Where to stay

For first-time visitors, Downtown Puerto Vallarta is one of the most central places to stay. Rich in culture, El Centro, as it's also known, is popular for its restaurants, festivals on the square, shopping and Banderas Bay views. Step out from your hotel onto the pedestrian, palm-lined esplanade along the ocean and take in the street performances and impressive sand sculptures. For the most resort choices, look for a room in the North Hotel Zone or South Hotel Zone. The latter boasts the most beautiful landscapes in Puerto Vallarta, Los Arcos National Marine Park and the Botanical Garden. For a truly high-end stay, look to Marina Vallarta, where the cruise ships dock. This sought-after neighborhood is on the high end of the accommodation scale and a favorite of boaters and yachters.

For a slightly quieter, boutique-style stay, choose a hotel in the Romantic Zone near the recently upgraded Basilio Badillo Street. The hotels are more intimate here, yet all are close to the beach, great Mexican cuisine and artsy shops. Walk from your accommodations to the huge open-air Mercado Emiliano Zapata, where local families and restaurateurs come to shop for their fresh produce. During the high season, there's a Friday night art walk that's not to be missed. Check out accommodations in the up-and-coming 5 de Diciembre, an authentic little area with heaps of charm, a famous fish market and reputedly the best tacos in town. Stay farther afield in Sayulita to be within driving distance of Puerto Vallarta, yet immersed in surf culture, local flavors and bohemian artwork.