Puerto Vallarta & Bucerias - Mexico's West Coast!

Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias are very popular holiday destinations for Mexicans and visitors from the USA and Canada. 

It’s a bit too far to be on the European holiday radar, which is a shame as it’s a great alternative to the ever- growing crowds of the Riviera Maya.

The beaches here are fantastic – and no Sargassum weed! They may lack the beautiful blue and turquoise colors of the Caribbean but make up for it with an awesome backdrop of mountains.

We spent a month in the area and found there was so much to do, that we missed out on several beach days!

The West Coast

On the west coast of Mexico are the two towns of Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias.

They are quite different but close enough that you can travel from one to the other in 30 minutes.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta (or called PV by the locals) is a well-known and very popular holiday destination for US and Canadian vacationers.

It is also popular with a large number of ‘snowbirds’. These are visitors who fly south for better winter weather than back home and then return in spring to escape the hotter summers.

PV is a much bigger place than Bucerias, with many grand and boutique hotels. The number and range of restaurants are impressive, as are the many shops, cafes, and sites to see.

Bucerias

Bucerias is a smaller and more compact destination, making it a favorite for families. The beaches are, in our opinion, nicer. Depending on when you visit, the sea is calmer, making it nicer and safer for youngsters.

Be aware that a major road separates the ‘holiday’ part of Bucerias from many of the Airbnbs . There are plenty of hotels along the beach but check the location of any Airbnb concerning the beach.

Nuevo Vallarta is midway between Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias. But as it is to the south of the airport, it is typically lumped in with Bucerias, as it is in the state of Nayarit. There are plenty of hotels along the beach. However, note that if you don’t stay at one of these, access to the beach is restricted to two ‘public entry points’.