Puerto Vallarta is a digital nomad and expat dream. It’s a modern, beautiful city that retains much of its charm while also enjoying a prime location right on the beach. Add that to the great food, numerous activities and affordability, and Puerto Vallarta is an amazing place to live. In this post you’ll find everything you need to know about living in Puerto Vallarta, whether it’s for a few months as a digital nomad or as a permanent move.
Living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Is Puerto Vallarta Cheap?
This is certainly the most asked question! While the answer to this question is definitely subjective, and it depends on where you’re comparing it to, in my experience, yes, Puerto Vallarta is an inexpensive place to live. This is my opinion coming from the US (NYC to be exact), and having visited numerous other cities in Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta is definitely cheaper than other major cities such as Cancun, Tulum or Mexico City, and you could absolutely live in PV for around $1,000 a month per person.
Puerto Vallarta Budget Breakdown (for 2 people):
- $600-1,000 a month for a 1-2 bedroom apartment
- $200 a month ($50 a week) on groceries
- $300 on eating out (if you eat out a lot!)
- $100 on incidentals
- $100 a month on transportation (lots of Ubers)
- Cell phone plan – this varies greatly, I kept my plan from the US since my move to Mexico wasn’t permanent, and AT&T allows me to use my current plan in Mexico and Canada for no additional charge.
Total: $1,700 for two people, plus some wiggle room for extras.
Note: If your property doesn’t include utilities and wifi, this will be an addition to your monthly expenses.
Neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta – Where to Live in PV
When choosing where to live in Puerto Vallarta, it’s important to consider the many different neighborhoods and their locations. Personally, I recommend being far outside the Hotel Zone and as close to el Centro as possible.
The three neighborhoods I would recommend are 5 de Diciembre, Centro and Emiliano Zapata (Zona Romantica). Ideally, it would be great to spend some time in PV before your move in order to explore the neighborhoods and decide where you want to live. However, for some (like me!) that isn’t an option, so good research is key.
TIP: Puerto Vallarta is very hilly and these hills are steep. If you are outside of the main downtown area in 5 de Diciembre, Centro and Emiliano Zapata you could end up with a very, very steep walk every time you try to go from town back home. These steep hills coupled with the intense heat and humidity that is often present, isn’t necessarily a good mix.
My biggest tip when picking an apartment in PV is to make sure you’re not too far up a hill. This is especially true if you don’t have a car and are planning to walk most places. The downtown area of PV is very walkable, so I definitely recommend walking whenever possible. Although Ubers are available and cheap, it’s not necessarily convenient to call one every time you want to go from downtown back up the hill to your apartment.
It may sound like a hill is no big deal, but trust me, these hills are so, so steep and often there’s no sidewalks.
5 de Diciembre
When I moved to PV I picked an apartment in 5 de Diciembre without ever seeing it, or any other part of PV. While the neighborhood was a great choice with lots of restaurants and a grocery store, the specific apartment I chose was not the best location. It was up a few very steep hills. This prevented me from leaving my apartment as much as I would have if I had lived right in the center of the neighborhood itself.
5 de Diciembre is a great location for many reasons. First, it’s much quieter than the popular Zona Romantica area, while still being walkable to all of the bars and restaurants the Zona Romantica has to offer. Living in 5 de Diciembre will also give you a more local experience than if you live in other nearby areas that are more tourist-centered. Additionally, 5 de Diciembre is filled with coffee shops, restaurants, a grocery store (huge perk), as well as art galleries and shops. You’ll also find Playa Camarones in 5 de Diciembre, a quiet uncrowded beach that’s perfect for relaxing. Rent here is also more affordable than the Zona Romantica and parts of el Centro.
Live in 5 de Diciembre if you’re looking for:
- Bars and restaurants nearby
- Cheaper rent than the Zona Romantica
- Quieter area
- A walkable grocery store – Casa Ley
- An uncrowded beach area, Playa Camarones – but with few amenities
- Art galleries and street art
El Centro
El Centro is probably my favorite neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta. Located between 5 de Diciembre and the Zona Romantica, this neighborhood is quaint, beautiful and is home to great restaurants and coffee shops. It also has a lovely park area right in front of the stunning Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
While there isn’t a grocery store in El Centro, you can easily walk to 5 de Deciembre to Casa Ley.
