There a number of wonderful boutique hotels situated up and down the coast from Puerto Vallarta that make great getaways! Each of these hotels is part of Mexico Boutique Hotels, an exclusive collection of small, unique hotels in Mexico. Many of the articles featured here are about these hotels and destinations.
Hike from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas: The small fishing village of Boca de Tomatlán is Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore water taxi departure point, with small motor boats or “pangas” traveling regularly to some of the most secluded beaches in the bay, including Las Animas and Quimixto.
Trip Report: Mayto Revisited: Intrigued about visiting Mayto, a pristine beach two hours south of Puerto Vallarta in Cabo Corrientes? We were there for a weekend getaway a few days ago, after not having visited the region since 2010. Has much changed there? Is the road easier to drive? Read our updated trip report!
Spend a Day in El Anclote!: Located just south of Punta de Mita are two small, adjoining towns, Emiliano Zapata and Corral del Risco, that share El Anclote, the best gateway in the bay to a host of aquatic activities that include surfing, fishing, diving, whale watching and paddleboarding, not to mention a variety of spectacular restaurants.
Sayulita’s Coming of Age: Given its legendary reputation as a must-visit, off-the-beaten-path surfing destination in Mexico’s Pacific Riviera, one could easily assume that Sayulita is synonymous with surf, sand and not much more. However, many years have passed since this small town began attracting the surfos in the late ’60s, when Carr. 200, the interstate highway, was built.
Cajón de Peña: Day-to-day life was largely uneventful in the small town of Santiago in the municipality of Tomatlan back in the early 1970s. That was until progress required its inhabitants to relocate to make way for a new freshwater reservoir named Cajon de Peña.
Three Beach Towns in Cabo Corrientes: Long unreachable by land due to unpredictable dirt roads, particularly during summer’s rainy months, the towns of Villa del Mar, Tehuamixtle and Mayto in the municipality of Cabo Corrientes, south of Puerto Vallarta, have been popular among beach and sun worshippers and camping enthusiasts due to their rustic appeal.
North Shore Loop: Not too long ago, travel guides and websites referred to Puerto Vallarta as a small village. And while certain neighborhoods in town can still rightly claim a certain “pueblito” feel, you may have to leave our fair city to truly experience one.
South Shore Loop: Puerto Vallarta’s southern thruway will gradually shift your surroundings from palms to pines in less than an hour. But given the amount and variety of attractions along the way, you may wish to relax the pace and take your time getting there. With its varied destinations, Puerto Vallarta's southern highway (Carr. 200 Sur) is ideal for a day trip's worth of exploration.
The Unique Neighborhoods In and Around Banderas Bay: It’s impossible to paint all of Banderas Bay with the same brush, so to help you get a taste of the different neighborhoods around the bay (“colonias” in Spanish), we’ve created this handy list of some of the most popular.
A Day in Quimixto: It’s perfect for any nature lover looking to take their adventure experience up a notch while leaving behind the urban pace of Puerto Vallarta.
Sierra Lago: Heaven on Earth: Seemingly a million miles from everything and tucked into the lush emerald forest of the Sierra Madre, Sierra Lago is a unique mountain getaway and member of the Mexico Boutique Hotels collection.
Guayabitos and La Peñita, A Study in Contrast: These two neighboring oceanfront towns in Riviera Nayarit, 70 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, couldn’t be more dissimilar.
Sierra Lago Image Gallery: Tucked away in the beautiful Sierra Madre Mountain Range within driving distance from Puerto Vallarta, the splendid Sierra Lago Resort combines traditional Mexican hospitality with the five-star elegance that you deserve.
Villa Ganz Image Gallery: You’ll feel like royalty the moment you step into Guadalajara’s Villa Ganz. This restored mansion is decorated with exacting attention to detail to reflect the traditional decorating style of Mexico’s past, yet brimming with modern amenities to ensure your comfort.
Hacienda San Angel Image Gallery: Tucked away in Vallarta’s historic center high above beach level, the memorable Hacienda San Angel provides an alternative to the discriminating traveller who expects the best, but wants to feel like a name rather than just a room number.
