Puerto Vallarta has a reputation that doesn’t quite do it justice. People hear “PVR” and think of spring break, or a secondary Mexico option after they’ve already decided on Cabo or Cancún. What they’re missing is a destination that’s genuinely charming — cobblestone streets, a walkable malecón along the Bay of Banderas, real restaurants that have nothing to do with the resort corridor, mountains dropping straight into the ocean — and a collection of resort properties that are among the best in Mexico.
I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta, and it changed how I talk about it. There’s a soul here that the big resort zones in Cancún and Cabo don’t have in the same way. The old town, the views, the breadth of experience from the resorts of Riviera Nayarit to the south shore — it’s a destination that rewards couples who want a honeymoon that feels complete rather than just comfortable.
Puerto Vallarta vs. Riviera Nayarit: Understanding the Region
Puerto Vallarta proper sits on the Jalisco side of the bay. This is where you have the historic center — the cobblestone streets of El Centro, the malecón, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its distinctive crown, the restaurants and art galleries of the Zona Romántica. The beaches here are golden sand with moderate surf, and the town itself is worth multiple days of exploration. The south shore, accessed by water taxi from the malecón, offers more secluded beach coves including Playa Las Ánimas and Yelapa — a beachfront village with no road access that feels like another era.
Riviera Nayarit is on the Nayarit side of the bay, north of the airport. The towns of Bucerías, La Cruz, Sayulita, and — most significantly for honeymooners — Punta Mita are all here. This stretch has a different energy: quieter, more upscale, less urban. Punta Mita in particular is where the highest-end resort properties in the region sit, on a private peninsula with some of the best surfing and golf in Mexico.
For most honeymooners, the decision is about where to anchor. The town of Puerto Vallarta gives you walkability, culture, dining variety, and a destination that feels genuinely Mexican rather than resort-manufactured. Riviera Nayarit — and Punta Mita specifically — gives you luxury, seclusion, and one of the most beautiful natural settings in the country. Many couples I work with do a split: a few nights on the Nayarit side and a few in the town.
Resorts Worth Knowing
Four Seasons Punta Mita is the standard against which everything in the region is measured. It sits on the tip of the Punta Mita peninsula, the beach is exceptional, the service is what you’d expect from Four Seasons, and the views across the bay are extraordinary. For honeymooners with the budget for it, it’s one of the best resort experiences in Mexico.
St. Regis Punta Mita is the other major luxury property on the peninsula and gives Four Seasons genuine competition. The butler service, the private beach, the spa — for couples who want that level of personalized attention, both St. Regis and Four Seasons on the same peninsula creates a real decision worth making carefully.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the all-inclusive option in this part of the region and, like its sibling in Cabo, it’s exceptional. The Grand Class Suites are some of the best all-inclusive accommodations in Mexico, the spa is one of the finest I know of, and the overall level of service puts it ahead of most all-inclusive properties anywhere. For couples who want all-inclusive without compromise, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the answer here.
Garza Blanca Preserve on the south shore of Puerto Vallarta proper is a stunning adults-only, all-suite property built into a hillside above the bay. The views are extraordinary, the architecture is dramatic, and for couples who want the town of Puerto Vallarta accessible but want to retreat to something truly beautiful at the end of the day, it delivers both. The infinity pool looking out over the bay is genuinely one of the best resort views I’ve seen.
Casa Kimberly in the historic center of PVR is for the couple who wants something completely different — a boutique hotel in a historic building that was once the home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, with views over the cathedral and the town. It’s intimate, it’s atmospheric, and it’s the kind of property that makes you feel like you’re in Puerto Vallarta rather than at a generic resort adjacent to Puerto Vallarta.
What to Do
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most activity-rich honeymoon destinations in Mexico, and that’s part of what makes it worth recommending to couples who want more than beach time.
The old town deserves two or three evenings at minimum. The malecón at night, the Zona Romántica restaurants, the cathedral square, the galleries on Calle Corona — there’s a real city here and walking it is one of the genuine pleasures of a Puerto Vallarta honeymoon.
The south shore beaches are accessible by water taxi from the Los Muertos pier and offer something you can’t get at a resort: a stretch of beach that’s genuinely off the tourist circuit. Quimixto has a waterfall a short walk inland. Yelapa is a beach village without roads, where horses are how things get delivered and the fish tacos are worth the journey.
Whale watching in Puerto Vallarta runs from mid-November through March. Humpback whales give birth and nurse their calves in the protected waters of Banderas Bay — one of the most accessible whale-watching destinations in the world. A half-day on the water during this window is genuinely one of the best things you can do in the region.
Hiking in the Sierra Madre behind Puerto Vallarta is one of the region’s most underappreciated offerings. The mountains rise sharply behind the town, the air is cooler, and there are waterfall hikes and canopy zipline tours that use the terrain in ways the beach resorts can’t replicate.
When to Go
November through April is peak season in PVR — warm, dry, and with whale watching as a bonus from mid-November through March. This is when the region is at its best and most in demand.
May and June can be excellent — the heat is building but manageable, prices are lower, and the resorts are less crowded. The rainy season typically runs from June through October, with August and September seeing the most precipitation. Rain in PVR tends to come in afternoon showers rather than all-day events, and the mornings are often still beautiful. For budget-conscious honeymooners, the shoulder season is worth considering.
December through February is when I most often recommend PVR to couples who have the flexibility — the whale watching, the weather, and the Christmas energy in the old town all combine into something genuinely special. Reach out if you’d like to put something together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit better for a honeymoon?
It depends on what matters most to you. Puerto Vallarta proper offers culture, walkability, a real town with genuine character, and strong resort options including the hillside properties on the south shore. Riviera Nayarit — particularly Punta Mita — offers more seclusion, the highest-end resort experiences in the region, and proximity to Sayulita for a casual, artsy beach town feel. Most couples I work with get the best of both by spending part of the trip in each area. If budget is a consideration, the town of Puerto Vallarta tends to offer better value than the Punta Mita peninsula, which skews toward the top end of the luxury market.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for honeymooners?
The tourist areas of Puerto Vallarta are well-traveled and safe for visitors. The historic center, the malecón, the resort zones in Riviera Nayarit — these are established, actively managed tourist corridors. Common-sense awareness applies as it does in any destination: use trusted transportation, don’t wander independently outside familiar areas at night, and stay in the established zones. Within that framework, Puerto Vallarta is a warm, welcoming city where most visitors have a genuinely positive experience.
How does Puerto Vallarta compare to Cancún for a honeymoon?
Puerto Vallarta wins on culture and authentic Mexican character — the old town, the food, the walkability, the surrounding landscape. Cancún wins on beach quality (the Caribbean turquoise is hard to match), volume of all-inclusive options, and convenience. For couples who want to feel like they’ve actually been somewhere rather than just a resort zone, Puerto Vallarta is the better choice. For couples who want the classic all-inclusive Caribbean beach experience at the widest range of price points, Cancún has the edge. Check out my full Puerto Vallarta honeymoon guide if you’re weighing both options.
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