The Best 5 Neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta

The Best 5 Neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta
Discover the top Puerto Vallarta neighborhoods for foodies, beach lovers, and retirees.|©iStock/Dreamframer

Puerto Vallarta is one of those rare places that caters to beach lovers, bar hoppers, retirees, digital nomads, and taco fiends alike. But not every neighborhood suits every lifestyle. Some are made for peace and quiet, others for party-all-night energy. And some hit that sweet spot in between.

I’ve lived in here for years and have spent a lot of time exploring the neighborhoods, so here is a peek into the top five areas people move to — quirks and all.

Romantic Zone/Old Town

Sip mezcal, shop local, and hit the beach—all within walking distance in this lively hub.
Sip mezcal, shop local, and hit the beach—all within walking distance in this lively hub.|©Mark Raccuia

This colonia (neighborhood) is the most touristy area of Puerto Vallarta and the LGBTQ+ and nightlife capital of town. It's a sensory overload, in the best way.

Restaurants range from fine dining to family-owned $1 taco joints and everything your tummy could desire in between.

Then there are the art galleries, quirky boutiques, and more bars and nightclubs than you could ever reasonably stumble out of in one week. It's a dream for night owls.

The best beaches in the city are here, too. Los Muertos Beach is the most popular and the most crowded. This long stretch of pale powdery sand is lined with restaurants and beach clubs. You could pick a different beach club every day of the week and not repeat.

The streets are cobblestone, which adds charm… and twisted ankles.

In the high season, the traffic can be brutal; it's not a very large area, and it fills up fast. It is, however, a very walkable neighborhood (just watch your step, a good rule for all of Mexico). You won't need a car except to go to the big grocery stores at least 20 minutes away. There are small tiendas (shops) like the Old Town and Ollin Markets, but they can be expensive. For fresh fruits, veggies, pork, and chicken, the local Emiliano Zapata mercado is your best bet.

This area is too touristy to have a lot of authentic flair, but it tries with its cobblestones, mosaic tiled park, and brightly colored murals.

Bottom line: You're in the thick of it, and that comes with noise, sometimes until 3 a.m. But if you want to be where the action is, where you can roll out of bed and straight into a beach chair (or a drag brunch), there is no better neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta.

The Marina

Enjoy resort-style living with yacht views, golf courses, and polished modern comforts.
Enjoy resort-style living with yacht views, golf courses, and polished modern comforts.|©Mark Raccuia

As you'd expect, the Marina is polished, peaceful, and packed with perks. But it's not for everyone (including me). Still, it's one of the most sought-after areas in Puerto Vallarta for a reason, and plenty of expats love calling it home.

Living here makes certain things easy. You've got Sam's, Walmart, and Chedraui grocery stores within a 10-minute drive. The airport? Also, a breezy 10-minute drive.

You are steps away from world-class golf courses, dining, and high-rise condos with front-row yacht views. It practically screams "retirement goals."

It's clean, safe, and walkable — three things you don't always get in one neighborhood.

However, it's also about a 30-minute drive to the Romantic Zone and about 15 minutes to Versalles, the on-the-verge, trendy, foodie neighborhood. You'll have to hop in a car for cool nightlife and any food worth writing home about.

But here's the thing, to me, it feels like it could be any marina in the US. If you're chasing that vibrant, unmistakably Mexican vibe, this neighborhood might fall flat. It's more international than local, more polished than authentic. Yet that's exactly what appeals to many people. Life here runs just a little smoother.

Housing here leans toward the high end: think high-rises, townhomes, and gated houses. You won't find many budget rentals or fixer-uppers. If luxury living is the goal, the Marina delivers.

The beaches aren't the best in this area, and yes, there really are crocodiles in the water. It may not be the place for a daily ocean swim, but your resort-style pool at the condo should ease that sting. Bonus: you won't have to keep one eye open for reptiles.

Bottom line: If you want a resort-style lifestyle with a big expat population and all the modern conveniences, the Marina could be your spot. It just depends on what kind of lifestyle you're after.

Cinco de Diciembre

Stroll cobbled streets in a vibrant, local neighborhood just steps from the beach.
Stroll cobbled streets in a vibrant, local neighborhood just steps from the beach.|©Mark Raccuia

This colonia sits on the edge of downtown. It's close enough to walk (even in the heat) to the Malecon (boardwalk) and the Romantic Zone. But it's not so close that you're listening to loud tourists and noisy nightclubs all night.

That balance is why we chose this neighborhood.

For us, it's the Goldilocks zone. Close enough to be in the thick of it all in minutes, but far enough to have peace and quiet and know all your neighbors, most of whom are locals or full-time residents, not weekend partiers.

