Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta: Best Areas & Places {2024}

Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia

Choosing where to stay in Puerto Vallarta is no small feat. It’s a big, diverse city with incredible nightlife, loads of outdoor activities, and, of course, all the scrumdidlyumptious tacos and tequila you could stuff your face with.

Whether you are coming for a week, a month, or a year, determining where to hang your hat could make or break your entire stay in this glorious city.

So, make a margarita, and let me help you figure out where to stay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in 2024. But first, here is a map of all the best neighborhoods.

Best Areas and Places to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

Every neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta has its own vibe. You don’t want to stay in Conchas Chinas if you want a booming nightlife. And you don’t want to stay in the Marina if you want an authentic Mexican experience. So, knowing the details of the neighborhoods make a big difference.

Good thing I’ve been living here for two years and know this city very well, so I can share all the important tips I’ve learned with you.

We’re going to start from the north and work our way south through the best Puerto Vallarta neighborhoods.

Ok, let’s dive in…

Marina Vallarta – Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta for Luxury Vibes

I’m going to be honest (no surprise there); this isn’t my favorite area to stay in Puerto Vallarta.

Let me explain.

There are restaurants and bars with live music and plenty to do. But for me, it feels like it could be in any country and has no real Mexican vibe. Which is one of the things I love about Puerto Vallarta. It may be touristy, but it’s retained its distinctly Mexican charm.

However, the Marina is gorgeous, with high-end condos, resorts, and hotels right on the water. And who doesn’t love to look at gazillion-dollar yachts?

We know people who live in the Marina and LOVE it. It’s just not our vibe. But it’s still a massive draw for many people and can’t be overlooked in my where to stay in Puerto Vallarta guide.

Where is Marina Vallarta?

The Marina is less than 10 minutes south of the airport and about 25 minutes to Centro. There are a couple of high-end malls in the area and several world-class golf courses. It’s def a more luxurious place to stay in Puerto Vallarta.

Pros of staying in Marina Vallarta

• Lots of shopping nearby
• It’s beautiful
• Close to the airport
• Close to the big box grocery stores like Costco, La Comer, Walmart, and Sam’s Club
• Plenty of restaurants and nightlife
• It’s a luxury lifestyle
• Some of the best Puerto Vallarta hotels and condos are in the Marina
• Very safe area

Cons of staying in Marina Vallarta

• Not the best beaches
• There are crocodiles in the water there
• Far from the other fun Puerto Vallarta areas
• It’s super touristy
• Not much in the way of affordable housing
• No real Mexican culture

Things to do in Marina Vallarta

1. Go golfing.
2. Look out for crocodiles. A few have been known to take a bite or two out of small dogs playing in the shallows.
3. Shop in all the boutiques that line the boardwalk.
4. Oogle at all the mega-yachts.
5. Dine at the top of El Faro Lighthouse for a romantic evening with views.
6. Head to a spa.
7. Go to the Thursday night market for artisan wares and gourmet food.

Best Marina Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

There is a lot to choose from here, but if you’re in the Marina, you’re probably looking for a resort-style luxury spot.

For that, the Marriott Puerto Vallarta and the Westin Resort and Spa are two of the best.

If you are looking to splash out and go serious lux. Check out the adults only all inclusive Casa Velas. It’s low-key but spectacular.

View all the Marina hotels in Puerto Vallarta here. And apartments here.

Hotel Zone – Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta with Family

The hotel zone in Puerto Vallarta is excellent for families looking for affordable hotels. As you’d expect from a place called the Hotel Zone, there are a plethora of hotels of all budgets. It’s also where to stay in Puerto Vallarta all inclusive style.

There are more high-rise hotels here than small boutique accommodations. A lot of the hotels are geared toward families with playgrounds and daycare options. But there are also adult-only hotels.

Other than beaches, malls and a few big restaurants, there isn’t much else there. So, you’ll need to get transportation into town or the Romantic Zone if you decide to venture out (and you should).

Where is the Hotel Zone?

It’s about 10 minutes south of the marina along the coast.

