Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Start at Los Muertos Beach in the Zona Romántica, arriving around 3:45 PM for an easy introduction to Puerto Vallarta. Settle near the pier, where the beach is livelier and more convenient than the quieter southern stretches, and keep an eye on your belongings while swimming. A beach chair or umbrella may cost roughly MX$200–400 depending on the spot; the beach itself is free. From there, walk north to Los Muertos Pier around 5:15 PM. The short waterfront stroll is especially pleasant as the sky changes color, and the pier’s lights typically come on around dusk. Allow about 15–20 minutes on foot between the beach and the pier, with extra time for photos and vendors.
Continue north along the waterfront toward the Malecón Boardwalk, reaching it around 5:45 PM. This is the best stretch for Puerto Vallarta’s famous outdoor sculptures, galleries, street performers, and broad bay views; the pedestrian promenade is free and easy to explore at an unhurried pace. Around 7:00 PM, walk inland to Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the city’s landmark church. Its ornate interior is generally accessible when services are not underway, so enter quietly and check locally for any service or event affecting access. Finish with dinner at Café des Artistes, about a 10-minute walk from the church, arriving around 7:45 PM. This polished Mexican-French restaurant is a worthwhile splurge for its garden setting and refined cooking—budget approximately MX$800–1,500 per person before drinks. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for the garden; if you are walking in, ask whether a bar or terrace table is available.
No packing list attached yet.