Jalisco
3
Day Itinerary •
Mexico
Three days in Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco reveal the finest combination of Pacific coast, colonial city and artisan culture in western Mexico. The cobblestone Romantic Zone above Banderas Bay, the hidden jungle beach of Las Caletas, Guadalajara's extraordinary Orozco murals and the agave distilleries of Tequila are all within reach of a single Pacific coast base. This route moves from the extraordinary Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta through the Riviera Nayarit surf villages to Guadalajara, birthplace of mariachi and tequila, before returning to the coast for the extraordinary hidden beach of the Marietas Islands. Three days that reveal the full depth of Mexico's finest Pacific state.
Best Time To Visit
November to April
Getting There
Fly into Puerto Vallarta (PVR), served internationally
Getting Around
Panga boats, local bus, ETN for Guadalajara
Budget Per Day
Approx 55 to 255 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, beach and boat trips
DAY 1
PUERTO VALLARTA
MORNING
PUERTO VALLARTA OLD TOWN AND THE MALECON SCULPTURE WALK
Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romantica and Malecon are the finest coastal promenade in Mexico, its extraordinary cobblestone streets of white-washed buildings with red-tiled roofs rising up the Sierra Madre jungle above Banderas Bay. The Malecon sculpture walk along the seafront contains extraordinary permanent bronze installations. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its distinctive crown tower is the finest on the Pacific coast. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min by panga boat
MIDDAY
LAS CALETAS AND THE HIDDEN BEACH, ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY BOAT
Las Caletas is the most extraordinary hidden beach on the Puerto Vallarta coast, a private jungle cove accessible only by panga boat through the extraordinary Banderas Bay. The former home of director John Huston who filmed Night of the Iguana here, its extraordinary jungle setting, coral reef snorkelling and natural freshwater pools make it the finest day trip from Puerto Vallarta. Tours from Los Muertos pier approx 1,200 pesos. Drive/Travel: 45 min boat back
AFTERNOON
THE PUERTO VALLARTA ART WALK AND THE GALLERIES OF THE ROMANTIC ZONE
The Puerto Vallarta Art Walk on Wednesday and Saturday evenings from October to May is the finest gallery event in Pacific Mexico, opening 20 galleries simultaneously in the Romantic Zone for free wine and extraordinary art. The Galeria Pacifico and Galeria Dante contain the finest collections of Mexican contemporary art on the Pacific coast. The rooftop restaurants above the Romantic Zone at sunset are extraordinary. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Zona Romantica neighbourhood of Puerto Vallarta at 6am, before the tourists arrive, is one of the most extraordinary urban dawn experiences in Mexico. The cobblestone streets, the church bells, the jungle birds calling from the mountains above and the extraordinary light over Banderas Bay create an atmosphere entirely unlike the tourist-facing version of the city. The fish market at the Rio Cuale at this hour is extraordinary. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe de Olla, Romantic Zone Outstanding Mexican breakfast in the finest neighbourhood cafe. Extraordinary chilaquiles and local coffee. | Lunch: La Palapa, Los Muertos beach The finest beachfront restaurant in Puerto Vallarta. Outstanding Pacific seafood and ceviches. | Dinner: Tintoque, Romantic Zone The finest tasting menu in Puerto Vallarta. Outstanding local ingredients. Book ahead.
