Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which earn me a small commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Thank you for reading and supporting my blog!
Wondering where to stay in Puerto Vallarta? It can be challenging to know what to look for when booking accommodation for an upcoming trip to Mexico. Which neighborhood should you stay in? Which hotel has sustainable initiatives?
Typically, whenever I need to stay in a hotel I aim to book as small, local, and eco-friendly as possible. This Puerto Vallarta hotel guide reflects that!
That said, there are hundreds of hotels in Puerto Vallarta — villas, bed and breakfasts, gay-friendly hotels, boutique hotels, and all-inclusive resorts. In other words, quite the platter to choose from! Below, I’ll be sharing my favorite boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta (if possible, with a green thumb) that are ideally located and well-equipped for a memorable stay.
Having lived in the scenic Riviera Nayarit nearby Puerto Vallarta on and off for two years, I can vouch for its old-world charm, safety, and beauty. I hope you’ll soon discover all of this — and more — on your trip!
*Please note that while I did my best to research the best places to stay in Puerto Vallarta in terms of sustainability, location, budget, etc, I may have missed opportunities that deserve a mention on this list. Likewise, if a particular hotel’s ethics do not merit a mention here, please let me know!
9 Best Boutique Hotels in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
💵 Budget-Friendly Option: Ten to Ten Hostel
🌿 Best Eco Hotel: Nemi Eco Villa
👑 Top Luxury Hotels: Villa Lala, Casa Velas
1. Casa Maria Boutique Hotel
- Price: $$
- Location: Romantic Zone | 📍Francisca Rodriguez 169
- Features: Outdoor pool, safes, balconies, AC, wifi
Casa Maria is a colorfully-decorated boutique hotel set right in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica. Just steps away from the hotel lies the main beach, the Los Muertos Pier, and the Malécon (seaside boardwalk). ❤️
All of the rooms are comfortable, quiet, and well-equipped with safes, TVs, AC, coffee makers, and mini-fridges, and are tastefully decorated with Mexican crafts and textiles from the region.
Enjoy all that Puerto Vallarta has to offer from your retreat at Casa Maria — take a dip in the inviting outdoor pool after a salty day lounging at the beach, and quickly organize all your tours and activities in Puerto Vallarta from the front desk.
If I were to stay in PV, I would want to be within walking distance of all the top attractions and sights to see. Casa Maria is just the place for that! Check availability for Casa Maria here.
2. ZonaZ Boutique Hotel
- Price: $$+
- Location: Alta Vista nearby Romantic Zone | 📍Pino Suárez 574
- Features: Plunge pool, garden, private terrace, AC, wifi
ZonaZ is a modern yet cozy boutique hotel located minutes away from the top restaurants and shops in the Romantic Zone. It’s only 250m (800ft) from the Los Muertos Beach and Pier, making it ideal for exploring Puerto Vallarta on a day trip but retreating back to a safe, quiet space for resting at night.
Beyond its location, ZonaZ has everything you could need right inside its hotel. On-site you’ll find the Z Spa — the hotel’s wellness center offering affordable therapeutic and holistic massages, chiropractic sessions, and more. As for the rooms, they are spacious, clean and modern, and equipped with all the essentials.
Though it was hard to gather more information regarding sustainability per their website, according to Booking.com ZonaZ is a member of their Travel Sustainability Program, which means the hotel is making special efforts to make your stay more eco-friendly.
You can identify which hotels on Booking.com are a part of this program below their listing. It’ll display like this:
All in all, ZonaZ is a safe choice for where to stay in Puerto Vallarta — quiet, relaxing, and nearby. Plus, Siggy and Mark, the owners, are always willing to lend a helping hand during your stay! Book your stay at ZonaZ.
3. Ten to Ten
- Price: $
- Location: Colonia Centro | 📍Calle Juarez 467
- Features: Private rooms, shared kitchen, dorms, vegan ramen restaurant, bar, AC, wifi
You caught me — Ten to Ten is technically a hostel more than a boutique hotel but its atmosphere, private rooms, and amenities all create a boutique hotel experience — on a budget!
Sure, the kitchen and bathrooms are shared but the staff keeps them tidy and clean for guests. The best part about Ten to Ten is probably the integrated downstairs Vegan Ramen restaurant and bar. (Though, you don’t need to be a guest to dine here!)
If you plan on being out exploring more than you are in your room, then why spend more on accommodation for ‘more-or-less’ the same thing? (That’s just my thought process, anyway. Simple and efficient 😏.) If you want to snag a private room, make sure to book in advance — they fill up fast because of the great location and value/price.
4. Hacienda Alemana Hotel Boutique
- Price: $$
- Location: Emiliano Zapata/Romantic Zone | 📍Basilio Badillo 378
- Features: Outdoor pool, garden, balconies, wifi, AC, German on-site restaurant, free breakfast
Hacienda Alemana is a charming boutique hotel with an outdoor pool surrounded by orchids and palm trees.
Location-wise, this hotel is perfect for exploring the best of PV. It lies tucked away in the quiet and safe Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, within walking distance to myriad cafes, shops, bars, and restaurants in the Zona Romantica. For reference, Los Muertos Beach is a 10-minute walk from the hotel while the adorable mini-island of Isla Cuale is a 7-minute stroll away!
As for the rooms and amenities, all your creature comforts are well taken care of here. Enjoy king-size beds, private bathrooms and balconies, spacious hot showers, and a lovely little outdoor courtyard with a pool to cool off in the evenings after a day out exploring.
Plus, Hacienda Alemana is one of the few boutique hotels in Puerto Vallarta that serve a delicious and FREE breakfast at their on-site restaurant.
