Planning a cheap trip to Puerto Vallarta Mexico? If you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta on a budget, this travel guide will help you plan a low-cost and amazing trip, with tips on where to stay, what to eat, free things to do in Puerto Vallarta, and tips for saving money on your trip. Whether you’re backpacking Puerto Vallarta or just want a cheap Mexico vacation, we’ve got you covered!
This article was written by Lora from Explore with Lora, with edits and additions by Claire
Why Visit Puerto Vallarta?
Mexico is not only one of the most budget-friendly countries in the world to visit, but one of the most diverse with its rich culture, delicious cuisine, fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, and thriving cities.
While some places like Tulum and Cancun have become more expensive in recent years, Puerto Vallarta is still an affordable place to visit, so get ready to have an incredible experience without breaking the bank!
Puerto Vallarta is also considered one of the safest places to visit in Mexico. You should still take usual travel precautions but most visitors enjoy a safe and trouble-free trip to Puerto Vallarta.
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta on a Budget
Hostels in Puerto Vallarta
If you’re traveling to Puerto Vallarta on a budget or just looking for a place where you can meet other travelers, then a hostel might be for you. There are several modern and clean hostels in Puerto Vallarta that are centrally located that get great reviews.
Oasis Hostel was the first hostel to open in Puerto Vallarta and has maintained a solid reputation since then, with excellent reviews on HostelWorld. This four-story hostel features female-only dorms, private rooms, complimentary breakfast, and several shared spaces, including a gorgeous panoramic rooftop terrace that overlooks the city. >>>CHECK REVIEWS AND PRICES
Los Muertos Hostel is one of the cheapest and best hostels in Puerto Vallarta, with dorm beds from just 11 USD a night, all of which come with AC, blackout curtains, safety drawers, and private bathrooms. It’s located a block away from Los Muertos beach, where endless entertainment awaits. >>>CHECK REVIEWS AND PRICES
FIND A HOSTEL IN PUERTO VALLARTA
Budget Hotels in Puerto Vallarta
If you prefer more privacy than a hostel, check out some of the affordable boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta.
The Capital O Hotel is a great choice, located just a block away from the beach. It has several modern rooms, each given a unique color theme to set it up apart. It also features a shared kitchen, so you can save on costs by cooking at home. >>>CHECK REVIEWS AND PRICES
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Cheap Apartments and Airbnb in Puerto Vallarta
There is also a wide range of cheap vacation rentals and apartments in Puerto Vallarta to choose from.
Amapas Apartments Puerto Vallarta – Adults Only is an adults only complex with a range of apartments including studios, one-bed apartments and superior apartments. The air-conditioned units have basic kitchen facilities including a coffee machine, a microwave and a toaster, as well as a flat-screen TV and private bathroom. Some apartments have a terrace and/or a balcony with sea or pool views. >>>CHECK REVIEWS AND PRICES
You can also browse all the Airbnbs in Puerto Vallarta here.
FIND AN APARTMENT IN PUERTO VALLARTA
Cheap and Free Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
While there are many paid tours and excursions in Puerto Vallarta, there are also plenty of free things to do to keep you busy and save you some cash. Here are some of the top free (or cheap) Puerto Vallarta activities to add to your itinerary.
Hiking in Puerto Vallarta
The easiest hike in Puerto Vallarta is the Cerro de la Cruz Lookout. It leaves right from the city center, taking you up to a stunning viewpoint that looks over the city and the Bay of Banderas. While the hike only takes half an hour, it’s straight up a set of stairs, so it’s best to do this early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day.
For something longer, check out the trail from Boca Del Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas. The hike is free to do, you just need to get to the trailhead at Boca Del Tomatlan. It’s a small fishing village about half an hour away from the city center, so to save money, take the bus from Zona Romantica for 0.50 USD.
The trailhead takes two hours, following the coastline and passing several secluded beaches like Playa Colomitos. With its emerald green water and soft golden sand, this is the perfect place to pack a picnic and hang out for the day.
Ask your accommodation for more recommendations for hiking near Puerto Vallarta, or have a look at AllTrails which has a list of 90 hiking trails in Puerto Vallarta.
Walk Along the Malecon
The Malecon, a mile-long stretch of boardwalk along the coast, is one of Puerto Vallarta’s top attractions and worthy of a half-day on your itinerary exploring all that it has to offer. You’ll pass by art installations, statues, street performers, restaurants, beaches, and more.
On the south end of the boardwalk, you can often see free performances and corners at the Los Arcos amphitheatre, and on the north end, you can see the free Voladores de Papantla show. It’s a pre-Hispanic ritual that involves four men attached by ropes swinging upside down from a 20m pole. It happens every half hour and is impressive to witness.
If you get hungry while walking along the Malecon, just stop at one of the many delicious and cheap food and drink stalls where you can get tacos and margaritas for just a few dollars.
Take a Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to save money and get to know the city a little better is to join a free walking tour. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, the Municipal Tourism Office does a free 2-hour walking tour led by a certified guide.
It takes you through Puerto Vallarta’s historic downtown, with information about the cities architecture, culture, history, and famous people. The meeting points for the walking tour is downtown (Centro) at the Municipal Tourism Office in the Old City Hall building.
There’s also a free art walk every Tuesday at 9:30 am that starts at the spiralling sculpture on the Malecon. They ask for donations that go towards Los Mangos, a nonprofit library and cultural center.
Lastly, you can create your own self-guided art walk by walking around Centro and Zona Romantica, taking Insta-worthy photos of all the fabulous street art.
