Solo travel vacation through Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Favorite places and travel tips while visiting Puerto Vallarta and Bay of Banderas as a solo female traveler. 

Every trip you embark on, you will make it your own flavor. My experience was based on my own set of desires, what I was valuing most, and my intention to be there. My experience is also based on my own unique personality and what nourishes and supports me. Majority of my investment was focused on where I stayed, and a few excursions. As long as I had a few bucket list food items, I was just happy to be there. For the 13 day trip I went with a budget of about $300 USD additional to the housing. A few of the excursions brought me over budget, and it allowed for one economical (and still delicious) meal out a day.

Where to Stay

Opposite of popular opinion from the blogs and YouTube videos I watched, I would avoid Zona Romantica. Specifically if you are wanting a more relaxing experience and to immerse yourself with Mexican culture, I would recommend Gringo Gulch. Zona Romantica is great if you are ready to be really social and for a group place focused on high energy activity. As a solo traveler, having a nourishing and heartwarming place to stay in between adventures is really helpful to create inner balance and stability. There were some tourists and expats in Gringo Gulch but overall was a true neighborhood with families and year round residents.

I also loved this area because it was a few blocks from the beautiful Cathedral of Guadalupe. In the park below the Cathedral they often had music and food and people dancing and gathering. It was a great place to go in the evenings and walk around by myself. There was just the right amount of activity that I rarely felt alone. Everyone I met, from tourists to local Mexicans, everyone was so friendly and welcoming.

The place I stayed I’d recommend. It was a safe and beautiful location to spread out and spend quality time with myself. The street was quiet and quaint and the place was fully equipped with all necessary amenities. I enjoyed cooking meals for myself, playing music on the Bose speakers, and soaking up the bay ocean view. I shared a fun reel of the place on my Instagram. You are also welcome to check out the Airbnb and book yourself a stay HERE.

In general, anywhere along the malecón is a great option for staying in Puerto Vallarta as a solo female traveler. There are also some week-long rentals you can find in apartments in Zona Romantica higher up the mountain. These are great because they have an ocean view and pool along with community feel. I’m sure this could be fun but it’s a bigger hike and further from the beach. For me I preferred easy access to the beach and to be closer to town.

I’m really glad I opted out of the hostel route. I was first concerned because I don’t enjoy the party scene as much. I also knew I wanted to treat myself to my own space. The hostels I walked past I don’t think I’d want to stay at. It felt opposite of restful. I’m now 29 years old and my hostel bunkbed days might be coming to an end. Luxury and comfort travel here we come!

What to Pack

Pack light. Even with the light travel I did around Puerto Vallarta, pack light. It makes it easier to be self sufficient with transporting your luggage. I’ll share a few things I didn’t wear that I thought I would need. For context I was traveling in January.

Weather

My first discovery was that at night, the temperatures were only slightly cool. You could easily be comfortable in shorts and a light jacket. The airbnb where I was staying was more open air and I was comfortable with light pajamas at night. The slight humidity helps to keep temperatures really comfortable.

During the day, there was a mix of overcast and full sun. The sun is very strong especially after being covered since September. I recommend bringing a light cover up for walking around to reduce sun exposure.

Dress for an urban environment

I did a lot of walking around the city and would recommend bringing outfits that feel and look good. I didn’t wear as much fitness clothing as I expected to. I was glad to pack a couple fun dresses and a coverup for the beach.

People don’t really walk around with their bathing suit exposed outside of the beach. I recommend having something to wear post beach while walking back to your home base. Something you’re okay with getting sand, sweat, and sunscreen all over. One day I wore shorts and a bathing suit top and I swore the ladies from the grocery store were calling me puta under their breath. 

For shoes, a pair of sneakers, a pair of casual sandals, and a pair of flip flops is perfect.

First Aid Kit

I used to be the person to scoff at others who brought so much medicine. But this time I’m glad I did. I had a head cold and used the niquil I packed. Especially while traveling in Winter you never know what may happen. On the topic of cold season, bring a few packs of tissues and hand sanitizer. I also packed dramamine, pepto bismol tablets, imodium, and hyrdation powder. These were all helpful for the possible and eventual stomach bug I got. I personally think it came from overeating and having milk when I never do. The other foods I ate always sat well with me.

If there is one thing I would bring out of this list it is the hydration tablets or powder. I bought this one. It saved me. Also saltines and ginger ale if you feel something coming on. You may become stuck between bed and toilet for 24 hours +.

Wellness tools

As you are traveling by yourself, there is a lot of time you will be… by yourself. It helps to have a couple things you enjoy doing for a slow day. I packed a paint brush, colored pencils, and a book and journal. I also packed a couple of crystals and items that supported my sense of protection and balance in the space. These small things helped me to feel grounded and in my body every day. It helped me to create a sense of home while in a new environment.

Transportation and Arrival

You can take an Uber from the airport by crossing the highway. A lot of people do this by exiting the airport and taking a left until you see the ramp. Ignore the private car sales people. They will try to make you doubt yourself. Just repeat no and move fast.  Just a heads up the ramp to cross the highway is steep. Once on the other side, request an Uber and select the “restaurante” side. I struggled at first because my location services were off on Uber. Once I changed it, I was able to find my location. Your phone service and data if coming from the U.S. should work with no fees.

Once you’re in the city and your stay, walk around and familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. There’s a lot of buses, taxis, and Ubers that are all simple and comfortable to take. The bus system I learned how to navigate with guidance from a local and airbnb host. I’d recommend asking around for help. Trust me, there are a lot of people available and eager to help.

