No matter the time of year, in the middle of the day you’ll want to be relaxing under a beach umbrella, by a pool, or doing an excursion rather than walking around in full sun. Don’t be deceived by cloudy days either, for the UV is harsh. The tourist hubs Zona Romantica and El Centro come to life at sunset and in the evenings, which are the best times to stroll the cobblestone streets, the seaside malecón, or the beach.

When it comes to signature dishes in Jalisco state (where Puerto Vallarta is located), like birria, a flavorful slow-cooked meat stew eaten with tortillas, skip the fancy restaurants. Some of the best foods are antojitos, fast traditional snacks or meals from street carts, or simple family-run joints, only open in the morning or evening. When it comes to delicious ceviche, aguachile, and crudo, dine at specialty seafood or reputable beach restaurants to ensure fresh, higher-quality ingredients. It’s worth splurging on a dinner at a hillside restaurant for sunset views over the old town’s rooftops and Bay of Banderas. Foodies should escape the tourist area and head to Versalles, a neighborhood packed with terrific restaurants.

While a guided tour bridges any language barrier and is useful for outdoor adventures in Puerto Vallarta’s jungles, the city itself is small, safe, and relatively easy to explore on your own whether you use taxis, hire a private driver, rent a car, or use local buses (cycling is not recommended). Traveling on your own opens you up for interactions with locals, who are usually friendly and love to chat. Crime targeting tourists is mostly petty theft, such as pickpocketing or stealing valuables left on the beach while you’re swimming in the ocean. Exercise common sense. Leave valuables in the hotel safe.

It’s well worth taking a day or more to explore the incredible surroundings. Riviera Nayarit stretches over 90 miles north along the Pacific Coast, and is dotted with surfing beach towns backed by jungle-covered mountains, which are full of waterfalls in the rainy season; the towns of Sayulita and San Pancho are popular day trips. To the south are the windswept beaches of Mayto and Careyes. Up in the highlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental, the Spanish-colonial mining town of San Sebastian del Oeste is excellent for mountain bikers and hikers. Visit the blue agave fields and world-famous distilleries of Tequila, just three hours from Puerto Vallarta via a new toll highway.

Puerto Vallarta has long been a popular LGBTQ+ destination, and is known as “the gay capital of Mexico.” The Zona Romantica, one of Vallarta’s oldest neighborhoods, is full of hotels and hubs catering to the LGBTQ+ community. The lively area is chock-full of trendy cafes and restaurants, shops, art galleries, and clubs. It boasts the city’s best nightlife, making it a fun hotspot for all.