Right next to Puerto Vallarta's airport sits a neighborhood where yachts and sailboats are part of the scenery. Marina Vallarta brings together a working marina, a championship golf course, beachfront resorts and a waterfront promenade lined with cafés and restaurants. It also has a surprisingly good backstory. Here's how the marina came to be, plus what to do, where to eat and where to stay.
What Is Marina Vallarta?
Marina Vallarta is a master-planned resort and residential community in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Construction began in 1986 and was essentially finished by 1993. Today it includes the marina, condos, shopping plazas, hotels and a golf course.
It's about five minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) and roughly 15–20 minutes by car from downtown and the Malecón. The cruise ship terminal sits right next door, just south of the marina. When it opened, Marina Vallarta was billed as the largest marina in Mexico; sources put its capacity at roughly 450–500 boats.
Marina Vallarta from the water, with the lighthouse tower at center (2009 photo).
Marina Vallarta History: From a Salt Port to Mexico's Biggest Marina
Puerto Vallarta was founded on December 12, 1851, as Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe, a small settlement that supplied salt to the silver mines in the mountains. It officially became a city in 1968. For the full story, see our Puerto Vallarta history.
That same year, funds were set aside for an international airport, named after then-president Gustavo Díaz Ordaz. Right beside today's marina, the El Salado wharf opened on June 1, 1970, turning Vallarta into Jalisco's first real harbor town and opening the door to cruise ships; the cruise terminal still operates there. By then the town was already world-famous thanks to The Night of the Iguana, filmed here in 1963.
The real boom came in the 1980s. According to census figures, the city grew from 38,645 residents in 1980 to 93,503 in 1990, and tourism grew right along with it. Local guide PuertoVallarta.net credits part of that surge to a sudden peso devaluation that drew a wave of visitors from Canada and the United States.
That's when brothers Jorge and José Martínez Güitrón launched Marina Vallarta in 1986. The plan: a marina with about 500 slips, luxury hotels, condos and a school, all next to the airport. By 1993 the development was essentially complete, ahead of schedule. The same local guide says Elizabeth Taylor, who already owned property in town, bought one of the first condos at the marina, which only added to its glamour.
Marina Vallarta Timeline
- 1851: Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe, today's Puerto Vallarta, is founded.
- 1968: Puerto Vallarta becomes a city; funds are approved for the airport.
- June 1, 1970: the El Salado wharf opens, Jalisco's first cruise port.
- 1986: the Martínez Güitrón brothers break ground on Marina Vallarta.
- 1993: the development is essentially complete.
- 2000–2001: the bronze whale-and-calf sculpture is installed.
- 2002: Hurricane Kenna destroys downtown's old Malecón.
- 2007: two new piers are completed at the cruise terminal.
Things to Do in Marina Vallarta
Walk the marina boardwalk
The promenade that wraps around the docks is the heart of the neighborhood, with shops, coffee shops, bakeries, ice cream, a small grocery store and restaurants at every price point, all with views of the yachts.
See the lighthouse
The lighthouse tower is the marina's landmark. Funny enough, it's now surrounded by buildings taller than it is, so it's more icon than working beacon. A bar at the top has long offered views of the marina, the mountains and the sunset, but a local guide currently lists it as closed, so check before you go.
Find the whale sculpture
At the marina entrance stands La ballena y su cría ("The Whale and Her Calf"), a huge bronze by Jalisco sculptor Octavio González. It's about 8 meters (26 feet) tall and 13 meters (43 feet) long and weighs around 12 tonnes. It honors the humpbacks that visit the bay every winter. Locals like to say it's one of the largest bronze sculptures in the world, though we couldn't find an official measurement to back that up. The same artist later created the El Buzo statue in Bucerías, which we cover in our guide to Riviera Nayarit beach towns.
Whale season runs roughly December through March; for 2025-2026, Mexico's environmental agency (Semarnat) set it from December 8 to March 23. Read more in our whale watching guide.
Get out on the water
The marina is full of yachts, sailboats and charter boats, and boat trips around the bay depart from here. Water taxis also leave from the neighboring maritime terminal for south-shore spots with no road access; see our South Shore beaches guide. If you're thinking about the Marietas Islands, make sure your operator is authorized and check current rules with CONANP, Mexico's protected-areas agency.
Play a round of golf
The Marina Vallarta Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-71 course designed by American architect Joe Finger, with views of the Sierra Madre and Banderas Bay. It plays just over 6,500 yards and rewards accuracy: fairways are narrow and guarded by water. There's a hacienda-style clubhouse, and the club hosts an annual international Pro-Am.
