Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Data Sheet
Background:
I have been going to PV for about seven years now, but recently just completed a five-month trip. I spent most of my time in the marina area, but went downtown often. I am surprised there isn't yet a datasheet for PV given that it is a big tourist destination, so here it is.
About:
Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist/retirement town particularly for Americans and Canadians, and lies on the coast to the west of Guadalajara. It was an undiscovered gem until "Night of the Iguana" was filmed there, and ever since then it has begun to explode. Obviously there are still many locals, but there is a massive forein population when compared to the rest of Mexico.
Lodging:
This depends on which area you will be primarily. There are a lot of cool hotels and AirBNBs downtown, (I believe there is a hostel too) or if you prefer a resort, there are plenty of options in the marina area. I can't say there is any area I would particularly avoid, just do your research first to ensure you aren't staying in a dump.
Transport:
A lot of U.S. airlines will let you fly directly into Puerto Vallarta; however, some require you to connect. Once you land, walk out of the airport without looking at or talking to anyone, they're just trying to sell you timeshares and over-priced cab rides. Upon exiting the airport, take a left and walk across the bridge. You will now be standing in front of a restaurant, and there will likely be several cabs. Cabs over here are much cheaper and they know that you know what you're doing. Get a cab or an Uber from there. The ride to the marina should only be about 5-10 minutes, downtown should be about 25 or 30 minutes, and if you are going to Mismaloya it will take about an hour.
In the marina area, I walked or rode a bike to most places. In downtown you can walk anywhere and if you are staying there you likely will not need an Uber home.
Day gaming:
Being a tourist town, you need to work game differently amongst locals, foreign tourists, and Mexican tourists.The high season for foreigners is November to May, and the Mexican tourists will usually come in August or September. The best areas to daygame would be the Malecon, the Romantic Zone, (this is a cool area but has a bunch of gays) Playa de los Muertos, and the Marina. (ONLY in the on season) Foreign tourists will respond well most of the time, but if they are younger and in the Marina, they are likely with their family. This didn't stop me but may be a roadblock. Most of the younger tourists will stay downtown and will be with friends.
Downtown Daygame:
The Malecon: A walkway along the ocean with vendors, shops, bars, and restaurants.
Devil's Bar: This is a tiny bar that seats about 15 people on the Malecon for a nice view. Most of the people that are here during the day are passersby that are day drinking. I have met a few girls here that I have gotten numbers from and/or ended up bouncing with them to another spot. Very underestimated if you ask me.
Saturday Market: There is a Market every Saturday during the on season in the square with live music. This place becomes packed with hippie girls.
Romantic Zone: Be careful if you are with a wing as people might suspect you are gay, but even though it is the gay area, it has plenty of girls.
Marina Daygame:
Chappy's: I know everything there is to know about this place and everyone in it. During the off season it is the same old people that come in like clockwork; however, during the on season you will find plenty of tourist girls coming in. Even the ones with their families will be willing to come meet you later.
Thursday market: Every Thursday during the on season the Marina will become filled with people. I believe it begins around 6 PM and lasts until 10 PM.
Starbucks: I came here a lot during the day in the off season and there are very attractive, business-type women that will come in and sit for a while. Girls in Mexico are very responsive in my experience, even if you don't speak Spanish.
Honorable mentions: Brando's, La Federal, The Beer Box
Nightlife:
Mandala: This is the most popular nightclub in PV. It is your typical nightclub scene, packed with tourists and locals alike, but be prepared to drop some coin A lot of people club hop since they are all next to each other.
La Vaquita: I picked up a girl here that didn't even speak English. If you have blonde hair and blue eyes (Guero) here, then you are one step ahead of everyone immediately.
La Bodeguita del Medio: There are only about five of these in the world. This is the place in Cuba that invented the mojito and where Ernest Hemingway used to kick it. The one located on the Malecon will have a live salsa band most nights and senoritas shaking their asses. if you know salsa, come here. If you don't, come here, grab a mojito and a cuban cigar and get a girl to teach you.
Andale's: This place is insane. There will likely be a bachelorette party, birthday party, or something like that going on, and the place is filled with horny MILFs every night.
Twisted Palms: This is a martini bar, but you see more of the foreign retired crowd here because it is hidden. Every Monday, there are two for one martinis and they play old school James Bond movies on a projector. Better suited as a date spot.
There are way too many places to name as far as nightlife goes, you need to just walk around and see where the action is.
Online Gaming:
I was able to get laid quite a bit through Tinder and Bumble by local girls and tourists alike. There are more girls on Tinder, but they are surprisingly open to just coming to your spot or meeting you that day or the next.
Summary:
Puerto Vallarta has everything to offer: good spots, local and foreign girls, good place for business connections, etc. Most people here speak English, so if you don't speak Spanish, it is much easier to communicate as opposed to the rest of Mexico. Additionally, it doesn't take long to build a social circle. If you know where you are going and know the right people, you can slay it here at any age.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have about the city not covered in this datasheet.
