Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta: Best Areas & Hotels

The complete guide to where to stay in Puerto Vallarta, covering the best areas, boutique hotels and luxury resorts around Banderas Bay.

Puerto Vallarta has a fantastic mix of places to stay, from old haciendas-style villas tucked into the hills above Centro to small boutique hotels and some seriously beautiful beachfront resorts along Banderas Bay.

Where you stay in Puerto Vallarta can have a big impact on your trip as the city is much bigger than first-timers may think. Centro puts you among cobbled streets, galleries, restaurants and the Malecón. Zona Romántica is lively and incredibly walkable, while Marina Vallarta is better suited to anyone wanting a larger beachfront resort.

Head south and the coastline becomes greener and quieter, with jungle-covered hills and some of the best luxury resorts in the area.

I live in Puerto Vallarta and have personally visited every hotel that I’ve included in this guide. I’ve seen the rooms, walked the properties and spent plenty of time exploring the different neighborhoods, so I have a pretty good idea of which hotels are genuinely worth considering and who they work best for.

Below, I’ll take you through the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta, the areas I’d consider staying in and how to choose between them based on the trip you’re planning.

The Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has a varied and impressive hotel scene. You’ll find tiny historic hideaways tucked into the hills above Centro, sprawling beachfront resorts around Marina Vallarta, and some seriously glorious retreats hidden along the coast.

For the best boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta, I’d look towards Centro and the Zona Romántica. For a proper resort stay, head south along the coast or north towards Marina Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. I’ve also included a few hotels further afield that are worth the journey in their own right.

Casa Kimberly – one of Puerto Vallarta’s most special stays. The former homes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton now form an intimate nine-suite, adults-only hotel above the terracotta rooftops of Centro. The original bridge connecting their two houses remains, while courtyards, tiled terraces and sweeping views across Banderas Bay give the entire property plenty of old Vallarta romance. Stay here if you want history, atmosphere and somewhere that could never be mistaken for a generic beach resort.

Hacienda San Angel – Just around the corner, Hacienda San Angel is another of my top choices for a boutique stay in Puerto Vallarta. Set high above Centro, it’s a beautiful collection of Mexican colonial buildings filled with antiques, carved wood, tiled courtyards and flower-filled terraces. Rooms are individually decorated and many have gorgeous views over the rooftops towards Banderas Bay. It’s romantic, intimate and packed with character.

BellView Boutique Hotel – just seven suites tucked into the hills of Gringo Gulch behind the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The interiors lean heavily into old-world grandeur, with antique furniture and richly decorated rooms rather than contemporary minimalism. Terraces look straight across the church dome, Centro and the ocean beyond, particularly beautiful around sunset.

Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel – For beachfront living without giving up easy access to town, Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway is a strong option. It sits right on the beach in 5 de Diciembre, within walking distance of downtown, so you can spend the afternoon by the pool and still head into Vallarta for dinner. It’s adults-only, intimate by resort standards and particularly well suited to couples who want a larger resort experience close to town.

Marriott Puerto Vallarta – one of the more classic resort options in Marina Vallarta. You’re getting the full beachfront setup here, with plenty of space and easy access to the marina rather than the boutique atmosphere of Centro. It makes sense for families, longer stays or anyone who values resort facilities and convenience over staying in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s historic neighborhoods.

Casa Velas – Casa Velas offers something a little calmer in Marina Vallarta. This adults-only property sits beside the golf course rather than directly on the main beachfront, surrounded by tropical gardens and palms. It’s a good choice if your priority is switching off completely, with an intimate scale and a more secluded atmosphere than Puerto Vallarta’s larger resorts.

Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa – Head south of town and Puerto Vallarta quickly becomes greener and wilder. Garza Blanca sits between the Sierra Madre and Banderas Bay, around 7.5 kilometres south of central Vallarta. Suites are spacious, many with huge ocean views, and the resort works particularly well if you want nature, beach and plenty of facilities without needing to head into town every day.

The Westin Playa Vallarta – another dependable Marina Vallarta option, with a large beachfront setting, tropical grounds and two outdoor pools. It’s less intimate than the boutique hotels in Centro, but that’s also the appeal. Come here when you want an easy resort holiday, plenty of space and quick access to the airport, marina restaurants and shops.

Hotel Mousai – For something much more contemporary, Hotel Mousai is one of the most design-led resorts around Puerto Vallarta. Set south of town beside Garza Blanca, this adults-only hotel swaps colonial Mexico for bold modern interiors, ocean-facing terraces and rooftop pools. It’s sexy, social and unapologetically resort-focused, making it a good choice for couples who want modern luxury rather than historic charm.

Xinalani – ideal for anyone who wants to disappear for a few days. Located on the coast near Quimixto and reached by boat, it’s primarily known as a yoga and wellness retreat, surrounded by jungle with the Pacific just below. This isn’t where I’d stay for restaurants, nightlife or sightseeing in Puerto Vallarta. Come for yoga, swimming, nature and a few days spent almost entirely barefoot.

