Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport: where to stay…

Puerto Vallarta airport is right next to Marina Vallarta, the marina and golf-course district closest to the terminals: for short layovers or dawn departures, staying here avoids any long transfer. The historic centre with the Zona Romántica is still 20-30 minutes away along the Malecón, convenient for those who want restaurants and evening life within walking distance. Those aiming for an all-inclusive beach resort can stay in the Zona Hotelera, closer to downtown, or head further south along the Carretera a Barra de Navidad, where a handful of upscale resorts occupy a more isolated stretch of coast while still remaining within Puerto Vallarta's territory, not in Nuevo Vallarta as is often believed.

Marina Vallarta

Airport area · Marina Vallarta literally borders the airport: 5-10 minutes by car, the shortest in this guide.

Best for: Short layovers, dawn departures and those who want a beach resort a few minutes from the terminals, without the traffic of the Malecón towards downtown.

Pros

The shortest possible transfer to and from the terminals, handy for the first flights of the morning
Golf course, marina with restaurants and its own beach without leaving the neighbourhood

Cons

A planned residential and hotel area, with little street life compared to downtown
For the Zona Romántica or the Malecón you still need 20-30 minutes by taxi

Recommended hotels in this area

The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort: On Marina Vallarta beach, a few minutes from the airport; the first all-inclusive resort under the Westin brand in Mexico, with multiple pools and in-house restaurants.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa: CasaMagna resort on Marina Vallarta beach, about 5 minutes from the airport; awarded AAA Four Diamond for over twenty consecutive years.

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Zona Hotelera (Las Glorias)

Neighbourhood · About 10-15 minutes by car from the airport (6.5 km); the Malecón and downtown are a few minutes on foot.

Best for: Those who want a beach resort a few minutes on foot from the Malecón and downtown, without the extra distance of the Zona Romántica or the Costa Sur.

Pros

The Malecón and downtown restaurants within walking distance, with no need for a taxi in the evening
The resort's beach and pools a few steps from the room

Cons

Some buildings in the area date back several decades, with furnishings less modern than the more recent resorts.
Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio is busy and noisy compared to Marina Vallarta

Recommended hotels in this area

Sheraton Buganvilias Puerto Vallarta: On the beach along boulevard Medina Ascencio, less than 400 metres from the Malecón; four tennis courts and two outdoor pools among the largest in the hotel zone.

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Zona Romántica and Downtown

Neighbourhood · About 20-30 minutes by car from the airport (10 km), along the Malecón; there is no fast direct bus, only taxis or local collective vans with several stops.

Best for: Those who want the historic centre, restaurants and the Zona Romántica's evening life within walking distance, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

Restaurants, galleries and the Zona Romántica's evening life within walking distance of the room
Camarones beach a few minutes on foot, with the historic centre and the Malecón nearby

Cons

Longer transfer from the airport than Marina Vallarta or the Zona Hotelera
Narrow, crowded alleys in the evening hours, with scarce parking for those arriving by car

Recommended hotels in this area

105 Downtown cerca de playa y el malecón: Apartments about one kilometre from downtown Puerto Vallarta, three minutes on foot from Camarones beach and the Malecón; a kitchen in the room for those wanting to stay more than a few nights.

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Costa Sur

Neighbourhood · About 25-35 minutes by car from the airport, crossing downtown and the Cuale river before heading up the south coast; both resorts remain within the territory of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, not Nuevo Vallarta.

Best for: Those looking for an isolated all-inclusive resort on the Carretera a Barra de Navidad, south of downtown, with less street life but more peace and quiet.

Pros

A quieter beach, less crowded with venues than downtown or Marina Vallarta
Recently opened resorts, with pools and restaurants designed so you don't need to go out in the evening

Cons

The longest transfer in this guide, along with the one to Costa Mujeres in Cancún
No independent shop or restaurant nearby: you stay within the resort

Recommended hotels in this area

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta - All Inclusive: All-inclusive resort on the Carretera a Barra de Navidad, in the Conchas Chinas area south of downtown; among the most reviewed in Puerto Vallarta for location and service.
Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort, Puerto Vallarta: 444 rooms on the same Carretera a Barra de Navidad as the Hyatt Ziva, with two infinity pools and 14 in-house restaurants and bars.

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