Pros of staying in the Hotel Zone

• Great choices for all-inclusives and resorts
• Lots of shopping malls
• Nice beaches
• Close to the airport

Con of staying in the Hotel Zone

• It’s all about the hotels, so there isn’t a lot of excitement outside of them
• It gets hectic when the cruise ships come in

Things to do in the Hotel Zone

1. Catch a movie at the Galerias Vallarta shopping mall
2. Go to the water parks in the area—Splash Water Park and Aquaventuras Park are fan faves.
3. Laze on the beach
4. Go parasailing
5. Go horseback riding

Best places to stay in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone

If you are coming with kids but also want adult time, the Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa is a great option. They have a kids’ club for the munchkins and an adult’s pool for you, the big kid. You can eat fresh lobster while the littles eat mac-n-cheese. Or vice versa. Whatever makes you happy. You’re on a vacation.

Another option is the Krystal Grand Puerto Vallarta – All Inclusive resort. It’s directly on the beach and has six restaurants to make you and the whole family happy.

If you want an adults-only Puerto Vallarta resort, check out Hotel Mio Vallarta Unique & Different- Adults Only. It’s got a sweet rooftop pool and is pet-friendly, so bring Fido.

View all the hotels in the Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta here. Would you rather a vacation rental? Check here.

Cinco de Diciembre (5D) – Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta for the best local vibes

What I like about Cinco de Diciembre is its local energy. The cobblestone streets are charming and ideal for breaking an ankle or toe but add to the charm (until you break something).  

This is one of the best areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta to get a feel for daily Mexican life while still being near the water. It’s where we are renting long-term.

In addition, you’ll be able to use your Spanish here more than in some other neighborhoods.

It’s less touristy than Marina Vallarta, Centro or the Old Town, making it more affordable. It runs from Banderas Bay to the mountains and is very hilly.

Where is Cinco de Diciembre

5D is just north of Centro along the coast and is considered part of downtown Puerto Vallarta. It’s just south of the Hotel Zone, so it’s also very centrally located.

Pros of staying in Cinco de Diciembre

• It’s affordable
• Has loads of places to eat—taco stands, cafes and bars
• It’s centrally located
• It has a lovely beach
• It’s authentic

Cons of staying in Cinco de Diciembre

• It’s hilly.
• It can be noisy. Mexicans love a fiesta.
• Cobblestone streets suck.

Things to do in Cinco de Diciembre

1. Go to Playa Camarones
2. Go to the theater
3. Walk the Malecon
4. Eat at all the taco stands
5. Basically, everything you can do in Centro (see below)

Best Puerto Vallarta accommodations in 5D

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway is a five-star luxury beachfront PV hotel. You’ll get a mini massage and a glass of bubbly when you check-in. Not a bad way to start your vacation. If you’re looking for luxe but don’t want to stay in the Marina, check it out.

Another fab option very close to our apartment is The Paramar Beachfront Boutique Hotel. They have a great rooftop pool, and breakfast is included. Additionally, they are steps from the beach.

Hotel El Pescador is another beachfront hotel in my neighborhood. It’s super low-key, the location is excellent, but it’s not as modern as the other two. It’s clean, and they provide continental breakfast.

Check out all the Cinco places to stay in Puerto Vallarta. There are a lot of vacation rentals, too. Check here for more.

Centro – Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta for the first time

This area has a little bit for everyone. It’s got loads of tourists, foreign and Mexican, and a real neighborhood vibe. You can go to the fancy white-tablecloth restaurants or eat at a family-run joint that’s been there for decades.

Centro is where the famous Malecon (boardwalk) begins. It is a car-free, restaurant-lined waterfront promenade that goes on for what seems like miles. At night, vendors sell everything from crepes to elotes and blown glass to paintings. It’s where buskers stand still for hours posing as sculptures in mariachi suits, waiting to tease or scare the hell out of unsuspecting passersby.

Centro is touristy, but it’s also local. It’s a great blend and doesn’t have as much of an LGBTQ+ feel as the Romantic Zone. There are incredible restaurants in Centro, and it’s one of our favorite areas. We often walk there for dinner.

