Puerto Vallarta had been on my list for a while. We love the beach, we love wandering around a city, and we love trips where we can slow down and live like locals as much as possible. When we found affordable flights and an apartment right on the Malecón in Zona Romántica, it felt like the right fit for our family.
When we travel, each kid brings their own carry on sized rolling suitcase and a packable backpack. The backpack holds small personal items like snacks, books, small games, headphones, and a few comfort items. It keeps everything they want during travel right at their feet and makes airport days much easier.
We originally planned a week, but airfare worked out better if we stayed an extra night. Paying for one more night in our apartment was still cheaper than flying home a day earlier. And honestly, who ever regrets an extra day on vacation?
We ended up spending 8 nights in Puerto Vallarta, and it was exactly what we needed.
At the time of our trip, the boys were 10 and 13, which turned out to be a perfect age for this destination. Puerto Vallarta felt walkable, relaxed, and welcoming. It gave them independence without feeling overwhelming, and it gave us space to actually slow down.
We visited in mid-August, and it was definitely hot. Staying in a condo made a huge difference. We could come inside during the hottest part of the day, cool off in the air conditioning, play games, or relax in the pool. Mornings and evenings were our favorite times to be out walking.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Vista Del Sol, a gated condo building with a security guard and an unbeatable location right on the Malecón in Zona Romántica. You truly could not ask to be closer to everything.
The condo had two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, a full kitchen, and a balcony with a view of the beach. Having that much space made the trip feel comfortable instead of cramped, especially for a longer stay.
The balcony quickly became one of my favorite spots. We spent a lot of time out there watching the water, people walking along the Malecón, and the nightly fireworks, which we could see right from our balcony each evening.
Staying in a condo for over a week made organization really important, and packing cubes helped keep everyone’s clothes easy to find without unpacking everything at once.
What We Ate
Food was a big part of this trip, and we loved mixing sit down meals with easy takeout, grocery store finds, and street food. Having a full kitchen made it easy to keep things simple when we wanted to and splurge when it felt right.
La Langosta Loca
Our very first dinner was right on the beach. Charlie crossed octopus off his food bucket list with an octopus and avocado tostada, which felt like a pretty memorable way to kick off the trip.
La Galette Pâtisserie
Right behind our apartment was a tiny hole in the wall French bakery that quickly became a favorite. Tom ran down several mornings to grab breakfast or mid-day treats.
Their chocolate croissants were my favorite, but the ham and cheese croissant and fruit tarts were also excellent.
Roberto’s Cafe Bistro & Gelato
We stopped here for a relaxed breakfast after a morning walk along the Malecón. The kids ordered waffles topped with a ridiculous amount of fruit and ice cream, which was perfect for a yummy late breakfast that felt more like dessert for the boys!
Café de Olla
One morning Charlie slept until nearly noon, which pushed breakfast much later than planned. We ended up at Café de Olla for a relaxed, late breakfast that felt perfect for a slower day. It was one of those meals that reminded us how easy it was to adjust plans and go with the flow on this trip.
Pancho’s Takos
We headed here for tacos al pastor one night. The line usually wraps down the street, but we somehow timed it perfectly and were seated immediately.
El Pechugon Rosticerias
One evening, we grabbed a whole rotisserie chicken, potatoes, and sides to bring back to the condo. After chatting with a local woman who picks one up every week, we completely understood why. We also had leftovers, which worked out perfectly for us.
Langostinos
We spent hours at the beach here. Tom and I ordered beer and margaritas, while the kids had chicken fingers and fries. We shared chips, salsa, and guacamole.
Helados Dolphy
We only stopped here once, but it was right down from Los Muertos Pier and absolutely delicious. It was the perfect treat after an evening walk.
Street Food
Street food was everywhere at night. We grabbed churros we watched being made, fresas con crema, and street hot dogs while wandering.
Easy Meals at “Home”
Some nights we ate at the condo with mac and cheese, pizza, spaghetti, pancakes, and eggs and bacon. Those nights usually ended with Skip Bo or a movie, including one night watching The Road to El Dorado together.
