10 Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta on a Small Budget

Travelling off-season is one of the easiest ways to plan a budget friendly holiday in Puerto Vallarta. For this coastal city, that’s surprisingly during the summer (July–September). You can often find good deals on airfare and hotel rates then. However, expect relatively hot days with sudden, but short, rain showers. Another advantage to visiting Puerto Vallarta in the summer is that there’s a good chance of having most of the beach to yourself. Save even more money by checking in to a hostel rather than an all-inclusive resort.

You can find plenty of street vendors in Puerto Vallarta, but those in touristy areas such as Centro and Playa Los Muerto tend to be quite expensive. In the evening, locals often frequent Old Vallata’s Plaza de Armas, where there are dozens of vendors selling Mexican street food such as tacos, quesadillas, and pescado embarazado (grilled fish on a stick). Located in Old Vallarta, this central square also hosts free music and dance performances on certain days of the week.

Travelling by taxi or rideshare may be the fastest way to get to your hotel, but it can easily drain your wallet as well. Local buses cost only a fraction of what you'd pay for a one-way taxi trip from the airport to a hotel in downtown Vallarta. If you’re travelling in a group and prefer to travel by taxi, it’s possible to hire your driver as a tour guide instead of spending extra money on separate excursions.

There’s always something happening in Puerto Vallarta’s lively neighbourhoods, from traditional music and dances, to art exhibits and acrobatic performances – and most of them are free to enjoy. Every day at 6pm, the Malecón promenade hosts an ancient ceremony called Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers), which features 5 men performing acrobatic moves on top of a 30-metre pole. Los Arcos Amphitheatre is another popular venue, with choirs, bands, and dancers taking the stage on Thursday and Sunday evenings.

Puerto Vallarta’s main beach, Playa Los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) is hugely popular, with lots of places to eat and drink and a variety of water sports on offer. The 1-km-long shoreline has a modern pier that’s shaped like a sail, where you get to enjoy views of boats dotted across Banderas Bay. The waters are calm throughout the year, and attract those who enjoy jet-skiing and windsurfing.

If you want to explore Puerto Vallarta’s quirky art scene, there’s a free walking tour that takes place on Thursday mornings. The guided tour starts at The Millennium sculpture at the northern end of the Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón. Several local sculptors, including guide Gary Thompson, share the interesting stories behind approximately 15 art installations along the boardwalk. The sculpture tour takes about 2 hours and finishes with free drinks at Galeria Pacifico, which is owned by Thompson. You can donate a few dollars if you wish, all proceeds go to the Los Mangos Public Library.

Playa Olas Altas (High Waves Beach) is a quiet stretch of beach about 1 km north of Playa Los Muertos Pier. The waves are big enough to surf, sometimes reaching heights of 2 metres and above. The best time to enjoy surfing in Playa Olas Altas is from April to October. You can also enjoy relaxing activities such as sunbathing, but it’s best to head up north to the Carpa Olivera pool if you want to swim.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe is dedicated to the patron saint of Mexico and of Puerto Vallarta. The centre of the cathedral's marble altarpiece holds the image of the lady and the brick bell tower is adorned with a crown that pays homage to the one worn by Carlota, who was briefly empress of Mexico in the 1860s. If you are looking for a good time to visit, December 1st to 12th is ideal as you’ll also be able to enjoy the street processions, festive food, and mariachi music as people come together to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Puerto Vallarta has a thriving nightlife scene where bars and clubs complement the late-night restaurants and live music. Indeed, if you want to party the night away, you’ll be spoilt for choice when barhopping in Malecon and Centro Puerto Vallarta. Drinks are relatively cheap here, but head for the bars during happy hour (usually from 2pm to 6pm and from 10pm to midnight) to enjoy two-for-one deals and free drinks (for ladies).