Verana, Serene and Secluded: A truly heroic feat to build, this primitive, chic haven on a remote jungle-clad mountain is an apt demonstration of imagination at its zenith.
Casa de Mita Image Gallery: A short drive north of Puerto Vallarta perched above the beautiful Pacific, is a tiny slice of paradise known as Casa de Mita.
Casa de Mita: The short drive north from Puerto Vallarta transports you from urban jungle to a unique property exuding innovative design features and secluded luxury.
San Pancho: A Little Slice of Paradise: Deserted powdery white beaches and a traditional small-town feel await you at San Francisco, affectionately known as San Pancho. Located in the state of Nayarit, about an hour north of Vallarta along Highway 200 — away from the high-energy experience of nearby Puerto Vallarta — this beautiful town invites rest and relaxation.
Mascota: A Treasure in the Sierra Madre: Driving on the upgraded Highway 90 from Vallarta toward Talpa and Guadalajara, Mascota might be viewed by some as a town to pass through on the way to somewhere else. However, this pueblo is a jewel waiting to be discovered by those who enjoy a traditional laidback Mexican experience.
San Sebastian del Oeste, A Mountain Renaissance: For decades, visitors braved hours of perilous travel along rutted dirt roads to reach the largely unspoiled paradise we call San Sebastián del Oeste, a former silver mining town. A landing strip suitable for small aircraft moderately increased exploration possibilities, but it wasn’t until the completion of a paved road connecting Puerto Vallarta with Talpa de Allende.
Escape to Yelapa: It’s easy to take Yelapa for granted, at least for those who live in Puerto Vallarta year round. After all, seeking refuge at this laid-back village by the sea is as simple as hopping on one of the water taxis that aim for it on a daily basis and enjoying the picturesque 45-minute coastal ride.
Bucerias Art Walk: An amazing array of arts set out along a charming cobblestone street is what made the Bucerias Art Walk a triumph in its inaugural 2006-2007 year. This season the art walk in this Nayarit pueblo on the beach is back, with more artists, more events and more special plans designed to entice visitors to come enjoy the abundance of excellent talent and fine crafts.
El Tuito: Small-town Charm Just an Hour Away: With the advent of spectacular restaurants such as Le Kliff and outdoor activities such as those offered at Canopy Tours Los Veranos and the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens, an increasing number of visitors and locals are stretching their boundaries and exploring all the wonders our South Shore has to offer.
Surfing: For decades, surfers of all ages have flocked to Mexico’s Pacific coast, long considered to be a destination of choice, in order to benefit from its more than 1,500 miles of beaches, points and reefs. Well-known surf spots from the northern state of Sinaloa all the way down to Oaxaca are awaiting exploration year round.
Day in Sayulita: Sayulita is a day-tripper’s dream come true. It’s just what the quixotic traveler yearns for: a picturesque fishing village on a palm-fringed curve of sand with clean waters, lush jungles and incredible beaches to explore.
Hotelito Desconocido: In a world where pure simple pleasures like delicious tranquility and the enjoyment of thriving nature are at a premium, this unconventional eco-luxury hideaway less than two hours south of PV is a welcome breath of fresh air.
Best Yelapa Connection: Brad Wollman: After 15 years of visiting and ultimately living full-time in Yelapa, Brad Wollman decided to share his considerable expertise with would-be visitors to this pristine village 15 miles southwest of Vallarta.
Best Beach: That Depends on What You Have in Mind: With some 26 beaches on Banderas Bay’s 34 miles of coastline, there really is no such thing as “the best beach” here. Besides, whatever floats your boat, right? We can, however, give you a heads-up about the best ones for enjoying various pursuits.
Just Click Your Heels Three Times:
And You're on the Gorgeous Costalegre. A recently inaugurated air service from Puerto Vallarta to Chamela on the ruggedly beautiful coast south of here makes getting to some of the most desirable Mexico Boutique Hotels in this country a whole new ballgame.
