Guidebook for Puerto Vallarta
Food Scene
Great steaks and service with a live DJ! Favorite is a kilo of Rib Eye or Filet for our family of 4 to share. They bring it out on a hot iron skillet so everyone can finish cooking to their liking.
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Sonora Grill Prime - Puerto Vallarta
121 Av Paseo de la MarinaGreat steaks and service with a live DJ! Favorite is a kilo of Rib Eye or Filet for our family of 4 to share. They bring it out on a hot iron skillet so everyone can finish cooking to their liking.
Starbucks
121 Av Paseo de la MarinaEasy 10-15 min walk from the condo
Cozy little bistro, great sandwiches, salads, pasta, and the fondue is our favorite! Usually have live music Thurs-Sat nights. Closed on Sunday.
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Benitto's
121 Av. Paseo de la Marina SurCozy little bistro, great sandwiches, salads, pasta, and the fondue is our favorite! Usually have live music Thurs-Sat nights. Closed on Sunday.
Pepe's taco & terrace
5 MástilDelicious tacos al pastor!
Las Casitas
435 Av Paseo de la Marina NteNice for breakfast on the beach, just a 5 min. walk along the beach to the Marriott.
The Yogi Bar Yoga & Juice
137 Calle Pavo RealHealthy alternative for breakfast or light lunch
Repostería Los Chatos sucursal Plaza Neptuno
Delicious bakery and gelato
Moyo
#121 Av Paseo de la MarinaFrozen Yogurt
Our overall favorite in Vallarta! Everything on the menu is delicious and they have a nice variety for everyone. Favorites are the tuna poke, the green papaya shrimp, the nicose salad, the leche de tigre appetizer, the mac and cheese with bacon and brocolli, the hamburgers...and especially the 2X1 passion fruit mojitos before 5pm. Gets busy after 5 and you usually need a resy or you'll have to wait up to an hour.
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Joe Jack's Fish Shack
212 Basilio BadilloOur overall favorite in Vallarta! Everything on the menu is delicious and they have a nice variety for everyone. Favorites are the tuna poke, the green papaya shrimp, the nicose salad, the leche de tigre appetizer, the mac and cheese with bacon and brocolli, the hamburgers...and especially the 2X1 passion fruit mojitos before 5pm. Gets busy after 5 and you usually need a resy or you'll have to wait up to an hour.
Our favorite neighborhood sushi. You can walk in approx 20 min. or they deliver. Phone is 322-182-1214. We've tried just about everything and it's all good and a great value for sushi.
Ookii Sushi by Omoiyari @ Puerto Vallarta
3987 Boulevard Francisco Medina AscencioOur favorite neighborhood sushi. You can walk in approx 20 min. or they deliver. Phone is 322-182-1214. We've tried just about everything and it's all good and a great value for sushi.
new so I'm not too sure about quality of food but so far the lively ambiance seems to be a hit for drinks
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La Condesa
new so I'm not too sure about quality of food but so far the lively ambiance seems to be a hit for drinks
Great menu, views (but lots of steps -about 100 to the top), and great service. An all time favorite. Only accepts cash and you need reservations after 5pm.
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Barcelona Tapas
906 C. MatamorosGreat menu, views (but lots of steps -about 100 to the top), and great service. An all time favorite. Only accepts cash and you need reservations after 5pm.
Long standing favorite in PV, traditional european cuisine, older crowd, great wine list, need reservations
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TRIO
264 GuerreroLong standing favorite in PV, traditional european cuisine, older crowd, great wine list, need reservations
Long standing and well known as the "finest dining" Puerto Vallarta has to offer. Usually have live piano. Nice option for a special celebration. Upscale casual dress and reservations highly recommended
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Café des Artistes
740 Calle Gpe. SánchezLong standing and well known as the "finest dining" Puerto Vallarta has to offer. Usually have live piano. Nice option for a special celebration. Upscale casual dress and reservations highly recommended
Favorite little hole in the wall. Love the soft shelled crab sandwiches, but the whole menu is good. Artisan beers and cocktails. Small and open after 5pm, closed on Sunday.
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La Negra
11 AbasoloFavorite little hole in the wall. Love the soft shelled crab sandwiches, but the whole menu is good. Artisan beers and cocktails. Small and open after 5pm, closed on Sunday.
Very cute genuine French restaurant in Bucerias run by husband/wife. Small so reservations in advance are highly recommended.
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Restaurant Le Bistrot
11 GaleanaVery cute genuine French restaurant in Bucerias run by husband/wife. Small so reservations in advance are highly recommended.
If you want to go up to Punta Mita/North Shore to spend a day learning to surf or paddle board, I highly recommend this cute little beach club. It's a hidden oasis in a sea of bad restaurants! LOL!
