Hotels

Beyond a varied selection of hotels and resorts, Puerto Vallarta offers many alternative accommodations. Oceanfront or marina-view condominiums and elegant private villas can offer families and small groups a better value and more ample space than a hotel. For short-term rentals, check out www.costavallartaboutiquevillas.com, tel. 800/728-9098 in the U.S. and Canada, or 322/221-2277. Office hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm. Prices start at $99 a night for nonbeachside condos and go to $3,000 for penthouse condos or private villas. Susan Weisman's Bayside Properties, Francisco Rodríguez 160, corner of Olas Altas (tel. 322/222-8148; www.baysidepropertiespv.com), rents condos, villas, and hotels for individuals and large groups, including gay-friendly accommodations. Another reputable full-service travel agency is Holland Travel Companies (tel. 415/704-0455; www.puertovallartavillas.com). For the ultimate, indulge in a Punta Mita Villa rental within this exclusive resort. Contact Mita Residential (tel. 877/561-2893 in the U.S., or 329/291-5300; www.mitaresidential.com).

Marina Vallarta

Marina Vallarta is the most modern and deluxe area of hotel development in Puerto Vallarta. Located immediately south of the airport and just north of the cruise-ship terminal, it's a planned development whose centerpiece is a 450-slip modern marina.

In addition to the hotels reviewed from this area, an excellent choice is Casa Velas, on the golf course at Pelícanos 311 (tel. 866/529-8813 in the U.S., or 322/226-6688; www.hotelcasavelas.com). High-season rates start at $250 per person, all inclusive.

The Hotel Zone

The main street running between the airport and town is Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio. The hotels here offer excellent wide beachfronts with generally tranquil waters for swimming. From here it's a quick taxi or bus ride to downtown.

Downtown to Los Muertos Beach

This part of town has undergone a renaissance; economical hotels and good-value guesthouses dominate. Several blocks off the beach, you can find numerous budget inns offering clean, simply furnished rooms; most offer discounts for long-term stays.