Money Exchange

I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived, so I exchanged $20 USD at the airport. I would recommend doing the minimum you feel comfortable with because the exchange rate is quite poor at the airport. This offered me cash for a few essential groceries when I arrived until I located an ATM.

I asked the lady who greeted me at the airbnb for advice on ATMs. I marked the one I used the most that had the lowest service fee in the google maps.

An important step (that I forgot until the end of the trip) – decline the exchange rate offered by the bank. You will still get your transaction complete, but with the exchange rate set by your own bank. 

Activities

Everything I share that has a location is tagged in a google maps list you can access here.

Airbnb experiences

For $33 I joined a local guide who brought myself and a couple to a river walk and waterfall swim. It was a great option to get out of the city and spend time with people in a group setting. The price point was great for my budget and it was so refreshing to swim under a waterfall. You can also use the opportunity to ask questions and recommendations from the local guide.

I joined this tour here. The guides also welcome cash tips at the end. 

Fishing towns and remote beaches

You can easily visit remote beaches such as Playa Animas and Quimixto via the fishing town of Boca Tomatlán. There is a bus that takes you direct from Zona Romantica for about 10 pesos. From Boca Tomatlán, walk down the hill to the beach and there will be folks coordinating water taxis. Expect to pay around 200-210 pesos round trip to Quimixto. There’s also a hike but I preferred the water taxi for the experience.

Puerto Vallarta City Beaches

The stretch of beach North of Rosita Hotel is a much quieter and a more open beach compared to Zona Romantica. Both areas have lifeguards and some food options. I enjoyed the beach on the North side of Malecón because there was less tourists and loud music. At the beach you can rent an umbrella and chair for 175 pesos total. They also sell shrimp, fresh oysters, and other random snacks. 

A public bathroom is marked on the google map and it costs around 20 pesos to use. 

Saturday farmers market

In Zona Romantica is a farmers market with a lot of food vendors and performances. I recommend going hungry and early.

Puerto VallARTa workshops and art supplies

I enjoyed going to buy watercolor paper. If I had the spaciousness in my budget I would definitely have joined an art workshop. This is a great place as they speak English and Spanish.

Wellness Spaces

Terra Noble Art and Healing Center hosted a cacao and ecstatic dance that I enjoyed participating in. It was another great opportunity to be with a group of people and get out of my neighborhood. For this event I took a taxi and it was donation based. There are also yoga studios all around Puerto Vallarta you can visit.

Rainy days

On a cloudy day, I went to visit art galleries, a fun bakery, and enjoyed time at the beach. The beach is quieter and so beautiful with the cloudy sky. You can also visit Huichol artisan shops and learn about the community and art they create.

Date Night

La Cappella Restaurante was stunning. It’s an uber romantic restaurant with a gorgeous view overlooking the bay, sunset, and the Cathedral of Guadalupe. There is a bar outside of the restaurant where you can walk in and get a seat without a reservation. They offer small bites and drinks. They also can make a mocktail per your request.

Malecón was a great place to walk around anytime I felt like being around people. There was always an activity going on and food available.

Iglesia de Guadalupe and Plaza De Armas

This church was so beautiful to visit and linger around. In front of the church is a plaza where they have food vendors and live music on Thursdays and Sundays.

Bucerías

This small town just a 45 minutes bus ride North of Puerto Vallarta was a great day excursion within my budget. The town is really cute with local artisans, shops, and a beautiful art scene. There is an open gallery studio that hosts 3 artists. This area also has a beach and a great seafood restaurant Mariscos al Payo.

To arrive at Bucerías, take a local bus to “Las Glorias” or the bus station marked in my google maps. Once there, ask around and the people will direct you and confirm the correct bus. 

Food

There are a lot of food options. I list every place I went in the google maps list you can access here. Overall I’d recommend Zona Romantica and anywhere near the Malecón for food. It is really easy to overspend your budget on food. There are a lot of amazing options.

To cook your own food, grocery stores are limited to little bodegas and one large traditional grocery store. When you arrive I would recommend to ask your host or anyone you meet for what is accessible from your location. I found it very doable to make my own food even with the smaller shops I had access to. There is also a health food shop La Semilla with items you can purchase by the weight and wouldn’t normally find elsewhere. 

Notes on Safety

Everywhere I went the people I met and saw were kind and welcoming. A couple of times I got extra attention from men, but never in a way that felt threatening. I will also say, this is my experience traveling alone and as a bi-racial white/latina woman. I think race and even appearance of body shape unfortunately impacts the type of experience you may have with cat calls and unwanted attention. It’s really awful this happens for some more than others. I hope this city welcomes everyone with the same kindness that I received.

I was comfortable moving around after dark. But I’d still advise you to be mindful of your surroundings and trust your instincts. Ubers are a great way to safely get around the city. I felt comfortable staying out after dark because the locals were also out and about enjoying the Malecón or the vendors at the Plaza De Armas.

Overall I really enjoyed myself in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. I had a lot of fun by myself and interacting with people I came across. I felt super comfortable navigating the area and could get around without a map after a couple of days. There are multitudes of excursions and water activities you can book. If you’ve never been to Mexico and want to book something simple and economical, Puerto Vallarta is a great place to check out. They have direct flights all over the U.S. and is home for a large population of tourists and expats. 

Check out my list of google maps starred locations HERE