Puerto Vallarta earns top rankings in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards, placing fourth among Mexican destinations, with Café Des Artistes and the Malecón walkway receiving standout honors across gastronomy and attractions.
Puerto Vallarta once again demonstrated its appeal to international travellers by securing multiple top positions in Tripadvisor’s prestigious 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards. The annual awards—nicknamed the “Best of the Best”—recognize destinations, hotels, restaurants, and experiences that receive the highest ratings from Tripadvisor users over the past year.
In the list of Mexico’s ten best-loved destinations, Puerto Vallarta achieved a notable fourth-place finish, trailing only Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen. This ranking underscores the city’s enduring attractiveness as both a beach resort and a cultural hub, combining coastal beauty with vibrant local traditions and cuisine.
Puerto Vallarta’s rise in the rankings is attributed to sustained investment in infrastructure, a broadening gastronomic scene, and robust community-led initiatives promoting responsible tourism. Industry observers note that the city’s balance of luxury resorts and authentic local experiences continues to resonate with travellers seeking both comfort and cultural immersion.
Malecón Walkway Captures Second Spot Among Attractions
Among Mexico’s most popular attractions, Puerto Vallarta’s iconic Malecón seaside promenade claimed an impressive second place. The only attraction to outshine it was the legendary Chichén Itzá archaeological site. Following Chichén Itzá, the podium featured the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, Tulum’s ancient ruins, and the Aktun Chen cenote in Quintana Roo—yet the Malecón stood ahead of such venerable sites as Chapultepec Castle, Cobá, Teotihuacán, the Cabo San Lucas Arch, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
The Malecón’s blend of ocean vistas, public art installations, and an ever-growing lineup of festivals and cultural events has made it a favorite photo opportunity and gathering spot for both new visitors and returning guests. Local artisans, street performers, and beachfront restaurants line the boardwalk, ensuring that the experience remains fresh and immersive year after year.
Café Des Artistes Leads Haute Cuisine Rankings
In the highly competitive field of haute cuisine, Café Des Artistes reaffirmed its status as Mexico’s premier fine-dining destination, securing the top position among the country’s best restaurants. Nestled in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone, Café Des Artistes has built a reputation for marrying French culinary techniques with Mexican ingredients, creating tasting menus that delight chefs and food critics alike.
Chef Thierry Blouet, the restaurant’s founder, commented, “This recognition by the world’s leading travel platform is a tribute not only to our team’s dedication but also to the passion of the local producers who supply us with fresh, high-quality ingredients.”
Recognized Hotels and Resorts
Puerto Vallarta’s accommodation sector also featured prominently in the awards:
- Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway placed 23rd among the Best Hotels in Mexico. This adults-only property is celebrated for its intimate beachfront setting and personalized service.
- Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, located just north of Puerto Vallarta, achieved an eighth-place finish in the Best Hotels category and fourth place in the Best All-Inclusive Resorts list.
- Velas Vallarta appeared at number 14 among all-inclusive resorts, while Hacienda Buenaventura Resort & Spa ranked 16th, and Occidental Nuevo Vallarta rounded out the top 25 at 22nd place.
- In the Boutique segment, Whispers of the Heart in nearby Punta de Mita took 14th place, and Hotel Riu Palace de los Cabos (Flamingos) was 16th.
These placements reflect a diverse range of offerings—from adults-only wellness retreats to family-friendly all-inclusive packages—underscoring the broader Riviera Nayarit region’s strength as a world-class hospitality destination.
Top-Ranked Experiences: Zipline and Culinary Tours
In the Experiential category, two Puerto Vallarta offerings broke into the top ten nationwide:
- Los Veranos Canopy Tour – ranked 5th among Mexico’s best experiences. Guests soar above the Sierra Madre Occidental foothills on a series of ziplines, enjoying panoramic views of jungles and coastline.
- Downtown Vallarta Food Tours – placed 6th, inviting visitors to sample regional specialties such as birria tacos, fresh ceviche, and artisanal mezcal while strolling through historic downtown streets.
Both experiences capture the varied appeal of the area: adrenaline-packed adventure in the surrounding wilderness and a dynamic exploration of Puerto Vallarta’s culinary heritage.
Local tourism authorities and service providers celebrated the recognition as evidence of Puerto Vallarta’s resilience and adaptability. After a challenging period marked by global travel disruptions, the city’s rebound has been driven by collaborative marketing efforts, enhancements to safety protocols, and the cultivation of unique visitor experiences.
“Winning multiple honors in this year’s Travelers’ Choice Awards confirms that our strategies to diversify the visitor experience are paying off,” said María de la Peña, Director of the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat. “From beach-front luxury to cultural immersion, Puerto Vallarta continues to evolve while preserving the authentic spirit that first put us on the map.”
With these accolades secured, Puerto Vallarta’s stakeholders are already planning new initiatives to build on the momentum. Expanded eco-tourism programs, culinary festivals, and heritage-site restorations are slated for the coming year. Additionally, ongoing investments in sustainable infrastructure aim to ensure that increased visitor numbers benefit local communities and protect the region’s natural beauty.
As global travellers seek destinations that blend world-class amenities with genuine local character, Puerto Vallarta appears well-positioned to remain a standout choice. The city’s performance in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards not only highlights its current strengths but also sets a high bar for continued growth and innovation in Mexico’s vibrant tourism landscape.
Puerto Vallarta earns top rankings in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards, placing fourth among Mexican destinations, with Café Des Artistes and . . .
