Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta
Turquoise water, palm shade and barefoot dinners. Choosing the right area in Puerto Vallarta matters more than choosing the right hotel — a central room saves an hour a day, and an hour a day is a whole day on a week's trip. Rooms start from around $115/night.
The best areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta
The historic centre
If it's your first time in Puerto Vallarta and you're here for three nights or fewer, stay central. You'll pay a premium per night and win it back in taxi fares and walking time. Use Booking.com's map view and draw your search around the oldest part of town.
One neighbourhood out
The band just outside the centre is where Puerto Vallarta gets interesting and considerably cheaper — usually 25–40% less for the same standard of room, and a ten-minute walk or one stop on public transport from everything.
Beachfront
Beachfront in Puerto Vallarta costs the most and is worth it only if you'll use the beach daily. Check on the map exactly which stretch of sand the property fronts — 'beach nearby' can mean a fifteen-minute walk with a buggy.
How to choose in five minutes
Open the map view, drop pins on the two or three things you're definitely doing in Puerto Vallarta, then search only inside that shape. Filter to 8.5+ review score and free cancellation, sort by price, and take the first place with photos of the actual room type. That's the whole method.
Hotels in Puerto Vallarta by type
- Best hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Cheap hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Luxury hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- 5-star hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Family hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Adults-only hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Romantic hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Beach hotels in Puerto Vallarta
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with private pools
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with infinity pools
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with sea views
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with a spa
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with balconies
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with breakfast included
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with free parking
- Hotels in Puerto Vallarta with all-inclusive
Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta — FAQs
- Where is the best area to stay in Puerto Vallarta?
- For a first trip to Puerto Vallarta, stay central — you'll pay more per night and save it back in time and taxis. For a longer or repeat trip, one neighbourhood out is typically 25–40% cheaper for the same standard of room.
- How much does a hotel in Puerto Vallarta cost?
- Well-reviewed rooms in Puerto Vallarta start from around $115/night on Booking.com. Shoulder season and midweek stays are consistently the cheapest; school holidays and weekends the most expensive.
- Is it better to stay in the centre of Puerto Vallarta?
- Central is right for short trips and no-car trips. If you're staying five nights or more, or you're driving, the value is better slightly outside the centre — check the walking time on the map view before you commit.
- How far in advance should I book a hotel in Puerto Vallarta?
- Six to eight weeks ahead for Mexico in peak season, two to three weeks off-peak. Book a free-cancellation rate early and re-check prices a fortnight out — if it's dropped, rebook.