Puerto Vallarta Itineraries
Ready-made day-by-day plans, so you don't have to build one from scratch.
Not sure how to fit it all in? These itineraries balance beach, town and day trips for different trip lengths. Start with the one that matches your stay, then swap in whatever suits you — they're a framework, not a rulebook.
Which itinerary should you use?
The day-by-day plans and the themed plans are not alternatives — pick a length, then borrow from the theme that matches you.
| Your situation | Start here | Then borrow from |
|---|---|---|
| Long weekend | 3 days | 5 days for the before-you-go list |
| Standard holiday or first visit | 5 days | Whichever theme fits |
| A full week | 7 days | Budget if cost matters |
| Couple | Couples | 5 days |
| With children | Families | 7 days |
| Watching the budget | Budget | Trip cost |
Puerto Vallarta for Couples
Sunsets, secluded coves and Old Town dinners.
Read →
Puerto Vallarta with Kids
Calm beaches, short boat trips, easy bases.
Read →
Puerto Vallarta on a Budget
Buses, water taxis and taco stands.
Read →
3 Days in Puerto Vallarta
The essentials: Old Town, one big boat trip, a beach day.
Read →
5 Days in Puerto Vallarta
The first-trip plan: two day trips, a food tour, time to relax.
Read →
7 Days in Puerto Vallarta
Add Sayulita or Bucerías and settle into the pace.
Read →
How Many Days Do You Need?
Work out the right length for your trip.
Read →How long do you actually need?
| Length | What fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Old Town, one boat trip, one beach day | A long weekend or a cruise add-on |
| 5 days | Two day trips, a food tour, a genuine down day | Most people — the sweet spot |
| 7 days | Everything above plus a town up the coast and real downtime | A proper holiday, no rushing |
If you are unsure how many days to book in the first place, how many days do you need works through it.
How to build your own
If you'd rather improvise, three rules produce a good week almost every time:
- Water in the morning. Seas are calmer and light is better.
- One big thing a day, maximum. Boat days are long; stacking two leaves you exhausted and enjoying neither.
- Leave a third of your days empty. The pace is half the appeal — the days people remember are usually the unplanned ones.
The one trip most itineraries build around is the Marietas Islands — book it early in your stay so bad weather leaves you a fallback day. A reliable daily shape: morning on the water or the beach, a long lunch, an afternoon in the shade, then the Malecón at golden hour and dinner in Old Town.
What to book ahead — and what not to
- Book ahead: your accommodation, the airport transfer, and one seasonal boat trip (whales sell out December–March).
- Book on arrival: most tours, restaurants, and anything weather-dependent — you'll get better prices and can read the forecast.
- Don't book at all: beaches, the Malecón, Isla Cuale, and the best evenings.
Adjust for the season
In the dry season (November–April) you can plan freely. In the green season (June–October), front-load the day: do everything outdoors before mid-afternoon and treat a late-day downpour as likely rather than possible. December to March adds whale watching, which is worth restructuring a trip around if your dates allow.
Latest articles
Puerto Vallarta Transport Cost Estimator
What it costs to get around Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay — by bus, Uber, taxi or water taxi — with the…
Read →
Puerto Vallarta Trip Budget Calculator
Work out what your trip will cost — in total, per person and per day — from a guesthouse budget to a resort…
Read →
Puerto Vallarta Map
The city, the beaches, the boat-only coves and the towns around Banderas Bay on one map — each linked to its…
Read →