Live in El Centro if you’re looking for:
- A beautiful, quaint downtown area
- Great restaurants
- Easily walkable to both the Zona Romantica and 5 de Diciembre
Zona Romantica/Emiliano Zapata
The Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, with its main downtown area known as the Zona Romantica, is the most popular area in downtown PV. This is definitely a party neighborhood and if you’re right in the downtown area, you can certainly expect it to be louder, especially on weekends.
Emiliano Zapata has tons of great restaurants and shops and is also home to the famous Los Muertos Beach. While I definitely think there are better beaches in PV, Los Muertos is extremely popular. If you want to be right in the middle of all of the action, this is the neighborhood for you.
Keep in mind that while there are mini-markets and food markets, there isn’t a full grocery store in the Zona Romantica. You will need to drive/Uber to another neighborhood, or have your groceries delivered.
Live in the Zona Romantica if you’re looking for:
- Newly constructed, modern apartment buildings
- The most popular area for expats and tourists from the USA
- Tons of things to do right outside your front door
- Great access to the beach
- A wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafes
- Are okay with a party scene
- Are willing to pay more expensive rent prices
How to Find an Apartment in Puerto Vallarta
If you can, I highly recommend visiting Puerto Vallarta for a few days before your move. This will allow you to walk around the neighborhoods and find apartments to tour. While walking along the streets, you’ll see apartments with “Se Renta” (For Rent) signs. This is a great way to find available apartments that are often cheaper than those listed online.
If you can’t visit PV before your move, AirBnb and Facebook Groups are good options. There are tons of Facebook Groups where people share available rental units around the city.
Check out:
- Puerto Vallarta Affordable Yearly Rentals
- Rentals In Puerto Vallarta for Locals and Long Term Visitors
- Puerto Vallarta – Real Estate – For Sale & Rentals
- Puerto Vallarta & Beyond Expat Rentals & Sales
- Rentals Puerto Vallarta
AirBnb Long Term Rentals
If you can’t visit PV before your move and need to secure an apartment beforehand, AirBnb long-term rentals is another option. These are great because they’re always furnished, utilities are included, and you’ll have easy access to AirBnb support if needed.
If you’re only going to be in PV for a month or two, a long-term AirBnb is a good option to consider. Most hosts offer substantial discounts for month-long stays. However, even with these discounts, you’ll almost certainly be paying a premium. Personally, I went the AirBnb rental route and it worked out great (besides the location). The apartment itself was beautiful, the amenities were great, and if anything went wrong (the wifi went out, the water went out, etc,) the AirBnb host was always there to help.
If renting through AirBnb long term rentals in the downtown area, expect to spend at least $550-600 a month for a studio or one-bedroom in the off season and more in the high season. However, many apartments are more expensive ($1000+), especially for more modern buildings in central locations.
How to Get Around Puerto Vallarta
Downtown Puerto Vallarta (5 de Diciembre, el Centro, Zona Romantica) are all very walkable areas. You can easily explore these neighborhoods on foot and walk between each of them in less than 20 minutes.
While there are reliable public buses in Puerto Vallarta, Ubers are very cheap. You can easily go between neighborhoods for a couple dollars and pretty much anywhere in the city for $5 or less. Because of the affordability of Ubers, they’re a great option if you need to get around.
If you’re living in downtown PV, I don’t recommend a car for daily use. While there is parking (not always easy to find), because of the walkable nature of the city and cheap Ubers, you likely won’t use a car very often.
Of course, if you’re living outside of downtown, or are planning on traveling often, a car may be a good idea.
Eating Out in Puerto Vallarta
The food scene in Puerto Vallarta is excellent. Living in Puerto Vallarta is fantastic as there are so many delicious restaurants at a variety of price points. The good news is, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a delicious meal in PV. There are tons of restaurants around the city where you can get tacos for $1 – that’s right, full service, sit down restaurants with $1 tacos.
Restaurant prices (dinner for 1):
- Street tacos: $1
- No-frills restaurant: $4-7
- Mid-range: $10
- Fancy restaurants: $15+
- Dinner delivery: 6+
- Check out Rappi, it’s a delivery app where you can get takeout, groceries and other items delivered. I used Rappi a ton.
Be sure to check out my post about The Best Restaurants in PV!
