Where to Go – Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide
Planning your next vacation in Puerto Vallarta? We’ve compiled the best insider tips for exclusive Vallarta travel tips. Discover everything, from where to eat, where to dance and the must-sees of this paradise on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican coastal paradise for pleasure seekers to enjoy with long coastlines, beautiful scenery, fine dining, well-manicured golf courses, and an abundance of sun-filled activities. With plenty to choose from, we’ve narrowed down some of the favorites of Puerto Vallarta residents and seasoned veterans who can’t help but return to the Pacific beaches year after year.
the cliff: In possibly one of the most romantic spots in Puerto Vallarta, this cliffside restaurant under a palapa offers some of the most spectacular views in town. Le Kliff is the perfect romantic restaurant for a quiet dinner or sunset cocktails. Le Kliff, which specializes in seafood, serves local favorites with an international twist. Enjoy your meal by the sea overlooking Banderas Bay for an absolutely unforgettable dining experience. Not to be missed: Le Kliff is the ideal place to dine as the sun sets over the bay. A favorite for destination weddings and local celebrations alike, it’s the ultimate restaurant for a romantic evening.
Cafe des Artistes: No trip to Puerto Vallarta would be complete without enjoying a delicious dinner at the Café des Artistes, one of the pillars of Vallarta gastronomy. The renowned restaurant run by chef Thierry Blouet offers an international menu that changes seasonally and is sure to surprise your palate. With a romantic terrace and casual elegance, Café des Artistes has become not only one of the hallmarks of Puerto Vallarta restaurants, but one of the most celebrated restaurants in Mexico City. Not to be missed: Cocina de Autor, on the second floor by head chef Thierry Blouet, is an exclusive dining experience that adds a new dimension to the appeal of Cafe des Artistes. Cocina de Autor is a more formal response to the ground floor bistro.
The Arrayan: Offering traditional Mexican recipes in the center of Old Town Vallarta, El Arrayán captures the heart of Mexico in its genuine cuisine and casual atmosphere. El Arryán offers classic favorites like empanadas de plantain, cochinita pibil, and duck confit, all created and garnished with local ingredients and flavors. Not to be missed: The Dionix Cake made from a family recipe for a truly authentic dining experience in Vallarta.
The Xitomates: For Mexican gourmets in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, just off the Malecón, Los Xítomates is an exceptional restaurant with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Owner and chef Luis Fitch, along with Javier Fernández Somellera, have created a fantastic Mexican fusion menu that has garnered prestigious awards since the restaurant first opened in 2002. Not to be missed: A Chat with the Owner and the chef, Luis Fitch, who is almost always available to greet guests at his restaurant.
The Best Nightlife in Puerto Vallarta:
Of saints: A constant favorite with the fashion crowd, De Santos is a stylish lounge that heats up as the sun goes down. Designed in a distinctive Mediterranean setting, De Santos is perfect for a fun night out among in-the-know locals dancing to live music. Decorated entirely in white, this elegant lounge is a favorite of Puerto Vallarta bars for cocktail-drinking night owls.
The Bodeguita del Medio: Perhaps not as famous as its namesake in Havana, this Cuban restaurant/lounge is said to have the best mojitos in town. Located on Puerto Vallarta’s famous Malecón boulevard, La Bodeguita is perfect for people-watching and live salsa dancing. You may be in Mexico, but the enticing spirit of this cocktail bar will take you straight to the sultry streets of Havana.
send it: Replacing old Malecon favorites Kahlua and Mogambo, Mandala arrived in 2007 to great fanfare and was a quick hit with locals and tourists alike. The flashy, modern nightclub plays Spanish pop and electronic music until the sun comes up.
Christina: A seasoned veteran of Puerto Vallarta nightlife, Christine is a dazzling nightclubber who tops all clubgoer lists in Vallarta. She draws a chic, hip crowd to her gleaming dance floors, with a wide range of music and a midnight light show every night.