by We first discovered Puerto Vallarta while celebrating my 50th birthday back in January (I wrote about it in my blog Take the Dam Trip). That trip was short but sweet, and just enough to leave us wanting more of this tropical gem. So, this time, we set our sights on exploring the Romantica Zone, renting an Airbnb for a full week. I can’t recommend Puerto Vallarta enough. It’s affordable, vibrant, and packed with opportunities for a fun-in-the-sun getaway.
From Hotel to Airbnb – On our first visit, we stayed in the Hotel Zone at Hotel Mio Puerto Vallarta. While hotels offer great perks and plenty of built-in socializing, we wanted to stretch our budget further this time around. Renting an apartment gave us more flexibility, and there’s no shortage of Airbnbs in Puerto Vallarta to fit every budget and style. We stocked up on groceries at the Walmart conveniently located halfway from the airport and the Romantic Zone. Having our own kitchen and a rooftop pool (which we often had all to ourselves) gave us a sense of freedom we loved. Plus, being just blocks from the beach made it easy to soak up the ocean air whenever we wanted.
Living Like Locals – The Romantica Zone offered so much more to explore than our last stay. When we weren’t relaxing by the pool or cooking at the apartment, we were indulging in street tacos that were both delicious and affordable. We had planned on snorkeling, but locals advised us to skip it, the rainy season had left the water murky from mountain runoff. Instead, we treated ourselves to heavenly 80-minute massages at Blue Massage, the essence of relaxation without the hefty price tag.
We also explored Our Lady of Guadalupe and the city’s most iconic landmarks, browsed local shops along the beach, and I finally scored the silver jewelry I’d been hunting for at Cassandra Shaw Jewelry.
Nights Out in the Romantic Zone – The Romantic Zone is known for being LGBTQ-friendly, and with that comes plenty of lively entertainment. One evening, we followed a fellow tenant’s recommendation and headed to The Top Sky Bar & Restaurant. It didn’t disappoint. We enjoyed a romantic dinner at sunset overlooking the bay, followed by an entertaining drag show that made for an unforgettable night.
Final Thoughts – All in all, this trip was exactly what we needed, a chance to slow down, re-calibrate, and enjoy each other’s company in paradise. If Puerto Vallarta sounds like your kind of destination, drop me a line, I’d be happy to share more hidden gems and tips for making the most of your stay in this beautiful corner of Mexico.
