Romance in Puerto Vallarta — A Guide For A Lovely Valentine's Day

Puerto Vallarta is the ideal beach destination to celebrate love. 

From proposals, bachelor and bachelorette parties, to weddings and honeymoons, our idyllic beaches at the foot of the mountains, incredible natural scenery and vibrant, internationally recognized culinary scene make the Friendliest City in The World a romantic place par excellence. 

In celebration of February 14th, here are some suggestions to share with the special person(s) in your life during your next trip to Puerto Vallarta. 

Valentine’s Day in the Daytime 

Begin this special day with an encounter with nature at the Butterfly Sanctuary Jardín Mágico, one of the largest in Mexico and the only one of its kind in Puerto Vallarta. The Butterfly Sanctuary houses over 30 native species of these beautiful pollinating insects.

Several guided tours are offered daily for groups of up to 10 people from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The 35-minute tour ($16 USD per person) includes: admission to the butterfly farm and the services of a tour guide. Release a newly hatched butterfly and give it the first flight of its life at the end of the tour! 

The Butterfly Sanctuary Jardín Mágico is located just 15 minutes away from the marine terminal in Puerto Vallarta. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat or cap, comfortable shoes and sunglasses if you decide to visit.

Puerto Vallarta's heavenly beaches are always a perfect option in all seasons. Include in your Valentine's Day plans a day with your sweetheart in Las Caletas. This little paradise is only accessible by sea on the Vallarta Adventures tour. 

Las Caletas resembles a cozy village amidst the jungle with all amenities for an unforgettable day of adventure, relaxation and all-inclusive entertainment. Don't forget a visit to the Caletas HillTop Spa where you can indulge in a variety of beauty treatments for you and your partner! 

Or how about surprising that special someone with a picnic on the beach? Boho Picnic is a specialist in creating unique romantic experiences; from an intimate dinner for 2 to anniversaries, engagement parties and bridal showers. 

You pick the date, time and place, and let Boho Picnic worry about the rest. They offer 4 picnic packages that you can customize to your liking and include additional services, such as: a private chef, a professional photographer, a saxophone player, and even a live mariachi band. (The Basic Package starts at $1,800 MXN for 2 people.)

Puerto Vallarta's weather is always very pleasant in February. At sunset, take the opportunity to stroll through the peaceful cobblestone streets of the Historic Downtown. In the alleys that lead to the upper part of the city, you will find more than one charming façade adorned with bougainvillea or an Instagrammable corner. 

One such place is the old Faro de Matamoros lighthouse. Located at Matamoros Street in the Gringo Gulch neighborhood and just a few blocks above the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the old lighthouse was built in 1932. It offers a beautiful panoramic view of downtown Puerto Vallarta and its small tile-roofed casitas. 

From the Matamoros Lighthouse, we recommend that you continue your walk up the road to the El Cerro de la Cruz. Just take your time and take the necessary breaks along the way.  From the top of the hill you will be able to admire the sunset and the romantic shadows that will illuminate the Banderas Bay in all of its splendor. 

In fact, 2 of our favorite spots to take the best pictures of Puerto Vallarta are the old Faro de Matamoros lighthouse and the El Cerro de la Cruz.  They are a must for your visit!

Tip from a Mexican heartthrob: Sweeten your Valentine's Day with some exquisite petits fours from Pâtisserie Le Jardin Sucré. (Be sure to try their red fruit tarts and authentic Papantla vanilla macaroons!) Carefully made by hand (and with heart), Xocodiva's fruit-filled truffles are sure to please your loved one’s eyes and palate alike.

Valentine’s Day in the Nighttime 

Experience one of Puerto Vallarta's most famous romance stories at Casa Kimberly, the former estate and love nest of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, 2 of Hollywood's greatest stars of yore. 

Today, nestled in the heart of Gringo Gulch, Casa Kimberly is a charming boutique hotel. Its restaurant The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar is a preferred choice for romantic dinners overlooking downtown Puerto Vallarta and Old Vallarta. 

Created by Executive Chef Jesús Suastegui, the menu features Mexican cuisine that blends with contemporary influences. The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar was named one of OpenTableMX's Top 50 Restaurants in Mexico 2022.

Intimate and cozy with a bohemian ambiance that transports you to Paris' Montparnasse, La Cigale French Bistro is one of downtown Puerto Vallarta's best-kept secrets. 

La Cigale's cuisine honors the French culinary tradition with delicacies such as the appetizing Soupe à l'oignon gratiné, the Moules frites in white wine, the exquisite Boeuf Bourguignon marinated in Burgundy red wine, or the juicy Coq au vin. Trust us, you will find yourself wanting to come back again and again!

For an intimate evening off the (touristic) beaten path, try the signature cuisine of charismatic Michoacán-born chef Leopoldo "Polo" Cortés. Trained by renowned Michelin-starred chefs, he has extensive experience in restaurants in France, Spain, England, Germany, Costa Rica and Puerto Vallarta’s Café des Artistes. 

The fusion cuisine at his cozy restaurant D' Cortés is brilliant in its apparent simplicity, creative with strong roots in traditional cuisine, and prepared with fresh local ingredients, materializing his own personal motto of "More essence, less pretense.” 

The short rib taquitos with handmade blue corn tortillas, organic Rock Cornish with organic vegetables or their tender Mediterranean octopus over mashed potatoes and saffron are not to be missed! For a final touch of sweetness, be sure to try the crunchy vanilla crème brûlée with berries.

Named the Best New Restaurant in Mexico by Food and Travel’s 2019 Reader Awards, Restaurant icú has become a must-visit in the Puerto Vallarta dining scene. 

Its owner, young chef Mauricio Leal, has taken the traditional dishes of Mexican cuisine and infused them with his personal inspiration. The result is a haute cuisine experience. 

This is reflected in his decadent tasting menus of 7 courses (meals: MXN1,400 per person; wine pairing: +MXN950) and 11 courses (meals: MXN2,000 per person; wine pairing: +MXN1,450.) 

Restaurant icú new location in Puerto Vallarta's Romantic Zone offers a much more spacious, fresh and comfortable space. Whether you are planning a romantic dinner or a special celebration with a group of your best friends, this is the place to see and be seen.

For a more casual and relaxed (but no less romantic) Valentine's Day evening, how about a Mexican wine tasting?  Located in the heart of the historic downtown area of Puerto Vallarta, you will find Granvas, an intimate wine bar that specializes in wines produced by family-owned wineries from various regions of Mexico. 

Each tasting ($1,200 MXN per person) is led by up-and-coming owner and wine culture enthusiast Mau Cervera. Per glass tasting includes: 2 red, 2 white and 1 rosé; food pairing: artisanal cheese board and other local products (seeds, honey and charcuterie.)  

Granvas also offers a small menu of dishes to share. Wines by the glass, selected Buna bean coffees and a variety of cocktails are also available. Reservations are always recommended as the space is limited.

Tip from a Mexican heartthrob: Surprise your Valentine with exclusive designs from Cassandra Shaw Jewelry -a contemporary jewelry institution in the Romantic Zone- or Karen Mical Designs' colorful new handcrafted jewelry collection, Impressions.