The best flight deals to Puerto Vallarta (PVR)

Puerto Vallarta is an absolute must-see if you’re an adventurous traveler who enjoys stunning scenery and a dining and nightlife scene with attitude. Nestled in a tranquil bay looking out onto the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is ideal if you’re a beachgoer.

Nothing's better than a brisk mid-morning walk along the boardwalk before hopping onto Playa Camarones and enjoying a refreshing margarita at a beachside bar. Playa Camarones is the easiest beach to find in Puerto Vallarta, but the likes of Las Gemelas are on hand if you’d prefer a slower pace. For the ultimate remote beach destination in Puerto Vallarta, Las Caletas is a great choice – it can only be reached by boat!

Another reason to consider Puerto Vallarta for your next vacation is the year-round climate. It’s warm most of the year which is great, especially when it’s coldest back in many parts of the US between December and March. Puerto Vallarta has also cultivated a reputation for being the LGBTQ capital of Mexico, with Zona Romántica a safe, vibrant place for all to have fun day and night.

This part of Mexico minimizes potential jet lag for many Americans: the time in Puerto Vallarta is just 1 hour ahead of those flying in from LAX and 1 hour behind those flying in from Dallas, although from New York it can be a 2-hour difference and if you're flying in from somewhere like Hawaii, well it's 4! You don’t have to dedicate a full vacation day to traveling either. The typical flight time to Puerto Vallarta is around 3-4 hours although this naturally depends on your departure airport.

It’s easy to get under the skin of Puerto Vallarta during a long weekend. We’ve put together a stellar 3-day itinerary to give you a taste of things to do in Puerto Vallarta - the so-called “San Francisco of Mexico”.

Day 1:Visit the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta

Once you’ve arrived at Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR), we’d recommend taking a taxi from the kiosk or walking to the pedestrian bridge beyond the airport perimeter to get a cheaper fare into the center of the city. Local bus services like bus line C27 – Marina will run through the city every 15 minutes.

Drop your bags off at your hotel and head straight for the Malecon (Boardwalk). This 800-yard coastal walkway is where it’s at, with magnificent Pacific views, excellent seafood restaurants, artisan shops and galleries, and bars.

Spend your first evening in Zona Romántica, which has cobbled streets lined with bars, live music, and restaurants.

Day 2: Explore the Marietas Islands of Puerto Vallarta

A long weekend in Puerto Vallarta wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Pacific and all that swims beneath it. Book a once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with Pacific bottlenose dolphins or even sea lions. It’s a great opportunity to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

Don your snorkel and delve down for a scuba diving excursion, seeing the Pacific ecosystems with your very own eyes. The Marietas Islands Marine Reserve and the Las Caletas Beach Hideaway are 2 of the best scuba diving destinations in Puerto Vallarta.

Finish your day by refueling with some vibrant Mexican cuisine. There are several dishes native to Puerto Vallarta. Shrimp pozole stew and pescado zarandeado is a juicy fish dish, served with fresh tortillas and rice. Pescado embarazado is another vibrant fish dish, while there are blue shrimp and fresh lobster tails on the menu of most local restaurants. It’s a seafood lover’s paradise, that’s for sure!

Day 3: Relive the history of Pueto Vallarta in Centro Histórico

Spend your final day in Puerto Vallarta soaking up as much of its history as possible. Make it your mission to understand the story of this colorful city. Head into the magnificent baroque-style Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Centro Histórico is the “Old Town” of Puerto Vallarta. It’s a great place to meet the locals and poke around. Every cobbled street tells its own story, with family restaurants, and independent art galleries to see.

Watch the sunset on your stay in Puerto Vallarta from Muelle de Playa Los Muertos, a new 21st-century pier that stretches out into the Pacific. The structure itself is beautifully lit at night, creating a magical atmosphere.

How can I request assistance for children traveling alone?

If you have a minor that needs to travel to Puerto Vallarta alone, for any reason, contact your airline as soon as you’ve booked your flights with us. Most airlines – even low-cost ones – will provide travel assistance for minors aged between 5 and 12. Just make sure you arrange it ASAP to give you all peace of mind.

How can I travel with assistance dog?

If you’re going to need mobility assistance from your departure airport to Puerto Vallarta, contact your airline as soon as you can. There’s limited availability for assistance dogs from most departure airports, so it pays to be organized to avoid disappointment.

How do I find cheap flights to Puerto Vallarta with flexible change policies at eDreams?

Scroll to the top of this page and use our search bar to compare flight deals to Puerto Vallarta from your ideal departure airport. With most deals, you can add our eDreams Flexible Fare to your booking, allowing you to change travel dates after your booking free of handling charges.

How can I book cheap hotels on eDreams in Puerto Vallarta?

At eDreams, we’re committed to offering great travel packages to Puerto Vallarta. That’s why you can take advantage of our flight + hotel deals. Our AI-powered search function aims to find the best flight and hotel combinations based on your needs. By booking your flights and accommodation with us directly, you can save up to 40% on the total cost of your trip to Puerto Vallarta. Or you can become an eDreams Prime member and get even more competitive hotel rates exclusively in your inbox.

What baggage do I need to check on my flight?

In most cases, airlines serving Puerto Vallarta will allow you to take at least a small handbag or rucksack on board, so long as it fits neatly under your seat. Depending on the air fare, you may need to pay more to take a small cabin suitcase on board – the kind that fits in the overhead lockers. Any bigger suitcases weighing over 10kg will usually need checking in and reclaiming at Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport.

How can I check in with eDreams?

If you choose to buy flights to Puerto Vallarta with us, you’ll still be able to check in online through your airline. Just head to your airline’s official website, enter the booking reference we supply and follow the on-screen instructions. Most airlines will open online check-in from 24-48 hours before your flight time.

Do I need to pay a cancellation fee if I cancel my flight to Puerto Vallarta?

If you need to cancel your flight to Puerto Vallarta for any reason, we’ll let you cancel free of charge within 24 hours of booking your ticket(s). Any later than this and cancellations will be at the discretion of your chosen airline. Each carrier deals with cancellations differently. Some may give you a refund and some may be non-refundable. You can always avoid this confusion by locking in our Cancel for Any Reason Guarantee, which means you can cancel and get all your air fare back, minus our 20% excess fee.

How do I know if my flight is eligible for compensation?

You’ll need to check the terms and conditions of your flight to Puerto Vallarta to find out if it’s eligible for compensation. Airline cancellation policies differ from airline to airline, so it’s always best to be clear on what you’re owed and how to claim if your flight is severely delayed or even canceled.

From a pure geographical perspective, Puerto Vallarta is situated on an identical latitude to Hawaii, so it makes sense that tourists are reminded of Hawaii's climate and surroundings.

The weather in Vallarta is typically warm throughout the year, but it does have distinct dry and wet seasons. It’s enveloped by jungle to the east, which is why the city attracts plenty of rainfall during its summer months. In fact, Puerto Vallarta’s rainy season spans from June through to early October. Rainfall is more common in the afternoons than in the mornings, so consider planning your must-see trips at the start of each day.

Don’t panic about not topping up your tan though. Even in the rainy season, you can still expect 8 hours of daily sunshine.

The so-called “high season” for Puerto Vallarta is December, January, and February, which is music to the ears of anyone in northern states desperate to escape the winter freeze. Average high temperatures during this period are 29.4ºC and the typical lows are a comfortable 20.5ºC.

If you’d prefer to explore Puerto Vallarta and avoid its weather extremes, consider booking flights during the spring or autumn months. Temperatures are more moderate for getting around on foot and the likelihood of storms and heavy rainfall is much lower.