What Not to Do in Puerto Vallarta: 20 Essential Tips

Last Updated on October 17, 2024

Knowing what not to do in Puerto Vallarta will set you up to have a smooth, worry-free time in this beautiful, coastal city. 

Puerto Vallarta is a small city on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It’s easily accessible by flying into Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), which has made it a popular region for tourists from all over the world. 

The Puerto Vallarta of today dates back to the mid-1800s, although it didn’t get its current name until 1918. After banana plantations were introduced in the region in the 1920s, the population there grew quickly.

After a tourism boom in the 1960s, Puerto Vallarta became known for its beaches and resort hotels.

the steeple of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta at sunset
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta

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I spent 10 days in Puerto Vallarta. I stayed by myself in a small apartment in 5 de Diciembre, a neighborhood just north of the tourist center.

Some of my fondest memories of my stay there were the simplest things; watching pelicans diving for fish at sunset, wandering up and around the hills of the neighborhood Centro, going for a late afternoon swim, and buying fresh mangoes and pineapple in the local market. 

Whether you’re planning just a few days, or 1 week in Puerto Vallarta, read on to learn 20 essential tips about what not to do in Puerto Vallarta. But before diving in, let’s tackle a common question.

Is Puerto Vallarta Safe? 

Yes, Puerto Vallarta is considered safe for tourists. However, as with traveling anywhere in the world, it’s important to be informed. Check your home country’s travel alerts before visiting, and while in Puerto Vallarta, be aware of what is going on around you. Petty crime is a risk (as with anywhere in the world) and the best way to avoid it is by staying alert. 

I spent 10 days as a solo woman in Puerto Vallarta. During that time I walked all over the city, including through less touristy neighborhoods. I always felt safe and welcomed. 

How to Stay Online While in Mexico

While in Mexico, you’ll want to have a mobile data plan. Mobile data will help you with navigation, and translating on the fly.

You can get online with an easily with a quick-to-install eSIM through Airalo. What I appreciate most about Airalo’s eSIM is its simplicity. You can quickly select and activate an Airalo eSIM for Mexico through the Airalo app. Selecting, downloading, and activating your eSIM takes less than 5 minutes, and it’s easy to top up your eSIM if you run out of data.

You can get started with an Airalo eSIM, right here.

What Not to Do in Puerto Vallarta: 20 Important Tips

1. Don’t Skip Puerto Vallarta in Off-Season

Puerto Vallarta has a tropical climate. The region’s average temperature is around 28C (82F), and it’s often very humid. The dry season runs November through June, with December through May being the mildest months. This is the “high season” for tourism. 

The “low season” for tourism runs from May through to September. These months are a bit hotter and more humid than average, and there is typically some rain. But don’t discount visiting Puerto Vallarta in the low season.

At this time of year, you’ll find better deals on flights and hotels for your trip to Puerto Vallarta. There is some rain, yes, but it tends to happen once a day, and it’s usually brief. 

But the real benefit? In the low season Puerto Vallarta is less packed with tourists. Beaches, tours, and restaurants will be less busy, which makes for a better experience. 

Los Muertos Beach on a busy day in Puerto Vallarta
Los Muertos Beach in Puerto Vallarta

2. Avoid Foreign-Owned Resort Chains

One of the best ways to be a responsible tourist is to make sure that your tourism dollars stay in the community or country that you visit. 

Many resorts in Puerto Vallarta are owned by foreign and international corporations. Dreams Vallarta, for example, is owned by World of Hyatt, a US based corporation. This means that much of the money spent in that resort goes back to the US rather than staying in the local economy. 

To avoid tourism leakage, which is when tourism dollars get funneled to economies outside of the one you’re visiting, choose locally owned accommodation. Small b&bs and independent hotels are a good way to go!

3. Don’t Exchange Money at the Airport

Currency exchange shops and kiosks in airports are not the best places to exchange money. This is true of almost all airports around the world, including Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). 

To get the best currency exchange rates, try a local bank or a bank ATM to make your currency exchanges. It’s also always a good idea to check if your home bank offers foreign ATM fee refunds for using a foreign ATM.

4. Avoid Using US Dollars

Throughout Mexico and Puerto Vallarta it’s possible to use US dollars to pay for tours, tips, and even accommodation. Some vendors will accept USD, but at an exchange rate that usually isn’t favourable – or, an additional fee will be added in order to pay with USD. 

