Puerto Vallarta Isn’t Just One of the Best Cities in the World—It’s My Home (And I’m Telling You, the Hype Is Real)

You know those travel rankings that feel like they were written by someone who’s never left an airport lounge? Yeah—this isn’t that.

According to Condé Nast Traveler’s latest poll, Puerto Vallarta ranked #2 Best Small City in the World—and while I usually take travel lists with a grain of margarita salt, this one hit different. Because Puerto Vallarta isn’t just another “trending destination.”

It’s home. My home.

And let me tell you… they barely scratched the surface.

Puerto Vallarta: Not Just a Beach Town—A Way of Life

Most people show up expecting sunsets, tequila, and maybe a questionable tattoo decision. What they don’t expect? A city with real soul. A creative heartbeat. A ridiculously welcoming community.

Sure, the beaches are stunning (duh). We’ve got the Pacific’s golden-hour glow down to a science. But what makes Vallarta unforgettable isn’t what you see—it’s what you feel.

The music scene here?

Next level.

From jazz trios on cobblestone corners to live salsa in open-air bars to beachfront DJs spinning deep house at golden hour—it’s alive, everywhere. You don’t have to go hunting for culture here. It finds you.

There’s a rhythm to this place. A pulse. And once you tune into it, you’re hooked.

Wanna Do Vallarta Right? You Need Someone On the Ground

Look, anyone can book a hotel and scroll through TripAdvisor. But if you really want to experience the real Vallarta—the after-hours mezcal spots, the hidden beach trails, the underground art shows, the taco cart only locals know opens at midnight—you need someone who lives it.

That’s me.

I’ve made it my mission to plug into this city, not just pass through it. I’m part of the local creative scene. I’m in the venues, the cafés, the markets. I’m not watching Puerto Vallarta from a rooftop—I’m on the street, every day, soaking it in.

If you ever find yourself here (and you should), I’m the person to follow. Literally. Tap the follow button, and I’ll hand you the inside track—no resort wristband required.

What Sets This Place Apart

Let’s break it down real quick, because this city is more than a pretty view:

Zona Romántica: Our artsy, vibrant heart. LGBTQ+ friendly, culturally rich, full of live music, amazing food, and actual human connection. The locals: This isn’t one of those “locals hate tourists” places. The community here wants you to fall in love with Vallarta—because they already have. The pace: Fast enough to be exciting, slow enough to be human. The food: Street tacos that’ll ruin you for life. Fresh-caught seafood. Artisanal everything. The culture: Art galleries. Street festivals. Spontaneous parades. It’s all here, layered into everyday life like it’s no big deal (except it totally is).

San Miguel de Allende? Also Gorgeous.

Real quick shoutout to San Miguel de Allende—which also made Condé Nast’s top cities list. It’s artsy, colorful, historical… and yes, absolutely worth visiting. It’s like if Wes Anderson directed a colonial-era town with better food.

But San Miguel is the vacation you take to slow down. Puerto Vallarta is where you plug in.

Bottom Line: Puerto Vallarta’s Not Just Top 2—It’s #1 In My Book

There’s a reason Puerto Vallarta shows up on these “Best Cities” lists again and again—it has something most destinations lost somewhere between the pool bar and the influencer photo ops: authenticity.

And when you connect with the people here—when you start recognizing faces at the market, or dancing with strangers who feel like old friends—you get it.

This city isn’t just where you go to escape.

It’s where you come to belong.

Follow me, and I’ll show you exactly what I mean.

Written by Will Walker | @WNWalker

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