I have spent enough time in Amapas to know that the hillside is beautiful, practical, and a little demanding on your legs. For couples on a workcation, learning how to move around the neighborhood makes the whole stay feel easier.
Amapas is built into the hillside above Old Town, with steep streets, stone steps, tropical plants, and small pedestrian paths. The reward is a peaceful setting close to the beach, restaurants, cafés, and the everyday energy of Puerto Vallarta.
The key is simple: walk downhill when you have time, use taxis for the uphill return when needed, and plan your workday around the heat.
Understand the hillside before you head out
The first thing I tell couples is not to judge a route by distance alone.
A destination may look close on a map, but the route can include steep pavement, uneven cobblestones, or a long staircase. A walk that takes 10 minutes downhill may take 20 minutes or more on the way back, especially in warm weather.
I usually think of Amapas in three levels:
- Upper Amapas: Quieter and more elevated, with stronger hillside views and more demanding walks.
- Middle Amapas: A good balance of residential calm and access to paths leading down toward Old Town.
- Lower Amapas: Easier for daily walking, with quicker access to the beach, restaurants, and flatter streets.
If one of you has knee concerns or does not enjoy hills, lower Amapas is the easiest choice. If you both like walking and want a quieter home base, the middle or upper hillside can work very well.
Use the downhill walk as part of your morning
When I am staying in Amapas, I like to walk downhill before starting work.
The route toward Old Town and Los Muertos Beach often takes around 10 to 15 minutes from the lower hillside, although the exact time depends on your building and the stairway you use. It is a pleasant way to get coffee, pick up breakfast, or take a short walk before opening the laptop.
The walk down also helps me feel connected to the neighborhood. I pass colorful walls, tropical greenery, local homes, and small viewpoints that I would miss in a car.
For couples, this is a nice shared ritual. You can start the day together, talk through your plans, and then return to your condo ready for work.
If you need to be online quickly, take a taxi back up instead of turning your coffee run into a workout.
Learn the main routes
Amapas has several paths toward the beach and Old Town, but not every route feels the same.
The stairways leading toward Calle Aquiles Serdán and the lower streets can be direct, but they may include many steps. Some local routes are long enough that I prefer to use them only when I am not carrying groceries or work equipment.
Another option is to walk toward Los Muertos Beach and continue along the coastal side of the neighborhood. From there, Playa Amapas is accessible by routes that include steps around El Púlpito. The path is scenic, but some sections are rocky and uneven.
I recommend sturdy sandals with a back strap or comfortable walking shoes. Flip-flops are fine for the beach, but they are not my first choice for hillside steps.
If you want a longer shared walk, continue south toward the small coves around Conchas Chinas. Bring water because there may not be a convenient shop along the coastal path.
Plan your workday around the climb
A workcation works best when you do not treat every outing like a race.
I like to schedule my most important calls and focused work while I am already settled inside the condo. Then I use the downhill walks for breaks, coffee, lunch, or a change of scenery.
A simple rhythm could look like this:
- Before work: Walk downhill for coffee or a short beach visit.
- Late morning: Return to the condo and begin focused work.
- Lunch: Eat at home or walk downhill again if you have enough time.
- Afternoon: Stay closer to the condo during the warmest hours.
- After work: Take a relaxed walk through lower Amapas or toward the coast.
- Later at night: Use a taxi uphill if you are tired or carrying bags.
This routine gives you movement without allowing the hillside to take over your day.
Choose a condo that supports remote work
Your rental matters more when you are staying for a workcation.
I want reliable Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a comfortable place to sit, and enough room for two people to work without constantly interrupting each other. A kitchen is also important because it lets us make coffee, prepare snacks, and avoid leaving the condo every time we get hungry.
Casa Hummingbird has a dedicated desk area that can make focused work easier. Casa Vizcarra 1 is a compact studio with a practical setup and strong Wi-Fi features, which can suit a couple who plans to spend more time exploring than indoors.
Before booking, I also suggest asking where the work surface is located. Is it near an outlet? Can one person work while the other rests? Does the room stay comfortable during the warmest part of the day?
Those small details can make a major difference.
Keep a navigation kit by the door
I keep a simple set of items ready before heading down the hillside:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Refillable water bottle
- Phone with the condo address saved
- Portable battery
- Small crossbody bag
- Light rain layer during the wetter months
- Bug spray for greener paths
Saving the exact condo address is especially helpful when ordering a taxi back uphill. I also take a quick photo of the building entrance and nearby landmarks when I first arrive.
Amapas has many similar-looking streets and stairways. Having a visual reference helps us recognize the correct turn when we return after a long day.
Know when to take a taxi
I enjoy walking, but I do not believe every trip needs to be done on foot.
The uphill return can be tiring after lunch, a full workday, or a longer coastal walk. If one of us is carrying groceries, feeling overheated, or simply ready to rest, we take a taxi without hesitation.
For evening outings, I also prefer a taxi if the route includes unfamiliar stairs or uneven sections. It is more comfortable and lets us return to the condo without turning the last part of the night into another physical challenge.
A taxi is not a failure to explore Amapas. It is part of navigating a hillside neighborhood sensibly.
Stay aware on stairs and cobblestones
Amapas is generally welcoming, but the terrain deserves attention.
I slow down on wet steps, avoid rushing around blind corners, and keep my phone away while walking. After rain, stone surfaces can become slippery, and leaves or loose gravel may collect on the edges of paths.
We also try to walk together rather than separating on different stairways. That makes it easier to keep track of turns and notice if one person needs a break.
During the warmest hours, I carry water and choose a shorter route. A 15-minute walk can feel much longer if you start without hydration.
Make the hillside part of the experience
The best thing about Amapas is that getting around does not feel like a chore once you understand the rhythm.
We walk down for coffee, pause to look at the architecture, and notice the changing views between buildings and trees. We take a taxi back when the hill wins. Then we return to a calm condo, cool down, and get back to work.
That balance is why I think Amapas is the best place to rent for couples who want both productivity and local atmosphere. You stay close to Old Town and the beach, but your home base feels quieter and more residential.
If you are a couple on a workcation, plan for the hills instead of fighting them. Wear the right shoes, leave extra time between calls, save your condo address, and use taxis strategically.
Amapas is highly recommended for couples and digital nomads who want a peaceful Puerto Vallarta base with easy access to daily adventure.
Related resources
- Puerto Vallarta Mexico condo rentals
- Condo rentals in Puerto Vallarta
- Our guide to staying focused during the afternoon
- Our guide to quiet Amapas sidestreets
- Follow along on Facebook
About the Author
