Photo: August Dominus, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
The 5-day plan, rearranged for 2 days: the best-ranked places stay, and each day keeps to one part of town.
From average weather, 2021 to 2025: warm, sunny days with little rain score highest (the air stands in for the sea, which is not included). Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
The long boardwalk along the bay, lined with bronze sculptures, a pier, shops and cafes. Walk it slowly and look at the statues one by one.
Go when Early morning for quiet, or just before sunset (about 6:20 PM) when the town comes out.
Local tip Walk it one way and take a taxi or a cold paleta back. Look for the sea horse statue and the sculptures that face the water.
The main beach of the old town, with fine sand, umbrellas, a lively promenade and the pier at one end. A good place for a long lunch and a swim.
Go when Midday for lunch and a swim, or late in the day for the glow.
Local tip Use reef safe sunscreen, and check the flags and the surf before you swim. Eat a lunch on the sand, with your feet in it, and take your time.
A fried or grilled white fish taco with cabbage, a squeeze of lime and a spoon of salsa. A classic of the Pacific coast.
Local tip Order two to start and add more. Eat them while they are hot.
The old part of town south of the river, with steep cobbled streets, small galleries, patios and cafes. Wander without a plan and stop wherever a table looks good.
Go when Late afternoon, then stay for dinner.
Local tip Go uphill early, when the cobbles are cool, and let the streets lead you. Wear flat, grippy shoes, because the lanes are steep and uneven.
A white pier with sail shaped arches that reaches out over the water at the end of the beach. A calm place to watch the light change.
Go when Around sunset (about 6:20 PM), when the light turns gold.
Local tip Walk to the end and look back at the town and the hills. It is a good meeting point for a group before a night out.
A table under the string lights in a patio or on a rooftop, with a few plates to share: shrimp, a whole fish, grilled vegetables and a salad. Take your time.
Local tip Book ahead for a group, especially on weekends and holidays.
Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.
A protected park of small islands off the coast, home to seabirds and clear water. Access is limited and the rules change, so check ahead on what is open and on how to visit.
Go when Morning, when the sea is calm.
Local tip It is a protected park, with limited access that can change. Check ahead on what is open, how to visit and what you may do in the water.
A small village on a bay with no road in, reached by boat. Walk the sandy lanes, swim at the beach and look for the waterfall trail. Check ahead on the sea and on the return boat.
Go when Midday for lunch, then back on a boat before the light fades.
Local tip Walk the sandy lanes and swim at the beach. Take cash for small purchases, because cards may not work, and check ahead on the return boat and the sea.
A whole fish grilled over wood and served with rice, salad and tortillas at a simple beach table. Fresh, plain and made to be shared.
Local tip Ask what was caught that day and share one fish among a few people.
Garlic shrimp or shrimp tacos, a cold drink and a table with a view of the lights across the bay. A good way to finish a day on the water.
Local tip Order the shrimp with garlic and a squeeze of lime.
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to June and November to December are the best months for a beach trip to Puerto Vallarta. This plan is built for late November, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
It covers 2 days in Puerto Vallarta, planned for late November. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
Each day has about 2.3 to 26.5 kilometers between its stops, and 28.7 kilometers in all across 2 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
5 days in San Miguel de AllendeAbout 460 km away
4 days of getting happily lost in Mexico CityAbout 660 km awayOther guides with a page about Puerto Vallarta. Each one opens in a new tab.
WikivoyagePuerto Vallarta, the free travel guideLonely PlanetPuerto Vallarta travel guideTime OutThings to do in Puerto VallartaPhoto: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Christian Frausto Bernal, CC BY-SA 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Melikamp, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated October 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.
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