Budget Puerto Vallarta
Description:
Puerto Vallarta may seem like your typical resort location, but there's much more to do here for travelers on a shoestring budget. There's plenty of little towns full of cheap, delicious restaurants and beautiful beaches, and you can get around pretty much anywhere by bus for barely anything. In fact, you'll get a much more personal experience with PV this way.
Author: JennyMM
Day 1 - Puerto Vallarta
Avoid both spending a lot of money and getting stuck in an American chain hotel with a stay at Hotel Belmar, a simple yet comfortable gem in the Zona Romantica. In a part of the neighborhood that's mainly populated with locals, you'll be only a couple of blocks away from the beach and from touristy areas, but can get a feel for authentic PV life. One of the things that sets this city apart from other Mexican cities is the lively art culture. Begun over 50 years ago, there has been an explosion of galleries and studios in the past decade. Take a guided tour, or just walk around Old Town on your own and stop into any gallery that looks interesting. There's also an open-air market, where there's plenty of the typical souvenirs but some inexpensive treasures as well. Grab a pastry for lunch at the oldest bakery in PV, Panaderia Munguia, and continue to wander around on foot. Stroll along the boardwalk to see some more local art in the sculptures lining the walkway, and stop into any of the small shops or cafes along the beach. There's plenty of places to pop into for a drink if you are in the mood to try some unusual tequilas, too. Another beautiful downtown landmark that's enjoyable to visit is the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a fixture of the PV skyline. If you feel like getting in some beach time in before evening, journey to the Playa Las Glorias, just north of downtown. One of PV's most popular and most beautiful beaches, this is the perfect place to enjoy your first Mexican sunset on the water over a margarita. After the sun goes down, try dinner at Los Arbolitos, where the seafood is spectacularly fresh and is served on the rooftop garden. Less touristy than many of PV's restaurants, the food is very authentic and yet amazingly inexpensive for its quality.
1
Artist Studio Tours
Location:
view in google mapsAldama 174
48310 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
+52 322 222 19822
Panaderia Munguia
Location:
view in google mapsAvenue Juarez 467
48380 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 2 20903
Malecón (El)
Location:
view in google mapsPaseo Díaz Ordaz
Centro
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
4
Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Location:
view in google mapsCalle Hidalgo
(One block east of Zocalo)
48310 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
+52 322 222 13265
Playa Las Glorias
Location:
view in google mapsBoulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio S/N
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
+52 322 224 01236
Los Arbolitos
Location:
view in google mapsCamino de la Rivera 184
48380 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 3 10507
Hotel Belmar
Location:
view in google mapsInsurgentes 161, Col. E. Zapata
48380 Puerto Vallarta, MX
Phone:
52 322 222 0572Day 2 - Puerto Vallarta
Just off the beaches of PV in the bay are several natural refuges that offer wonderful snorkeling and wildlife viewing. There are of course some expensive tour groups that can take you around the islands of Las Marietas and El Moro, but you can also just hire a panga boat from PV to take you around the islands. Since you can't explore the islands on foot due to protections for the rare wildlife here, including the charming boobies, you just need someone who knows the area to take you out for a cruise around the island and to stop at the best snorkeling spots. There are also a few cheap guided tours for snorkeling which are enjoyable, such as the Puerto Vallarta Tours trip to Los Arcos, one of the area's best snorkeling spots for viewing underwater flora and fauna. After such an active day, the Faro Lighthouse bar at the Marina is a wonderful place to relax over a cocktail and watch the sunset. Grab a fish tostada on the way over at Mariscos, cheap and fresh.
1
Arcos (Los)
Location:
view in google mapsHighway 200 Sur Km 12
Near Mismaloya
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
+52 322 223 25004
Faro Lighthouse Bar (El)
Location:
view in google mapsPaseo de la Marina 245
48350 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 221 05415
Mariscos 8 Tostadas
Location:
view in google mapsProa 28-29
(Marina Vallarta)
48354 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 221 3124Day 3 - Puerto Vallarta
One of the more fun ways to explore the tropical forests east of town is on bicycle. There are rides of varying length and intensity, and several good tour companies that provide bikes, gear, and a guide for a small price. The best tours ride up into the mountain a short ways, and stop at a waterfall for a quick dip in a pool and in a small village or two. Bring a picnic lunch to Playa Conchas Chinas, one of the less-crowded of the bay's most spectacular beaches. There are some beautiful birds to see here, and of course crystal-clear water to play in and sand to lounge on. Stay through the sunset, and then head back into town for some cheap, simple, and delicious fajitas at Fajita Republic in the Zona Romantica, a favorite off the tourist track.
1
Natura Bike Expeditions
Location:
view in google mapsPlaya de Oro 109, Interior 2
48321 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
+52 322 4 04102
Playa Conchas Chinas
Location:
view in google mapsHighway 200 Km 3.2
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
3
Fajita Republic
Location:
view in google mapsbasilio badillo 188
At Basilio Badillo, 1 block north of Olas Altas
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 222 3131Day 4 - Puerto Vallarta
It's easy to jump on a bus for a short trip to San Sebastian, a historic mining town in the mountains that hasn't changed much in the last century. This is a quaint way to get an idea of what much of the area was like in the 1800s. Have a snack in town or stop into Chez Elena for a late lunch in their garden. The chicken mole here is particularly good. If you're in the mood for some more beach time in the afternoon, head south of the city to one of the less-visited beach areas on the bay, Boca de Tomatlan and Playa Yelapa. At the end of the road, Boca de Tomatlan, is a great place to snorkel or hike, and if you'd like to go even further, hop in a boat to head further south to Playa Yelapa, a lovely place to go horseback riding. Since less tourists make it down here, the prices are very reasonable even though there's tons to do. Kick back with a couple of drinks for a relaxing evening once you get back into town at Burros, a casual and fun place to sit back on the beach and enjoy some fresh fish and one of the delicious specialty cocktails they offer here.
1
San Sebastian Expeditions
Location:
view in google mapsA top the Sierra Madre
46990 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
2
Chez Elena
Location:
view in google mapsMatamoros 520
Chez Elena Hotel
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 2 01613
Boca de Tomatlan
Location:
view in google mapsHighway 200
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
+52 322 223 42674
Playa Yelapa
Location:
view in google mapsHighway 200 Km 17
48440 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
5
Burros
Location:
view in google mapsLos Muertos Beach, Olas Altas #401
Lazaro Cardenas
48380 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Phone:
52 322 222 0112