Instead, it’s best to always use Mexican pesos. Carrying pesos of varying denominations is recommended, especially since cash payments are preferred by most vendors in Puerto Vallarta. 

A sailboat on the ocean off the coast of Puerto Vallarta at sunset
Puerto Vallarta at sunset

5. Be Cautious When Exiting the Airport

Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) isn’t a big airport. It connects to many other cities throughout the country and North America, which makes it very convenient for visiting Puerto Vallarta. 

The airport is just 15 minutes from the city center, and there are several options for getting there: by taxi, Uber, or public bus. To catch one of these options, however, you’ll need to be cautious of the timeshare representatives that will try to grab your attention as you exit.

After getting through customs and on your way to exit the airport, you’ll walk through a hall. There, you may be approached by people offering to help arrange your transport. In most cases, they are timeshare reps. Refuse the help and walk straight out to grab your taxi, Uber, or bus on your own. 

Taxis are the most convenient option for getting from the airport to Puerto Vallarta. They’ll be waiting right outside the arrivals area. They are meant to charge a set rate, but confirm the price with the driver before you get into the car.

The public bus is your most affordable option. There are several buses that go to the various neighborhoods of Puerto Vallarta, which will be marked on the front of the bus. The trip costs less than 1 USD. 

Ubers are about half the price of a taxi, but they do not come to the airport terminal doors. To take an Uber you have to walk five minutes to a designated place.

When you exit the airport, turn left and walk to the end of the building, and turn left again. You will see a pedestrian bridge ahead. Use the bridge to safely cross the street, and catch an Uber from the other side. 

pedestrian bridge outside of Puerto Vallarta airport that takes you to a spot to catch an uber
The pedestrian bridge that takes you from Puerto Vallarta airport to the Uber pickup location

6. Be Cautious of Timeshare Presentations

There are lots of timeshare properties available in Puerto Vallarta, and while you’re there visiting, there’s a likelihood you’ll be invited to a timeshare presentation. 

Like mentioned above, timeshare salespeople will approach you in the airport, in hotels, and in other areas of Puerto Vallarta. 

A timeshare presentation is the process of learning about a specific fractional ownership opportunity. At a timeshare presentation, you’ll spend anywhere from an hour to four hours learning about a timeshare opportunity. During the presentation, salespeople will use different tactics to try to get you to buy into the timeshare. 

Attending a timeshare presentation wastes your precious vacation time in Puerto Vallarta, but some people do attend them because often, a discounted (or free) gift will be given to you in exchange for your time. 

If you decide to go to a presentation, just make sure you go in with a game plan. Decide in advance if you’re open to the sales pitch, or are a hard no. 

This might seem obvious, but don’t be afraid to say no. Timeshare salespeople have a tough job, and they know it. Don’t worry that you are rude for saying no. It’s totally okay to say no to an invite to a timeshare presentation, and it’s okay to say no to the sales pitch if you do attend one. 

7. Don’t Stay on Resort Your Whole Trip

If you book into a resort in Puerto Vallarta, it can be tempting to spend most of your time using its facilities. Don’t give into the temptation! Be sure to take some time to enjoy the city’s various neighborhoods. 

Go for a walk along the city’s Malecon, a sculpture-lined pedestrian walkway that leads you along the waterfront. Continue heading south on the Malecon to go into Zona Romantica, where you’ll find the city’s main public beach, Playa de Los Muertos. 

Right by the beach is a modern pier that has a large metal sculpture at the end of it, which is shaped like giant sails. This pier is also where you can catch water taxis. It is both a functioning pier for water taxis but it is also a beautiful metal sculpture designed to look like the sails of a boat. 

In the distance, south of Playa de Los Muertos you can see the Los Arcos Marine Park. Los Arcos means the arches, and it refers to the arched openings in the side of the giant rocks.

Hungry? Stop by Pancho’s Takos, which is arguably the most famous street taco stand in Puerto Vallarta.

a pier in Puerto Vallarta that has a beautiful metal sculpture designed to look like the sails of a boat
The pier at Playa Los Muertos

8. Don’t Cross Streets Without Looking 

The streets in Puerto Vallarta tend to be very busy, and like anywhere in the world, you need to be cautious crossing them. Pedestrians don’t always have the right of way, and accidents happen. 

