Marina Vallarta

There are many ways to experience Marina Vallarta, although most travelers prefer to visit independently. Lined by eateries—from sports bars to seafood restaurants—Marina Vallarta is the ideal place to grab dinner and drinks, shop for souvenirs at the handicraft market, and watch the sunset from the top-floor lighthouse bar. Many dedicated tours, including sunset cruises, excursions into the Sierra Madre mountains, and Segway tours to the nearby Estero El Salado, depart from Marina Vallarta.

• Marina Vallarta is the ideal place for a romantic evening stroll.

• Look out for the crocodiles which swim among the boats in Marina Vallarta.

• There’s a weekly market held every Thursday at Marina Vallarta during peak season (roughly November to May).

• Marina Vallarta is wheelchair and stroller accessible, although the surrounding bars and restaurants may not be.

Marina Vallarta is situated about 20 minutes away from downtown Puerto Vallarta, and right next to the Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Buses run regularly from downtown Puerto Vallarta but they’re often crowded and uncomfortable. As such, most travelers find it easiest to arrive by private vehicle. There is limited on-site parking near the boardwalk area.

Marina Vallarta can be visited year-round, although the lack of shaded areas combined with Puerto Vallarta’s typical humidity means it’s more comfortable to visit in the late afternoon and evening. Stop by on Thursdays from roughly November to May to browse the stalls at the food and craft market.

There’s something to suit most tastes in Puerto Vallarta, especially if you venture beyond the Marina. Stroll the cobbled streets of the historic downtown as part of a guided food tour, lounge on one of the many beaches, or take a day trip to one of Puerto Vallarta’s nearby mountainous magic towns, such as San Sebastián del Oeste.