Nearby, Vista Vallarta has two championship courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, and it hosted golf's EMC World Cup in 2002.
Shop the Thursday market
In season (roughly October through May), the Art & Market Marina Vallarta sets up along the boardwalk on Thursday evenings with live music, crafts, paintings, baked goods, honey and local produce. Dates change every year, so check its social media. Love markets? See our Puerto Vallarta markets guide.
Spend a beach day
Several hotels here sit right on the bay. El Salado beach has public access via Paseo Bocanegra during daytime hours (a local guide lists 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.). It's about a half-mile walk with some boulders at the end, and there are no businesses on the sand, so bring water. Farther north, by the airport, Boca de Tomates has a sea turtle release camp, but the surf there isn't safe for swimming. Learn more in our sea turtle guide.
Docks and boats at Marina Vallarta.
Marina Vallarta Restaurants
La Terrazza di Roma
Opened in 1993, the same year the marina was completed, by a group of Italian and Mexican friends, it's now family-run. The deck sits right over the water, so you dine with boats all around. Expect hearty trattoria-style Italian cooking: homemade pasta, fish and seafood, thin-crust pizza and a solid wine list.
Area: Puesta del Sol Tennis Club, Marina Vallarta. Best for: a relaxed dinner with yacht views.
Mariscos El Coleguita (Marina Vallarta)
This seafood spot got its start in 1989 in downtown Puerto Vallarta and now has locations in Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. Regulars know the ritual: you're welcomed with a cup of shrimp broth (and a shot of tequila) and sent off with fried plantains and coffee liqueur. The menu covers shrimp every which way, an Alfredo seafood pasta, the signature Coleguita plate and a lobster special with shrimp and mahi-mahi. The marina branch faces Dock K.
Area: Calle Popa, Marina del Rey condominiums. Best for: a generous seafood lunch with family or friends.
Mariscos 8 Tostadas (Marina)
A seafood spot that Puerto Vallarta's official tourism board has recommended. As the name suggests, tostadas are the star: house ceviche, marlin, "Pepe's style" marlin pâté, or mixed seafood with shrimp, octopus, sea snail and pen-shell clam. There are also crispy shrimp and fried fish bites. Curious about the bay's seafood traditions? Read about pescado zarandeado.
Area: Calle Quilla, Marina Vallarta. Best for: casual, Vallarta-style seafood. More picks in our Puerto Vallarta seafood guide.
Andrea (Velas Vallarta)
Velas Vallarta's signature restaurant serves international cooking built around local seafood, with themed dinner menus that range from fish and seafood to French, Italian, Asian and Mexican dishes. A local guide notes it's open to the public as well as hotel guests; dinner requires a reservation.
Area: Paseo de la Marina Norte, on the bay. Best for: a special-occasion dinner without leaving the neighborhood. More ideas in our oceanfront restaurants guide.
We recommend confirming hours and availability directly with each restaurant.
Marina Vallarta Hotels
Casa Velas
An adults-only (18+) all-inclusive boutique hotel set on the Marina Vallarta golf course. It has 80 suites, many with a private plunge pool or Jacuzzi, and Mexican décor that includes pieces by sculptor Sergio Bustamante. You'll find koi ponds, an organic garden that supplies its kitchens, the swim-up Aqua Bar, ABJA Spa and Emiliano restaurant. It isn't on the beach, but all-inclusive guests get access to Táu Beach Club, about five minutes away, with complimentary transportation.
Forbes Travel Guide rates it Four-Star, and its 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award placed it among the top 10 all-inclusive hotels in Mexico on that platform. It's also part of the 31st Festival Gourmet International (November 13–22, 2026), a food festival founded in 1995 by chefs Thierry Blouet and Heinz Reize.
Best for: couples, honeymooners and golfers. See more in our adults-only resorts guide.
Velas Vallarta
A beachfront all-inclusive resort on about ten acres of gardens. It's Casa Velas' sister property within Velas Resorts, the group behind the Grand Velas resorts in Riviera Nayarit, Riviera Maya and Los Cabos. Suites come with terraces and full kitchens, and nearly all have bay views. Besides Andrea, there's Foodies Cantina, with coastal Mexican flavors such as smoked fish and cheese empanadas. There's AMET Spa and a kids' club for ages 4 to 12, and the golf course is within walking distance. Its 2026 Travelers' Choice award ranked it among the top 15 all-inclusives in Mexico on Tripadvisor.
