Living in Puerto Vallarta for Six Weeks: Where We Stayed, Ate, and Fell in Love with the City
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” Henry Miller
2/6/202611 min read
We spent just over six weeks in Puerto Vallarta and absolutely loved our time there. PV has a great mix of culture, food, beaches, and easy day-to-day living, which made it an ideal place for a longer stay. During our visit, we split our time between two very different properties, giving us a good feel for both resort living and condo life in the city.
We began our stay at Villa del Palmar (https://vallarta.villadelpalmar.com/) which is a conveniently located all-inclusive resort right in town. The property is currently undergoing renovations, which are definitely needed, and that was noticeable in some areas. The resort also sells day passes to locals, which made it feel very crowded at times, especially around the pool and beach areas. Despite that, there were some bright spots. First of all the, price was very reasonable. Also, we really enjoyed the Mexican restaurant and ate there multiple times for both lunch and dinner when it was open. The grilled octopus was outstanding, and the espresso martinis quickly became a favorite. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the seafood restaurant. On the night we visited, they did not have any fish available and were only serving shrimp, which we found surprising for a coastal destination. The beach itself was also quite crowded, and there were many vendors walking through selling goods. While this is common in PV, it did become a bit overwhelming after a while.
After one week, we moved into the Romantic Zone and stayed at Pinnacle 179 for more than a month. Pinnacle 179 is an adults-only condo hotel perched on a hill overlooking the city, and the views are fantastic. The rooftop pool and bar quickly became our favorite place to spend our afternoons, offering sweeping views of the ocean and town below. The location is ideal, with an easy walk to the beach and some truly excellent restaurants. Staying here gave us a completely different experience than the all-inclusive resort and allowed us to feel much more connected to daily life in Puerto Vallarta. (https://pinnacleresortspv.com/pinnacle-179/)
While in the area, we toured Villa del Palmar Flamingos, which is a beautiful timeshare resort. The property itself is impressive, but it is located quite far from the city center and is also on the pricey side. We also spent a day at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. This resort was equally beautiful, offered better pricing, and had a much more convenient location. It is a great option for travelers who want a higher-end all-inclusive experience without being too far removed from town. (https://allinglobaltravel.com/hyatt-ziva-puerto-vallarta-pools-pickleball-and-perfect-beach-days)
One of the biggest highlights of our time in PV was the food scene. Our favorite restaurant was El Amparo, a small, family-owned local spot just across the street from where we were staying. The owner, Miguel, and his son Miguel are wonderful hosts who clearly take pride in their food. Everything is fresh, and their seafood is especially well prepared. We ate here more than a dozen times and worked our way through nearly the entire menu. This is real Mexican food, not tourist food, and it quickly became a place that felt like home. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/J51SRHh3aQnqxZxP7)
For beachfront dining, we highly recommend Langostinos Restaurant and Bar. Eating with your toes in the sand is a must in Puerto Vallarta, and Langostinos delivers on every level. Their margaritas and guacamole are fantastic, and it was here that we met Lydia, an expat turned local who shared so much knowledge about the area and became a dear friend. It is one of those unexpected travel moments that reminds you how many amazing people there are in the world. If you visit, be sure to tell Jorge at Langostinos that we sent you. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/xGcb7LfmiowPQFo9A).
