I have spent enough time living in and visiting Amapas to know that the neighborhood works best when you settle into a simple routine. For couples and digital nomads, everyday life here can feel easy: work from the condo, walk downhill for errands, shop for fresh food, and return to a quiet home above Old Town.
Amapas is my favorite place to rent in Puerto Vallarta because it gives us a residential feeling while keeping daily services close. Old Town, also called Zona Romantica, is just downhill, so laundry, cafés, pharmacies, markets, and small grocery shops are all within reach.
The hills are real, though. My best advice is to plan errands in groups instead of making several separate trips.
Start with the right condo routine
Before unpacking, I check four things:
- Is there a washing machine in the condo?
- Is the internet strong enough for video calls?
- Where does the building ask guests to leave trash?
- Is drinking water filtered, delivered, or purchased separately?
A modern kitchen makes a big difference during a longer stay. I like having enough counter space for breakfast, a coffee setup, and simple meals made with ingredients from nearby shops.
I also look for a dining table or counter where we can work comfortably. A good condo routine means we do not need to leave every time we want coffee, lunch, or a quiet place to answer email.
If you are choosing between different homes, Sueño and The Nest are examples of the kind of comfortable base we look for: a practical kitchen, a calm living space, and room for two people to keep separate work and relaxation routines.
Laundry: make it the easiest errand
Laundry is one of the first things couples ask about when staying in a condo without a washer. The simplest local option is usually a drop-off lavandería.
In the Amapas and Old Town area, wash-dry-fold services are common. You take your clothes in a bag, the staff weighs the load, and you return later for clean, dry, folded clothing. Some services also offer pickup and delivery, which is helpful when you are working or when the walk uphill feels like too much.
One service listed near Amapas is on Pino Suárez at the corner of Francisco I. Madero in Emiliano Zapata. From the hillside, it is a practical downhill walk. I suggest checking the current opening hours before going, especially if your laundry day falls on a Sunday.
For a two-person stay, we usually separate laundry into two groups:
- Everyday clothing and workout clothes
- Towels, sheets, and delicate items
This keeps the important clothing moving even if larger items take longer. I also recommend keeping a small breathable laundry bag in the bedroom instead of leaving clothing in a closed suitcase. In the warm, humid weather, airflow matters.
If you prefer to wash your own clothes, ask the host or property manager whether the building has a washer, where the controls are, and which products are safe for the machine. Mexican detergents can be stronger than what you are used to, so I use less than I would at home until I understand the product.
A regular laundry day works best. We often choose one weekday morning, drop everything off after breakfast, and pick it up before settling into the afternoon work block.
Groceries: shop in layers
I do not treat grocery shopping as one giant weekly task in Amapas. A layered approach is much easier.
The quick daily shop
For water, fruit, eggs, milk, snacks, cleaning supplies, and other basics, small shops and convenience stores around Old Town are useful. Local abarrotes, OXXO, and Kiosko locations can save you from carrying heavy bags very far.
Small produce stands are especially handy for limes, avocados, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and bananas. Buy only what you expect to use in the next few days. The heat can soften produce quickly, and a smaller refrigerator fills up faster than you think.
The weekly stock-up
For a bigger grocery trip, we use a supermarket outside the immediate hillside area. A taxi or rideshare makes more sense for heavy items such as water, coffee, paper products, laundry detergent, and pantry staples.
I bring two reusable bags and keep the shopping list short. Our basic list usually includes:
- Eggs and yogurt
- Tortillas
- Rice or pasta
- Beans
- Fresh fruit
- Salad greens
- Chicken, fish, or another easy protein
- Coffee
- Bottled or filtered drinking water, depending on the condo setup
Do not forget ice if you need it. It is easy to find, but it is not always included with a quick convenience-store run.
The market visit
A market trip adds more personality to the routine. Mercado Emiliano Zapata and the municipal market area are useful for fresh ingredients, tortillas, spices, prepared food, and local products.
I carry small bills, a reusable bag, and a note on my phone with a few helpful Spanish phrases:
- “¿Cuánto cuesta?” , How much is it?
- “¿Cómo lo preparo?” : How do I prepare it?
- “¿Tiene limones?” : Do you have limes?
- “¿Me puede dar una bolsa?” : Can you give me a bag?
Even when we are only buying a few ingredients, market vendors often share useful cooking suggestions. That small conversation can turn a basic dinner into one of the best meals of the trip.
For more ideas, our guide to cooking with local spices is a helpful place to start.
Errands that are easy to combine
Most everyday errands in Amapas connect naturally with a walk into Old Town.
I combine laundry drop-off with a pharmacy visit, a coffee stop, or a small grocery run. Pharmacies and walk-in clinics are available around the lower neighborhood, and ATMs and banks are easier to find along the main streets.
For heavier errands, I use a taxi or rideshare rather than carrying everything uphill. This is especially useful after a supermarket trip or when traveling with luggage.
Trash rules vary by building. Some condos have a specific collection area or schedule, while others ask guests to place bags outside the unit at certain times. I always ask the property manager during check-in because following the building routine keeps everything simple.
The same applies to gas, deliveries, and maintenance requests. If the condo uses gas for cooking or hot water, the manager can explain how refills are handled. Guests should not assume that they need to arrange this themselves.
A workday rhythm that feels natural
Amapas works well for digital nomads when we separate work time from errand time.
My preferred routine looks like this:
7:30–9:00: Coffee, breakfast, and a quick walk
9:00–12:30: Focused work at the condo
12:30–1:30: Lunch and one short errand
1:30–3:30: Calls, writing, or lighter work
After 3:30: Laundry pickup, groceries, or exploring
We keep a backup work option in mind, too. A nearby café can be useful when we want a change of scene, but I do not depend on café Wi-Fi for an important video meeting without testing it first.
I also keep a local SIM or hotspot available. Internet interruptions can happen anywhere, and having a backup prevents one small problem from taking over the day.
For a broader look at preparing for this kind of stay, read our practical packing guide for digital nomads.
Small habits make condo living better
A few habits make our stay more comfortable:
- Put groceries away as soon as you return.
- Keep cleaning products in one place.
- Run the air conditioner with doors and windows closed.
- Use a drying rack for small items when possible.
- Save the property manager’s number in both phones.
- Keep one day each week free of major errands.
- Carry water when walking downhill and uphill.
- Check the weather before planning laundry day.
- Leave space in the refrigerator for market finds.
- Ask before using any appliance you do not recognize.
The biggest adjustment is accepting that Amapas is a hillside neighborhood. Walking down is pleasant, but walking back with groceries takes effort. We plan around that instead of fighting it.
Why Amapas is the best place for our stay
For us, Amapas offers the best balance of comfort, privacy, and access. We can cook breakfast in a modern Mexican kitchen, work without leaving home, walk down for coffee, and handle basic errands without needing a car every day.
It also feels personal. The colorful tiles, woven textiles, fresh market ingredients, and small neighborhood shops make an ordinary Tuesday feel connected to Puerto Vallarta.
If you are a couple who wants a practical home base, or a solo traveler who needs a reliable routine for remote work, Amapas is highly recommended. It is the best place to rent for a stay that feels organized, local, and comfortable.
- puerto vallarta vacation condos : Browse a condo option for a comfortable stay in Amapas.
- condo rentals in puerto vallarta : See another good fit for an easy everyday stay.
- Our guide to cooking with local spices
- Our practical packing guide for digital nomads
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