The Honest Pros and Cons of Living in Puerto Vallarta

Last Updated on January 14, 2025 by Kirsten Raccuia

Living in Puerto Vallarta feels like stepping into a postcard, except the colors are brighter, the air is saltier, and there’s always a cheap taco nearby. When we came here in 2022, we had no intention of staying. But it slowly grew on us, and before we knew it, we realized it was checking off a lot of boxes.

But let’s be real. No place is all sparkles and margaritas (though there are plenty of those here). It comes with its fair share of unique challenges that might have you questioning your sanity (or at least your tolerance for jackhammers).

If you’ve ever wondered what life is like in this tropical haven—or if it’s right for you—stick around. I’m about to spill the tea tequila about the pros and cons of living in Puerto Vallarta.

The pros of living in Puerto Vallarta

I wanted to write about the nitty gritty. Not just the things that you probably already know. Yes, the beaches are fantastic and the tacos are beyond yummy. But a quick Google search would have told you that. Here are the deeper, more meaningful pros of living here.

It’s truly gorgeous.

Every morning, when I open the windows, it nearly takes my breath away. Puerto Vallarta is THAT pretty.

We can see the ocean and the Sierra Madre mountains from our place.

In the summer, when it’s rainy season, the mountains turn into undulating hills of green, like my very own larger-than-life-sized chia pet mountain.

Then there are the sunsets, which should be a “pro” on their own.

Puerto Vallarta sunsets hit differently. The deep burnt orange sun dropping into the ocean or kissing the mounting goodnight, evokes a magic into the atmosphere that is hard to beat.

Come here and tell me I’m wrong. I double-dog-dare ya.   

It’s a joyful party town.

The overall vibe here is upbeat and happy (for the locals, too — see #3).

People come here for vacation and who isn’t happy on vacation?

People who suck, that’s who.

I’ve never seen anyone yelling, raising their voice, or fighting. There are happy vibes all around.

The locals are a happy bunch.

Obviously, this is a broad generalization, and I’m going with it — the Mexican people in Puerto Vallarta are happy.

Maybe it’s the salty sea air. Maybe being surrounded by partying tourists makes them happy. Perhaps it’s because it’s a busy tourist destination, and more people mean more money in their pockets.

It doesn’t matter why. But when we speak to the locals, they have a genuine joy de vivre.

There is always something to do.

There is always a new restaurant opening. A band playing at a cool bar. A tequila tasting.

A cultural performance. A drag performance. Impersonators. All different types of theater, including the kind of performances you see from drunk tourists on vacation (ok, maybe that’s a con… depending on the show).

But seriously, you’ll never be bored here.

The wildlife, nature, and adventure

The whale watching. The baby turtle releasing. The blue-footed boobies. The hiking, the paddleboarding, and the scuba diving. The snorkeling. The ziplining. The parasailing. The atv-ing.

There are a lot of options.

The cost of living

Depending on where you are coming from, the cost of living here is about half that in the US. Even though prices have increased here like they have in many places in the US, it’s still more affordable here.

The weather

It’s always warm (at a minimum) in Vallarta.

The climate is glorious in the winter, from November through March. You might need a light jacket or a sweater at night. But during the day, it’s sunny and warm, and nearly every day feels like a warm hug.

If warm doesn’t cut it for you, it really starts to heat up in May, and by July, it’s sweltering. August and September aren’t just hot; they are humid and soul-sucking (see the #3 con).

If it’s warm-hot and sunny you want, Puerto Vallarta is for you.   

No pioneering

Look, you’re not breaking the mold by moving to Puerto Vallarta. There is ZERO pioneering involved. You can always find someone who has done it, found it, or been there before you. Ask in any Facebook group, and you’ll get the answer a zillion times, probably with a few snarky douchebags chiming in (they seem to answer every question).

Still, it’s good to know that if you need to figure something out, there is a team of people to help.

Welcoming and friendly community

The expat/digital nomad/snowbird/sunbird/retiree community is here in full force. And more and more are coming all the time (this could be a con). Meeting people you like isn’t difficult. Having the time to cultivate the friendship is a little more challenging.

There is an international airport.

We’ve got an international airport with direct flights to a bunch of cities in the US and Canada, so getting home is a cinch. Plus, it makes it super easy for friends and family to come visit us.

On top of that, Mexico is one of the most affordable international destinations to fly to from the US or Canada.

The path to residency is relatively easy.