Verana Yelapa – Further down the coast, Verana is one of the most distinctive boutique stays around Puerto Vallarta. Hidden in the jungle above Yelapa and accessible by boat followed by a short journey into the hills, it’s wonderfully removed from everyday life. The architecture is open-air, earthy and beautifully integrated into the surrounding forest. Pair it with a few nights in Puerto Vallarta rather than using it as a base for exploring town.

One&Only Mandarina – About an hour north of Puerto Vallarta airport, One&Only Mandarina is firmly in destination-resort territory. Treehouses and villas disappear into the coastal rainforest, many with private pools and huge Pacific views, while the property drops down towards a swimmable sandy beach. It’s expensive, secluded and very much somewhere you come to stay put. If your trip is focused more on resort luxury than Puerto Vallarta itself, this is one of the strongest options on the wider Riviera Nayarit coast.

Rosewood Mandarina – another reason to consider extending your trip north into Riviera Nayarit. Set between rainforest, mountains and ocean within the Mandarina development, the resort has suites and villas designed around privacy, with private pools and plenty of indoor-outdoor space.

Pro Tip: If you’re looking for the very best luxury hotels in the Puerto Vallarta area and don’t need to stay in the city itself, I’d also look at Punta Mita. Just up the coast from Puerto Vallarta, it’s home to some of the finest resorts in this part of Mexico, with beautiful beaches, more space and a much stronger focus on high-end resort stays. Read: The Best Luxury Hotels in Punta Mita, Mexico.

What is the Best Area to Stay in Puerto Vallarta?

There isn’t one single best area to stay in Puerto Vallarta. The city stretches quite a way around Banderas Bay, and where you base yourself can really change the trip.

I’d choose your neighborhood based on your travel style and what you’re looking for from your trip. If you want to walk everywhere, stay around Centro or the Zona Romántica. If your priority is a big beachfront resort and easy airport access, Marina Vallarta makes much more sense. For jungle, quieter beaches and a more secluded stay, look south of the city or even outside the city.

For a luxury focused trip and even better resort selection I’d also consider heading to Punta Mita.

The main areas to consider are:

• Centro – Best for first-time visitors, sightseeing and old Puerto Vallarta. You’ll be close to the Malecón, restaurants, galleries and plenty of nightlife, with almost everything within walking distance.
• Gringo Gulch – Best for character, views and boutique hotels. Sitting in the hills just behind Centro, this historic neighborhood has cobbled streets, traditional villas and some gorgeous views across the city and bay.
• Zona Romántica – Best for restaurants, nightlife and being in the middle of everything. This is one of Puerto Vallarta’s liveliest areas, packed with bars, cafés, restaurants and easy access to Playa Los Muertos.
• 5 de Diciembre – Best for a more local atmosphere while staying close to Centro. It’s less touristy than the Zona Romántica but still walkable, with plenty of casual restaurants, cafés and smaller beaches nearby.
• Hotel Zone – Best for straightforward beachfront resorts and families. You’ll find larger hotels, wide beaches and plenty of amenities, although you lose some of the atmosphere you get in the older parts of Vallarta.
• Marina Vallarta – Best for resorts, families and easy airport access. The area is quieter and more spacious, with large beachfront hotels, a marina lined with restaurants and a golf course nearby.
• Conchas Chinas – Best for villas, views and a quieter stay close to town. Just south of the Zona Romántica, this hillside neighborhood has beautiful homes, small beaches and a more residential atmosphere.
• South Zone – Best for nature, beaches and secluded resorts. The coastline south of Conchas Chinas becomes increasingly lush, with jungle-backed beaches and some great luxury properties. You’ll rely more on taxis, but the setting is hard to beat.

If it’s your first trip and you want to experience Puerto Vallarta itself, Centro, Gringo Gulch and the Zona Romántica would be my first choices. If the hotel and beach are the main event, look towards Marina Vallarta, the South Zone or Punta Mita instead.

Best Areas to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

Centro

For one of the most classic and convenient places to stay in Puerto Vallarta, Centro is really hard to beat. This is the historic heart of the city, running along the Malecón and climbing into the hills behind it.

Here, you’ll find cobbled streets, church bells from the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, galleries, taco stands, rooftop bars and plenty happening after dark. It’s busy and can be noisy, but you can walk almost everywhere, including across the Río Cuale into the Zona Romántica.

The hotel scene is much smaller and more characterful than the big resorts further north. Between here and Gringo Gulch you’ll find the best boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta, especially if you want somewhere romantic and unmistakably Mexican. Centro is where I’d stay for a first trip if restaurants, culture and wandering out of your hotel without a plan matter more than having a huge resort pool.

