Amanda’s guidebook in Puerto Vallarta
Restaurants, Coffee shops and Bars
These are all my personal favorites and go-to's. I have done a lot of exploring and some of these can only really be found by living here in PV.
This is literally next door to us and is a gem! They have amazing service, food and drinks and the view in undeniably beautiful. We are so lucky to walk over for lunch or maybe just some drinks!
Serrano’s Grill
377 PúlpitoThis is literally next door to us and is a gem! They have amazing service, food and drinks and the view in undeniably beautiful. We are so lucky to walk over for lunch or maybe just some drinks!
This cocktail lounge is walking distance. They are condos but with a rooftop bar open to the public. They have happy hour everyday!! How can you beat 2 craft cocktails for 130 pesos? At the same time with the view of a beautiful infinity pool and the ocean. Do not miss this.
Signature Lounge
180 PúlpitoThis cocktail lounge is walking distance. They are condos but with a rooftop bar open to the public. They have happy hour everyday!! How can you beat 2 craft cocktails for 130 pesos? At the same time with the view of a beautiful infinity pool and the ocean. Do not miss this.
Love the breakfast here and it is walking distance. Get the churro pancakes or the chilaquiles verdes. The portions are filling! Their decor is also pretty- feels like the jungle.
157 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Coco's Kitchen
Love the breakfast here and it is walking distance. Get the churro pancakes or the chilaquiles verdes. The portions are filling! Their decor is also pretty- feels like the jungle.
Looking for a nice but casual spot? This is the one. The food is on point and so is the vibe of the place. The service is great and the tables outside are where I would sit. It's a literal greenhouse! Try the bao sandwiches or the pho.
12 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bonito Kitchen & Bar
512 InsurgentesLooking for a nice but casual spot? This is the one. The food is on point and so is the vibe of the place. The service is great and the tables outside are where I would sit. It's a literal greenhouse! Try the bao sandwiches or the pho.
Another breakfast favorite. Everything I have tried is fresh and tasty. This is another local favorite spot.
23 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mi Cafe Restaurant & Coffee Shop
505 C. Fco. I. MaderoAnother breakfast favorite. Everything I have tried is fresh and tasty. This is another local favorite spot.
Do you want a bar to go to where it has that hole in the wall feeling? A true local bar where expats gather as well? Then this is your place. It feels like your best friend's basement party. Marked up walls by all the customers over the years. The owner Sergio is very welcoming and will most likely give you a free shot of his own tequila if you sit at the bar and chat with him. He will play his favorite jams and you can add it to the queue as well. Not a fancy place but a fun place!
The gusto lounge
262 San SalvadorDo you want a bar to go to where it has that hole in the wall feeling? A true local bar where expats gather as well? Then this is your place. It feels like your best friend's basement party. Marked up walls by all the customers over the years. The owner Sergio is very welcoming and will most likely give you a free shot of his own tequila if you sit at the bar and chat with him. He will play his favorite jams and you can add it to the queue as well. Not a fancy place but a fun place!
Do you want a beachfront drink or fish tacos? This place has the vibes and usually has music or a dj on the weekends. Known by locals and tourists. The view of the skyline and access to the beach at the same time is the chef's kiss.
79 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
El Solar
1294 ParaguayDo you want a beachfront drink or fish tacos? This place has the vibes and usually has music or a dj on the weekends. Known by locals and tourists. The view of the skyline and access to the beach at the same time is the chef's kiss.
Do you want beer? Maybe dancing or into house music? Right off the Malecon with a second story as well.
33 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
YamBak
29 C. MarlínDo you want beer? Maybe dancing or into house music? Right off the Malecon with a second story as well.
Craving some bomb tacos? This place is open everyday and open til 6am! I go here after a night out just whenever I am craving a cheap, fast but delicious taco of volcano!
38 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pepes Taco
145C C. HondurasCraving some bomb tacos? This place is open everyday and open til 6am! I go here after a night out just whenever I am craving a cheap, fast but delicious taco of volcano!
My favorite bar in Zona Romantica. Fresh fruit cocktails, chill bartenders and a mix of tourists and locals. They are always playing fun music and a great bar to pull up to if you are solo.
31 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Bar Paisas
179 Lázaro CárdenasMy favorite bar in Zona Romantica. Fresh fruit cocktails, chill bartenders and a mix of tourists and locals. They are always playing fun music and a great bar to pull up to if you are solo.
This coffee shop has amazing food and drinks. You are surrounded by art, books and a great atmosphere. It's right next to the beach in Zona Romantica. It feels like I am having coffee in a library.
