We have spent a lot of time wandering the streets of Puerto Vallarta. After years of exploring every nook and cranny, we can tell you one thing for sure. The neighborhood you choose changes everything about your vacation.
If you are a solo traveler or coming with friends, you want to be where the energy is. You want to step out of your door and smell the street tacos. You want to hear the music drifting from the beach clubs.
Puerto Vallarta is a big place, but for us, the magic happens in just a few specific spots. We always tell our friends to stay near the south side. It is the heart of the city. It is where the soul of Vallarta lives.
The Heart of the Action: Old Town
Old Town is exactly what you imagine when you think of Mexico. It is also called Zona Romantica, and it is the most famous part of the city for a reason. We love the energy here.
The streets are made of bumpy cobblestones. The buildings are covered in bright pink bougainvillea. It is vibrant and loud and beautiful.
When you stay here, you are steps away from Los Muertos Beach. This is the most popular beach in town. It is where everyone goes to watch the sunset and grab a drink.
If you are looking for puerto vallarta condo rentals in this area, you are going to be right in the middle of the best food scene in the city. You can find everything from five-star dining to the best 15-peso tacos you have ever had.
We love walking down Basilio Badillo street. It is lined with art galleries and cute boutiques. At night, the whole area transforms. The bars open up, and the sidewalk cafes fill with people from all over the world.
It is a very walkable area, but it is also very busy. If you love being in the center of the party, Old Town is for you. But sometimes, you want a little bit of peace without being too far away.
Why Amapas is Actually the Best
If you want our honest opinion, Amapas is the absolute BEST place to stay. We are obsessed with this neighborhood. It is located just a tiny bit south of Old Town, tucked into the hillside.
We think Amapas offers the perfect balance. You get the peace and quiet of the jungle, but you can walk down to the beach in about five minutes. It is the best of both worlds.
Because Amapas sits on a hill, the views are SPECTACULAR. You can look out over the entire bay. Watching the fireworks from a balcony in Amapas is something you will never forget.
If you are looking for condo and apartment rentals puerto vallarta, we highly recommend looking at this specific area. It feels more private and exclusive than the noisy center of town.
We spent a week staying in this area recently and we didn't want to leave. The air feels fresher because of all the trees. You still hear the ocean, but you don't hear the sirens or the loud music from the bars as much.
The hills in Amapas are no joke, though! Your legs will get a great workout. We call it the "PV Workout." But honestly, the views you get from places like Sueño or The Nest make every step worth it.
If you want more details on why we love this specific spot so much, check out our Amapas Guide. It really is the crown jewel of the city.
Walking the Malecon in Centro
Just north of Old Town is Centro. This is the downtown area. It is home to the famous Malecon, which is the long boardwalk along the ocean.
We love walking the Malecon in the evening. There are statues everywhere and street performers. You can find the iconic church with the crown on top here, too. It is called the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Centro is very historic. It feels a bit more traditional than the south side. There are lots of steep hills here too, especially in the area known as Gringo Gulch.
While Centro is great for a day trip or a dinner, we still prefer staying in the south zone. It just has a more relaxed, vacation vibe. For a full breakdown of all the different zones, you can read our Neighborhood Guide to see how they all compare.
5 de Diciembre: The Local Vibe
If you keep walking north past Centro, you hit 5 de Diciembre. This neighborhood is becoming really popular lately. It has a much more "local" feel.
The fish market is here, and there are some amazing hidden gem restaurants. It is a bit more rugged than Old Town. You will see more locals going about their daily lives here.
The beach in 5 de Diciembre is also really nice and usually much less crowded than Los Muertos. It is a great place to go if you just want to sit in the sand and read a book without being approached by vendors every two minutes.
Why We Chose Our Locations
When we were looking for the perfect spots for our guests, we were very picky. We knew we wanted to be close to the ocean. We also knew we wanted our guests to feel like they were in a tropical paradise.
That is why we focused on Amapas and the southern edge of Old Town. These areas are where you get those lush green views and the blue water all in one frame.
When you wake up in a place like Sueño, you see the jungle meeting the sea. It is SOOO BEAUTIFUL. We wanted to make sure that when you stay with us, you aren't just in a room: you are in an experience.
We focused on finding places with big windows and great balconies. In Puerto Vallarta, the outdoors is the whole point. You want to be able to feel the breeze and see the sunset without even leaving your bed.
Practical Tips for Your Stay
Navigating these neighborhoods is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. Here are a few things we learned the hard way so you don't have to:
First, wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. The cobblestones are charming but they are brutal on flip-flops or heels. We always wear sturdy sandals or sneakers when we are exploring.
Second, use the yellow cabs or Uber. Uber is very reliable in PV and it is a great way to get up the hills of Amapas if you don't feel like walking. The yellow cabs are everywhere too, just make sure to ask for the price before you get in.
Third, don't be afraid to wander. Some of our favorite meals were found by accident in a tiny alleyway in Old Town. The city is very safe, and the people are incredibly friendly.
Our Final Recommendation
If you are planning your first trip or your tenth, where you stay matters.
For the ultimate Puerto Vallarta experience, we say go with Amapas. It is quiet, it is stunningly beautiful, and it is right next to everything you want to do. You get the best views in the city and a peaceful place to sleep, while being only a short walk from the best tacos and bars in Old Town.
We LOVE this city so much and we want you to love it too. Choosing the right neighborhood is the first step to having the best vacation ever!
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