For a truly unforgettable dining experience, make reservations at La Cappella Restaurant, located at the BellView Hotel Boutique. We have traveled to more than 71 countries, and this is one of the most beautiful restaurants we have ever visited. The space is filled with Italian antiques and overlooks the cathedral, with stunning sunset views. The food is excellent, prices are higher by Mexican standards at around $25 per plate, and reservations are required. They open at 5 PM, which is the best time to arrive for prime seating. Around 7 PM, violinists come out and serenade the guests, creating an atmosphere that feels truly special. We loved it so much that we went twice. (https://www.eldoradopvr.com/)
Some of the most beautiful beach locations in PV are near the Hyatt Ziva, but if you are staying in the Romantic Zone, we recommend purchasing a day pass at El Dorado Restaurant. Javier and Jorge will set you up with two comfortable beach chairs and an umbrella for $50, and that amount can be credited toward your food and drinks. The service is outstanding. As the sun shifts, they immediately adjust the umbrella to keep you comfortable, which made for some of our most relaxing days in PV. (https://www.eldoradopvr.com/)
Another local gem we discovered was the Arte VallARTa Museo, which Lydia told us about. This small, locally run art museum focuses on local artists and only asks for a small donation to enter. The owner, Natalie, is incredibly welcoming, and the museum is well worth a visit if you enjoy art and supporting local creatives. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Am9xztPCiW9sYjPA8)
Of course, no visit to Puerto Vallarta is complete without walking along the Malecón. The sculptures, ocean views, and overall energy make it a must-do experience. We recommend going in the morning before the heat and humidity build.
Early in our stay, we also took a food and margarita tour, which we highly recommend. A local guide takes you to several lesser-known restaurants and bars, giving you a chance to try incredible food and drinks while learning more about the city. It is a great way to get oriented and discover places you may never find on your own.
Puerto Vallarta is widely known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly destinations in Mexico, particularly in the Romantic Zone. This zone would be more suitable for adults than small children. The city offers a lively evening scene with shows, live music, and entertainment that changes with the seasons. There is also a large and welcoming expat community, which adds to the warm, inclusive feel of the city.
Getting around Puerto Vallarta was easy. We used Uber throughout our stay and never had any issues. We felt safe the entire time, although we did not do many nighttime activities.
We truly loved our time in Puerto Vallarta and made friendships that we know will last well beyond this trip. Between the food, the people, the walkable neighborhoods, and the variety of experiences, PV left a lasting impression on us. We are already looking forward to returning to visit friends and enjoy another plate of Miguel’s chilaquiles. After spending more than six weeks here, there is simply too much to include in one article. If you have questions or want help planning your own visit, reach out to us. We would love to help you create an amazing Puerto Vallarta experience that fits your travel style perfectly.
We spent just over six weeks in Puerto Vallarta and absolutely loved our time there. PV has a great mix of culture, food, beaches, and easy day-to-day living, which made it an ideal place for a longer stay. During our visit, we split our time between two very different properties, giving us a good feel for both resort living and condo life in the city.
We began our stay at Villa del Palmar (https://vallarta.villadelpalmar.com/) which is a conveniently located all-inclusive resort right in town. The property is currently undergoing renovations, which are definitely needed, and that was noticeable in some areas. The resort also sells day passes to locals, which made it feel very crowded at times, especially around the pool and beach areas. Despite that, there were some bright spots. First of all the, price was very reasonable. Also, we really enjoyed the Mexican restaurant and ate there multiple times for both lunch and dinner when it was open. The grilled octopus was outstanding, and the espresso martinis quickly became a favorite. Unfortunately, we were disappointed with the seafood restaurant. On the night we visited, they did not have any fish available and were only serving shrimp, which we found surprising for a coastal destination. The beach itself was also quite crowded, and there were many vendors walking through selling goods. While this is common in PV, it did become a bit overwhelming after a while.
