Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico: The Beach Life, Perfected

The Safety Reality: A Friendly Bubble

Is it safe? Yes, but with context.

• The "Jalisco" Question: PV is in the state of Jalisco, which often appears in travel warnings. However, Puerto Vallarta itself is economically vital to the state and country. It is heavily policed and protected. 
• The Atmosphere: Violent crime against expats is extremely rare. The biggest risks here are petty theft (don't leave your phone on a beach towel) and... gravity (the cobblestones and hills can be tricky). 
• Inclusivity: PV is widely regarded as the safest place in Latin America for the LGBTQ+ community. You can hold hands in the street here without a second thought.

The Lifestyle: Choose Your Hill or Your Beach

PV offers three distinct lifestyles, often determined by your tolerance for stairs and noise.

Option A: The Heartbeat (Zona Romántica & Centro)

• The Vibe: This is the "Old Town." Narrow cobblestone streets, purple bougainvillea spilling over balconies, and the smell of tacos and sea salt. It is vibrant, loud, and walkable.
• The Routine: You walk to Los Muertos Beach for morning coffee, buy fresh fish right off the boat at the pier, and spend evenings hopping between art galleries and jazz bars.
• Best For: Social butterflies, the LGBTQ+ community, and those who don’t want a car.
• Neighborhoods: Centro, Carretas, Alamos.

Option B: The Modern Resort (Marina & Nuevo Vallarta)

• The Vibe: Located 15–20 mins north, this area feels like a wealthy suburb of San Diego. Wide paved avenues, golf courses, condos with elevators, and private beach clubs.
• The Routine: You play pickleball or golf in the morning, shop at the large La Comer supermarket (which rivals Whole Foods), and drive your golf cart to dinner at the Marina boardwalk.
• Best For: Families, golfers, and those with mobility issues (it is flat).

Option C: The Local Secret (Versalles & Fluvial)

• The Vibe: These are up-and-coming neighborhoods inland from the beach. They are flat, walkable, and becoming the "foodie" capital of the city.
• The Routine: You live among upper-middle-class Mexican families. You pay 30% less rent than on the beach, but you have the best restaurants in town on your doorstep.

Cost of Living Breakdown (2025 Estimates)

PV is more expensive than Mérida or Querétaro because it is a premier beach destination. You pay a "Sunshine Tax."

Monthly expenses for a family of 4 (comfortable)

• House Rental: $2,0000 (2-bedroom Ocean view condo vs inland apartment)
• Water bill: $5
• Trash: $5 (trash picked up 2-3 times per week)
• Netflix, fiber optics internet, 4 cellphones: $70
• Groceries: $800 (savings when buying at local markets)
• Electricity: $300 (AC is mandatory May-October)
• Uber: $300 (based on usage: can be more or less)
• Housekeeper: $300 (house keeper and pool maintenance)
• Dining out: $500 (can be more or less)

TOTAL: $4,000 USD

Healthcare: A Regional Hub

PV is famous for this. People fly here specifically for surgery.

• Top Facilities: Hospital Joya, CMQ Premiere, San Javier.
• Quality: Many doctors are US-trained. You will find bilingual specialists for everything from orthopedics to cosmetic surgery.
• Cost: Slightly higher than the interior of Mexico, but still 1/5th the price of the US. An ER visit might start at $100 USD.

Connectivity: The Easy Escape

• Airport (PVR): One of the best-connected airports in Mexico.
• Direct Flights: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Vancouver, Toronto.
• Ease: The airport is literally in the city. You can land and be at your condo in the Marina in 10 minutes, or Zona Romántica in 25 minutes.

The Climate: The 'Real' Tropics

This is the dealbreaker for some.

• November – April: Absolute perfection. Dry, sunny, 75°F–80°F. The whales arrive, and the city is full of life. 
• May – October: Hot and humid. It rains in the evenings (spectacular thunderstorms over the bay), but the humidity is intense. Many snowbirds leave during these months.
  
  

Top 7 Reasons to Move to Puerto Vallarta

1. The Community: It is the easiest place in Mexico to make friends. If you sit at a bar alone, you will have three dinner invitations by the time you leave.
2. The Ocean View: Watching the sunset over Banderas Bay is a spiritual experience. It never gets old. 
3. LGBTQ+ Friendly: It is a safe haven where you can be 100% yourself.
4. Accessibility: If you live in the Marina or Versalles, it is flat. If you want views (Conchas Chinas), you have hills. There is an option for every physical ability. 
5. Food Scene: From $1 street tacos to 5-star dining (Café des Artistes), the food here rivals Mexico City. 
6. Direct Flights: You can fly here for a long weekend from the West Coast US/Canada easily. 
7. Activities: Whales, dolphins, hiking, snorkeling, and boating. It is an active, outdoor lifestyle.

The "Con" You Must Know: The Hills & Humidity 

• Terrain: If you choose to live in the Romantic Zone or Conchas Chinas, you will alikely be walking up steep hills or cobblestones. This can be hard on bad knees.
• Summer: You must budget for AC. You cannot "tough out" August in PV without it.