If you want a no-fuss vacation to Puerto Vallarta, this sweet 4-star boutique hotel won’t disappoint! Book your stay at Hacienda Alemana.
5. Garlands Del Rio
- Price: $+
- Location: Emiliano Zapata/Romantic Zone | 📍Aquiles Serdan 367
- Features: River, outdoor terrace, private balconies, AC, wifi, jacuzzi
Considered an underrated gem, the Garlands Del Rio bed & breakfast charms its guests with its old-world character and rustic luxury.
Its ideal location perched on the Río Cuale, right next to the Isla Cuale and Romantic Zone, places Gardlands Del Rio as one of the romantic getaways in Old Town Puerto Vallarta for couples and families.
One of the highlights of staying here is the outdoor terrace and jacuzzi you can enjoy in the evenings! NOTE: Due to damages from the hurricane season (2021), the pool is currently unavailable at the property, but guests are welcome to use the pool at their equally-charming sister hotel — Riviera Del Rio.
Garlands Del Rio is the perfect combination of old meets new. Marvel at its historic charm while enjoying its Four Seasons beds, hot showers, and flat-screen TVs that will satisfy all your modern needs. Reserve your room here!
7. BellView Boutique Hotel
- Price: $$+
- Location: Puerto Vallarta Centro | 📍Miramar 363
- Features: Private terraces, AC, wifi, king beds, bath tub, on-site restaurant, ocean view
BellView is a small rustic luxury hotel set in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s Centro neighborhood. The terrace in each room overlooks the majestic Our Lady of Guadeloupe Cathedral which crowns Old Town PV and watches over the Banderas Bay.
With only four rooms, BellView is sweet and charming and ideal for a quiet, romantic getaway. The rooms and hotel decor features antique furnishings with religious art pieces. The atmosphere feels cozy yet grandiose!
Stay in for the evenings to enjoy a bath soak and dinner at their upstairs La Capella restaurant or go out for a night on the town.
Either way, you’ll be at the heart of the lively Centro neighborhood just minutes away from the Malécon seaside boardwalk where statues, restaurants, and shops await. Book your stay at BellView here!
8. Villa Lala
- Price: $$$
- Location: Boca de Tomatlán | 📍Carretera Puerto Vallarta 5696
- Features: Infinity pool, sea kayaks, AC, wifi, exceptional breakfast, on-site restaurant
Villa Lala is a formidable boutique hotel perched mountainside overlooking the sweet bay of Boca de Tomatlán. Located 25 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic/Hotel Zone, it’s the perfect place to ‘escape’ to while remaining close by to the airport and all your conveniences.
The hotel itself is a mix of boutique and luxury. In your room, you’ll find Egyptian threaded sheets, flat-screen TVs, AC, free wifi, and more. Outside of your room awaits a pristine infinity pool overlooking the water.
Nearby the hotel lies the charming Boca de Tomatlán beach and Colomitos Cove Beach. Go snorkeling or diving at Los Arcos, visit the famous town of Mismaloya, or take a quick boat ride to visit the car-less hidden beach town of Yelapa and its waterfalls.
For a unique hotel experience in Puerto Vallarta unlike what you’ll find in the Romantic Zone or Old Town, book your stay at Villa Lala!
9. Hacienda Escondida
- Price: $$+
- Location: Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata | 📍Lazaro Cardenas 567
- Features: Heated pool, outdoor hot tub, AC, wifi, garden, tree house
Hacienda Escondida is a wonderful gay-friendly boutique hotel located behind Puerto Vallarta’s Emiliano Zapata and Zona Romantica neighborhoods. As a member of Booking’s Travel Sustainable Program, the hotel aims to make your trip earth-friendly by cutting out plastic from its amenities, recycling/filtering water, and more.
Guests love staying here for its welcoming vibes, outdoor pool and jacuzzi, and privacy while conveniently having all the restaurants, bars, shops, and markets within walking distance from the hotel. Camarones Beach and Los Muertos Beach are 1km from the hotel, while Conchas Chinas Beach and Las Amapas Beach are 1.5-2km away.
If you want to relax in a quiet oasis in a safe and friendly environment with an owner whose care extends to the smallest request, then don’t hesitate to reserve a room at Hacienda Escondida.
Bonus Experiences
Haven’t found anything that strums the heart chords? If not, then maybe you would prefer either one of these experiences below.
Local Stay / Airbnb ($)
Casa Huichol is a local’s home in Puerto Vallarta decorated with crafts and textiles of the indigenous Huichol culture who reside in the Sierra Madre mountains of Nayarit and Jalisco. The house, beautifully decorated, belongs to an artsy gay couple who have been living in Puerto Vallarta for years! Ideal for couples who are looking for a minimalist and memorable stay. Book your stay here.
All-Inclusive Eco Resort ($$$$)
Casa Velas is first and foremost a luxurious, adults-only resort in Puerto Vallarta. But interestingly enough, it’s one of the best green hotels in the area with EarthCheck certification. If you are wanting an all-in-one package that includes hotel + food + beach club, then check out Casa Velas and see if it would be a good fit for your trip. Ideal for families or couples on their honeymoon or romantic weekend getaways.
Final Thoughts
There are so many more places to stay in Puerto Vallarta, but I couldn’t include them all! These boutique hotels are some of the best in terms of location, price/value, and guest rating.
If I were to stay again in Puerto Vallarta, I’d definitely aim to stay in a cute and eco-minded hotel near the Romantic Zone to take advantage of all there is to do and see on foot.
If you have any questions about where to stay in Puerto Vallarta (or in other beach towns in the Riviera Nayarit in general), feel free to reach out!
Pin this Puerto Vallarta Hotel Guide for later!
Impressive article, enjoyed reading it.
Thanks for shedding light on this topic.