Background:
I have been going to PV for about seven years now, but recently just completed a five-month trip. I spent most of my time in the marina area, but went downtown often. I am surprised there isn't yet a datasheet for PV given that it is a big tourist destination, so here it is.
About:
Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist/retirement town particularly for Americans and Canadians, and lies on the coast to the west of Guadalajara. It was an undiscovered gem until "Night of the Iguana" was filmed there, and ever since then it has begun to explode. Obviously there are still many locals, but there is a massive forein population when compared to the rest of Mexico.
Lodging:
This depends on which area you will be primarily. There are a lot of cool hotels and AirBNBs downtown, (I believe there is a hostel too) or if you prefer a resort, there are plenty of options in the marina area. I can't say there is any area I would particularly avoid, just do your research first to ensure you aren't staying in a dump.
Transport:
A lot of U.S. airlines will let you fly directly into Puerto Vallarta; however, some require you to connect. Once you land, walk out of the airport without looking at or talking to anyone, they're just trying to sell you timeshares and over-priced cab rides. Upon exiting the airport, take a left and walk across the bridge. You will now be standing in front of a restaurant, and there will likely be several cabs. Cabs over here are much cheaper and they know that you know what you're doing. Get a cab or an Uber from there. The ride to the marina should only be about 5-10 minutes, downtown should be about 25 or 30 minutes, and if you are going to Mismaloya it will take about an hour.
In the marina area, I walked or rode a bike to most places. In downtown you can walk anywhere and if you are staying there you likely will not need an Uber home.
Day gaming:
Being a tourist town, you need to work game differently amongst locals, foreign tourists, and Mexican tourists.The high season for foreigners is November to May, and the Mexican tourists will usually come in August or September. The best areas to daygame would be the Malecon, the Romantic Zone, (this is a cool area but has a bunch of gays) Playa de los Muertos, and the Marina. (ONLY in the on season) Foreign tourists will respond well most of the time, but if they are younger and in the Marina, they are likely with their family. This didn't stop me but may be a roadblock. Most of the younger tourists will stay downtown and will be with friends.
Downtown Daygame:
The Malecon: A walkway along the ocean with vendors, shops, bars, and restaurants.
Devil's Bar: This is a tiny bar that seats about 15 people on the Malecon for a nice view. Most of the people that are here during the day are passersby that are day drinking. I have met a few girls here that I have gotten numbers from and/or ended up bouncing with them to another spot. Very underestimated if you ask me.
Saturday Market: There is a Market every Saturday during the on season in the square with live music. This place becomes packed with hippie girls.
Romantic Zone: Be careful if you are with a wing as people might suspect you are gay, but even though it is the gay area, it has plenty of girls.
Marina Daygame:
Chappy's: I know everything there is to know about this place and everyone in it. During the off season it is the same old people that come in like clockwork; however, during the on season you will find plenty of tourist girls coming in. Even the ones with their families will be willing to come meet you later.
Thursday market: Every Thursday during the on season the Marina will become filled with people. I believe it begins around 6 PM and lasts until 10 PM.
Starbucks: I came here a lot during the day in the off season and there are very attractive, business-type women that will come in and sit for a while. Girls in Mexico are very responsive in my experience, even if you don't speak Spanish.
Honorable mentions: Brando's, La Federal, The Beer Box
Nightlife:
Mandala: This is the most popular nightclub in PV. It is your typical nightclub scene, packed with tourists and locals alike, but be prepared to drop some coin A lot of people club hop since they are all next to each other.
La Vaquita: I picked up a girl here that didn't even speak English. If you have blonde hair and blue eyes (Guero) here, then you are one step ahead of everyone immediately.
La Bodeguita del Medio: There are only about five of these in the world. This is the place in Cuba that invented the mojito and where Ernest Hemingway used to kick it. The one located on the Malecon will have a live salsa band most nights and senoritas shaking their asses. if you know salsa, come here. If you don't, come here, grab a mojito and a cuban cigar and get a girl to teach you.
Andale's: This place is insane. There will likely be a bachelorette party, birthday party, or something like that going on, and the place is filled with horny MILFs every night.
Twisted Palms: This is a martini bar, but you see more of the foreign retired crowd here because it is hidden. Every Monday, there are two for one martinis and they play old school James Bond movies on a projector. Better suited as a date spot.
There are way too many places to name as far as nightlife goes, you need to just walk around and see where the action is.
Online Gaming:
I was able to get laid quite a bit through Tinder and Bumble by local girls and tourists alike. There are more girls on Tinder, but they are surprisingly open to just coming to your spot or meeting you that day or the next.
Summary:
Puerto Vallarta has everything to offer: good spots, local and foreign girls, good place for business connections, etc. Most people here speak English, so if you don't speak Spanish, it is much easier to communicate as opposed to the rest of Mexico. Additionally, it doesn't take long to build a social circle. If you know where you are going and know the right people, you can slay it here at any age.
Feel free to ask me any questions you have about the city not covered in this datasheet.