We got our temporary residency the first year we were here. After four years, we can turn that into permanent residency. Not many countries around the world make it that easy.

Of course, there are monetary requirements and plenty of red tape and hoops, but there should be.

They shouldn’t hand out residencies to every yahoo that comes here. Gotta protect Mexico from the assholes.

It’s LGBTQ+ friendly.

This town is small but vibrant.

Vallarta has one of the largest gay communities in Mexico, and the Romantic Zone is at the heart of it.

Every year in May, there is a massive Pride celebration that is super fun to attend.

The cons of living in Puerto Vallarta

I don’t wear rose-colored glasses. If only. I see the ugly here and think you should know about it before coming here. So here goes…

Construction is everywhere.

Because of all the reasons above, Puerto Vallarta real estate is booming.

Within three blocks of our apartment, four condo buildings are going up.

That doesn’t include all the small construction projects that people do — adding another level, ripping out old tiles, and jackhammering because it seems like a fun thing to do.

There are days when I don’t even know where the jackhammering is coming from because I can hear it from all directions.

Sometimes, when boys turn 15 at their Quinceañero, I wonder if they get a jackhammer just for funsies.

It’s loud. I mean it.

Not just construction. But the culture.

Loud music coming from cars parked at the OXXO (the Mexican 7/11). Mariachi bands on the roof next door for someone’s birthday. A block party on a Tuesday night for an anniversary.  

The water truck comes down the road screaming Ciel (the water brand) at the top of his lungs (see #14). The fruit and tamale guys broadcast their wares from two massive speakers on their truck.

There is a family who walks up and down the street playing music for spare change. He plays the trumpet (badly), and she bangs a snare drum.

Also, unfortunately, a lot of people keep their dogs outside or on their roofs, which means they bark all day and night.

Can’t forget the roosters? Whoever said they crowed with the sunrise never met a Mexican rooster. They are proud cock-a-doodle-do-ers all the live long day and night.

And on and on. This isn’t just our Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood. It’s Puerto Vallarta.

Personally, we love that kind of noise. It always makes us giggle. But not everyone does. If that kind of racket bothers you, this town may not be your happy place.

The rainy season is HOT and HUMID.

The weather is unrelenting from about July through September. You can’t leave your apartment without feeling the need to shower again. Scratch that. You can’t get out of the shower and not feel like you need to jump back in and cool off.

You kind of give up during that time. There is no way to look cute unless you stay in the AC, and not every restaurant has AC.

We’re talking downpours that turn streets into rivers and rivers into rushing rivers.

But with the rains come flooding in certain areas (especially the flat areas like Versailles), and nothing is dry for months.

It’s also hurricane season, but unlike the east coast of Mexico (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum), we rarely get hurricanes because the Banderas Bay shields us from direct hits.

That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, though.

Related reading: Best time to go to Puerto Vallarta.

Walking around town is a dangerous sport.

There are some places with sidewalks, narrow ones, but they are there. However, as you look down to avoid a random three-inch step, you might smack your face on a small metal cage protruding from the side of a building to protect its electric gauge.

Between the ankle-breaking cobblestones and the face-mashing eyeball-gougers sticking out of the sides of buildings, you are taking your life in your hands if you aren’t on high alert walking around downtown Puerto Vallarta.

The garbage dilemma

It seems like Puerto Vallarta doesn’t have a grasp on this whole garbage collection thing.

Let me explain… every block has a designated garbage dumping spot. Sometimes it’s on a corner. Sometimes, it’s in the middle of a 4-way intersection. People put their garbage out whenever they need to. But it’s not in dumpsters. It’s piles of bags that get shredded and torn apart by dogs, cats, birds, and, sadly, people.

Until the garbage truck comes, which is kind of unpredictable, there are piles of trash on almost every corner.

The new mayor’s garbage collection system is kind of a work in progress.

We’re supposed to get pickups on weekdays between 10 am and 5 pm, but they often come around 8 am. When the truck rings its bell, we’ve got to dash down and hand them our waste, which isn’t easy since not everyone’s home to hear it.

So, the whole setup’s a bit messy, with some kinks to sort out.

There is a language barrier.

Vallarta is one of those places that, if you stick to the touristy places, you might never need to speak Spanish. But how sad would your experience be if you couldn’t share any laughs with the locals?

You could get by without learning Spanish. But I do NOT recommend it.