Look both ways before you cross the road, every time. Even if you think the street is clear, look again – Vehicles turn corners quickly, and can appear fast as they turn out of lanes on the other side of the road. If you’re crossing through traffic, make sure you make solid eye contact with drivers before stepping out onto the road. 

It’s also important to be cautious as you exit taxis and Ubers. When getting out of a vehicle on any street, always try to exit curb-side, even if this means sliding across the seat to the other door. If you must get out of the car into traffic, look very carefully before opening the door of the vehicle. 

9. Don’t Forget to Confirm a Taxi Price Beforehand

It’s always best to agree on a price with a driver before getting into a taxi. Taxis have set rates according to the various zones within the city of Puerto Vallarta, but sometimes you’ll be quoted an inflated price. 

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rates according to different zones. Many hotels have the rate list posted, or you can ask at the desk what the rate for your trip should be. Puerto Vallarta’s yellow city cabs are charged by the ride and not by the passenger.

Puerto Vallarta's Malecon in the evening
Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon in the evening

10. Don’t Risk Drinking Tap Water

Tap water in most of Mexico isn’t safe to drink, but this isn’t the case in Puerto Vallarta, because the city has a water purification system. The majority of hotels in the city also have a purification system. 

If you’re still nervous to drink straight from the tap, you can purchase filtered water at most shops. Or, bring a portable water filtration system. Filtering your own water is a sustainable tourism practice because it will reduce how much plastic waste you generate.

There are tons of systems to choose from that suit different needs, but all systems have the same function: they filter contaminants out of water, making it safe to drink. There are tons of options to choose from, but I personally really like Grayl

11. Don’t Skip Eating Street Food

There are many street food stands throughout Puerto Vallarta where you can enjoy a delicious meal for a very reasonable price. Most street food stands have a few stools nearby where you can take a seat to enjoy your meal. Otherwise, there’s always standing room! 

The most common food you’ll find at a street food stand is the taco. It’s usually served flat, and then you can fold or roll it anyway you like. You’ll also find stands that sell quesadillas, sopes, huaraches, gorditas and burritos.

Some well-rated stands to check out include Tacos de Birria Chanfay, Tacos los Jarochos, and Tacos Robles. These stand are all near Zona Romantica. 

what not to do in puerto vallarta? don't skip a plate of tacos at One of my meals at Taqueria De Birria El Banquito in Puerto Vallarta
One of my meals at Taqueria De Birria El Banquito

12. Don’t Feed or Touch Wildlife

While in Puerto Vallarta you’ll encounter lots of beautiful wildlife! Within the city, you’ll mostly spot iguanas and lots of birds, including pelicans. But in the surrounding region there are white tailed deer, pumas, jaguars, rabbits, skunks, badgers, coyotes, margays, and more.

In the ocean of course, there are lots of fish, whales, dolphins, sharks, and other types of marine life. Close to the beach you’re unlikely to encounter any of the larger ocean-dwelling creatures, you’ll usually spot beautiful fish. 

Wild animals can get used to food hand-outs, and if they do, they will often rely on that versus hunting or foraging for food that’s available in their environment. If this becomes a habit, it can lead to harm.

The best practice for responsible wildlife tourism is to always leave the animals be and observe wildlife from a distance. 

A pelican off the coast of Jalisco, near Puerto Vallarta
A pelican off the coast of Jalisco, near Puerto Vallarta

13. Don’t Forget to Learn Some Spanish

Regardless of where you travel, it’s always recommended to learn at least some of the language local to the region you’ll be traveling. 

Originally, over 200 languages were likely spoken throughout Mexico. But today, Spanish is the official language, and it’s spoken by 90% of the population. Indigenous languages are still spoken by Aztec and Mayan communities in Mexico, but with some Spanish you’ll get by just fine in Puerto Vallarta.

Here are some basic Spanish phrases that come in handy when in Puerto Vallarta: 

  • Hola (hello) and hasta luego (see you later)
  • Buenos días, buenas tardes, buenas noches (Good morning, good afternoon, evening)
  • Por favor (please)
  • Gracias (thank you) and no, gracias (no thank you)
  • Lo siento (I’m sorry) and disculpe (excuse me)
  • Si (Yes) and no (no)
  • No entiendo (I don’t understand) and ¿habla Inglés? (can you speak English?)
  • Cómo está? (How are you?) Estoy bien (I’m fine)
  •  ¿Cuánto cuesta? (how much does this cost?)
  • Quiero … (I want …) and no quiero … (I don’t want …)
  • La cuenta, por favor (the check, please)

14. Don’t Barter Unfair Prices

Being budget conscious while visiting Puerto Vallarta isn’t bad, as long as you ensure that your budgeting practices don’t go too far.  