28 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A Page In The Sun
169 Lázaro CárdenasThis coffee shop has amazing food and drinks. You are surrounded by art, books and a great atmosphere. It's right next to the beach in Zona Romantica. It feels like I am having coffee in a library.
Do you need some strong coffee? This is the place! I don't know much about danish coffee except that every time I go here I am caffeinated! haha They also have great pastries, a secret bar in the back and where a lot of networking meet ups happen.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Litten Brod
311 Lázaro CárdenasDo you need some strong coffee? This is the place! I don't know much about danish coffee except that every time I go here I am caffeinated! haha They also have great pastries, a secret bar in the back and where a lot of networking meet ups happen.
Need a place to work and eat great food? This is the place. The BLT and potato salad I had was gone in 2.5. Enough said.
Big Apple Gym Olas Altas
280 C. Fco. I. MaderoNeed a place to work and eat great food? This is the place. The BLT and potato salad I had was gone in 2.5. Enough said.
The vegan food here is amazing. It has a treehouse feel and I truly feel at peace here. Also, a great place to work if needed.
34 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Green Place Mx
309 C. HondurasThe vegan food here is amazing. It has a treehouse feel and I truly feel at peace here. Also, a great place to work if needed.
Neighborhoods
This is the neighborhood that we are in. It LGBTQ+ capital of PV and Mexico. Many bars and restaurants.
178 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Zona Romantica
This is the neighborhood that we are in. It LGBTQ+ capital of PV and Mexico. Many bars and restaurants.
Home to expats and tourists. Lots of traditional Mexican food over here as well as where the Malecon stretch starts.
13 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
5 de Diciembre
Home to expats and tourists. Lots of traditional Mexican food over here as well as where the Malecon stretch starts.
Up and coming Mexican neighborhood. Lots of cute coffee shops and restaurants. I come to this hood when I want to get away from the bustle of ZR or Centro.
34 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Versalles
Up and coming Mexican neighborhood. Lots of cute coffee shops and restaurants. I come to this hood when I want to get away from the bustle of ZR or Centro.
This is considered "Old Town". This is where Elizabeth Taylor's house is located which is now a hotel and restaurant. Lots of old, historic homes and buildings. Lots of art galleries and coffee shops.
84 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Centro
This is considered "Old Town". This is where Elizabeth Taylor's house is located which is now a hotel and restaurant. Lots of old, historic homes and buildings. Lots of art galleries and coffee shops.
City/town information
This town is considered a Pueblo Magico. ( Magic town) Strolling through this town is like going back in time. It feels like I am in a hillside country town in Europe. They have some of the nicest people I have met and the home cooking is amazing. Spend some time away from the city here. I suggest booking a airbnb on someone's ranch nearby the Centro. Everything is mostly walking distance here. This is about a 1.5 hours away from Puerto Vallarta.
114 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
San Sebastián
This town is considered a Pueblo Magico. ( Magic town) Strolling through this town is like going back in time. It feels like I am in a hillside country town in Europe. They have some of the nicest people I have met and the home cooking is amazing. Spend some time away from the city here. I suggest booking a airbnb on someone's ranch nearby the Centro. Everything is mostly walking distance here. This is about a 1.5 hours away from Puerto Vallarta.
Payo sa lungsod
Paano makapaglibot
Uber, InDriver and taxi's are the fastest transport.
Download the Indriver app. Its cheaper and cash only. There are also a lot more drivers available. They also take a smaller cut from the driver versus uber.
Mga kagawian at kultura
Mexican culture
Mexicans are friendly people and welcoming. They are always saying Buenos Dias or Buenos Tardes if they pass you by. Eye contact and always have a sense of humor.
We are in a beach town so service will be slower sometimes. Modern convenience won't always be available and not everyone speaks English. I hope you love Mexico just as much as I do!
Huwag palampasin
Beaches
My favorite beaches and excursions are outside of the main beach- Los Muertos. I love Playa Gemelas, Conchas Chinas and Colomitos hike. A lot of other beaches are by boat access that you can get to by Boca de Tomatlan. From there you can expect to pay 200 pesos round trip to a beach. I love Las Animas for the food and drink service. Mahajuitas for snorkeling or rave party on the weekends.
Mga paraan para makatipid
Eating out
A lot of the money is spent going out to eat or at bars. I save money by eating at taco stands, inside farmer's market and at mom and pop restaurants. All the places near the Malecon and beach will automatically be a lot higher in price. The same goes for bars or clubs. You can also shop at the outdoor farmer's markets and get a week's worth of food for about 300 pesos or less.