Start Here
Puerto Vallarta sits on Banderas Bay with the Sierra Madre mountains behind it. The combination of beach, mountains, and a walkable downtown makes it one of the more interesting beach destinations in Mexico for families. This is not an all inclusive resort bubble. There is a real city here with cobblestone streets, open air markets, a 12 block waterfront promenade, and a food scene that goes well beyond hotel buffets.
The Malecón runs along the waterfront through the centro, lined with sculptures, restaurants, and street performers. Playa de los Muertos is the main beach in the Zona Romántica neighborhood. Farther south, Playa Conchas Chinas has tide pools where kids can spend hours poking around.
From December through March, humpback whales come into the bay. From July through December, families can watch sea turtle releases on the beach. Puerto Vallarta gives you the sand and the sun, but it also gives you something to do beyond the pool.
✈ Puerto Vallarta · Trip at a Glance
• • •
🌎 Region: Banderas Bay, Pacific Coast
📝 Language: Spanish (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
💰 Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
☀ Best Months: November through April (dry season)
⭐ Family Rating: ★★★★☆
Getting Around
Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) has direct flights from dozens of U.S. and Canadian cities. Southwest, Alaska, American, United, Delta, JetBlue, and Frontier all fly here. The airport is about 20 minutes north of the centro and Zona Romántica.
Taxis from the airport to the hotel zone or centro cost 350 to 500 MXN ($20 to $30 USD). Uber works in Puerto Vallarta and is usually cheaper. Within the centro and Zona Romántica, most things are walkable. The sidewalks are narrow and uneven in spots, which can be tricky with strollers.
Local buses run along the main coastal road and cost about 10 MXN ($0.60 USD). They are reliable and families use them regularly. For day trips to Sayulita or the botanical garden, taxis or Uber are straightforward.
Getting to Puerto Vallarta
Direct flights from major U.S. cities on Southwest, Alaska, American, United, Delta and more. Flight time from Dallas is about 3 hours. From Los Angeles, about 3 hours.
Airport Taxis — Fixed rate zones. Airport to centro or Zona Romántica runs 350 to 500 MXN ($20 to $30 USD). Uber is available outside arrivals.
Where to Stay
Most families choose between three areas. The Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) north of the centro has the large resorts, pools, and beach access. The Zona Romántica is the walkable neighborhood south of the Río Cuale with restaurants, shops, and Playa de los Muertos. The centro is the historic downtown with the Malecón, the church, and a more local feel. Families who want resort amenities stay in the Hotel Zone. Families who want to walk to everything stay in the Zona Romántica.
Hilton Vallarta Riviera
All inclusive resort on the south side of the bay with multiple pools, a kids club, and a long beach. Good for families who want a resort base with easy access to town. Around $250 to $400 USD per night all inclusive.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta
Hotel Zone resort with pools, a spa, and ocean views. Not all inclusive, which gives families flexibility to eat out. Close to the marina. Around $180 to $300 USD per night.
Hotel Playa Los Arcos
Right on Playa de los Muertos in the Zona Romántica. Beachfront pool, rooftop bar, and you walk out the door to restaurants and shops. Mid range and well located. Around $100 to $160 USD per night.
Casa Kimberly
Boutique hotel in a converted historic house above the centro with a pool, spa, and excellent views. More romantic than family resort, but works for families with older kids. Around $200 to $350 USD per night.
What to See
The Malecón
Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón is a 12 block pedestrian promenade along the waterfront. It is lined with sculptures, including the famous Caballero del Mar (seahorse rider) and a series of bronze figures by Alejandro Colunga. Street performers set up in the evenings. The sunsets from here are worth planning around.
Walk it in the late afternoon when the heat drops and the sky starts turning. Kids like the sculptures and the performers. There are ice cream shops and snack vendors along the route. It connects the centro to the north end of town and takes about 30 to 40 minutes at a slow pace.
Playa Conchas Chinas and the Beaches
Playa de los Muertos is the main public beach in the Zona Romántica. It is busy, has beach chair rentals, and restaurants right on the sand. Good for a beach day when you want food and drinks within reach.
Playa Conchas Chinas is about 10 minutes south by taxi. It is a smaller, quieter beach with rocky outcrops and tide pools. At low tide, kids can explore the pools and find crabs, small fish, and sea urchins. It is one of the better family beaches in the area because the rocks create calm, shallow areas.
For a boat trip, water taxis leave from Playa de los Muertos pier to the hidden beaches at Las Ánimas and Quimixto. No road access, just a beach with a few restaurants and calm water. The ride is about 20 minutes and costs around 250 MXN ($15 USD) round trip.