Food Tours
One of the first things I did when I arrived in PV was go on a food tour with a local. We visited a ton of great restaurants that I went back to the entire time I was in Puerto Vallarta! I definitely recommend doing this, as it’s a great way to get to know the local food scene and get restaurant recommendations from your tour guide.
- Signature Taco and Street Food Tour
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour
- Food and Mixology Tour: Tequila, Tacos, and Mexican Cocktails
- Bikes and Bites: Taco Bicycle Tour
- Tasting Vallarta Gourmet Food Tour
Where Do I Shop For Groceries in Puerto Vallarta?
One thing to consider when living in Puerto Vallarta is where the closest supermarket is to your home. In the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood you’ll find the Casa Ley supermarket. This supermarket is large and has most everything you’ll need. They even sell clothing, home items and seasonal decorations. If you live in 5 de Diciembre, el Centro or Zona Romantica, you can easily walk to Casa Ley. Depending on how many groceries you’re getting, you may need to take a taxi or Uber home.
There are many other large grocery stores in PV, but not near the downtown area. To get to them, you’ll need to take an Uber. The good news is, an Uber will be around $3-$5 each way, so it’s not overly expensive.
Other grocery stores in PV:
- Costco
- 10-15 minute drive from downtown
- La Comer
- 10-15 minute drive from downtown (next to Costco)
- Walmart
- 15-20 minute drive from downtown
Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?
Yes, Puerto Vallarta is safe. Like any city, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense (don’t flash large amounts of money, don’t leave your purse unattended, etc.) As a young woman in my 20s, I felt perfectly safe in downtown PV by myself. I didn’t venture out late at night alone (but I also wouldn’t do that anywhere), and I never once felt unsafe.
Things to Know When Moving to Puerto Vallarta
- The internet is, overall, very good
- We never had internet issues in our apartment and wifi is easy to find around the city. There are also co-working spaces around the city if you prefer to “work from home” from one of these spots.
- Some water is ultra-filtered and drinkable
- A frequent question I’m asked about PV is what the water quality is like. Puerto Vallarta has some of the best water in Mexico, but unless you have a UV light filter that is specifically made for drinking water, I’d stick to bottles. Regular water is perfectly fine for brushing your teeth.
- Delivery (food, groceries, etc) is fast and cheap
- Check out Rappi, similar to Uber Eats.
- English is widely spoken, but I recommend Spanish classes
- I will preface this by saying I speak Spanish and only spoke Spanish while in PV. However, all throughout my time in PV I heard English spoken regularly at stores, restaurants and tourist experiences. While you could live in PV only speaking English, while you’re there (or even beforehand) I highly recommend taking Spanish classes. This will allow you to better immerse yourself in (and respect) the local culture and learning another language is always a fun and useful skill to have!
Respectfully Moving to Mexico
To end this post, I think it’s important to emphasize the privilege of being able to move to another country and enjoy the many beautiful ways of life a new place has to offer. This privilege, ability and ease of movement is not distributed equally. As a US citizen who works remotely, I am easily able to pack up and move/travel to Mexico for any reason, whereas many Mexican citizens are not easily able to move/travel to the United States. This unfair reality means it is even more the duty of those of us who are able to relocate to a new place to do so in the most non-damaging and respectful way possible.
When moving to a new place, it’s so important to do it responsibly, kindly and to support the local economy. This is especially important as when an influx of foreigners move to places that are deemed “inexpensive,” the living costs for locals go up. For me, recognizing how fortunate I am to have these opportunities, and living in a respectful way that supported the local economy without “taking” too much back from it, was essential for me when I decided to spend some time living in PV.
Living in Puerto Vallarta as a digital nomad or expat is truly a wonderful experience. The city has everything you need while also being charming, packed with activities and brimming with delicious food. If you have any questions about moving and living in Puerto Vallarta, please let me know in the comments! Be sure to also follow us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad, for more Puerto Vallarta mini guides and travel inspiration.
Other posts to check out:
- The Best Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta – Essential Guide for Foodies
- 13 Fun and Unique Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
- 10 Fun and Unique Things to do in Punta Mita, Mexico
- What to Wear in Mexico – Vacation Lookbook and Outfit Inspiration
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♡Kate
Note: This guide to living in Puerto Vallarta includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
Great post. Thanks for sharing your experience.