In many countries around the world, including Mexico, bartering prices is common practice. And it’s also common that tourists will be quoted higher prices than a local would. Some people call this the “tourist tax.”

Some folks are upset by the tourist tax, but I’d argue that it’s fair that locals maximize their income by setting prices based on what a buyer can afford, and the strength of their home currency.

If you can afford to travel, then you can afford to pay prices that are fair. And yes, that fair price may be more than what a local would pay. If you’re going to barter in Mexico, I would ask the initial price, and then barter down once from there. 

15. Don’t Ignore Local Customs and Etiquette

Depending on where you’re traveling to Puerto Vallarta from, you might find that the culture, customs, and traditions of Mexico are different from what you’re used to. And that’s okay! Learning about cultures outside our own is an exciting part of travel. 

Take the time to learn about Mexico’s culture, customs and traditions, and then be respectful of them. For example, in Mexico, an afternoon siesta is still quite common. Many shops will shut in the early afternoon for an hour or more.

Knowing and respecting cultural norms in Mexico will help you to be a respectful visitor. Just be sure to avoid cultural appropriation, and practice appreciation instead. 

16. Don’t Forget to Tip For Service

Tipping in Puerto Vallarta isn’t required, it’s optional. But it’s recommended to tip, especially when service is good. Custom is to tip wait staff at restaurants, bars, and other establishments between 10% and 15% of the bill. It is also pretty common to tip hotel staff, taxi drivers (especially when they help with your luggage), and gas station personnel.

17. Don’t Worry About WiFi

You’ll have no issues accessing the internet in Puerto Vallarta. Resorts, hotels, and b&bs all offer it, and you’ll find it available in shops and restaurants as well. The city also has public wifi access points around the city, for example, in a large part of the El Centro neighborhood. 

What can’t be guaranteed is the quality of wifi. Wifi strength varies from fantastic to just good. If you’ll be needing a strong connection while in Puerto Vallarta, it’s best to check in with your lodging about their wifi speed before booking.  

Puerto Vallarta waterfront at sunset
Puerto Vallarta waterfront at sunset

18. Don’t Forget Your Sunscreen

The sun in Puerto Vallarta is very strong. Even with cloud cover a day outside could result in a sunburn. Don’t risk it – wear sunscreen every day. It’s also recommended to wear a hat and cover up when you can. 

It’s not hard to find sunscreen for sale in Puerto Vallarta, but if you’re particular about the type you use, it’s best to bring it from home. 

I recommend bringing a reef-safe sunscreen. While there are chemical sunscreens that don’t have environmentally-concerning ingredients, experts recommend choosing a mineral sunscreen instead, as this type is less dangerous for marine life. 

19.  Don’t Skip the Day Trips

Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco. It’s well worth dedicating at least one day of your trip to a day trip outside of the city. My personal favourite day trip is the hike from Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas

It’s a beautiful coastal hike that takes you from Boca de Tomatlan, a picturesque fishing village, along the ocean, to various beautiful beaches. The hike ends at Playa Las Animas, where you can have lunch, some drinks, and go for a swim!

20. Don’t Travel to Puerto Vallarta Without Insurance

Travel insurance is essential to pack for every trip. Travel insurance coverage provides support, compensation, and medical care when things go wrong while traveling.

Policies vary, but they can provide support and compensation if your luggage is lost, if you slip and break a limb, or if you need to return home early due to an emergency in the family. Basically, travel insurance is a financial safety net for your valuables and for emergencies. 

part of the malecon waterfront boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Part of the Malecon waterfront in Puerto Vallarta

Final Thoughts: What Not to Do in Puerto Vallarta

I hope these tips for what not to do in Puerto Vallarta help you plan a worry-free, memorable trip to this awesome city. I wanted to share these because I truly believe that being an informed tourist is the best way to be a responsible (and sustainable) tourist!

If you have tips to add, feel free to share them in the comments.

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