Best for: families and longer stays. See our family resorts guide.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
On the bay along Paseo de la Marina, about 5–10 minutes from the airport; it was formerly the CasaMagna Marriott. Its Ohtli Spa covers about 21,000 square feet, and the hotel bills it as the largest spa in the Puerto Vallarta area, with 11 treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and hot and cold plunge pools; some treatments draw on Huichol (Wixárika) culture and native Mexican ingredients (more on Huichol art). Restaurants include Mikado (Japanese, with sushi and a teppanyaki show), Marieta (Mediterranean tapas), Las Casitas (Mexican and Pacific seafood by the beach) and Nosh, a beachfront bar with an evening raw bar and live music.
Best for: travelers who want a full-service resort with plenty of dining choices.
The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta
One of the most recognizable hotels in the area, right on the beach along Paseo de la Marina Sur, with curved towers you can spot from the water.
Best for: travelers who want the beach and the marina just steps away.
We recommend confirming rates and availability directly with each hotel.
The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta, seen from the bay (2005 photo).
Weather and the Best Time to Visit Marina Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has a tropical wet-and-dry climate, with average highs around 86 °F (30 °C) and lows around 70 °F (21 °C). The rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-October, and August is the wettest month.
- December to March: whale season and dry weather; the busiest stretch of the year.
- October to May: Thursday market season on the boardwalk.
- Summer: hotter and rainier, but less crowded.
Hurricanes rarely hit the city directly, though Kenna did cause damage in 2002.
Getting Around and a Suggested Itinerary
Getting around: a taxi from the airport takes just minutes. City buses heading downtown also pass through the area. Inside the marina, everything is walkable.
Half a day in Marina Vallarta:
- Coffee and pastries on the marina boardwalk.
- Photos at the whale sculpture and the lighthouse.
- Lunch with yacht views.
A full day:
- Early tee time or a boat trip around the bay.
- Beach or spa in the afternoon.
- On a Thursday in season, the art market; otherwise, dinner overlooking the marina.
Budget, in general terms: the area runs from casual seafood joints to luxury resorts. Golf and private yacht charters are the biggest splurges.
What to pack: sunscreen, a hat, water, light clothing and comfortable walking shoes; sturdy footwear if you're heading to El Salado.
Explore Puerto Vallarta with Riviera Tours & Transfers
Our tours don't visit these hotels or restaurants, but if you want to see the heart of the city, you can also join our Vallarta City Tour. It runs every day, lasts about 7 hours, and is offered in English and Spanish. It includes:
- A guided walk through downtown Puerto Vallarta
- A visit to a traditional jewelry workshop
- Free time for shopping
- A tequila stop
- A stop at a regional-cuisine restaurant (meal not included)
Want lunch included? The Vallarta Plus City Tour adds a distillery tour, a tequila tasting and a meal at a regional-cuisine restaurant.
Check dates and book the Vallarta City Tour →
Planning more days? Start with our guide to things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
Tour boats docked at Marina Vallarta.
Tips for Visiting Marina Vallarta
- Go at sunset, when the boardwalk is at its best.
- Boat trips: book with established operators and ask exactly what each trip includes.
- Whale watching: choose operators that follow Mexico's official whale-watching rules.
- At the beach, follow the warning flags and the lifeguards' instructions.
- Respect residents: people live here, so stay off private docks and condo grounds.
FAQ
Is Marina Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta? It's in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, right by the airport. Nuevo Vallarta is farther north, across the Ameca River in the state of Nayarit. Learn more in our Nuevo Vallarta guide.
How far is Marina Vallarta from downtown Puerto Vallarta? About 15–20 minutes by car to the Malecón, depending on traffic.
Who built Marina Vallarta, and when? Brothers Jorge and José Martínez Güitrón launched it in 1986, and it was essentially finished by 1993.
Is there a market in Marina Vallarta? Yes. In season (roughly October through May), a market sets up on Thursday evenings. Check its social media for current dates.
Can you go up the Marina Vallarta lighthouse? A bar has operated at the top, but it's currently reported as closed. Confirm before you go.
Is there a beach in Marina Vallarta? Yes. Several hotels sit on the bay, and El Salado beach has public access via Paseo Bocanegra.
When can you see whales near Marina Vallarta? The season runs roughly from December through March.
Is Marina Vallarta a good place to stay? Yes, if you want to be close to the airport, with golf, the marina and restaurants within walking distance. If you'd rather have street life and galleries, the Romantic Zone may suit you better.
Photos: Another Believer / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons · KABAYEK / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons · Stan Shebs / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
