While Puerto Vallarta proper remains the tourism centerpiece of Mexico’s central Pacific coast, with plenty of beaches, outdoor excursions, restaurants, and cultural opportunities, the region just north of town—Nuevo Vallarta and the shoreline of Riviera Nayarit—has become quite popular with travelers who want to bask in the area’s natural splendor, but with a more serene atmosphere.
The hidden beach in Marietas Islands, Puerto Vallarta. Mexico.
Two Hispanic Women friends sharing a Mexican lunch of seafood salad ceviche relaxing under a palapa on a beach in Mazatlán Sinaloa Mexico
Mexico, Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Playa Los Muertos beach
Yelapa, a small charming village on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Must-Do: Get out on the water. Choices are seemingly endless: sailing, fishing, scuba diving, surfing, and whale watching (in season) to name a few. One of the most unique nautical excursions is to Playa Escondida (also known as Hidden Beach). True to its name, this 80-foot stretch of sand is hidden “inside” a small island crater and accessed via an exciting tunnel swim. (Daily visitation is regulated, so be sure to make a reservation with a local tour operator.)
Eat: El Barracuda has locations in Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, and Puerto Vallarta, so wherever you get hungry, you’re in luck. The tastiest menu options could all be described as market-style seafood. Start with shrimp ceviche—or try the barracuda option—and then move on to a platter of fish tacos. Adventurous visitors should ask their server for a sample of the local raicilla, perhaps most easily described as the agave version of moonshine.
Day Trip: South of Puerto Vallarta, at the back of a little cove off of Banderas Bay, is the remote village of Yelapa. The only reasonable way to reach it is by boat. Once you’re there, you can shop for small crafts, hike to the famous waterfall, or simply enjoy a cerveza at one of the small cafes.
