Airbnb and Vacation Rentals in Puerto Vallarta
Thousands of condos and apartments, most of them in Old Town. Where to rent, what it costs, the taxes and rules, and how to avoid the common problems.
Holiday rentals are a big part of how people stay in Puerto Vallarta. Market trackers count between about 6,500 and 7,000 active short-term listings in the city, and nearly as many again across the bay in Nuevo Vallarta and the Nayarit towns. Most are whole apartments and condos, many with a kitchen, a terrace and a view — which is why a rental often beats a hotel for a week or more. This page covers where to rent, what it costs, the taxes and rules, and what to check before you pay.
At a glance
| Listings | About 6,500–7,000 active in Puerto Vallarta (2025–26 estimates); about 6,800 in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit |
|---|---|
| Type | Over 90% are entire homes, mostly apartments and condos; one-bedrooms are the most common |
| Typical stay | About a week, booked around two months ahead |
| Busiest months | January to March; quietest June to September |
| Tax added | 5% state lodging tax in Jalisco and in Nayarit, collected by Airbnb |
| Rules | No specific short-term rental law in force in Jalisco as of October 2026; a reform is being debated |
Where to rent
Listings and average nightly rates by area, from one tracker's data for February 2025 to January 2026. Other trackers give different averages — one puts the city-wide figure at about US$175 a night, another at US$223 — so read these as a guide to the differences between areas, not as quotes.
| Area | Listings | Average per night | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zona Romántica (Old Town) | About 2,070 | About MXN 2,600 | Walking to the beach, restaurants and nightlife |
| Marina Vallarta | About 500 | About MXN 2,700 | Quiet, flat, near the airport |
| Las Glorias (Hotel Zone) | About 530 | — | Between the city and the marina |
| 5 de Diciembre (north of downtown) | About 430 | About MXN 1,450 | Lower prices, a walk to the Malecón |
| Conchas Chinas | About 300 | About MXN 7,950 | Villas and condos with views |
| Nuevo Vallarta | About 1,130 | About MXN 2,550 | Resort-style condos on a long beach, far from town |
The hillside neighbourhoods south of Old Town — Amapas and Conchas Chinas — have the views, and the steps and steep streets that come with them; look closely at the location before booking if anyone in your group has trouble with stairs. For a full comparison of the areas, see where to stay.
Rental or hotel?
For a long weekend, a hotel is usually simpler: a front desk, daily cleaning and no key handover. From about a week, a rental often wins on space and cost, with a kitchen for breakfasts and often a washing machine — the reasoning is in our 7-day itinerary. Families wanting kids' clubs and a calm beach may still prefer a resort; see hotels in Nuevo Vallarta and all-inclusive resorts.
Before you book: what to check
- Never pay outside the platform. Airbnb and Mexico's consumer agency, Profeco, are both explicit: no bank transfers, PayPal or crypto to a host. Your payment is only protected if it's made through the platform, and a request to pay outside it is a classic scam.
- See the full price. Profeco says the total, in pesos and including taxes, should be shown before you pay; on Airbnb, every mandatory charge must appear at checkout.
- Safety equipment. Profeco advises checking for a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, a first-aid kit, a safe and a local emergency number.
- Stairs, hills and access in the hillside neighbourhoods, and noise in the liveliest streets of Old Town — read the reviews for both.
- Drinking water: don't drink from the tap; buy a large refillable jug, a garrafón (drinking water).
- Problems on arrival: Airbnb's guest cover applies if you can't get in, the listing isn't as described or major amenities are missing — contact the host and the platform within 72 hours. Complaints can also go to Profeco (800 468 8722).
Hurricane season and cancellations
The Pacific hurricane season runs from mid-May to the end of November, and storms can cut power and water. Airbnb's policy on major disruptive events covers a hurricane in the season only if it leads to an evacuation order or a large-scale utility outage; otherwise the host's normal cancellation policy applies. If you're booking between June and November, buy travel insurance that covers storms, and read the cancellation terms. See weather.
Taxes and rules in 2026
- Lodging tax: Airbnb collects a 5% state lodging tax in Jalisco and in Nayarit, on the listing price including cleaning fees; guests may also pay 16% VAT. Jalisco raised its rate from 3% towards 5% in 2025, and Airbnb has collected the tax under an agreement with the state since 2022.
- Regulation: Jalisco has no specific short-term rental law in force. A bill introduced in 2025 proposed capping rentals at 180 nights a year (90 in high-demand neighbourhoods) and creating a public registry; in July 2026 a state congress committee approved a narrower package of tax reforms aimed at owners of multiple investment and rental properties, which still needs a vote. Nayarit has no equivalent law for Bahía de Banderas.
- Tourist fees: Puerto Vallarta's charge on foreign tourists, approved for 2025, was declared unconstitutional by Mexico's Supreme Court in December 2025; according to local press it was never collected. In Bahía de Banderas, a municipal environmental fee was proposed in August 2026 but is not in force.
The local debate
Rentals have changed Old Town. A 2023 University of Guadalajara study found that in Emiliano Zapata, the neighbourhood that covers most of Zona Romántica, 60% of homes were in temporary use, and that residents were moving out to Ixtapa and Las Palmas, with the same pressure spreading to Marina Vallarta, Versalles and other districts. It's part of why the state is debating regulation. As a guest, being a good neighbour — keeping the noise down at night and following the building's rules on rubbish and the pool — matters.
Frequently asked
Is Airbnb legal in Puerto Vallarta?
Yes. As of October 2026 Jalisco has no specific short-term rental law in force; a reform, including possible limits and a registry, is being debated in the state congress. Airbnb collects the state lodging tax.
What taxes are added to an Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta?
A 5% state lodging tax, which Airbnb collects in both Jalisco and Nayarit on the listing price including cleaning fees, and in some cases 16% VAT. Check the total in pesos before you pay.
What is the best area for an Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta?
Zona Romántica (Old Town) has the most listings and lets you walk to the beach and restaurants. Amapas and Conchas Chinas have views but steep streets; Marina Vallarta is quiet and flat; Nuevo Vallarta suits a resort-style stay.
Is an Airbnb or a hotel better in Puerto Vallarta?
For a short stay a hotel is simpler; from about a week, a rental usually gives more space for the money, with a kitchen and often laundry. Families wanting kids' clubs may prefer a resort.
What happens if a hurricane hits during my Airbnb stay?
Airbnb's disruptive events policy covers an in-season hurricane only if it causes an evacuation order or a large-scale utility outage; otherwise the host's cancellation policy applies. Travel insurance that covers storms is worth having from June to November.
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