Even though it's right on the beach and has loads of restaurants and bars to frequent, it has somehow retained its authentic Mexican neighborhood vibe. It's less polished than the Marina, less chaotic than Old Town, and full of character.

Our neighbors are a mix of local families who've lived here for decades and full-time expats, like us, who call Vallarta home.

Cinco, or 5D, has a very local, authentic vibe to it. The cobblestones are charming… or they would be, if half of them weren't missing. Every ride through the neighborhood doubles as a free "Mexican massage," according to the taxi drivers. 5D still has some grit.

There are some new buildings going up, but there are more old buildings and no super-tall high rises, as of yet.

It borders the ocean, with some pretty nice beach areas, so stopping to watch the sunsets can be a daily ritual. However, go a handful of blocks inland, and you'll have to start climbing the hills to get home. And the hills are steep here. Not bad if you're looking for buns of steel. Not great if you're carrying groceries or have some mobility challenges.

If you live on top of the hill, be prepared to get a car or use Uber.

As for real estate here, it's mid-range and up. It's not as pricey as the Marina or the Romantic Zone, but it's not far behind either.

Bottom line: Cinco de Diciembre is for the person who wants a balance between an authentic Mexican neighborhood and being within downtown's reach.

Versalles

Taste your way through Vallarta’s trendiest food scene in this flat, walkable colonia.
Taste your way through Vallarta’s trendiest food scene in this flat, walkable colonia.|©Mark Raccuia

This colonia is considered the latest up-and-coming hot spot in Vallarta, especially for foodies and digital nomads.

It's known for its dining scene, with everything from BBQ and Greek to corner elotes stands that only open after dark.

Unlike Cinco de Diciembre, the whole neighborhood is flat. No hills to speak of. It's fantastic during the dry season. However, when it rains in Vallarta, it really rains, and many of the streets in Versalles flood. That being said, it only rains from July through September, and even then, it's not every day. It's a tradeoff.

There has been a boom in development here, and it could be a good place to invest. Places with all the amenities you could hope for and more: things like movie theaters, rooftop pools, and coworking lounges are pretty common in the latest crop of high-rises. But with development comes construction noise. Keep that in consideration, whether you are moving to Puerto Vallarta or just here on vacation.

When it comes to the convenience of amenities, Versalles is set up pretty well.

La Comer, the most upscale grocery store in Vallarta, and Costco are right on the border of Versalles and Fluvial. Additionally, it's only about 20 minutes from the airport and about the same to the Zona Romantica.

The catch? Versalles is inland. The closest beach is approximately a 15-minute walk. Some high rises have ocean views in the distance. If daily beach access is non-negotiable, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Bottom line: If you can deal with a little seasonal flooding and ongoing construction in exchange for incredible food, modern conveniences, and a cool, local vibe — Versalles might be your jam.

Conchas Chinas

Wake up to jungle and ocean views in this peaceful, luxury enclave just outside town.
Wake up to jungle and ocean views in this peaceful, luxury enclave just outside town.|©Mark Raccuia

If a luxury lifestyle is what you are after, amenities be damned, you can find it in the condos in Conchas Chinas. It's exclusive, and where you'll find multimillion-dollar villas.

The location south of the Zona Romantica technically makes it a little out of town. From the PVR airport, it's about a 45-minute drive on a good day without traffic. I suggest having a car if you live here, but it's not a requirement. Uber is very affordable and reliable as well.

It's more secluded, and because of that, there really aren't many restaurants. For that, you'll definitely need to go into town. Same for groceries, doctors, and most daily amenities.

The neighborhood runs from the beach into the hills and is divided into lower and upper Conchas Chinas. Lower is by the beach, and upper is, well, above it. But due to its geography, there are high rises and gated communities built into the jungle-clad hillside.

The beach is the opposite of Los Muertos in Old Town. No rows of umbrellas and few vendors to speak of. Instead, you'll find natural tidal pools and large protruding rocks that create the craggy coastline.

Bottom line: Conchas Chinas isn't for everyone. If you don't mind the trek into town for your tacos and groceries, and your idea of happiness is staying put in a gorgeous condo with ocean views, then who cares if there's a grocery store nearby? It's not about convenience here. It's about living somewhere that feels like a retreat every single day.

Still Not Sure Where You Belong in Puerto Vallarta?

That's okay, the beauty of this town is that you can try one neighborhood on for size, and if it doesn't fit, move a few blocks and get a whole new vibe. Each colonia has its perks and its pitfalls (and sometimes its potholes), so the best way to know what works for you is to spend time in each.

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