5 days in Puerto Vallarta itinerary

Welcome to our 5 day Puerto Vallarta itinerary.

This beautiful coastal city runs along the Mexican Pacific and is well-known amongst the travel communities for its world-class beaches and 24/7 entertainment.

What’s not so known about Puerto Vallarta, however, is that it’s also the jumping-off point to explore a beautiful virgin jungle, as well as to some of the most stunning islands in Mexico.

You’ll also find many rural towns and experiences outside of town that give a more authentic outlook on “the real Jalisco” too.

Backpacking Puerto Vallarta Itinerary

In this guide we’ll explore Puerto Vallarta, the best things to see, as well as including our very own 5 day Itinerary for those who are heading to this slice of Mexican Pacific heaven.

From visiting a Tequila distillery to exploring remote waterfalls by ATV, let’s take a look at how you can best use your time in Puerto Vallarta.

Getting to Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is located within the state of Jalisco and lies along the Pacific Coast. It’s home to an international airport that connects well with a few countries such as the USA, UK and Canada.

Whilst you can fly directly, expect the prices to be quite expensive! The better way to go about it is to first fly into Mexico City, and then connect to Puerto Vallarta. Whilst it will take a few more hours, you can save hundreds this way.

If you’re already traveling within Mexico, then you can find many domestic flights heading to Puerto Vallarta. They’re quite inexpensive, with a one-way costing between $40-50 (which doesn’t include baggage fees).

The best cities to fly from include Mexico City, Tijuana and San Luis Pososi (with the latter a popular spot for those heading to the Huasteca Potosina).

The overall best way of getting here though will be with our trusty old friend – the bus. It’s ideal for those who are close by, such as in cities like Guadalajara or Mazatlán. The bus quality is fantastic in this country, with buses arriving on-time more times than not, along with spacious and comfortable seats.

The bus from Mazatlán to Puerto Vallarta takes roughly 10 hours, with the ride costing around $40. You can definitely find cheaper, more local buses and colectivos, however, you’ll need to do your own research on their reliability and reputation.

Puerto Vallarta Travel Tips: Things to know

When traveling on our itinerary of Puerto Vallarta, we recommend a minimum daily budget of $25 per day. With this budget, you’ll be staying in an air-conditioned dorm room in a hostel (either in Los Muertos or along the Malecón).

You’ll also be sticking to mostly local meals in restaurants along the malecón or further in the center. You’ll also have some budget left over for heading out at night or hiring snorkeling equipment. Other costs such as international flights, travel insurance, or long-distance buses are not included in this budget.

We recommend staying within the areas of Los Muertos or El Centro (which is further north along the Malecón – once you’ve crossed the pedestrian bridge).

These regions are the life and soul of Puerto Vallarta, and here you’ll find tonnes of great nightlife, restaurants and accommodation options. Most of the main landmarks are located within a 20 minute walking radius of here too.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular jumping-off point for exploring the stunning Marieta Islands that are located just off the coast. Whilst some travelers head to the mariner and ask around for tours, we instead recommend booking this all-inclusive tour in advance to save yourself the trouble.

Puerto Vallarta Itinerary (5 Days)

Now let’s explore our personalized 5 day itinerary for Puerto Vallarta.

Here we’ll give you a full breakdown of how to arrange your days so you can get the very most out of a trip here.

Days 1-2: Enjoy the best of Puerto Vallarta

Once in town and have unpacked all of your things, it’s time to start exploring the very best that this city has to offer.

The Malecón is the beating heart of Puerto Vallarta, with this 1km walkway running from El Centro down to the neighborhood of Los Muertos. Here you’ll find picturesque beaches, as well as a variety of bars, restaurants and hotels.

There are also many awesome sculptures located along this walkway, so we recommend coming in the evening time where you’ll be able to spot them as well as the memorable red sunsets of the Mexican Pacific.

Just off the Malecón, you’ll also find the Plaza de Armas, which is the main square of town. Home to the imposing Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, you can also browse the markets and street foods that randomly pop up as they please here.

You can head on this day tour where you’ll explore the highlights of Puerto Vallarta in a timely fashion. You’ll also visit a Tequila Distillery as well as a Coffee Factory, with all transport and hotel pick-up/drop-off included.

Day 3: The Marieta Islands

No trip to Western Mexico can be complete without visiting these incredible islands. Located just over 35 km from Puerto Vallarta’s shores, here you’ll find the famous Hidden Beach, which is sealed off from the sea with a circular dome of cliffs.

It’s also the perfect place to come snorkeling and spot exotic marine wildlife, with these waters teeming with beauties that range from King Angelfish and Parrot Fish to Butterfly Fish.

The only way to access these otherwise fortified islands is to come with a tour. We highly recommend this all-inclusive tour, where you’ll spend the day in this stunning national park. As well as having plenty of time to explore the coves and beaches, you’ll also have your biologist guide teach you some pretty interesting things along the way too.

Days 4-5: Highlights of the nearby Jalisco region

Those who come to Puerto Vallarta often just stick to the town and the islands, and whilst it’s still a great time, they are missing out.

The truth is that you can also find some truly memorable spots along the unspoiled coast, and within the jungle that looms behind the town.

One of the best things to do is to explore the remote landscapes with this fully-customizable ATV tour. Driving at your own pace, this private tour allows you to spend as much time as you like in different areas, given it’s a private group after all.

From hanging out in the jungle, rising up the mountains or having a cold one on the beach, the choice is really yours!

Another must-do when in Puerto Vallarta is to reach the hidden town of Yelapa. Located south along the Mexican coast, this village is surrounded by a thick swathe of jungle and green, with no roads connecting it to the wider world.

The waterfall here is the main highlight, which is perfect for a dip and cool off from the hot Vallarta sun.

The best way to explore Yelapa is with this memorable tour, where you’ll first speedboat into town. It includes a horseback ride to the falls, as well as an open bar and tasty lunch. You’ll also have plenty of time to snorkel along this remote coast, which is much more relaxed compared to the beaches found within Puerto Vallarta.

Best time to visit Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is located along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, which lies in the west of the country. The weather here is both tropical and seasonal, with some notable differences between the dry and wet seasons.

The dry season runs from November until May. Average daily temperatures range from 71-79°F, with highs of up to 85°F and lows of down to 62°F. Levels of rainfall range from just 0.1-1 inches. This is by far the best time to enjoy clear skies and explore the nearby jungle, however, prices can be more expensive around the holiday seasons.

The wet season starts in late May and lasts until October. Average temperatures here rise to 82-83°F, with highs of a toasty 90°F and lows of down to 71°F. Rainfall dramatically increases up to 3.5-10 inches per month.

This time of year puts many off with its high rains, however, these are quick-lived in the day with everything drying up in just a couple of hours after. You’ll also find it a cheaper time to visit too.

Puerto Vallarta Backpacking Tips

Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Puerto Vallarta:

Backpacking Puerto Vallarta Itinerary

This tropical slide of paradise along Mexico’s Pacific has always been a pull for travelers, given it’s home to many idyllic beaches as well as a fun and inclusive atmosphere. Here you’ll also want to explore the mountains and remote towns nearby, which are also home to some truly stunning spots.

In this itinerary-style guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Puerto Vallarta. This includes the very best destinations to visit, our top recommendations as well as a customized 5 day itinerary when heading here.

Be sure to come back to this article whenever you need help planning, or even to suggest your own tips once you’ve completed the adventure yourself.

See our backpacking Mexico guide for more places to visit in Mexico.

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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