There are tons of galleries and shops in Centro as well.

Where is Centro?

Officially, Cinco and Centro are two different Puerto Vallarta neighborhoods, but they are right next to each other and have a similar feel. Centro is squished between Cinco de Diciembre to the north and Old Town to the south. The Cuale River makes its southern border.

Pros of Staying in Centro

• It’s centrally located
• You can walk almost everywhere
• You can find all budgets for food and Puerto Vallarta hotels
• Once you get off the Malecon, there is a real neighborhood feel
• The is a lot of nightlife along

Con of Staying in Centro

• It’s coastal, but the Malecon runs along it in certain areas, so there aren’t as many long stretches of beach
• It can be loud if you stay near the Malecon, especially near the nightclub area
• It’s always busy

Things to do in Centro

1. Stroll the Malecon and check out all the sculptures (live and otherwise)
2. Go gallery hopping
3. Watch the sunset from one of the bars along the Malecon
4. Go to the Naval Museum
5. Go tequila tasting at one of the many shops
6. Go nightclubbing — check out Zoo, Mandala, La Vaquita
7. Visit the 100-year-old Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, a symbol of the city
8. Eat at any one of the zillions of restaurants
9. Bargain shop at the market along the Cuale River
10.  Hike up to the Mirador el Cerro de la Cruz

Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta’s Centro Area

There aren’t many beachfront hotels in Centro because of the boardwalk. However, the Hotel Rosita is at the very beginning of the Malecon and has a fantastic oceanfront spot. If you are there during whale watching season, you might even see some whale action from the pool!

BellView Hotel Boutique is a beautiful old hotel that has all the old-world charm Puerto Vallarta is known for. It’s up the hill a bit, so if you have mobility challenges, this may not be the place for you. But if not, it’s a stunner with views to die for. It’s one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta if you want to be transported to days gone by. As a bonus, La Cappella, one of the top Italian restaurants in town, is connected to it. Win-Win!

Casa Kimberly is the combined former residences of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. They were having an illicit affair while he was filming The Night of the Iguana, and this boutique hotel showcases their love. It also has a great restaurant and tequila bar called Iguana.

Click here for more hotels in Centro. Or downtown vacation rentals.

Romantic Zone –Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta for nightlife and LGBTQ+ travelers

The Romantic Town has many other names: Old Town, Viejo Vallarta, Old Vallarta, Emiliano Zapata, Zona Romantica and Olas Altas. But no matter what you call it, it’s the most vibrant and best area to stay in Puerto Vallarta for night owls.

This is where Mark and I stayed for nearly a year. The area is filled with more art galleries, boutique hotels, and restaurants than anywhere else in Puerto Vallarta. You’ll find fine dining restaurants next to family-owned $1 taco stands and everything in between.

The cobblestone streets lead to Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta’s most famous beach.

Snowbirds and expats make the Romantic Zone home, mixing with the locals and families who’ve been here for decades. Since it’s the LGBTQ+ area of Puerto Vallarta (affectionately known as the Gayborhood), it has a totally frisky vibe and is the best area to stay if you’re looking for a gay-owned hotel.

It’s buzzing with energy and has nightlife galore. But it still has its old-world charm.

That eclectic mashup makes the Zona Romantica one of the best places to stay in Puerto Vallarta.

Where is the Romantic Zone?

It is just south of the Cuale River and sandwiched between Banderas Bay and the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Pros of staying in the Old Town:

• It’s compact and walkable
• It’s safe
• It’s centrally located
• You’re in the thick of it all
• Lots of accommodation option
• You’ll never be far from the beach

Cons of staying in the Old Town:

• It can be loud
• It’s always busy
• The traffic can be bad
• The more affordable housing may be in the hills, which means an intense leg workout daily

Things to do in the Romantic Zone:

1. Chill at the beach
2. Walk along the famous Muelle de Playa Los Muertos (the pier)
3. Shop in all the boutiques
4. Go gallery hopping
5. Stuff your face with street tacos
6. Try the beer at two different microbreweries
7. Watch the sunset from a rooftop swimming pool
8. Catch a drag show
9. Find your fave street art
10. Go to the Olas Altas Saturday market

