Thanks to an amazing friend I found myself in Puerto Vallarta for the week of Thanksgiving, with the only catch being that my friend wasn’t actually there on the day or the weekend after – giving me the opportunity to explore the city and surrounding area after first getting settled in with her. Definite disclaimer that this is in no way a comprehensive overview of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta in 48 hours, but happy to share where I ended up, when, in the hopes that it might help in your planning and/or daydreaming for a weekend trip to Puerto Vallarta.
Day 1 – Zona Romantica
4pm – Maybe it’s my age, but I’m finding myself more and more inclined to find flights that land in the late afternoon or evening, giving me a chance to settle in a bit but really start the trip refreshed the next morning. Minor money saving tip for arrivals at the Puerto Vallarta airport – if you get a rideshare rather than a taxi, they have to pick you up on the road outside the actual airport; just walk to the left as you get outside and you’ll reach the road and a pedestrian bridge to take you to the other side. Thanks to my friend I got to stay at the Marcela Resort which was stunning, if somewhat difficult for my Uber driver.
6pm – Walk down into the Zona Romantica and perhaps to the beach beyond at Playa Los Muertos. If you happen to be there in late November the timing is perfect to watch the sunset on the beach – maybe with a drink – before finding a dinner spot. After dinner, you can wander back to the beach and people watch at the pier, Muelle de Playa Los Muertos.
Day 2
9am – After breakfast at your hotel, pack for an adventure – sturdy shoes, bathing suit, sunscreen, water bottle, maybe some snacks. There’s an incredible hike along the coast that you can get to by public transit that ends on the beach, where you can get lunch and then take a water taxi back. Walk into the Zona Romantica and catch the C01 bus at Constitución y Calle Basilio Badillo – check with the driver that you’re going to Boca de Tomatlan.
10am – Boca is a little fishing village where you could also take a water taxi straight to Playa las Animas if you like, but if you want to do the hike, just walk away from the ocean along the river until you get to a pedestrian bridge; cross that and start walking back towards the ocean, and you should see signs for Colomitos or Playa Las Animas. The path can be tricky at times so your sturdy shoes will come in handy, and make sure you drink plenty of water; depending on how many of the hidden beaches along the way you stop to explore (!) it can take a couple of hours to get to Playa Las Animas.
12pm – There are plenty of places to get lunch at Las Animas, and you may find yourself wiling away the rest of the afternoon at the beach. Whenever you’re ready to head back, just walk out on the pier and start telling people you’re looking to go to Boca, and someone will get you in the right boat. From Boca, just look for a bus going back towards Puerto Vallarta and it should let you off in the Zona Romantica. Or, you can probably find a boat willing to take you back to Las Animas from Boca.
*Between Boca and Puerto Vallarta there’s also apparently great snorkeling at Mismaloya – you could probably figure out a way to fit that into the afternoon, but I didn’t, so no particular tips.
**An alternate day trip if you’re looking for a different sort of adventure is up north to Sayulita (of course, also a destination in and of itself). You can rent a car and drive a triangle around the peninsula out to Punta Mita as well.
6pm – After you rest and shower back at your hotel, you might be up for a fancy dinner; we really enjoyed ICU near the Zona Hotelera.
Day 3 – Mirador and Centro
8am – If you can manage it, I recommend an early start to beat the heat for a bit of city walking (and bring some water). Head down into the Zona Romantica and towards the water, then take the Malecon across the Puente Rio Cuale until you reach Los Arcos and the Letras Puerto Vallarta near the Centro. From here you’re headed uphill to the Mirador el Cerro de la Cruz. You can wind your way through the downtown streets a bit, but you want to end up on Abasalo to really start the climb (you can see “Inicio sendero Cerro la Cruz” on Google Maps. It’s steep, but the panoramic views of the city from the top are worth it!
10am – After that climb and a well-deserved rest at the top, make your way back into the Centro. You might be in search of brunch at this point; there are plenty of options, including plenty of places with smoothies and vegan options if that’s your vibe. Spend the rest of the time until you need to get ready to leave exploring the Centro area, where there’s plenty of shopping, people-watching, and of course always the beach.
Google probably wants me to remind you that this is a post to help you plan a weekend trip to Puerto Vallarta. You might want to check out other internal links. Happy walking!
