streets for a drink and a meal.
I like this route because it does not require a strict schedule. We can walk for 30 minutes, stop for something cold, and return to Amapas before the evening gets too late.
The only thing to remember is that the trip back includes an uphill climb. If either of us is tired after work, we take our time and use a taxi for the final stretch rather than turning a relaxing walk into a workout.
Walk 2: Amapas to Basilio Badillo
When we want more energy, we walk down toward Basilio Badillo in Old Town.
This route takes us from quiet hillside streets into one of the liveliest parts of the neighborhood. Along the way, we pass colorful façades, small galleries, restaurants, cafés, and shops with handmade goods.
Basilio Badillo is especially good for a weekday date because we can decide what we want as we go. We might stop for coffee, share a small plate, or browse a shop selling woven bags, embroidered fabrics, or hand-painted ceramics.
The walk itself usually takes 30 to 45 minutes if we include a few stops. It becomes a relaxed one-hour outing when we sit down for a drink.
For couples who work similar hours, I suggest making one simple rule: no discussing unfinished work until we reach the first café. That gives us a clear transition and makes the evening feel more intentional.
If you are a digital nomad traveling with your partner, this route also helps you get familiar with the streets you will use most during your stay. After a few walks, Old Town starts to feel much easier to navigate.
Walk 3: Amapas to the Cuale River Market
The Cuale area is my favorite choice when we want local color and something to browse together.
From Amapas, we walk down through Old Town and continue toward the Cuale River. The market area has stalls with clothing, jewelry, crafts, souvenirs, and traditional textiles. It is a good place to look without needing to buy anything.
The Rio Cuale Market is generally open seven days a week, with many stalls operating during daytime hours. If you finish work early, it can fit into a weekday walk. Otherwise, we save it for a shorter workday or a Saturday outing.
This route takes about an hour each way if we walk slowly and stop along the river. I prefer going before the market closes, then continuing to a nearby café afterward.
Shopping together works surprisingly well as a date. One person can look for textiles while the other checks out ceramics or small pieces of local art. We usually set a meeting point near the market entrance if we want to explore separately for a few minutes.
Bring a reusable bag and keep your phone secured in a closed pocket. The market is welcoming and easy to enjoy, but normal city awareness is still a good habit.
A simple café walk for digital nomad couples
Sometimes we do not want a full sightseeing route. We just want to leave the condo, sit somewhere comfortable, and talk.
For that kind of evening, we walk toward the café and restaurant streets near Amapas and Old Town. I look for a place with open-air seating at street level, good airflow, and enough space for two people to sit without feeling crowded.
If we still need to answer messages, we handle that before ordering. After that, the laptops go away.
I also recommend confirming the café’s Wi-Fi and seating policy before opening a computer. Not every table is designed for remote work, and it is considerate to keep work sessions short during busy hours.
A good routine is one coffee, one shared snack, and a 20-minute walk afterward. That gives us a little work flexibility without allowing the workday to take over the night.
What to pack for an after-work walk
I keep the list simple:
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- A small bottle of water
- A light layer for air-conditioned cafés
- A charged phone
- A small crossbody bag
- A reusable shopping bag for market browsing
- A little cash and one payment card
I avoid carrying a large backpack because the hills make it uncomfortable. I also leave expensive jewelry at the condo and keep my phone away when I am not using the map.
If rain is possible, I check the forecast before leaving. Wet cobblestones can become slippery, especially on the uphill streets.
Choosing a condo base for these walks
For me, Amapas is the best place to rent for this kind of trip. We get quiet surroundings, local character, and quick access to Old Town and the beach.
Hummingbird works well for a couple who wants a one-bedroom space, a partial ocean view, a desk, and fast Wi-Fi. The property has stairs, so I would keep that in mind when packing and planning daily walks.
Vizcarra 1 is another practical option for two adults who want to be close to the Cuale River, the Malecón, and the main Old Town streets. It has high-speed Wi-Fi with an Ethernet port, a stocked kitchen, and a central location.
Both choices make it easy to create a regular after-work rhythm: finish the day, walk through the neighborhood, stop for something local, and return to a comfortable place.
My favorite evening routine
When I want the simplest plan, I finish work, change shoes, and leave Amapas with my partner around the same time each day.
We walk downhill for 15 minutes, choose either the beach or Basilio Badillo, and avoid making too many decisions. If we see a café that looks inviting, we stop. If the streets feel especially lively, we continue toward the market area.
The best part is the conversation. After several hours of separate screens and meetings, walking side by side gives us room to reconnect.
We do not need a long excursion or a packed itinerary. Amapas makes a normal weekday feel like part of the vacation.
Final thoughts
Amapas is an excellent choice for couples and digital nomads who want their evenings to feel easy, social, and local.
The hills require comfortable shoes, and the walk home may take effort, but the reward is a neighborhood with colorful streets, nearby cafés, market access, and quick routes to the beach.
If I were planning this trip, I would choose Amapas first, Old Town second, and build each evening around one simple walk instead of a long list of activities.
For couples who want a comfortable Puerto Vallarta stay with real walkability, Amapas is highly recommended.
Related resources
- The PVkid home page
- Our neighborhood guide for choosing the right base
- Practical safety advice for condo guests
- puerto vallarta apartments
- condos for rent in puerto vallarta
- Follow our latest local updates on Facebook.
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