What to Eat
Puerto Vallarta has a strong food scene outside the hotel restaurants. The Zona Romántica has dozens of independent restaurants serving everything from fresh ceviche to wood fired pizza. The centro has taco stands and mariscos (seafood) places that locals eat at. Street tacos run 15 to 30 MXN ($1 to $2 USD) each. A sit down seafood meal for a family runs 400 to 800 MXN ($25 to $50 USD).
Pescado Zarandeado
Grilled Whole Fish
A butterflied whole fish marinated in adobo and grilled over charcoal. This is the signature dish of the Nayarit coast and it is served everywhere in Vallarta. Usually red snapper or sea bass. 150 to 250 MXN at a beachside restaurant.
Aguachile
Chile Lime Shrimp
Raw shrimp cured in lime juice with serrano chiles, cucumber, and red onion. Served cold with tostadas. It is spicy. Order the green (verde) version for less heat. 80 to 130 MXN.
Tacos de Birria
Stewed Beef Tacos
Slow cooked beef in a rich red chile broth, served in corn tortillas and dipped in the consommé. The tortillas are crisped on a griddle with melted cheese. Kids tend to like these because the meat is tender and not spicy. 20 to 40 MXN each.
Paleta
Mexican Fruit Popsicle
Fresh fruit popsicles sold from carts and small shops everywhere. Mango, coconut, lime, and watermelon are the common flavors. 15 to 30 MXN each. Kids will want one every afternoon and you will let them because it is that hot.
Nicole’s Perspective
Puerto Vallarta is the beach trip I recommend when families want Mexico with a real town attached. Los Cabos has the resorts. Cancún has the hotel strip. Vallarta has both the beach and a walkable downtown with actual restaurants and shops and a waterfront that feels like a city, not a resort zone.
I love planning Vallarta for families with kids in the 5 to 12 range. The whale watching from December through March is a highlight. The boat trips to the hidden beaches south of town give you a day that feels like an adventure without being complicated. And the Malecón at sunset is one of those walks where the whole family just slows down.
One thing I always flag. The sidewalks in the centro and Zona Romántica are narrow and uneven. If you have a stroller, you will end up in the street in places. A carrier works better for little ones. It is worth knowing before you go.
For families who want a resort base but still want to get out, I usually suggest a Hotel Zone property with two or three days in town built in. You get the pool and the kids club when you need it, and the tacos and the Malecón when you want it.
Day Trips
Sayulita
About 45 minutes north. A small surf town with a relaxed beach, good food, and colorful streets. The waves are gentle enough for kids to try boogie boarding. Families usually spend a full day here. Taxi or Uber runs about 400 to 600 MXN each way.
Jardín Botánico de Vallarta
About 30 minutes south in the Sierra Madre foothills. A 64 acre botanical garden with trails through tropical forest, a river with natural swimming holes, and a restaurant with views. Good for families who want a break from the beach.
Las Ánimas Beach
A water taxi from Playa de los Muertos pier, about 20 minutes. No road access. A quiet beach with a few palapa restaurants, calm water, and snorkeling. Bring your own gear or rent at the beach. Good for a half day trip.
Isla Río Cuale
A narrow river island in the middle of the city, between the centro and the Zona Romántica. Walking paths, a small cultural center, an outdoor market, and a few restaurants. Free and easy to reach on foot. Good for a morning wander with kids.
Practical Tips
Whale Season
Humpback whales come into Banderas Bay from December through March. Book a whale watching tour early in your trip in case weather pushes it. Expect to pay 800 to 1,500 MXN ($50 to $90 USD) per person for a 3 hour boat tour.
Sea Turtle Releases
From July through December, conservation programs release baby sea turtles on the beach at sunset. Many hotels coordinate releases for guests. It is free at public beaches. Check with your hotel or ask at the tourism office on the Malecón.
Sun and Heat
Puerto Vallarta is hot and humid, especially from June through October. Temperatures reach 90 to 95°F with high humidity. Plan outdoor activities for morning and late afternoon. Carry water. Afternoons are for the pool or air conditioned spaces.
Cash and Cards
Restaurants and shops in the tourist areas take cards. Taco stands, market vendors, and local buses are cash only. Keep 500 to 1,000 MXN in small bills. ATMs in the centro and Zona Romántica are easy to find.
How Many Days
Five days gives you beach time, the Malecón, a whale watching or boat trip, and a day trip to Sayulita or the botanical garden. Seven days lets you add more beach days, explore the hidden south shore beaches, and take the pace down. Puerto Vallarta is a place where you do not need to fill every day with activities.
Common Questions
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for families?
When should we visit Puerto Vallarta?
Can we skip the all inclusive?
Are the beaches good for young kids?
Do we need a car?
Planning a Trip to Mexico?
Puerto Vallarta is a trip I love putting together for families. Beach days, whale watching, boat trips, and taco crawls through the Zona Romántica. I know which resorts work and which restaurants are worth leaving the hotel for. If you want help, I would love to work with you.
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