L’Angolo Di Napoli
On our last full day, we grabbed takeaway pizza, brought it back to the pool, and stretched lunch into the afternoon.
The Iguana at Casa Kimberly
One night we decided to splurge on dinner here. The view alone made it worth it. Sitting above the city and watching the lights come on as the sun went down was absolutely beautiful.
As we were leaving, a stranger stopped me to tell me what a lovely family we have and how well-behaved our kids were. We’ve always believed that the best way to get kids to act properly out in public is to actually take them out!
Casa Nicole Restaurante
Our final breakfast was here, and it was incredible. We ordered more than we needed and took leftovers to the airport.
What We Did
Walking the Malecón
We covered a lot of ground every day, and comfortable walking sandals were an absolute must for this trip. A small crossbody travel bag made it easy to keep essentials close without feeling weighed down.
One afternoon we got caught in a sudden tropical storm and sprinted back to the condo laughing and soaked. Later that night, we briefly lost power and ended up playing cards and talking while the sky changed colors.
Lázaro Cárdenas Park
Also known as Mosaic Park, this small park just off the Malecón is filled with colorful mosaic benches and pillars. Families, artists, and organizations designed individual benches, and you can see their stories reflected in the artwork.
Cityfuntastic Tour
We explored downtown, learned about fire opals, watched an artisan work with leather, and saw Los Arcos from the great photo stop.
Los Veranos Canopy and Adventure Park
The squirrel monkeys climbed right on us and completely stole the show. And yes, despite having absolutely no desire to do so, I held the snake.
Naval Museum
Located right on the Malecón next to the arches, this was a cheap and easy way to cool off. The ship driving simulator was a big hit with the kids.
Beach Days and Nights
We kept a small beach bag packed so we could head down whenever we wanted. A waterproof phone pouch was great for peace of mind around the water, and reef safe sunscreen was a must.
We spent hours at the beach, watched dogs wander by, and even saw people repairing a boat motor nearby.
One of my favorite parts of our beach days was buying snacks from the vendedores ambulantes walking along Los Muertos Beach. We picked up a big bag of freshly cut pineapple to share and got the boys each a mango on a stick. Simple, fresh, and exactly what we wanted on a hot afternoon.
Sunday night on the Malecón was especially lively with glass blowing, live music, dancing, and street food.
One night we wandered over to the area around Plaza de Armas, near Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and City Hall. On many evenings, especially on weekends, the square fills up with food vendors, music, and families, and that night it was absolutely buzzing. The area was packed with people, kids were dancing, music was playing, and food smells were everywhere. We grabbed snacks, listened to music, and just soaked it all in. It was loud, busy, and a lot of fun, and it felt like exactly where we were supposed to be that night.
On our way back to our home for the week, we saw a sea turtle coming in to lay eggs.
Pool Time
We spent a lot of time in the pool during this trip. Some days it was a quick dip to cool off between walks. Other days it turned into a longer stretch of swimming, lounging, and doing absolutely nothing.
The rooftop pool was especially nice in the afternoons when the heat peaked. There were plenty of chairs around the pool, along with tables and chairs under shaded cover, which made it easy to settle in for a while. The rooftop also had a couple of small kitchen areas with mini fridges, sinks, and grills, which made it feel more like an extension of our living space than just a pool.
It gave the boys a place to burn energy while we relaxed nearby, and it was often quiet enough that it felt like our own little escape. A few nights ended with late swims after dinner, which quickly became one of our favorite ways to wrap up the day. We even caught the nightly fireworks from the roof one night!
Pool time helped balance out all the walking and exploring and made the trip feel relaxed.
Final Thoughts
Our final full day was exactly how we like to travel. I sat on the balcony with a chocolate croissant, watching the water and the city wake up.
Our flights home were delayed, but even that felt manageable. We played games at the airport and reflected on just how much we loved this trip.
Puerto Vallarta gave us space to rest, connect, and just be together. It is absolutely a place we would return to.
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