Wandering Through Puerto Vallarta: One Week, One Backpack, and Zero Regrets There’s something wildly satisfying about planning your own trip, skipping the cookie-cutter tours, and just letting the streets, smells, and sunsets guide you. That’s exactly what this trip to Puerto Vallarta felt like—part beach holiday, part treasure hunt, part love letter to tacos. Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t your glossy, brochure-perfect kind of vacation. It’s better. It’s DIY. No welcome cocktails handed to you in a coconut shell—unless you find a place that does that, in which case, absolutely accept the coconut. But what you do get is a solid week of sun-drenched joy, staying in a very decent hotel a few flip-flops away from both downtown and the beach. Location? Prime. Vibe? Equal parts relaxed and electric. Exploring the Soul of the City Puerto Vallarta isn't huge, but it feels huge in the best way. Every street has a personality. The Romantic Zone (yes, it’s called that and yes, you’ll love it) is where cobblestones meet color. Buildings burst in pastel and plants drip from balconies like the city’s trying to flirt with you. Wandering through the Malecón—the iconic seaside boardwalk—is like being in a living art gallery. Street performers dance, local artists sell handcrafted jewelry, and the ocean slaps the shore like it's telling everyone to pay attention. There’s a giant seahorse statue, a church that looks like it could be a movie set, and a random sand sculpture that made me weirdly emotional. Pro tip: grab a cold tejuino (a local fermented drink with lime and shaved ice—it’s weirdly amazing) and just walk. You'll stumble on stories. Budgeting Like a Smart Beach Nomad Here’s the truth: you don’t have to spend a fortune to live well in Puerto Vallarta. On a tight but comfortable budget, you can live like a modest beach royalty for CAD $35–$50 per day, not including your flight and accommodation. Want the breakdown? Sure. Street food & small restaurants: $10–$15/day (more tacos than you can logically consume) Activities/entrance fees: $10–$15/day (some days free, some days tours) Transportation (bus, Uber, water taxi): $5/day Drinks/going out: $10–$15/day (depending on how wild your dance shoes are) If you're not out here trying to charter yachts, you’ll do just fine. Beaches That Might Ruin All Other Beaches for You Let’s talk sand. You’ll likely start at Playa Los Muertos, right near the famous pier that lights up at night like a spaceship. This beach is alive—music, people, fruit vendors shouting things you don't understand but want to say back anyway. It's busy, yes, but also full of energy. If you want something quieter, hop a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán to Playa Las Ánimas. The ride itself is a thrill, like James Bond if he was broke and in a floral shirt. The beach is calmer, the water insanely clear, and the beer colder than your ex’s heart. Another hidden gem is Colomitos Beach, a tiny cove surrounded by jungle. You can hike there (short but sweaty), or pay a water taxi. Either way, the reward is worth the salty armpits. Eat Like You Deserve It Puerto Vallarta’s food scene is a spiritual experience. There are trendy spots with creative plating, but honestly, the real magic is on the street. One night, I followed my nose (and a local family) to a taco stand that served birria tacos so good, I briefly considered proposing to the cook. The meat is slow-cooked to velvet, dipped in a spicy consommé that could cure emotional wounds, then fried until the edges crisp up like caramel. Another day, I grabbed a ceviche tostada from a beach shack, and the guy making it smiled like he knew he was handing me gold. Don’t skip the marlin tacos either—they sound odd, but they’re smoky, rich, and straight-up unforgettable. For breakfast, check out Mango’s Beach Club or La Palapa for oceanfront chilaquiles and fresh juice. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but it’s also delicious enough to justify it. Nights Full of Unexpected Magic Puerto Vallarta doesn’t shut down when the sun dips—if anything, it stretches and gets ready to party. Whether you’re into open-air beach bars, salsa dancing, or just sipping something strong while staring at the stars, you’ve got options. La Vaquita is absurd, in the best way. Think glowing cow spots, tequila in buckets, and people from five different continents bonding over the shared international language of "Wooooo!" For something more chill, Bar La Playa mixes serious cocktails with no serious dress code. The LGBTQ+ scene here is also thriving and welcoming. Whether you identify as part of the community or not, the vibes are joyful and inclusive—check out Mr. Flamingo or CC Slaughters if you're down to dance. But honestly? Some of the best nights are just spent on the beach, toes in the sand, with a bottle of local cerveza and a group of people you just met but already like more than your coworkers. Must-See Adventures for the Wanderer at Heart You can’t leave without a trip to Islas Marietas—a set of volcanic islands with hidden beach caves and snorkeling so good you’ll start Googling “How to become a mermaid.” Book with a small group tour, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and prepare to be stunned. Another underrated trip is the Botanical Gardens, which feels like nature showing off. Walk through wild orchids, eat lunch on a balcony over the jungle, and swim in the river below if you’re feeling spicy. Want something different? Try riding a bus to the town of Sayulita, just north of PV. It’s a surfer's paradise, full of barefooted hippies, smoothie bowls, and art galleries where everything looks like it was made while high on joy. The Bottom Line Puerto Vallarta hits that sweet spot of being vibrant without being overwhelming, beautiful without being boring, and budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor or fun. It's the kind of place where you come for the beaches and stay for the late-night conversations, the surprise parades, the impromptu street salsa, the “wait, how is this only $3?” meals. For the DIY traveler, this city gives you space to explore, laugh, eat recklessly, and come home with a suntan and at least three new friends you met in line for tacos. And if you’re lucky, maybe a little sunburned, a lot happy, and already plotting your return.
