After the long summer months, Texans clamor for the crisp air of Fall, and maybe even some chilly Chili weather. However, as soon as the magic of the Holiday season wears off and the real winter weather sets in, even the hardiest Texans start to dream of sunny days and tropical getaways. This winter, the hot destination is Puerto Vallarta, the new favorite vacation spot for Texans, and a bright departure from the drab winter months.

Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta has sunny weather and beautiful beaches year-round. What’s better—it offers entertainment, food, and fun for all types of Texans, from those who like to watch the sunrise after a long night on the town to those who settle in early with the family after a nice dinner. From family fun to outdoor exploring to adventurous cuisine to exotic nightlife, every type of traveler will find something to love about Puerto Vallarta.

With daily flights out of DFW and Houston and multiple weekly flights out of Austin and McAllen, it’s easy to get out of Texas and into paradise.

For the Family

The Texas family who travels together stays together, with great memories of winter getaways.

Where to stay:

Experts in family fun, the Crown Paradise Club Resort entertains groups of all ages. With three pools, a family game room, zip lines, an aquapark, and more, young ones will be playing until they drop. With dining options across the property from restaurants and buffets to numerous snack bars, there’s food to explore for an entire stay. Check out Nitro nightclub or an adults-only bar for time away from the kids.

At the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa guests are right near the restaurants, shops, and championship golf course of Marina Vallarta. The kids will love the resort’s infinity pool, children’s pool, and kid’s club. Offering six specialty restaurants, everyone is covered—the culinarily adventurous and the picky eaters.

What to do:

The winter winds will seem far away as families enjoy the multitude of tropical treats in Puerto Vallarta. Reachable only by boat, the Las Caletas Beach Hideaway transports travelers to a tropical bounty of nature and fun, with everything from snorkeling to zip lines to face painting. There’s even a Mezcal tasting for the adults.

Precocious kids and parents alike will be entranced by the Dolphins in the Wild excursion, where guests learn about Dolphins while interacting with them in the water. Hang up the cowboy hats and put on your swashbuckling threads for Pirate Ship Marigalante, a rousing replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria. For a truly memorable tour, try the ship’s Pirates of the Bay Night Tour.

For the Foodies

Coming from a culinary landscape as broad as Texas, Lone Star travelers crave interesting cuisine. Those Texas travelers who love great meals will be thrilled with the top-tier Puerto Vallarta gastronomic offerings.

Where to stay:

The Las Gaviotas restaurant at the newly renovated Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Center is a destination all its own, with AAA Four Diamond status. This gourmet restaurant prides itself on serving local and endemic ingredients, reflecting the pre-Hispanic roots of the region’s culinary tradition.

Rated among the top 3 best resorts in Puerto Vallarta by Trip Advisor, Casa Velas is an adults-only luxury boutique hotel. The resort is home to Emiliano, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant featuring casually elegant gourmet Mexican cuisine, and the Tau Beach club. Breathtaking Pacific coast sunsets can be enjoyed from both venues. This all-inclusive resort features luxurious suites with plunge pools, original Mexican art, and all the trappings of luxury distinguished travelers have come to expect.

What to do:

Vallarta Food Tours offers more than ten different food and Mex-ology tours to experience the area’s cultural and culinary scene. Offering a variety of multi-hour guided tours, choose from tours focusing on tacos, street food, dinner, cocktails, seafood, and more. Biking, surfing, and road trip tours are also offered.

Puerto Vallarta features many iconic restaurants including Café de Artistes, yet another AAA Four Diamond destination with chef Thierry Blouet’s French interpretation of Mexican cuisine.  

The ambiance and haute cuisine of Noroc feels like a vacation within a vacation, bringing the finest and most exotic ingredients to your table, all while surrounded by the picturesque waters of the Pacific. The Iguana Restaurant and Tequila Bar treats patrons to its beautiful views and refreshing ocean breezes while offering contemporary Mexican cuisine. The Iguana specializes in the region’s tequilas and mezcals with tequila experts to pair cocktails and spirits for tequila lovers and newcomers both. Another beautiful seaside location, El Dorado has been serving the freshest seafood for breakfast, lunch, and dinner since the 1960s. Round this tasty itinerary out with the Italian food and wine menu of La Cappella, where views of the water and the historic Guadalupe Cathedral set a stunning scene.

For Fun in Nature

Outdoor recreation is one of the most beloved pastimes for Texans, making Puerto Vallarta the perfect getaway when it’s too cold to brave the state parks and streams back home. The wealth of watersports and natural wonders in Puerto Vallarta make it an ideal destination for outdoor adventure.

Where to Stay:

Only accessible by boat, Xinalani Hotel Boutique feels almost like a remote island. Rated Mexico’s Top Wellness and Yoga Retreat, Xinalani features 6 yoga studios completely immersed in nature. Lovers of the outdoors will be right at home at Xinalani, with three walled rooms and terraces open to the jungle air.

Literally built into the cliffs outside Puerto Vallarta, Verana Boutique Hotel and Spa is a place for adventurers. After a boat ride and hike up a mountain (with luggage assistance by mules), the secluded wonders of the Verana Hotel await. These rustic houses offer open-air gazebo-style rooms perched over cliff-topping jungle and ocean views.

What to do:

Natural beauty abounds in Puerto Vallarta. The Pacific coast of Mexico is beautiful, the tropical flora is lush, and the mountains offer breathtaking vistas.

Thrill seekers will enjoy the many exciting trips offered by Canopy River. Adrenaline junkies will love tearing up the trails in their Jorullo Bridge RZR Tour or braving the rapids, zip lines, and rock climbing of the River Expedition. A slightly more sedate journey can be had on the Jorullo Bridge Hiking Tour, though the views are just as jaw-dropping.

Vallarta Adventures traffics in similar thrills with their Outdoor Zipline Adventure and UTV tour. Swim in the rivers, zip through the jungles, and truly experience the wild, wonderful outdoors of Puerto Vallarta.

Head to VisitPuertoVallarta.com to begin planning your trip!