Gringo Gulch which is technically part of Centro, is a tiny neighborhood that climbs steeply into the hills behind downtown, trading the bustle of the Malecón for bougainvillea, old villas, red-tiled roofs and some fantastic views over Banderas Bay.

This is also the Puerto Vallarta associated with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, whose former homes were connected by a bridge over Calle Zaragoza. Casa Kimberly now occupies those properties and is easily the most memorable luxury stay here. Gringo Gulch works especially well for couples and anyone drawn to older, romantic Vallarta. Just know that those photogenic cobbled streets come with hills. Quite a lot of them.

Best Hotels in Centro (including Gringo Gulch): Hacienda San Angel, Casa Kimberly, BellView Boutique Hotel

Zona Romántica

Zona Romántica is where I’d point you if you want to leave your hotel in the evening and have dozens of places to eat and drink within a few blocks. Sitting immediately south of the Río Cuale, this is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most walkable and energetic neighborhoods, with Playa Los Muertos along the waterfront and cafés, restaurants, galleries and bars packed into the streets behind it.

It’s also the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s LGBTQ+ scene, so evenings here have far more energy than the resort areas further north. Boutique hotels dominate rather than traditional five-star resorts and generally cater to the LGBTQ+ community. I’d choose Zona Romántica for food, nightlife and convenience rather than seclusion. It can be very loud and busy, particularly around Los Muertos, so if you’re after a relaxed, quiet vacation this isn’t the place to stay.

Best Hotels in Zona Romántica: Casa Cupula, Pinnacle Resorts 180

5 de Diciembre

Just north of Centro, 5 de Diciembre is a good compromise if you want to stay somewhere more residential without removing yourself from central Puerto Vallarta. It’s still close enough to walk down to the Malecón, but daily life here is less dominated by tourism and it’s quieter at night.

You’ll find neighborhood taquerías, cafés, bakeries and small beaches, with more locals going about their day than you’ll generally encounter around Los Muertos. The trade-off is the hotel selection. This isn’t Puerto Vallarta’s strongest neighborhood for truly great properties, so I wouldn’t choose it if the hotel itself is a major part of your trip.

Best Hotels in 5 de Diciembre : Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel (the notable exception)

Hotel Zone

The Hotel Zone is Puerto Vallarta in full resort mode but in the generic, run-of-the-mill type resort. Stretching north from downtown along Banderas Bay, this is where you’ll find large beachfront properties, swimming pools, beach loungers and enough restaurants and facilities that you could quite happily spend several days without leaving your hotel.

It’s convenient and straightforward, particularly for families, but you don’t get the same sense of place you’ll find wandering Centro or the Zona Romántica. You’ll also need a short taxi or Uber ride when you want to head downtown.

Best Hotels in the Hotel Zone: Secrets Vallarta Bay, Sheraton Buganvilias Resort, Harbor Puerto Vallarta

Marina Vallarta

Marina Vallarta is calmer, flatter and much more resort-oriented than central Puerto Vallarta. The neighborhood revolves around its yacht marina, where a waterfront promenade is lined with restaurants, cafés and shops, while golf courses and larger resorts spread out towards the beach.

It’s also extremely convenient for the airport, which makes it useful for shorter trips or an easy final night before flying home. As it’s much further from the center of Puerto Vallarta, I’d recommend Marina Vallarta for those who don’t intend to venture out too much, or don’t mind the longer taxi or Uber ride to the city’s nightlife.

Best Hotels and Resorts in Marina Vallarta: Casa Velas, Marriott Puerto Vallarta, The Westin Playa Vallarta

Conchas Chinas

Once you move south of the Zona Romántica, Puerto Vallarta changes surprisingly quickly. Conchas Chinas climbs into the green hills above the bay, with large villas, winding roads and small rocky coves tucked below. It’s one of the city’s most exclusive residential areas, sometimes inevitably referred to as the “Beverly Hills of Puerto Vallarta,” and those elevated positions give you some of the best ocean views around.

This is where I’d stay for privacy and space while still keeping Puerto Vallarta within easy reach. I think it’s a fantastic neighborhood to stay in yet it’s overlooked by many.

Best Hotels in Conchas Chinas: Grand Miramar All Luxury Suites & Residences, Villa Celeste, Quinta Maria Cortez Beach Hotel

South Zone

Keep following the coast south and the city gradually gives way to jungle, cliffs and quieter beaches. The South Zone stretches towards Mismaloya and beyond to Yelapa, and this is where some of Puerto Vallarta’s most impressive full-scale luxury resorts sit.

Staying down here generally changes the rhythm of the trip. Dinner in Centro becomes an intentional outing rather than something you casually walk to, and you’ll spend much more time at your resort. If you’ve already visited Puerto Vallarta, or simply want beach, jungle and a few days of doing very little, this might be the perfect place to stay for you.

Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta South Zone: Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, Hotel Mousai, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

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