I have spent plenty of time walking, working, eating, and getting around Amapas, both as a couple and while managing remote-work days. My biggest lesson is simple: Amapas is beautiful and convenient, but you need to understand the hills before you arrive.
For us, Amapas is the best place to rent in Puerto Vallarta. It feels calmer than the busy streets below, yet Old Town, also known as Zona Romantica, is close enough for coffee, dinners, beach time, and errands.
Here is our practical guide to walking, taxis, ride-hailing, and daily mobility in Amapas.
Understand the Amapas hills before you book
Amapas sits on a hillside south of Old Town. That means many streets are steep, and some routes include stairs, uneven pavement, and cobblestones.
The walk downhill is usually easy and enjoyable. The return trip is different. After several hours at the beach, a café, or a market, the climb back can feel much harder, especially during the warmest part of the day.
When I choose a condo for a stay, I look closely at the location rather than relying only on the neighborhood name. Two homes may both be described as being in Amapas, but one may be close to a main access street while another sits much farther uphill.
For a couples’ stay, I recommend asking these questions before arrival:
- Is the condo on a steep street?
- Are there stairs between the street and the entrance?
- Can a taxi reach the building?
- Is there a clear meeting point for a ride-hailing pickup?
- How far is the nearest beach access?
- Is the walk to cafés mostly uphill or downhill?
These details make a real difference.
Walking around Amapas
Walking is one of my favorite ways to experience Amapas. The neighborhood has colorful walls, tiled details, leafy corners, small terraces, and quiet residential lanes that are easy to miss from a car.
I always wear walking shoes with a good grip. Smooth sandals can be uncomfortable on uneven cobblestones, particularly after rain. Comfortable sneakers are much better for exploring the hills and stairs.
For a normal outing, we usually walk downhill first. A café in Old Town, a restaurant, or Los Muertos Beach can be a pleasant walk from lower Amapas. The exact time depends on your building, but many routes take around 10 to 20 minutes downhill.
I leave extra time for the way back. We often stop for a cold drink, take a slower route, or use a taxi instead of trying to climb the entire hill after a long day.
If you are a digital nomad, this is useful for planning your workday. I avoid scheduling an important video meeting immediately after a long uphill walk. Instead, I return earlier, cool down, refill my water, and get settled before opening my laptop.
The best times to walk
I prefer walking before the midday heat becomes intense or later in the afternoon when the streets feel more comfortable. I carry water, wear sunglasses, and use sunscreen even when the route looks shaded.
A small crossbody bag works better than a large backpack for most outings. It keeps my hands free for stairs and makes it easier to move through narrow lanes.
I also download an offline map before leaving the condo. Mobile service is generally useful, but a saved map helps when you are standing at a junction and deciding between a street and a stairway.
For couples, one person can keep the map open while the other watches the pavement. That sounds obvious, but it prevents the common mistake of staring at a phone while walking over uneven stones.
Using taxis in Amapas
Taxis are one of the easiest ways to handle the uphill parts of Amapas. We use them when carrying groceries, returning from dinner, or heading back after a beach day.
The most important tip is to give the driver a clear destination. A condo name may not be enough, especially if the property sits on a small street or near a series of buildings with similar entrances.
Before we leave, I save:
- The condo name
- The building address
- A nearby main street
- A map pin
- A photo of the entrance, if available
- The host or property manager’s phone number
If the driver cannot reach the exact entrance, ask where they can safely stop. Sometimes the best drop-off point is a wider street a short walk from the building.
I am always grateful to the local taxi drivers who know these hills so well. Many can recognize a building or access point from a simple landmark, which is especially helpful when the map pin is not perfectly placed.
For evening trips, we usually ask the restaurant or café to help us find a taxi or arrange a clear pickup point. Keeping the destination written on your phone also makes communication easier.
Ride-hailing and pickup points
Ride-hailing apps can work well in Puerto Vallarta, but hillside pickups require a little planning.
