Downtown Puerto Vallarta
The region’s most iconic area is certainly Puerto Vallarta itself. The Malecón boardwalk along Banderas Bay is closed to motorized traffic, so you’ll only find pedestrians perusing the shops, art galleries and dining. If you have the kiddos in tow, make sure to stop by the small amphitheater near the main square to see the working artists, clowns and other entertainers. Then, just two blocks off of the boardwalk, step inside the beautiful Cathedral for a quieter moment of reflection.