Puerto Vallarta offers a multitude of things to do and places to see, but there are also some great two-day or weekend trips nearby available. These getaways are for those who frequent Vallarta or perhaps live here full-time and are looking for something new. You can travel by car, bus, boat or airplane, and the accommodations can range from small countryside inns to luxurious villas along the coast: something for all budgets!
If you are looking for something very special, try out one of the boutique hotels that can be found up and down the coast from Puerto Vallarta. Check out the Boutique Vacations section of our Lodging page. All these hotels are part of the prestigious Mexico Boutique Hotels collection, where membership cannot be purchased, only ear
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.
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.
South Shore Loop: Puerto Vallarta’s southern thruway will gradually shift your surroundings from palms to pines in less than an hour.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dreaming Downtown into a New Existence: It takes a visionary to conceive a new reality for a space long taken for granted. We’ve all appreciated an evening or morning stroll on the Malecon, bumping into friends or acquaintances and exchanging a few pleasantries, if not salacious gossip.
Head to the Mountains!: If you are new to Banderas Bay or on a short-term vacation, chances are that you will want to remain fairly close to your home or hotel, as you will find a plethora of things to do in Puerto Vallarta and its immediate surroundings.