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The Blue Shrimp
10 Av. El AncloteIf you want to go up to Punta Mita/North Shore to spend a day learning to surf or paddle board, I highly recommend this cute little beach club. It's a hidden oasis in a sea of bad restaurants! LOL!
Good option for coffee and bread/pastries or sandwiches and breakfast in Sayulita or Bucerias
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Paninos
1 DelfinesGood option for coffee and bread/pastries or sandwiches and breakfast in Sayulita or Bucerias
Arrive early (before noon) to nap a beachfront lounge chair. The restaurant provides beach service and the food is great. Fun to spend a day watching the surfers (or surfing) and explore the great shopping the town has to offer. Fun for people watching, too! Super packed around the Holidays so not the best time to head to Sayulita.
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Don Pedro's Restaurant & Bar
2 C. MarlínArrive early (before noon) to nap a beachfront lounge chair. The restaurant provides beach service and the food is great. Fun to spend a day watching the surfers (or surfing) and explore the great shopping the town has to offer. Fun for people watching, too! Super packed around the Holidays so not the best time to head to Sayulita.
Dolce Vita is our favorite Italian in PV. They have a couple of locations in Nuevo Vallarta and the Malecon with ocean views. Everything is great, but the Tagliatta Rib Eye rare is a personal favorite. You can also have delivered on www.dish2go.com
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La Dolce Vita Malecon
674 Paseo Díaz OrdazDolce Vita is our favorite Italian in PV. They have a couple of locations in Nuevo Vallarta and the Malecon with ocean views. Everything is great, but the Tagliatta Rib Eye rare is a personal favorite. You can also have delivered on www.dish2go.com
Beautiful Mexican Architecture (well known boutique hotel) well worth a visit for dinner in Old Town. They say the beauty of Mexico lies behind it's doors and this is a fine example!
Ocean views, upscale dining with good food, and best is the Mariachis that play from 8pm on. Reservations a must!
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Hacienda San Angel
336 C. MiramarBeautiful Mexican Architecture (well known boutique hotel) well worth a visit for dinner in Old Town. They say the beauty of Mexico lies behind it's doors and this is a fine example!
Ocean views, upscale dining with good food, and best is the Mariachis that play from 8pm on. Reservations a must!
Drinks & Nightlife
Good spot to watch sporting events, have a beer and a burger, etc. They also have pool tables.
Champions Sports Bar
435 Av Paseo de la Marina NteGood spot to watch sporting events, have a beer and a burger, etc. They also have pool tables.
Club music for the 20 something crowd - doesn't get happening until after midnight
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La Santa
2468 Av. Francisco Medina AscencioClub music for the 20 something crowd - doesn't get happening until after midnight
Nightclub good for dancing - 20 something scene starts to get popular after midnight
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Strana
2125 Blvd. Francisco Medina AscencioNightclub good for dancing - 20 something scene starts to get popular after midnight
This place just re-opened in La Isla. It's a restaurant that converts to a cool bar at night with a DJ. Haven't been to this one yet, but De Santos used to be the place to go for 30-40+ somethings to have a light dinner and cocktails.
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De Santos Puerto Vallarta
2477 Boulevard Francisco Medina AscencioThis place just re-opened in La Isla. It's a restaurant that converts to a cool bar at night with a DJ. Haven't been to this one yet, but De Santos used to be the place to go for 30-40+ somethings to have a light dinner and cocktails.
We have seen some great blues and jazz bands at this venue in Old Town. Usually Thurs-Sat but probably offers more shows in the high season.
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Nacho Daddy
287 Basilio BadilloWe have seen some great blues and jazz bands at this venue in Old Town. Usually Thurs-Sat but probably offers more shows in the high season.
This is a pretty cool spot to see live music by the river in a traditional mexican neighborhood near Old Town.
Sylvie and the Zippers are my favorite!
The BBQ is great, too!
Check their website for shows/times -
www.elriobbqbar.com
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El Rio BBQ
245 Felipe AngelesThis is a pretty cool spot to see live music by the river in a traditional mexican neighborhood near Old Town.
Sylvie and the Zippers are my favorite!
The BBQ is great, too!
Check their website for shows/times -
www.elriobbqbar.com
Roxy Rock House
217 Ignacio L. VallartaLong standing, well known spot for live music in Old Town
Essentials
Comercial Mexicana
Km. 6.5 Av. Francisco Medina AscencioWalmart
2900 Av. Francisco Medina AscencioCostco Wholesale
134 Av Fluvial VallartaFarmacias del ahorro
1135 Blvrd Riviera NayaritPharmacy
Nearest and best hospital in the bay - about a 5 min. drive just past Wal Mart and Sams. Easy to visit the ER, good Doctors, etc. My daughter was born here and we've been more times than I can count with our kids, so I know first hand you will be well taken care of.