The “math” seems outdated in terms of tourist area vacation rentals and food costs . . . what year are we talking here? I see a comment from just last July 2023 but no date on the blog info. Thanks.
Hi Teresita, this post is from about 8 months ago when I was living in Puerto Vallarta. These numbers/budget are my experience, but depending on a person’s personal spending habits, living in Puerto Vallarta can be more or less expensive. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
I’m Mady. My little maltese Happy and I are looking to relocate to PV on or about June, 2024 so I am now looking for a place to rent. 30 days at first and once I am there, will search for something longer. Is there a real estate agent, organization, site that can help me find accommodation (long/short term lease) that would allow a pet. I am not looking to stay at a resort. Wanting to see if PV or surroundings can be a good place to retire….Any leads or assistance would greatly be appreciated. Thank you. Mady
Hi Mady, thanks for your comment. How exciting! For the first month, I would recommend a long-term rental through AirBnb. These apartments come furnished, have wifi and you won’t need to worry about setting up/paying for utilities. Some are pet friendly, and if you message the hosts directly, I’m sure others would be open to Happy being with you. Although AirBnb long term (30 day +) rentals can be a little more expensive than renting through a local agency/local person, they are easy, flexible and secure. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
very interesting read. I am considering a trip to PV in the spring, with the idea in mind to see what expat life is like. Have you lived in other areas in Mexico or Latin America?
Hi Helen, thank you so much! I’m glad you found the post to be interesting. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in many different Latin American countries, but PV is the only city I’ve lived in for an extended period of time. If you have any questions about PV please let me know. Happy to provide recommendations/tips!
do you have a you tube channel?
Not yet, but hoping to start one soon!
Nicely done and thanks for taking your time and wring this informative Article, I am retired is there expats retired area, and since you are young health always secondary. how about medical service any Idea?
Hi Wally, thanks so much for your comment! Many retired expats live in the newly constructed apartment buildings in the Zona Romantica. Many of these apartment buildings have wonderful amenities and are very beautiful. While walking around the Zona Romantica, you’ll see rental offices for many of these buildings and the advertising is almost always in English. Walking into a few of them to tour units is a great option while exploring the Zona Romantica. In terms of medical services, there are tons of pharmacies/doctors offices in the area. You can see a doctor at many of these pharmacies/doctors offices for under $5 and the most expensive I saw for a general doctor’s appointment was $20. You can then purchase your prescriptions at the connected pharmacy very affordably. Many prescription medicines from the US can also be purchased from Mexican pharmacies with no prescription needed – the cost to fill these medicines is also extremely affordable with no insurance – think $3-$10 USD.
Great Information! My Husband & I go to PV every year & it’s in out thoughts for retirement there, so this is really helpful!
Thank you!
Jodi from MN
Thank you so much, Jodi! PV would be such an incredible place to retire.
Hi,
Thank you for this article. I am interested in finding English-speaking expat communities with kids. I am interested in different activities for children. Also, are these areas you mentioned good for a family with kids?
Are there any WhatsApp or other groups I could join to learn more?
Thank you very much!
Hi Nikita, thank you so much for your comment! While any of the areas I mention in the post would be good to live with kids, I definitely recommend El Centro and 5 de Deciembre neighborhoods more than La Zona Romantica. These neighborhoods are walkable and have great restaurants, but they are also quieter, less touristy and feel very neighborhood-y. 5 de Deciembre also has a great supermarket. You’ll still be a close walk to all of the amazing stores, restaurants and night life that the Zona Romantica has to offer, without being right in the center of a non-stop party.
To connect with other English speaking families with children, I would recommend looking at the activities/classes at local cultural centers and libraries. For example, the Biblioteca Los Mangos Centro Cultural has a variety of classes for kids on different days of the week (art, dance, singing, etc). The descriptions are in both English and Spanish which leads be to believe that the classes are bilingual, but I do not have children and haven’t attended any of the classes. Month long classes are around $12-$40 USD and some meet once a week while others meet multiple times. There is a WhatsApp number on their website you can reach out to! This cultural center is a 8-10 minute drive/Uber from downtown, so very it’s convenient.
Kidskool is a bilingual school/center in Nuevo Vallarta (30 minute drive from downtown) that offers classes and summer programs! Their FB page is in both English and Spanish, but their website where the classes and activities are listed is just in Spanish. I think it would be worth reaching out to them either way, as I would imagine some of the activities are taught in English or are bilingual.
