Versalles Puerto Vallarta: A Neighborhood Guide for Visitors & Long Stays

Versalles Puerto Vallarta, is one of those colonias (neighborhoods) you don’t stumble into by accident. You come here on purpose. Most likely for the food. And then you start asking yourself, wait… could I actually live here?  

I’ve been spending time in Versalles for years, eating my way through its restaurants, watching condo towers rise block by block, and seeing how quickly it’s changed from an unknown colonia to one of Vallarta’s most talked-about trendy neighborhoods. It’s not glossy. It’s not beachfront. And it’s definitely not trying to be the Romantic Zone.

But for people who want a more local, day-to-day version of Puerto Vallarta (for a longer stay or a move), it checks a surprising number of boxes.

This guide breaks down what Versalles is really like: where it is, how it feels, who it’s best for, and where it falls short.

Where is Versalles, Puerto Vallarta?

Versalles is pretty centrally located and not part of the main tourist core.

In broad strokes, its rough border streets are Avenida Los Tules, Avenida Fluvial, Avenida Francisco Villa and Highway 200. It’s sandwiched between Las Glorias, the Hotel Zone and Fluvial Vallarta.

It’s about a 20-minute drive north to the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) and about the same to the south to get to the Romantic Zone.

The colonial is inland, so it’s a walk or drive to the nearest beach, which is Playa Las Glorias.

The location is ideal for people looking to move to Puerto Vallarta because it is centrally located. Also, because Costco, La Comer, and Soriana Hiper grocery stores are all within walking distance.

If you are just here for a short stay and don’t care if you are right on the beach, then Versalles is a great choice for you as well.

The Vibe: What Versalles Feels Like Day to Day

Versalles used to be big casas and farmland. The last 8-10 years have turned it into a new condo and culinary hub. It’s quite residential, so it doesn’t attract throngs of tourists. But since there are so many restaurants, the food does.

A good mix of locals and foreigners makes Versalles home. More and more young digital nomads, hipsters, and foreign investors are changing the flavor of the neighborhood. It doesn’t have a very authentic feel. But it is certainly trendy and a foodie haven for new chefs looking to make a mark on the Vallarta food scene, as well as for the OGs who’ve already done so.

It seems to change daily. I swear, every time I go there, I see a new condo development mid-construction and a restaurant being built out. There are no rooftop bars with Bay of Banderas views just yet, but it won’t be long with the amount of condos with rooftop pools cropping up.

It doesn’t have a beachy vibe like the Romantic Zone because it’s not on the beach. Additionally, the streets are a bit dark and quiet after 9 pm. Some streets even feel desolate.

Sure, there are streets with restaurants and bars that liven up the area, but you’ll still feel like it’s a quiet neighborhood outside them.

From an amenities standpoint, you really have everything you need in Versalles. In addition to the restaurants, there are yoga and Pilates studios, gyms, co-working cafes, hospitals, and small tiendas for fruit and vegetables scattered around.

The landscape is flat, which is good and bad. It’s great if you have mobility issues. I’m not saying the streets don’t have potholes or that sidewalks don’t just stop in the middle of the block. What I am saying is you won’t have to worry about hills or stairs as you might in Cinco de Diciembre or Centro.

However, with the flat streets come flooding. All the construction has put stress on the infrastructure, and at times, when it rains, the water backs up, and it smells like an outhouse on the last day of Lollapalooza. No bueno. It’s not every street, but it does occur.

Pro tip: Expect daytime construction noise from nearby developments, not late-night bar or club noise. Be mindful of that when booking a short-term stay.

The Food Scene: Why People Seek Out Versalles

Versalles is one of the best neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta for food lovers.

I’m not going to write about all of them here; that’ll be another post. Grab my Versalles Puerto Vallarta map for all my go-to restaurants, cafes, and bars in the area.

Here are a few of my top restaurants in Versalles:

• Fluffy’s and Cha are both breakfast/brunch fan faves. There is usually a line at both, so be prepared.
• Abulon Antojeria del Mar has some of the best seafood in Versalles. The presentation is beautiful, and the food is elevated tacos and dishes like tiraditos. We went there on a Versalles food tour and go back every chance we get. Plus, they make good cocktails. What more could you need?
• Puerco de Oro is known for its pork belly tacos with crispy skin. They close at 3 pm, but often run out before then. So go. Like now. You’re welcome.
• Lamara is a ceviche wonderland. Go there for the tostadas piled extra high with all sorts of fish and seafood. They have another location on Los Muertos Beach, but the Versalles location is the original.
• Oregano is a laidback Caribbean place with beautiful murals and a little baby piglet that runs around and fist bumps you with its snout. A snout-bump? But besides that, the food is super yum. The oxtail is melt-in-your-mouth, the curries are delectable, and we’ve never left unhappy.
• Tacos al Pastor Sonorita is the place to go for al pastor tacos. They are affordable and consistently delicious. They also have a Zona Romantica location.
• Ascencio Tacos y Chelas is the place to go for upscale tacos and craft beer. Plus, Diego, the chef-owner, is super friendly and passionate about his food. Expect special tacos, like ribeye with flaming brie, salmon with passion fruit and mango, and my standard go-to pork rib with the bone still attached.