Sometimes, you’ll need some Spanish to get your point across. Whether you’re sorting out residency issues, buying or selling a car, chatting with a pharmacist, talking to a cleaner, or trying to communicate with a bus driver or the taco guy, it can get tricky. When you’re a little off the Malecon, you might have to whip out your best charades moves to make it happen!

If you do come here, don’t be a dick and expect people to speak your language. This is Mexico. Have a little respect. Learn a little Spanish.

In the meantime, get yourself one of these AI translator earbuds because Google Translate will steer you wrong. I promise.  

It’s expensive compared to other cities in Mexico.

Vallarta isn’t the bargain deal it used to be. Even since we’ve been here, the prices of everything from rent to groceries have significantly increased. The only thing that has remained the same is the street tacos, which are around 20-25 pesos ($1-1.21) each.

There are definitely other places in Mexico that are less expensive to live.

The traffic and crowds can be annoying.

Come December, the high season is in full swing, and the traffic is there to match it. Ubers take longer to get. It takes twice as long to get anywhere downtown. Reservations are needed. And the lines at places like Costco are pretty shocking.

It only lasts through April, though.

As long as you plan ahead, it’s not a massive deal. It’s annoying at times. But since so much runs on tourism, it’s good for the businesses here. Keep that in mind when you feel like the road rage (or Costco line rage) is going to kick in.

Safety

Is there crime here? Yes. It’s not Mayberry. Cartels are a thing here. Just like gangs are a thing in the US. But do you plan on joining one? Is this a life goal for you? Probably not.

If you are smart about your safety in Mexico and don’t buy street drugs or walk late at night in dark, deserted places, you’ll be fine.

Would you do those things in your hometown? My guess is no. So, what makes you think you should go to another country and do things you would never do in your own?

Seems pretty stupid, amiright?

Related reading: How to stay safe in Puerto Vallarta

Mexican time.

We went from island time, living in Penang, to Mexican time, living in Puerto Vallarta. If the internet guy tells you he’ll be there between 8-12 on Tuesday, just be happy if he shows up on Tuesday.

If you have a lunch date, a party, or a wedding that starts at 2 pm, don’t be surprised if no one shows up until 3 pm or later — including the bride.

Things run at a slower pace here. Once you get used to it, your day-to-day life will be easier.

You’ve got no mail.

Ummm. Well, there is none. For real. No mail guy drives his white van from mailbox to mailbox to drop off junk mail and Victoria’s Secret catalogs.

Usually, utility companies pay someone to deliver the bills to each building, so we do get our bills. But sometimes we don’t. You need to know when they are due so you can pay on time.

Related reading: How to use a mail forwarding service to get your mail from the US.

Water: You can’t drink it.

As a general rule, don’t drink it right from your tap. No one does. Not even the Mexicans, unless there is a filter system in place.

We get water delivered a few times weekly for 50 pesos ($2.40) per garrafon (a 5-gallon jug). It only costs about 36 pesos per bottle, but they bring them into my apartment on the 3rd floor, and sometimes our elevator doesn’t work. They’ve earned that tip.

When you go to a restaurant, they serve filtered water and ice.

When we cook rice or pasta, we use filtered water. But when we wash our veggies, we use tap water with Microdyn, which kills off bacteria like E. coli and salmonella. It’s available everywhere here.

You can’t flush the toilet paper.

In some places in Puerto Vallarta, the infrastructure isn’t there, and copious amounts of paper will clog the pipes. That means, after you go, you’ll have to throw your used paper into the garbage can next to the toilet.

At times, it can be nasty because some people are show-ers and don’t fold over the dirty parts.

It’s not lovely. But it could be worse, like the toilets in Malaysia.

They were squatty potties with no paper and only a hose, which meant in some places, you’d have to stand in an inch of dirty water to go.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’d walk into a bathroom and turn right around and leave. Miraculously, the need to go was horrified right back up in me, and I’d hold it until we went somewhere else.

The bottom line on Puerto Vallarta’s pros and cons

For a lot of people, Puerto Vallarta is paradise.

Even though this list has more cons than pros, the good obviously outweighed the bad for us to still be here.

If you can handle some noise, months of sweaty days, and the occasional run-in with a rooster who thinks it’s sunrise at midnight, this might be your happy place. But if pristine sidewalks, mail delivery, and throwing your toilet paper in the trash are non-negotiables, it might not be your vibe.

Are you considering a move to Puerto Vallarta? Tell me in the comments below if the good outweighs the bad.

XO,
K

Photo cred: 5-10 DepositPhotos.com