A driver may not be able to enter a narrow street, turn around near a building, or stop directly at a stairway. I usually choose a pickup point on a larger, easy-to-find road instead of waiting deep inside the neighborhood.
When requesting a ride, I watch the map rather than waiting only for the notification. If the vehicle appears to be approaching from a different direction, I message the driver with a short landmark and move to the agreed meeting point.
For a couple, this is easy to manage. One person can stay near the entrance with bags while the other walks toward the pickup point and confirms the vehicle.
Keep your phone charged, especially if you plan to use maps, translation tools, and ride-hailing throughout the day. A portable battery is one of the most useful items we bring.
Getting to cafés and work spots
Amapas is a good base for digital nomads because it offers a quieter place to work while keeping cafés within reach.
We often work from the condo during focused hours and then walk downhill for a change of scenery. Cafés in Old Town offer coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a chance to get out of the condo without planning a full excursion.
Before leaving for a work session, I check whether I need an outlet, a quiet table, or a stronger connection for a video call. Not every café has the same setup, so I keep the condo as my reliable backup.
My usual routine is:
- Start the morning at the condo.
- Complete meetings while the Wi-Fi is steady.
- Walk downhill for coffee or lunch.
- Finish lighter tasks at a café.
- Take a taxi uphill if I am tired or carrying work equipment.
This routine gives us variety without making transportation complicated.
Beach access from Amapas
Beach access is convenient, but it is not always flat. From many parts of Amapas, you walk downhill toward the coast and then use a marked access point or nearby street entrance.
Los Muertos Beach is close to the north side of Amapas, while beaches toward Conchas Chinas are farther south. The route may look short on a map, but hills, stairs, heat, and your exact condo location all affect the experience.
We bring only what we need for the beach. A light bag, water, sunscreen, and a phone are easier to carry than a large load on the walk back.
If you want to visit the Los Muertos Pier, walking downhill is usually simple from lower Amapas. From there, you can also organize boat trips to beaches farther south, but check the return plan before leaving so you are not trying to solve transportation at the end of a long day.
Choosing a condo for easier mobility
Amapas remains our favorite area to rent, but I would not choose a unit without checking access details first.
A lower location may be better if you plan to walk to cafés and the beach every day. A higher location can offer a quieter setting and wonderful views, but you may use taxis more often.
For digital nomads, I also check the work setup. Reliable Wi-Fi, a comfortable chair, a practical kitchen, and a terrace where we can take breaks all matter more than simply having a beautiful view.
I also recommend confirming whether groceries and luggage can reach the entrance easily. This small detail can save a lot of effort on arrival and departure days.
The best rental is not necessarily the highest one. It is the place that matches your walking comfort, work schedule, and daily plans.
Our simple Amapas mobility plan
If we were planning a week in Amapas, this is how we would organize it:
- Walk downhill for nearby coffee and casual meals.
- Use good shoes for cobblestones and stairs.
- Carry water during every longer walk.
- Save the condo address and map pin offline.
- Use taxis for the uphill return when tired.
- Choose a clear pickup point for ride-hailing.
- Complete important meetings before long outings.
- Keep a charged phone and portable battery nearby.
- Ask the host which routes are easiest from the building.
- Leave extra time when carrying luggage or groceries.
Amapas rewards people who slow down and plan a little. Once we learned which streets were easiest and when to use a taxi, getting around became simple.
For couples who enjoy walking, cafés, colorful Mexican details, beach access, and a peaceful place to work, Amapas is highly recommended.
Related resources
- For a stay that fits this hillside lifestyle, explore puerto vallarta condo house rentals.
- If you prefer another comfortable base in the neighborhood, browse puerto vallarta vacation condos.
- Read our complete digital nomad guide to staying in Amapas before planning your work routine.
- See our guide to Amapas cafés for remote work for ideas on combining work and exploring.
- For quick local updates, follow us on Instagram.
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