Paid Tours in Puerto Vallarta
If you do have some cash in your budget for a tour in Puerto Vallarta you could take a food tour to try some of the best local food, visit a local distillery and coffee farm, or adventurers could even take a horseback ride with an ATV and a zipline! Take a look at some more tours in Puerto Vallarta to see if your budget will stretch to these:
Chill at the Beach
That’s probably why you came here anyway, right? Puerto Vallarta is home to some of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, and they are all free to visit! Popular beaches in the city are Los Muertos and Conchas Chinas, but the beaches get even better if you venture out of the city limits.
Head up the coast to Sayulita or San Pancho for beaches with perfect surf conditions. You can get a bus from Puerto Vallarta for just $2.50 USD, and the ride takes just over an hour. Both beaches offer affordable rentals and lessons. Sayulita is famous for its party atmosphere, while San Pancho is more laid-back.
Take a Day Trip to Quimixto
For a few dollars, you can take a water taxi to Quimixto, which is one of the best day trips from Puerto Vallarta. It’s a small secluded beach town only accessible by boat or hiking.
One of the main reasons to visit Quimixto is for the waterfall hike. From the pier, it’s a half an hour hike through a well-marked trail to the waterfall, which is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Puerto Vallarta. At the end of the hike, you can find a refreshing pool to jump into at the base of the falls.
After the waterfall, you can spend the rest of the day chilling out on the gorgeous beach or dining at one of the local restaurants. For a few dollars, you can get a delicious plate of fresh ceviche. Be sure not to miss the last water taxi back to Puerto Vallarta, which leaves just before sunset.
Watch the Nightly Fireworks
If you’re looking for something free to do in Puerto Vallarta at night, simply look towards the ocean. A pirate-themed boat tour happens every night, and while it’s not free to join, the fireworks they let off are free to see.
They don’t happen at the same time every night, but it’s usually between 9:30-10:30 pm. They happen over the water, so the best place to see them is from the Malecon or a rooftop bar.
Where to Eat on a Budget in Puerto Vallarta
Mexico is the land of tacos, and one of the best ways to save money is to indulge in some of the taco stands in Puerto Vallarta. Do not be afraid to try these, they offer some of the tastiest food in the city!
Puerto Vallarta also has many affordable restaurants where you can get a filling meal and drink for less than 10 USD. 8 Tostadas Estadio is a traditional and popular restaurant that you can find in almost every neighborhood. Their burritos are so large – they will fill you up for hours!
For vegans, one place not to miss is Vegan Ramen Mei. Owned by a Japanese woman, this restaurant offers affordable and delicious bowls of ramen, as well as appetizers like orange “chicken” and gyoza.
Additional Tips for Visiting Puerto Vallarta on a Budget
While taking advantage of the free activities is one of the best ways to save money in Puerto Vallarta, here are some additional tips for visiting on a budget.
Travel Off-Season
If you want to save money on your trip, visit Puerto Vallarta off-season during the summer months from July to September. The weather will be more humid, but you’ll find great deals on airfare, tours, and hotels.
Volunteer in Puerto Vallarta
If you are backpacking Mexico and want to stay for several weeks in Puerto Vallarta without spending money on accommodation, consider doing a work exchange where you exchange your time and skills for free accommodation. Worldpackers has some great work exchange placements in Puerto Vallarta to choose from, and you’ll get a $10 discount on membership if you use this link, so it’s only $39 USD for the whole year.
Take the Local Bus
Taxis are convenient for getting around, but they can add up if you’re taking them frequently. Instead, take the local bus, which only costs 10 pesos (0.50 USD), and can bring you to all the major attractions in the city.
Look Out for Happy Hours
If you want to indulge in some of Mexico’s fantastic margaritas and thriving nightlife, head to the bars during happy hour to save on prices. Happy hour usually happens from 2 pm to 6 pm, where you can enjoy two-for-one drink deals.
Use the Local Currency
While many vendors in Puerto Vallarta accept US dollars, they will give you back Mexican pesos with a poor exchange rate. Instead, use a travel card like Wise to spend pesos or take out pesos (MXN) from an ATM and pay using the local currency, so you don’t lose out on exchange rates.
Cook at Your Accommodation
Prices of groceries in the supermarket and local markets are extremely affordable, so if you are staying in an apartment or hostel with a kitchen, you can save money by cooking a few meals at home rather than eating out every night. There’s even a Costco in Puerto Vallarta to stock up if you’re here for a while!
By using these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a wonderful cheap vacation in Puerto Vallarta, whatever budget you have to spend!
Puerto Vallarta Backpacking FAQ
How many days are enough for Puerto Vallarta?
While spending 3 days in Puerto Vallarta is enough to get a taste of the city, you could easily spend a few weeks here, exploring the beautiful nature surrounding Puerto Vallarta and lounging by the sea.
Is Puerto Vallarta really touristy?
Puerto Vallarta can be quite touristy, but nowhere near as much as destinations in the Yucatan like Cancun. There is enough here to keep visitors more than entertained, but you can still enjoy some Mexican culture here.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for female travelers?
Puerto Vallarta is considered one of the safest places to visit in Mexico and is safe for solo female travelers. You should still take usual travel precautions but most visitors enjoy a safe and trouble-free trip to Puerto Vallarta.
Want More Mexico Travel Ideas?
Check out these blog posts for your Mexico vacation inspiration, or click here to read all my Mexico blog posts.About the Author
Lora Pope is a travel content creator who’s been wandering solo for over a decade. She lives a nomadic lifestyle and is on a quest to visit every country in the world – always on the lookout for new adventures, hidden gems, and dogs to pet. Follow her adventures on Instagram and on her blog Explore with Lora.