Best Puerto Vallarta Hotels Zona Romantica

The Hotel Boutique Rivera Del Rio is a super cute, quirky hotel on the river that used to be a mansion. Each room has a different color theme and vibe with bold paintings to match. There is a rooftop pool with ocean views and a bartender, so you don’t need to go anywhere to watch the epic Puerto Vallarta sunsets. It’s about a 15-minute walk along the river to the beach through the Old Town. A lot of our friends have stayed at the Rivera del Rio and were enchanted by its eclectic vibes.

Posada de Roger is where to stay in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone if you want to be in the thick of it all on Basilio Badillo (it’s kind of a little restaurant row). It’s got a nice-sized courtyard pool that is always bathed in sunlight. The rooms are basic but have AC, and there is a shared kitchen if you want to make a snack or make something for a beach picnic.

If you want a beachfront hotel in the Zona Romantica, try the Tropicana Hotel Puerto Vallarta. They have two pools just by the beach and palapas on the beach to laze under. The rooms are a little dated, but who cares when your toes are in the sand?

Now you know a few of our choices for where to stay in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. But if none of those hotels suit your fancy, there are a lot more to choose from. Browse all the hotels in Puerto Vallarta here.

If you’d like a vacation rental instead of a hotel. Check these out.

Conchas Chinas – Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta for secluded beaches and peace

Conchas Chinas is part of the South Zone of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a bit out of town and has an entirely different feel than the other areas. It’s more exclusive.

Where the Romantic Zone is vibrant and buzzy, Conchas Chinas is mellow and peaceful. Even the beaches reflect it. Los Muertos Beach is packed with people and umbrellas as far as the eyes can see. In Conchas Chinas, the water is calm, and there are no crowds.

Staying there means you’ll likely have ocean views to die for while nestled in the jungle and the Sierra Madre mountains.

Where is Conchas Chinas

About 10 minutes south of the Romantic Zone along the curvy mountain road.

Pros of staying in Conchas Chinas

• Golden sand beaches are divine and pretty secluded
• You may spot a celeb or two
• The views are everything
• It’s tranquil

Cons of Staying in Conchas Chinas

• You’ll need to drive everywhere
• It’s very hilly unless you are beachfront
• There isn’t much there in terms of restaurants and nightlife
• It’s very quiet

Things to do in Conchas Chinas

1. Laze on the beach
2. Go snorkeling right off the beach
3. Visit the nearby Botanical Gardens
4. Watch the sunset
5. Go to Lindo Mar, a hotel right on the beach, for dinner or happy hour

Best Places to Stay in Conchas Chinas

Hyatt Ziva all-inclusive is a great hotel for the whole family. It’s right on the beach, and it has two pools, they provide entertainment for all ages, and they have four restaurants.

Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa has a private beach and just might be the best all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta. It’s a little further south than Conchas Chinas, but once you get there, I guarantee you won’t want to leave.

And if you want to go all out and splurge on luxury, stay at the adult-only Hotel Moussai. You’ll thank me for that one.

Want more choices for where to stay in Puerto Vallarta? Here are all the Conchas Chinas Hotels and vacation rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta Wrap-Up

Phew! You made it. So, hopefully, now you know where to stay in Puerto Vallarta. The best factor to determine where to stay is the reason you are coming here in the first place.

Are you coming for a romantic couple’s vacation? Then head to Conchas Chinas or the Hotel Zone. Coming to party? The Romantic Zone is for you. Want a little more local flair? It’s Cinco de Diciembre. It’s best to figure that out before you start searching so you won’t be disappointed.

However, no matter where you stay, you will Love, with a capital L, Puerto Vallarta.

PS: This page contains affiliate links, and all prices are in USD. That means if you click a link and buy something from this page, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect my opinions or my reviews. Everything I do is to benefit you as the reader, so all my reviews are honest and unbiased. Would you expect anything less from me? Ya know, I like to keep it real.