MX · Jalisco · 20.65°N 105.22°W

puerto vallarta

Pacific sunsets, cobbled old-town streets, seafood and winter humpback whales.

Best time
November–April are dry and sunny, and humpback whales are in the bay from December to March. Summer is hot and humid with heavy rain, and August–September carry the most tropical-storm risk.
How long
3–4 days
Getting there
Fly with two stops, via Tokyo or Seoul and Mexico City, about 25–30 hours all in; the last flight is about 1.5 hours. The airport is 20–30 minutes from the old town. Puerto Vallarta is 14 hours behind KL all year. Malaysians don't need a visa for Mexico, but connecting through a US airport would need a US visa.
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MX · Jaliscopuerto vallarta20.65°N 105.22°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Pacific sunsets, cobbled old-town streets, seafood and winter humpback whales.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPuerto VallartaMX, Jalisco
KLpuerto vallarta
≈ 16,065 km from KL, as the crow flies
Puerto Vallarta

Photo: August Dominus · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Puerto Vallarta has a real old town behind its beach, with cobbled streets climbing into green hills. Banderas Bay adds boat trips, seafood lunches and humpback whales in winter.

Makan

  1. Pescado zarandeadoWhole fish split open, rubbed with chilli and grilled over wood on the beach.Map ↗
  2. Ceviche tostadasLime-cured fish or prawns piled on a crisp tortilla.Map ↗
  3. Aguas frescasCold drinks of hibiscus, tamarind or fresh fruit, from big glass jars.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. MalecónThe seafront promenade, lined with bronze sculptures and best at sunset.Map ↗
  2. Zona RománticaThe old town south of the river, with Los Muertos beach and its sail-shaped pier.Map ↗
  3. YelapaA car-free cove village reached only by boat, with a short walk to a waterfall.Map ↗
  4. Whale watchingHumpbacks come into the bay to calve between December and March; licensed boats keep a proper distance.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal is very limited; seafood is the easy way through, but ask about lard and shared grills.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.