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San Javier Hospital Puerto Vallarta
Boulevard Francisco Medina AscencioNearest and best hospital in the bay - about a 5 min. drive just past Wal Mart and Sams. Easy to visit the ER, good Doctors, etc. My daughter was born here and we've been more times than I can count with our kids, so I know first hand you will be well taken care of.
Entertainment & Activities
www.vallartaadventures.com
Best tour company in Vallarta with a wide variety of options.
My favorites are the Outdoor Adventure Multi-Tour for active folks, the Rhythms of the Night, Whale Watching and Sunset Sail
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Vallarta Adventures
39 Las Palmaswww.vallartaadventures.com
Best tour company in Vallarta with a wide variety of options.
My favorites are the Outdoor Adventure Multi-Tour for active folks, the Rhythms of the Night, Whale Watching and Sunset Sail
Great surf company to work with run by husband/wife team Adam and Vero.
They specialize in paddle surf and surf expeditions on the north shore.
www.pacificpaddle.com
or www.surfmexico.com
Pacific Paddle
Great surf company to work with run by husband/wife team Adam and Vero.
They specialize in paddle surf and surf expeditions on the north shore.
www.pacificpaddle.com
or www.surfmexico.com
Bici Bucerias
40 Calle Lázaro CárdenasGreat outfitter for bike rentals and tours in Bucerias
Arts & Culture
Puerto Vallarta Art Walk (Start Point)
esquina Calle AllendeSightseeing
Nice to take an evening stroll along the ocean - maybe before or after dinner at La Dolce, Barcelonas, Joe Jacks, Cafe des Artistes, Hacienda San Angel or Trio
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Malecon Puerto Vallarta
S/N Paseo Díaz OrdazNice to take an evening stroll along the ocean - maybe before or after dinner at La Dolce, Barcelonas, Joe Jacks, Cafe des Artistes, Hacienda San Angel or Trio
Parks & Nature
Take the trail from Boca de Tomatlan to hike along the coast south to the beaches of Las Animas and Quimixto. It's about a 2 hour hike and it's gorgeous! Highly recommend!!
You follow the coast the whole time through the jungle.
We always stop to have lunch at either Ocean Grill on Columbos beach, Mike's on Las Animas beach (popular beach with snorkeling, jet ski rentals, and horseback riding to the waterfall), Casitas Maraika on the beach past Las Animas, Hotelito Mio (near Quimixto beach further south about 45 min. further from Las Animas beach - less crowded and more private with a left surf break that's fun).
If you're too tired to make the 2 hour hike back, take a boat taxi back
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Boca de Tomatlan
Take the trail from Boca de Tomatlan to hike along the coast south to the beaches of Las Animas and Quimixto. It's about a 2 hour hike and it's gorgeous! Highly recommend!!
You follow the coast the whole time through the jungle.
We always stop to have lunch at either Ocean Grill on Columbos beach, Mike's on Las Animas beach (popular beach with snorkeling, jet ski rentals, and horseback riding to the waterfall), Casitas Maraika on the beach past Las Animas, Hotelito Mio (near Quimixto beach further south about 45 min. further from Las Animas beach - less crowded and more private with a left surf break that's fun).
If you're too tired to make the 2 hour hike back, take a boat taxi back
Whale Watching with Wildlife Connection is great. They are located a 10 min walk south of the condo in Opequimar Marina. They are a team of Marine Biologists that have studied the same humpback whale pods that have been coming to give birth to their babies in the bay for the past 20 years. Let me know if you need a reservation.
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Whale Watching Eco Explorer Vallarta
22 ProaWhale Watching with Wildlife Connection is great. They are located a 10 min walk south of the condo in Opequimar Marina. They are a team of Marine Biologists that have studied the same humpback whale pods that have been coming to give birth to their babies in the bay for the past 20 years. Let me know if you need a reservation.
About an hour drive up to the mountains. Cute little mountain town and really good hike up to "La Bufa" if you want to see amazing ocean views from the top of the peak. We always take a picnic and a bottle of wine!
If you go a bit further (about 20 min.) to Mascota - I highly recommend lunch or dinner at Villa Nogal. It's owned by a French couple from Alsace in the French Alps and they have an organic farm that most of their produce comes from. Great wine list with very good French wines, too. The mountain views are stunning, the food is wonderful and the price tag to go along with it! ;)
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San Sebastián del Oeste Centro
About an hour drive up to the mountains. Cute little mountain town and really good hike up to "La Bufa" if you want to see amazing ocean views from the top of the peak. We always take a picnic and a bottle of wine!
If you go a bit further (about 20 min.) to Mascota - I highly recommend lunch or dinner at Villa Nogal. It's owned by a French couple from Alsace in the French Alps and they have an organic farm that most of their produce comes from. Great wine list with very good French wines, too. The mountain views are stunning, the food is wonderful and the price tag to go along with it! ;)