There’s something wildly satisfying about planning your own trip, skipping the cookie-cutter tours, and just letting the streets, smells, and sunsets guide you. That’s exactly what this trip to Puerto Vallarta felt like—part beach holiday, part treasure hunt, part love letter to tacos.
Let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t your glossy, brochure-perfect kind of vacation. It’s better. It’s DIY. No welcome cocktails handed to you in a coconut shell—unless you find a place that does that, in which case, absolutely accept the coconut. But what you do get is a solid week of sun-drenched joy, staying in a very decent hotel a few flip-flops away from both downtown and the beach. Location? Prime. Vibe? Equal parts relaxed and electric.
Exploring the Soul of the City
Puerto Vallarta isn't huge, but it feels huge in the best way. Every street has a personality. The Romantic Zone (yes, it’s called that and yes, you’ll love it) is where cobblestones meet color. Buildings burst in pastel and plants drip from balconies like the city’s trying to flirt with you.
Wandering through the Malecón—the iconic seaside boardwalk—is like being in a living art gallery. Street performers dance, local artists sell handcrafted jewelry, and the ocean slaps the shore like it's telling everyone to pay attention.
There’s a giant seahorse statue, a church that looks like it could be a movie set, and a random sand sculpture that made me weirdly emotional. Pro tip: grab a cold tejuino (a local fermented drink with lime and shaved ice—it’s weirdly amazing) and just walk. You'll stumble on stories.
Budgeting Like a Smart Beach Nomad
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to spend a fortune to live well in Puerto Vallarta. On a tight but comfortable budget, you can live like a modest beach royalty for CAD $35–$50 per day, not including your flight and accommodation. Want the breakdown? Sure.
-
Street food & small restaurants: $10–$15/day (more tacos than you can logically consume)
-
Activities/entrance fees: $10–$15/day (some days free, some days tours)
-
Transportation (bus, Uber, water taxi): $5/day
-
Drinks/going out: $10–$15/day (depending on how wild your dance shoes are)
If you're not out here trying to charter yachts, you’ll do just fine.
Beaches That Might Ruin All Other Beaches for You
Let’s talk sand.
You’ll likely start at Playa Los Muertos, right near the famous pier that lights up at night like a spaceship. This beach is alive—music, people, fruit vendors shouting things you don't understand but want to say back anyway. It's busy, yes, but also full of energy.
If you want something quieter, hop a water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán to Playa Las Ánimas. The ride itself is a thrill, like James Bond if he was broke and in a floral shirt. The beach is calmer, the water insanely clear, and the beer colder than your ex’s heart.
Another hidden gem is Colomitos Beach, a tiny cove surrounded by jungle. You can hike there (short but sweaty), or pay a water taxi. Either way, the reward is worth the salty armpits.
Eat Like You Deserve It
Puerto Vallarta’s food scene is a spiritual experience. There are trendy spots with creative plating, but honestly, the real magic is on the street.
One night, I followed my nose (and a local family) to a taco stand that served birria tacos so good, I briefly considered proposing to the cook. The meat is slow-cooked to velvet, dipped in a spicy consommé that could cure emotional wounds, then fried until the edges crisp up like caramel.
Another day, I grabbed a ceviche tostada from a beach shack, and the guy making it smiled like he knew he was handing me gold. Don’t skip the marlin tacos either—they sound odd, but they’re smoky, rich, and straight-up unforgettable.
For breakfast, check out Mango’s Beach Club or La Palapa for oceanfront chilaquiles and fresh juice. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but it’s also delicious enough to justify it.
Nights Full of Unexpected Magic
Puerto Vallarta doesn’t shut down when the sun dips—if anything, it stretches and gets ready to party.
Whether you’re into open-air beach bars, salsa dancing, or just sipping something strong while staring at the stars, you’ve got options.
La Vaquita is absurd, in the best way. Think glowing cow spots, tequila in buckets, and people from five different continents bonding over the shared international language of "Wooooo!" For something more chill, Bar La Playa mixes serious cocktails with no serious dress code.
The LGBTQ+ scene here is also thriving and welcoming. Whether you identify as part of the community or not, the vibes are joyful and inclusive—check out Mr. Flamingo or CC Slaughters if you're down to dance.
But honestly? Some of the best nights are just spent on the beach, toes in the sand, with a bottle of local cerveza and a group of people you just met but already like more than your coworkers.
Must-See Adventures for the Wanderer at Heart
You can’t leave without a trip to Islas Marietas—a set of volcanic islands with hidden beach caves and snorkeling so good you’ll start Googling “How to become a mermaid.” Book with a small group tour, bring reef-safe sunscreen, and prepare to be stunned.
Another underrated trip is the Botanical Gardens, which feels like nature showing off. Walk through wild orchids, eat lunch on a balcony over the jungle, and swim in the river below if you’re feeling spicy.
Want something different? Try riding a bus to the town of Sayulita, just north of PV. It’s a surfer's paradise, full of barefooted hippies, smoothie bowls, and art galleries where everything looks like it was made while high on joy.
The Bottom Line
Puerto Vallarta hits that sweet spot of being vibrant without being overwhelming, beautiful without being boring, and budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor or fun. It's the kind of place where you come for the beaches and stay for the late-night conversations, the surprise parades, the impromptu street salsa, the “wait, how is this only $3?” meals.
For the DIY traveler, this city gives you space to explore, laugh, eat recklessly, and come home with a suntan and at least three new friends you met in line for tacos.
And if you’re lucky, maybe a little sunburned, a lot happy, and already plotting your return.