So those are my food faves. As you can see from the list, this is where most of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta live.

Here are some of my bar faves, but there are more on the map.

• Coco Machete for unique drinks, DJs, and a chill garden vibe.
• El Rey for good tequila sipping, DJs, craft cocktails, and the superduo hubs-and-wife team, Lawrence and Reanna. She also makes a damn tasty BBQ!
• The Office is also theirs and has super inventive cocktails in a small speakeasy kinda spaced.  
• Barra 322 is right next to The Office, so methinks you’ll need to try both.

If I made you think it’s all restaurants and bars, that’s not true. There are loads of coffee shops as well, and I get my nails done at Palme in case you are wondering. See, I’m well-rounded like that.  

Staying in Versalles as a Visitor

Unlike most other popular areas, there really aren’t hotels in Versalles. However, with the influx of condos being built, there are Airbnbs and VRBOs aplenty. There are loads of long-term rentals, too. If you are planning to come for a month or more, you can always start in a short-term rental while you wander the streets and find a long-term option.

Living in Versalles: What to Know Before Moving

If you are planning to move to Versalles, there are a few things you should know, besides the flooding I mentioned above.

There are some older houses to rent, but the vast majority of long-term rentals will be in modern condo towers. Most will have a pool, some will have gyms, and the latest and greatest ones have movie theaters and dog parks.

It used to cost less for long-term rentals there, but no longer. It’s about the same cost there as it is on Cinco de Deciembre and Centro.

Like most of Puerto Vallarta, there is construction noise everywhere. You may not have the late-night clubs or bar noise you have in other areas, but during the day, there will be noise from nearby construction.

In 2026, Versalles long-term rental prices generally run about MXN 15,000–25,000 per month (roughly USD $880–1,445) for studios and small one-bedroom apartments. Newer buildings are at the higher end of the range. Two-bedroom apartments typically range from MXN 25,000–38,000 per month (about USD $1,445–2,200), depending on size, building age, and amenities like pools or gyms.

FYI: Good internet options exist, but quality varies by provider/building, and outages happen sometimes.

Related reading: Living in Puerto Vallarta: The Vibe, Safety and all the Tacos

Walkability, Transportation, and Getting Around

Versalles is a very walkable community. Everything is flat. The streets are generally wide. And some even have sidewalks.

Bus access is easy here as well. Depending on your final location, you can catch buses on Highway 200 and Avenida Francisco Villa, which intersect. Most short rides are 11 pesos.

As with all of Puerto Vallarta, taxis and Ubers are abundant. I prefer Uber because it’s trackable and has stronger safety measures in place.

If you are here on vacation, you don’t need a car in Versalles. But if you live here, having one makes life a zillion times easier.

Things to do in Versalles

Besides eating, there aren’t a lot of things to do if you’re a tourist. All the beaches and touristy things to do are just a quick 15-minute Uber ride away.

We love a good food and drink tour, especially when you first move somewhere or are just traveling. All the tours I recommend below are small group tours, so they do sell out during the high season.

Who is Versalles best for?

Versalles is for you if you don’t care about being front row and center at the beaches. Or all the action. You don’t mind a quick walk or drive to them. But you want all the food options at your feet.

If this is your first time in Vallarta, I don’t recommend staying in Versalles. I do, however, recommend you go there to eat.

It’s not for you if you need a beach view or want to be steps from it. If you want to stay or live in the action, Versalles is too sleepy. But I do suspect that will change as time marches forward.

Pros and Cons of Versalles Puerto Vallarta

Pros:	Cons:
More residential feel than resort-heavy areas	No beachfront and no ocean views
Still a good time to invest in real estate compared to beach zones.	Ongoing construction in parts of the neighborhood
One of the best food scenes in Puerto Vallarta	Lacks the charm and character of older Puerto Vallarta areas
Central location with easy access to beaches, the airport, and downtown	Prices have risen quickly, and it’s no longer considered a budget neighborhood.
Well-suited for everyday living rather than short vacations	Flooding is a real issue during heavy summer rains.

FAQs About Versalles Puerto Vallarta

Final Thoughts: Is Versalles Right for You?

Versalles in Puerto Vallarta isn’t trying to sell you a postcard version of a neighborhood. That’s exactly why so many people end up loving it.

If your priorities are walkability, food, everyday convenience, and being centrally located rather than beachy, Versalles makes a lot of sense. It’s practical, evolving fast, and still very livable despite the construction and growing pains.

For travelers, it’s better for longer stays or anyone happy to Uber to the beach. Not for first-time visitors, though.

For residents, it offers a solid balance between local life and modern amenities.

It’s rough around the edges and still under construction. But if you’d trade ocean views for world-class tacos within stumbling distance, Versalles might just be your new favorite neighborhood.

What do you think? Leave me a note in the comments below.