DAY 2
GUADALAJARA AND TEQUILA
MORNING
GUADALAJARA, THE BIRTHPLACE OF MARIACHI AND TEQUILA
Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and the cultural capital of the west, birthplace of mariachi music, tequila and the Mexican hat dance. The extraordinary Cathedral of Guadalajara with its distinctive twin yellow towers, the Hospicio Cabanas UNESCO site with its extraordinary Orozco murals in the dome and the magnificent Mercado San Juan de Dios are all essential. Entry to murals approx 100 pesos. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TLAQUEPAQUE, THE FINEST ARTISAN VILLAGE IN MEXICO
Tlaquepaque is the finest artisan shopping village in Mexico, its pedestrianised El Parian square surrounded by galleries and workshops selling the finest Talavera pottery, blown glass, furniture and textiles in the country. The extraordinary Museo Regional de la Ceramica documents the ceramic tradition unique to Jalisco. The live mariachi in El Parian from noon onwards is extraordinary. Entry to museum free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
TEQUILA, THE TOWN AND THE AGAVE DISTILLERIES
The town of Tequila 60km from Guadalajara is the origin and spiritual home of Mexico's national spirit, its landscape of blue agave fields a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Jose Cuervo, Herradura and Patron distilleries all offer extraordinary tours of the roasting, crushing and distilling process. The extraordinary Tequila Express train from Guadalajara is the finest way to arrive. Tours approx 800 pesos including tastings.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Barranca de Huentitan canyon on the north edge of Guadalajara is one of the most extraordinary and least known natural sites in western Mexico, a 600-metre deep gorge carved by the Rio Grande de Santiago through the city's own suburbs. The extraordinary viewpoint from the Mirador Independencia gives a remarkable perspective on both the canyon and the distant volcanos. The trail to the canyon floor takes 2 hours through extraordinary vegetation. Entry free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Mercado Corona, Guadalajara Outstanding tortas ahogadas, the iconic Guadalajara dish of bread drowned in chile sauce, from the finest market. | Lunch: La Fonda de San Miguel, Guadalajara Outstanding traditional Jalisco cuisine in a beautiful colonial courtyard. Extraordinary birria. | Dinner: La Tequilera, Tequila town The finest dinner in the agave capital. Outstanding local food and the extraordinary tequila library.
DAY 3
RIVIERA NAYARIT
MORNING
SAYULITA, THE FINEST SURF VILLAGE ON THE RIVIERA NAYARIT
Sayulita is the most extraordinary surf and bohemian beach village in Mexico, its coloured facades, artisan market and consistent beach break drawing surfers, artists and travellers from across the world. The extraordinary Playa de los Muertos cove just north of town, accessible only by walking the headland trail, is the finest hidden beach on the Riviera Nayarit. Surfboard rental approx 200 pesos per hour. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SAN PANCHO AND THE EXTRAORDINARY HIDDEN COAST VILLAGES
San Francisco, known as San Pancho, is the finest and most tranquil village on the Riviera Nayarit, its extraordinary main beach, independent restaurants and the extraordinary Entreamigos community arts centre making it the finest alternative to the better-known Sayulita 5km south. The extraordinary headland walk between the two villages passes extraordinary rock formations and hidden coves. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PUNTA MITA AND THE MARIETAS ISLANDS HIDDEN BEACH
The Marietas Islands nature reserve 35km offshore from Punta Mita contains the most extraordinary hidden beach in Mexico, Playa Escondida, accessible only by swimming through an underwater tunnel into a circular bay enclosed entirely by rock walls open to the sky. Permits are required and strictly limited to preserve the extraordinary site. Tour from Punta Mita approx 1,500 pesos. Entry permit required.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Playa Escondida permit system for the Marietas Islands is limited to 116 visitors per day total. Book through the Conanp office in Puerto Vallarta at least one week ahead. The extraordinary experience of swimming through the dark underwater tunnel and emerging into the hidden circular beach entirely enclosed by rock is unlike anything else in Mexico. The island seabirds including blue-footed boobies nesting on the cliffs are extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Don Pedro's, Sayulita The finest breakfast in Sayulita. Outstanding huevos rancheros and fresh tropical fruit on the beach terrace. | Lunch: El Itacate, San Pancho Outstanding local Mexican food in the finest village on the Riviera Nayarit. Extraordinary fish tacos. | Dinner: La Sirena Gorda, Puerto Vallarta Return to the Romantic Zone for the finest seafood tacos on the Pacific coast.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Puerto Vallarta, All 3 Nights Zona Romantica or Old Town for the finest access. Hotel Escondido or Casa Cupula. Approx 80 to 250 USD. Sayulita option, Night 3 Stay in Sayulita for a different experience. Hotel Amor. Approx 60 to 150 USD. Budget Option Hostal de la Monja or Casa Cupula guesthouse. Approx 20 to 50 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Marietas Islands hidden beach permit: book at least one week ahead through Conanp Puerto Vallarta office.
2. Art Walk on Wednesday evenings in the Romantic Zone is free and extraordinary. October to May only.
3. Las Caletas day trip: book through Marigalante or Vallarta Adventures. Morning departure essential.
4. Tequila Express train from Guadalajara on Saturdays is the finest way to visit the agave distilleries.
5. Sayulita surf: consistent beach break suitable for beginners. Rent from the shops on the main beach.
6. Yelapa water taxi from Los Muertos pier: departs 10am and 11am. Last return at 4pm. Book the pie.
Total Budget
55 to 250 USD/day