After one week, we moved into the Romantic Zone and stayed at Pinnacle 179 for more than a month. Pinnacle 179 is an adults-only condo hotel perched on a hill overlooking the city, and the views are fantastic. The rooftop pool and bar quickly became our favorite place to spend our afternoons, offering sweeping views of the ocean and town below. The location is ideal, with an easy walk to the beach and some truly excellent restaurants. Staying here gave us a completely different experience than the all-inclusive resort and allowed us to feel much more connected to daily life in Puerto Vallarta. (https://pinnacleresortspv.com/pinnacle-179/)
While in the area, we toured Villa del Palmar Flamingos, which is a beautiful timeshare resort. The property itself is impressive, but it is located quite far from the city center and is also on the pricey side. We also spent a day at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. This resort was equally beautiful, offered better pricing, and had a much more convenient location. It is a great option for travelers who want a higher-end all-inclusive experience without being too far removed from town. (https://allinglobaltravel.com/hyatt-ziva-puerto-vallarta-pools-pickleball-and-perfect-beach-days)
One of the biggest highlights of our time in PV was the food scene. Our favorite restaurant was El Amparo, a small, family-owned local spot just across the street from where we were staying. The owner, Miguel, and his son Miguel are wonderful hosts who clearly take pride in their food. Everything is fresh, and their seafood is especially well prepared. We ate here more than a dozen times and worked our way through nearly the entire menu. This is real Mexican food, not tourist food, and it quickly became a place that felt like home. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/J51SRHh3aQnqxZxP7)
For beachfront dining, we highly recommend Langostinos Restaurant and Bar. Eating with your toes in the sand is a must in Puerto Vallarta, and Langostinos delivers on every level. Their margaritas and guacamole are fantastic, and it was here that we met Lydia, an expat turned local who shared so much knowledge about the area and became a dear friend. It is one of those unexpected travel moments that reminds you how many amazing people there are in the world. If you visit, be sure to tell Jorge at Langostinos that we sent you. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/xGcb7LfmiowPQFo9A).
For a truly unforgettable dining experience, make reservations at La Cappella Restaurant, located at the BellView Hotel Boutique. We have traveled to more than 71 countries, and this is one of the most beautiful restaurants we have ever visited. The space is filled with Italian antiques and overlooks the cathedral, with stunning sunset views. The food is excellent, prices are higher by Mexican standards at around $25 per plate, and reservations are required. They open at 5 PM, which is the best time to arrive for prime seating. Around 7 PM, violinists come out and serenade the guests, creating an atmosphere that feels truly special. We loved it so much that we went twice. (https://www.eldoradopvr.com/)
Some of the most beautiful beach locations in PV are near the Hyatt Ziva, but if you are staying in the Romantic Zone, we recommend purchasing a day pass at El Dorado Restaurant. Javier and Jorge will set you up with two comfortable beach chairs and an umbrella for $50, and that amount can be credited toward your food and drinks. The service is outstanding. As the sun shifts, they immediately adjust the umbrella to keep you comfortable, which made for some of our most relaxing days in PV. (https://www.eldoradopvr.com/)
Another local gem we discovered was the Arte VallARTa Museo, which Lydia told us about. This small, locally run art museum focuses on local artists and only asks for a small donation to enter. The owner, Natalie, is incredibly welcoming, and the museum is well worth a visit if you enjoy art and supporting local creatives. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Am9xztPCiW9sYjPA8)
Of course, no visit to Puerto Vallarta is complete without walking along the Malecón. The sculptures, ocean views, and overall energy make it a must-do experience. We recommend going in the morning before the heat and humidity build.
Early in our stay, we also took a food and margarita tour, which we highly recommend. A local guide takes you to several lesser-known restaurants and bars, giving you a chance to try incredible food and drinks while learning more about the city. It is a great way to get oriented and discover places you may never find on your own.
Puerto Vallarta is widely known as one of the most LGBTQ-friendly destinations in Mexico, particularly in the Romantic Zone. This zone would be more suitable for adults than small children. The city offers a lively evening scene with shows, live music, and entertainment that changes with the seasons. There is also a large and welcoming expat community, which adds to the warm, inclusive feel of the city.
Getting around Puerto Vallarta was easy. We used Uber throughout our stay and never had any issues. We felt safe the entire time, although we did not do many nighttime activities.
We truly loved our time in Puerto Vallarta and made friendships that we know will last well beyond this trip. Between the food, the people, the walkable neighborhoods, and the variety of experiences, PV left a lasting impression on us. We are already looking forward to returning to visit friends and enjoy another plate of Miguel’s chilaquiles. After spending more than six weeks here, there is simply too much to include in one article. If you have questions or want help planning your own visit, reach out to us. We would love to help you create an amazing Puerto Vallarta experience that fits your travel style perfectly.
info@allinglobaltravel.com