Destination Guide
Puerto Vallarta
Open Your Heart to Puerto Vallarta
Consider these recommendations as your shape your itinerary.
Where to eat and drink
Puerto Vallarta has a stunning collection of art galleries, and among them sits Café des Artistes, a feast for your stomach and your eyes. Each of the dining areas, from a chef’s table to exterior garden, is exquisitely designed, and the gourmet Mexican-inspired French cuisine by chef Thierry Blouet has earned many awards, including four diamonds from AAA.
Indulge Your Senses – What to see
Just outside of the city is the Jorullo Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge. Canopy River, a local eco-friendly adventure park, lets you cross the bridge by foot or ATV and zipline past it. The bridge is surrounded by the jungle of the Sierra Madre Occidental, so expect amazing views and vistas throughout your adventure. There’s a waterfall you can swim in, too, and Canopy River also has an infinity pool overlooking the mountains to relax in post-excursion.
Find a natural backdrop
The Westin Resort & Spa, located near Puerto Vallarta’s marina, is a former palm tree plantation and thus is home to over 600 incredible, swaying palms. Posing between the palms is the perfect backdrop for viral Instagram photos, especially ones that sit in the middle of the pool — the landscaping was designed around the palm trees, so as not to disturb them.
Take a Spiritual Bath
Explore a Historic Gem
Fans of Old Hollywood need to stop by Casa Kimberly, the former home of stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton turned luxury boutique hotel and restaurant. The duo fell in love with Puerto Vallarta during Burton’s filming of The Night of the Iguana, and due to the controversy surrounding their illicit relationship, moved into separate homes across the street from one another. They built a bridge connecting the two houses — so they could easily sneak over to one another while avoiding paparazzi — but then tore the bridge down (though later rebuilt) after one particularly heated quarrell. From the street, you can spy a statue of the lovers embracing just inside the courtyard.
Meet the journalist:
Jenny Hart is an American travel writer based in Mexico City. Follow her on Instagram at @jennyjhart.