Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is a must-visit beach destination. Known for it’s beautiful beaches and scenic mountain backdrop, Puerto Vallarta is perfect for a relaxing getaway or an adventurous trip. With many excursions to choose from, you can make a visit to Puerto Vallarta as crazy or as calm as you please.
Knowing what to wear in Puerto Vallarta will help your trip go smoothly. From beach essentials to mountain adventure gear, you’ll be set for your trip in no time with this ultimate Puerto Vallarta packing list.
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Before You Visit Puerto Vallarta
How to Get to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
To get to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, you can fly from most major airports in the US directly to Puerto Vallarta International Airport. You may need to catch a connecting flight to somewhere like Dallas and then onto Puerto Vallarta. The airport in Puerto Vallarta is close to most hotels. Just catch a taxi or Uber when you land.
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
As a popular beach city, Puerto Vallarta has a plethora of hotels and condos to stay in. The two best areas to search for a hotel are the Zona Romántica, the trendy neighborhood on the southern side of Puerto Vallarta, or the Zona Hotelera, the “hotel zone,” which is closer to the airport and boasts many of the larger resort style hotels.
I recommend Hotel Mio Vallarta in the Zona Hotelera and Vallarta Shores Beach Hotel in Zona Romatica. You can check prices and availability with the pink links below.
- Book Vallarta Shores Beach Hotel: 9-star rating, Zona Romatica, beachfront, private suites with pools available
- Book Hotel Mio Vallarta: 9-star rating, Zona Hotelera, 500 ft from the beach, adult only, breakfast available
How to Get Around Puerto Vallarta
You don’t need a car in Puerto Vallarta as taking Ubers is super convenient and quite cheap, or you can opt for a taxi. If you choose to take a taxi, make sure you agree upon a fare with the driver before you begin your journey. An Uber or taxi from the airport to the Zona Romantica should be around MX$130-230 (USD$7-12 max).
The popular neighborhoods like Zona Romantica and Zona Hotelera are very walkable. A combo of walking and taking taxis/Ubers is best in Puerto Vallarta.
While I was visiting, I stayed in the Zona Hotelera and took an Uber everywhere. It’s very easy, and you can get to the best beaches in the Zona Romantica for about USD$6 per ride. Uber is very popular here.
Please note that if you choose to drive here, the rules of the road differ from those in the US. The lane setup can be confusing, and drivers can be very assertive here. I chose not to drive myself.
Read more about what to do in Puerto Vallarta for the best time!
What to Wear in Puerto Vallarta
Here’s what to pack for 5 days in Puerto Vallarta. This is what I brought, and it worked well for me, but please change things around to fit your style and comfort. While you’re packing for your trip, check out what to pack for Merida, Mexico, for a great trip to the Yucatan Peninsula.
Clothing
- Swimsuits x 2
- Dress or skirt x 1
- Shorts x 2
- Pants x 1
- Button Up Shirt x 1
- Tank Tops x 2
- Short Sleeve Shirts x 2
- Sandals x 1
- Sneakers x 1
- Cardigan x 1
- Pajama Set x 1
- Underwear x 5
- Bra x 2
- Socks x 3
A pair of linen pants or something more breathable than denim will be best for the tropical weather in Puerto Vallarta. Bring a pair of denim or canvas shorts, as well as a more athletic pair for any excursions or hiking.
What to Pack for Puerto Vallarta
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Hairbrush
- Hair ties
- Headband/bandana
- Face wash
- Eye cream
- SPF moisturizer
- Body sunscreen
- Razor
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Lip and cheek tint
- Eyebrow pen
- Mascara
- Makeup remover
- Conditioner (some hotels only have shampoo)
Remember to brush your teeth with bottled water in Mexico. The tap water is not drinkable throughout the country. Most hotels will provide water bottles for your stay.
Day Bag
- Small backpack or zip tote
- Extra sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Quick dry towel (optional)
- Book or kindle (for the beach)
- Wallet
- Pesos (many places only take cash)
- Sunglasses
- Hat
Travel Extras
- Passport
- Travel pillow
- Pain killer (like ibuprofen)
- Bandaids
- Sunburn relief
- Antidiarrheal
- Earplugs
- Snacks for the plane
- Activity book (like wordsearch)
Puerto Vallarta Packing Idea
Shop the Puerto Vallarta outfit idea above with the pink links! Remember, this is just a recommendation. Pack what you already own, tweak the items to fit your needs best.
Puerto Vallarta Packing List FAQ
Do you need water shoes in Puerto Vallarta?
You don’t necessarily need water shoes in Puerto Vallarta, but it doesn’t hurt to wear them. There can be rocky areas of beach and very hot sand, so wearing water shoes can actually help.
What to wear at night in Puerto Vallarta?
It cools down significantly at night in Puerto Vallarta, especially with the sea breeze. You can wear shorts or a dress still, but it’s best to wear a jacket or a warm cardigan as well. You can also comfortably wear pants at night here.
Do I need bug spray in Puerto Vallarta?
Despite being a very tropical destination, Puerto Vallarta thankfully doesn’t have too many mosquitoes. It’s best to bring a small bottle of bug spray to avoid getting bitten by any bugs, as, depending on the weather, you might experience more bugs occasionally.
Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Puerto Vallarta?
You cannot brush your teeth with tap water in Puerto Vallarta, or anywhere in Mexico. While a very small amount of tap water likely won’t hurt you, it’s best to avoid ingesting it at all and to brush your teeth with bottled water. Your hotel will likely provide water bottles, or you can find them at any supermarket.
Do you flush toilet paper in Puerto Vallarta?
Do not flush toilet paper in Puerto Vallarta or anywhere else in Mexico unless you know for sure that you can. Toilets will have a trash can right next to them in Puerto Vallarta so you can easily dispose of toilet paper.
Knowing what to wear in Puerto Vallarta and other travel essentials to pack will help make your trip the best possible. With this ultimate Puerto Vallarta packing list, you’ll be set for your beach getaway in no time.
This western Mexico destination is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys serene beaches and lush, green mountain scenes. Plan a trip to Puerto Vallarta and save this packing list, or send it to a friend who could use a sunny beach vacation!