I’ve also heard that the American School of Puerto Vallarta offers summer camps for kids with great activities, although I am not 100% sure if children need to be students at the school to sign up. This would be a fantastic way to connect with other English-speaking expat families.
I hope this is helpful and please let me know if you have any other questions!
I too thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Saves a lot of legwork. Planning on moving there beginning of 2026 planning on buying some property with or without a house on it already what is it like building getting billing supplies I’m taking there are no Home Depot‘s there, also, a question would be planning on moving there, full-time buy some property, putting some money in the bank down there what are the tax implications with the United States and Mexico? As well as some of the cost taking up a residency in Mexico. It’s in different countries. Also is of in the areas that you were describing. Thank you so much for your time as well as you are appreciated. Cheers.
Hi Terry, thank you for your comment! I’m so glad you found the post helpful. How exciting that you’re planning on moving to PV in 2026! There is actually a Home Depot in PV right next to the airport, The Home Depot Las Juntas. I am definitely not an expert on the specific tax laws, but what I do know is that if you are not a resident of Mexico, you are not taxed on money you earn outside of Mexico (for example, any income coming from the US.) If you get a job in Mexico as a non-resident, you will be taxed on that income. If you become a resident of Mexico, I believe you will be taxed on any income you earn worldwide.
If you’re spending more than half the year in Mexico, this is factored into whether or not you’re considered a resident. However, as a US citizen, you can spend up to 180 days in Mexico at a time as a tourist, leave for one day, and then your 180 days reset. So essentially, as long as you leave the country once every 180 days, you can remain a tourist. I was renting an apartment in PV, so I’m not sure if this rule changes if you purchase property.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Great post ! I am thinking and have the opportunity to move to PV in March 2024 for 6 mos. and so many things to do before then . Can I leave my banking in ehe US ? Insurance ? It would be from March to Sept. then If I like, I would have to find another place to live for 6 more mons. Is it worth all the move with storage and closing out where I live now for 6 mos.? I am also worried about the weather from March to Sept. are you even able to go outside ? Help !!! I need to make a decision by end of Jan.
Hi Rebecca! Thanks for your comment. How exciting! Six months in Puerto Vallarta is amazing! For a sixth month move you can definitely leave your banking in the US. Just make sure you have a credit/debit card with no foreign transaction fees and you’ll be able to use them easily for payment or to take Mexican pesos out of the ATMs. Your US health insurance may or may not cover you in Mexico, it depends on your specific plan. However, doctors visits are very inexpensive, as are purchasing prescription medicines. You can also purchase almost all of your prescription medicines from a pharmacy right over the counter without a doctor actually having to write out a prescription for you. These prescription medicines are also very affordable. If you would feel more comfortable purchasing a travel health insurance plan for those six months, that’s an option, too.
March and April are beautiful in PV! August and September will have some rain, but you will still be able to enjoy the restaurants and other activities. September and October are nice as well, but can be very hot.
Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Thank you so much for your input . I am just really scared and excited at the same time . I am giving up my condo in Palm Springs and putting my things in storage just for the 6 mos. I am wondering if it is worth all the work and if I want to stay, I will need to find another place for 6 mos. or come back to the states and start all over again. Very hard decision to make at my age ,moving out of the country …… Help !!!!
Certainly a hard decision to make, but very exciting! I think it’s definitely worth taking the risk and spending some time in PV even with the logistical challenges.
Very brave. I admire your courage.. a little jealous moving down there in 2026. Plan on going down for a visit to check out some real estate here in the next several months would like to stay in touch . to hear how it’s going some neutrals and tribulations and your thoughts on the place. My email tcosgrave@gmail.com. my friends call me TC. How exciting. Cheers.
Hello, I’m thinking of relocating to pv and I am on a small budget of $2000 a month. I am planning a trip down to recon area how much time do I ideally need to spend to get a feel for areas? I found this article helpful thanks. Any other info would be great. Are you still in pv?
Thank you, David! That’s very exciting. $2,000 a month is a very workable budget for PV! For a trip down, especially if you’re considering looking at apartments, I would say no less than 5 days. Definitely take the time to explore the neighborhoods you’re considering living in, think about if you’ll have a car or not, consider where the closest grocery store is (if you want to walk there), etc. Please let me know if you have any other questions!