The Luxury Lover's Guide to Puerto Vallarta

This coastal Jalisco town has long attracted artists, celebrities, and discerning travelers. Here's how to do it right.

By the Full-Time Travel editors

Ever since Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton spent time in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, in the 1960s while Burton was filming The Night of the Iguana, the Mexican beach town has solidified its place as a luxury getaway. What was once a quiet fishing village is now an international destination on the western coast of Jalisco for discerning travelers. For decades, celebrities including Bob Dylan, Kate Hudson, and Zendaya have visited this Jalisco paradise.

It’s easy to see why. Puerto Vallarta offers upscale hospitality, a world-class culinary scene, and high-end wellness experiences. And with about 20 different U.S. airports offering direct flights, it’s a quick escape any time of year.

Here’s how to plan a luxurious trip to Puerto Vallarta.

 

Where to Eat 

Puerto Vallarta is earning its place as a destination for some of Mexico’s top restaurants. ICÚ was recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026. Make a reservation in the elegant dining room for the seasonal tasting menu. 

Tintoque serves creative local Mexican seafood dishes, while the artsy Makal is known for its modern Mexican fusion cuisine. For unbeatable sunset views, dine at the open-air La Cappella Restaurante, where Italian cuisine is served against the picturesque backdrop of the iconic Guadalupe Cathedral. One of the most avant-garde eateries in town is La Leche, with its all-white aesthetic and creative gourmet menu. Enjoy seafood with sweeping views of the Banderas Bay at Le Kliff and fine dining at Blanca Blue Restaurant at Garza Blanca Resort. 

Grab after-dinner drinks made with Mexican spirits on the terrace at The Iguana in Casa Kimberly, or have one of the best craft cocktails in town at the lesbian-owned Elixir Mixology Bar. (Puerto Vallarta at large celebrates LGBTQ+, and you’ll notice it immediately.) If you prefer a lounge vibe, book a table at El Colibrí.

 

Where to Stay 

For a classic stay, book a room at Casa Kimberly in the Elizabeth Taylor Suite, where you can soak in Taylor’s original pink marble bathtub or relax in the private swimming pool. For a traditional stay, consider Hacienda San Angel, Richard Burton’s former residence. The hacienda features lush gardens with tiled fountains, classic Jalisco decor, and three swimming pools. Both luxury boutique hotels have Michelin One Key recognition. 

For a resort experience, book one of the properties at the Garza Blanca Preserve. The newest accommodation is the Garza Blanca Sanctuary Tower, an all-inclusive experience with personalized butler service, a panoramic infinity pool, an adults-only rooftop bar, and ocean-view suites. Within the preserve is the only five-diamond adults-only resort in Puerto Vallarta, the beachfront Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta. Reserve a modern ocean-view luxury suite and enjoy the on-site wine tastings, tequila tastings, yoga classes, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. The all-inclusive package includes gourmet dining, premium beverages, and personalized spa treatments. 

There are many private villa rentals in Puerto Vallarta, too. Villa Pura Vida has ocean views and a heated infinity pool. Villa McFuego is decorated with charming traditional Mexican folk decor and has private beach access. And the adults-only Villa Lala suites have private infinity pools with ocean views. 

What to Do 

If you want a tee time (because of course you do), head to Vista Vallarta Club de Golf. Or keep up with your fitness in other ways, like at Khōna, a reformer Pilates studio. You can also book a yoga retreat in the jungle at Xinalani Retreat, where daily yoga classes , a gorgeous spa, and a traditional Temazcal (an ancestral sweat lodge ritual for physical and spiritual purification) are offered. Beyond Yoga Retreat offers eight-day yoga retreats throughout the year in the hills of Puerto Vallarta, with twice-daily yoga, open-air meditations, sound baths, breathwork, and more.

The most luxurious spa in Puerto Vallarta has to be Garza Blanca’s Spa Imagine, with ocean-view hydrotherapy and a treatment menu that includes HydraFacials, cacao body wraps, and Thai massages. 

For a beach club experience, book a day pass at Xalli Club and enjoy the aquamarine waters and silky white sand.

Visit Atarraya to learn about Jalisco’s agave spirit, raicilla.  

For souvenirs, pick up local handmade artisanal goods and clothing at Calima, or purchase fine jewelry at Musa, beachwear at Zol, and handicrafts at Piedra de Río, all in TierraLuna Gardens.  

No trip to Puerto Vallarta is complete without a boat ride. Jets Private Boat Tours offers private yacht charters around the bay. Pro tip: Puerto Vallarta’s sunsets are best enjoyed from a yacht—with a tequila in hand. 

See You Down There  

Luxury isn't just about five-star hotels or Michelin-recognized restaurants. It's about slowing down enough to enjoy them. Puerto Vallarta has mastered that balance, pairing exceptional hospitality with a laid-back rhythm that's increasingly hard to find. Whether you're sipping raicilla on a rooftop terrace, watching the sun disappear over Banderas Bay from the deck of a yacht, or lingering over a multicourse tasting menu, you'll quickly understand why generations of savvy travelers keep coming back.  

Because the best part of Mexico isn't something you simply see. It's something you feel.

¡Salud!