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May 20, 2026
Some destinations have a knack for captivating people. They don't need to use tricks or spend millions of dollars on advertisements. They just need to give people what they truly have to offer: the ocean, local flavors, warm hospitality, and adventure around every corner.
Puerto Vallarta is one of those places, and in 2026 TripAdvisor confirmed it in the most resounding way possible: by awarding Jalisco’s premier beach destination the Travelers' Choice Best of the Best award. This is the platform's highest honor, reserved for the top one percent of destinations and experiences worldwide as rated by real travelers.
Puerto Vallarta's status as one of the most popular destinations in Mexico is a result of the opinions of travelers who have already been there, not the opinions of expert juries or the sponsorship fee. In addition, six Vallarta experiences were also granted this distinction. Here are six compelling reasons to start planning your next trip to Puerto Vallarta.
The Malecon boardwalk is the starting point (or the ending point) for any visit to Puerto Vallarta. Spanning approximately twelve city blocks, this waterfront promenade boasts urban sculptures by renowned artists from Mexico and around the world, as well as vendors offering fruit and other delicious antojitos mexicanos. The area also features bars and restaurants with spectacular views of the Pacific, reflecting the vibrant pulse of a city that knows how to live life to the fullest. When the sky turns orange over Banderas Bay at sunset, Puerto Vallarta's El Malecon becomes one of those free, priceless spectacles.
If you're seeking an adrenaline rush, Los Veranos Canopy Tour is an essential stop. This adventure park, located on the slopes of the mountains south of Vallarta, is considered the first zip-line circuit in North America. It offers more than three kilometers of cables suspended up to 100 meters above the jungle and the Los Horcones River. This adventure tour in Puerto Vallarta includes transportation, interaction with exotic animals, kayaking, water slides, and, as the perfect finale, a tequila tasting by the river.
Banderas Bay holds secrets that only reveal themselves beneath the surface. In Puerto Vallarta, the premier boutique dive center is Banderas Scuba Republic. The center's small groups, bilingual instructors who have received training in marine biology, and their genuine passion for the ocean are all evident from the very first briefing. Ocean lovers can dive at Los Arcos in Mismaloya and Majahuitas, as well as other lesser-explored sites. There, they will encounter manta rays, sea turtles, and schools of colorful fish, making every dive an unforgettable experience. Banderas Scuba Republic boasts PADI Five-Star standards, a benchmark of excellence in scuba diving instruction, at its two locations in Downtown and the Romantic Zone.
Las Caletas Beach is one of those hidden gems that seem like something out of an adventure novel, and the only way to access it is by sea. This private paradise, nestled on the southern coast of Puerto Vallarta where the rainforest meets the Mexican Pacific on a white-sand beach, free of roads and city noise, is the destination of choice for travelers, and Vallarta Adventures, the premier tour operator in the area, can take you there. The tour to Las Caletas features snorkeling, kayaking, massages among palm trees, and cuisine that celebrates the flavors of Jalisco. In essence, it's the premium version of the ideal getaway, perfect for families.
Puerto Vallarta boasts a vibrant nightlife scene with a distinctive character, and The Palm Cabaret and Bar is a leading establishment in this vibrant landscape. This small theater is located on the famous Olas Altas Street, where it hosts live shows night after night. The lineup features a mix of comedians, drag queens, singers, and performances that combine talent, irreverence, and plenty of humor. The Palm Cabaret and Bar is the kind of place where you can start your evening with a cocktail and end it with the certainty of having experienced a once-in-a-lifetime show that is on par with the world's greatest theaters. This cabaret in the Romantic Zone has become one of Puerto Vallarta's most beloved gathering spots, thanks to the local community and LGBTQ+ travelers.
There are few things that show the true character of a place like its street food. Vallarta Food Tours is a company that takes this idea and makes it into an unforgettable experience. They offer guided tours through El Centro (Downtown), El Pitillal, the Romantic Zone, and other areas of Puerto Vallarta. These tours bring travelers to local taquerías and small, family-run restaurants, where you can eat like a local. Places whose fame has preceded them for decades include birrierías, seafood restaurants, artisanal tortillerías, and spots where you eat ceviche standing up with your eyes closed in pure bliss. At Vallarta Food Tours, every stop tells a story and every flavor marks a coordinate on the cultural and culinary map of Jalisco’s premier beach destination. It comes as no surprise that TripAdvisor users have ranked them among the five most popular food tours in Latin America.
Puerto Vallarta has a strong and vibrant identity. A city that vibrates between the traditional and the cosmopolitan, with one of the most beautiful bays in the world, is now home to six experiences bearing the "2026 Best of the Best" seal according to TripAdvisor.
The sole genuine dilemma associated with a visit to Puerto Vallarta is that it's challenging not to wish to prolong your stay.
Discover the Vallarta mud turtle, the world’s smallest turtle found only in Puerto Vallarta, and the efforts to save it from extinction. Read more
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Discover the new restaurants debuting at Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Week 2026 and enjoy exclusive gourmet menus from May 15 to June 10. Read more
