For the most intimate view of Puerto Vallarta, stay in a comfortable hotel within close walking distance of the colorful old-town sights, cafés, restaurants, and shops. If you opt to stay in the north-end Hotel Zone or the Marina, you can easily hail a taxi ($5–8) or hop a local bus to go where the action is. In any case, use the relevant destination sections of this book for the many more details that will smooth your visit and provide background for your Puerto Vallarta adventures.

Day 1
Start with the walk along the Isla Cuale described in the Puerto Vallarta Town chapter. Begin at the downstream end of the Isla Río Cuale, and in your stroll be sure to include the Municipal Crafts Market, Gringo Gulch and Casa Kimberly, and the downtown seafront walkway.

Day 2
Devote your second day to beach exploring. Start at the seafront park just north of the Río Cuale and stroll south over the river bridge and continue along the seashore andador (walkway) along Playa los Muertos. Walk out on the New Pier to see what’s biting, and continue south for a spell along the beach.

  Next, head south by local Mismaloya or Boca bus (from the corner of Constitución and Basi-lio Badillo). Include Mismaloya (or alternatively, nearby Chino’s Paradise or El Eden swimming-hole cascades) and enjoy an early dinner and sunset at the John Huston Café near the movie set.

Day 3
Take a relaxing day cruise for snorkeling at Los Arcos and a waterfall swim at either Quimixto or idyllic Yelapa on the Bay of Banderas’s jungly southern shore.

Day 4
After all of the previous activity, it may be best simply to rest for a day. Or if you prefer, head for an out-of-town adventure to Punta Mita or Sayulita village (an hour by bus north of town). There you can stroll, boogie board, and maybe try your hand at surfing.

Day 5
Reserve your last organized day for doing things that particularly interest you. Shoppers may want to stay in town for south-of-Cuale and downtown shop-hopping. Lovers of the great outdoors might schedule a special tour, such as horseback riding in the lush foothills or a whale-, dolpin-, and bird-watching excursion to the Islas Marietas. Or venture out of town—as close as Punta Mita or as far as San Blas for the unmissable wildlife-viewing excursion to La Tovara spring. To make the San Blas round-trip in one day, rent yourself a car or hire a guide.