So you want to travel to Puerto Vallarta but are unsure of which area you should stay in? Rest assured we got you covered. As a Los Angeles, California native Puerto Vallarta sparked my interest being a convenient two-hour flight from home. Icswimwear’s first launch was dedicated to this beautiful destination. My first trip was in 2016 and since then I traveled back to the region a total of four times. So, lets dive in! I will break down four of my favorite locations.
Romantic Zone: The Romantic Zone AKA Zona Romántica is located right in the heart of Puerto Vallarta. This is a lively area with numerous options for food, night life, art, and so much more. If you are very social and enjoy walking around stumbling across hidden gems as well as still being able to enjoy the beach this may be the location for you. You will find a lot of hotels available in this part of town. You could choose from hostels, traditional hotels, boutique hotels and Airbnb’s. Whichever, you prefer I am sure you will find it here. I’ll share a recommendation. During my stay in November 2020, I stayed at Rivera Del Rio a luxury boutique hotel. We loved the décor and charm. The hotel is located directly across the river and has multiple pools and a jacuzzi. The staff was exceptional, and Carolina made the best margaritas! The location of the hotel was great and only a 10-minute walk to the beach.
Left (Hotel Rivera Del Rio) Right (ICSWIMWEAR Bikini “Zona Romantica” shot at Rivera Del Rio)
Boca de Tomatlan: Now this may be my favorite area in Puerto Vallarta. This location is a small fishing town with much more to offer than fresh fish. A 45 minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. This is the perfect location for hiking lovers and beach hoppers. You will find local restaurants with delicious fresh fish options for half the price of more touristy areas (hotel zone) BUT if you are into high end restaurants check out Le Kliff the food and ambiance was a 10/10. What we loved most about this town was the access to many local beaches that are so exotic and more appealing than the average beach. To access the several beaches in this area such as Colomitos, Las Animas, and Yelapa you can hike or take a boat taxi. The beaches are stunning! For hotel recommendations we stayed at the beautiful Villa Armonia Luxury Boutique the villa was gorgeous and the staff were welcoming and gave us plenty of recommendations.
Left (view from balcony at Villa Armonia) Right ( ICSWIMWEAR bikini “Carolina” at beach Boca de Tomatlan)
Hotel Zone: If you are looking to relax and stay at an all-inclusive hotel this is the area for you! Imagine watching the sunset on your balcony in a jacuzzi tub sipping a cocktail! Whew ! Well that’s exactly what you can do here. The vibes are immaculate! Staying in the Hotel Zone, eating delicious dinners and enjoying cocktails by the pool is the vibe here. I have seen some of the most beautiful sunsets in Puerto Vallarta! So, if you plan on staying in this area make sure you book a room with a balcony facing the ocean. Although, the vibes in the hotel zone are relaxing you can still choose from a variety of excursions or simply just walk to the beach and you will find jet skis, kayaking and much more. For Hotel recommendations, I stayed at a 5 star all-inclusive resort Grand Fiesta Americana (now The Hilton) It was definitely worth it the food was so good and the drinks were not watered down. It was top shelf baby! (LOL)
Left (Grand Fiesta/Hilton) Right (ICSWIMWEAR bikini “sunset” on a balcony in Puerto Vallarta )
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: If you are looking for more remoteness this is the perfect area for you. Only 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. This destination is not as popular as the previous locations but still has a lot to offer! A beautiful lush green scenery with peaceful beaches. In this area you will find options to stay at remote villas, all-inclusive resorts, and boutique hotels. What I loved most about this area was seeing a lush green atmosphere and ocean views from the balcony of my hotel. The atmosphere gave me peace. I saw so many exotic birds and enjoyed the local hiking trails in the area. For hotel recommendations I stayed at Grand Matlali Hills Resort (all-inclusive). The hotel recently went under renovation. One part of the resort is now a new resort “Delta Hotels by Marriott”. I stayed at both resorts. The atmosphere is beautiful and the food and drinks are well prepared!
Left ( Delta Hotels) Right (ICSWIMWEAR “seashore skirt + beach bag at Grand Matlali)