Top 10 Reasons We Love Living in Puerto Vallarta

These are the top 10 reasons we love living in Puerto Vallarta. It is the perfect place to retire or live as a digital nomad!

When we announced we were retiring and would be living in Puerto Vallarta, most people were shocked. The surprise probably had as much to do with our ages (43 and 53 at the time) as the location. Still, more than one puzzled person asked, “Puerto Vallarta? Mexico?”. 

Folks who haven’t been to Puerto Vallarta often assume it is like Cancun or Cabo San Lucas. Don’t get me wrong. Not hating on Cancun or Cabo; both are lovely places to vacation. I just can’t imagine living in either of those places full-time. 

So, what made us choose to retire and move to Puerto Vallarta over any other place in the world? The most honest answer is – PV cast a spell on us many years ago, and we’ve yet to shake it. Sorcery aside, there are lots of reasons we chose Puerto Vallarta.

Here are our top 10:

#1 – Vibe

It is difficult to describe the vibe in Puerto Vallarta, at least without writing a small novel. PV is flirty and fun and unpretentious. It is laidback yet bursting with energy. It’s a large city with a small town feel.

#2 – People

Puerto Vallarta is undeniably a tourist destination with plenty of vendors peddling their wares. When I go on my morning walk, I don’t know whether to laugh or roll my eyes at the guy who asks if I want tequila. One day I couldn’t help but laugh at his monologue. He laughed with me and told me someday he would wear me down! Tequila shots for breakfast, anyone?! Seriously though, Vallartans are loving, genuine, and always quick to lend a hand. 

#3 – Food

Our affinity for food in Puerto Vallarta is well documented. Despite the many beautiful qualities of PV, we would not live here if the food was lackluster. Fortunately, PV is a Mecca for excellent restaurants. You can get amazing pizza, fresh caught seafood, incredible burgers, Thai food, sushi… the list goes on and on. The only thing we’ve found to not be amazing is steak. Of course, we are from cattle country, so we were spoiled by having all the best steakhouses.

#4 – Weather

Ahhhh, the near perfect weather makes living in Puerto Vallarta the right decision. Sunny and warm year-round. The rainy season, July/August through October, feels a bit like a sauna, but it’s a small price to pay for the glorious winter months! Man, I used to get absolutely giddy when we would get on the plane in December in freezing cold Oklahoma, then land two and half hours later in sunny PV!

#5 – Beach & Mountains

You don’t get both just everywhere. The topography alone makes Puerto Vallarta distinct. You’ve got a jungle on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. Bonus, the Sierra Madres protect the bay from major hurricanes.

#6 – Sunsets

I am a sucker for an amazing sunset. I literally have an app that reminds me what time the sunset will happen each day. The geography of Puerto Vallarta results in the sun sinking into the ocean every 24-hours. I will never tire of it. 

#7 – Healthcare

Access to high-quality, affordable health care was a huge factor when thinking about retirement (especially since we are still so many years away from being eligible for medicare). While we are blessed with good health, we are all just one medical test away from bad news. We were pleasantly surprised to learn how affordable healthcare is in this area. Thankfully, we have only had minor procedures so far (an MRI, cortisone injection, typical office call). Still, we have found them to be the same quality as in the US. Since we are private pay patients, there is minimal wait time to see a doctor. Ironically, without insurance, our doctor visits are around $500 pesos ($25 dollars) which is what our co-pay was in the US (and that was with really, really good health insurance).

#8 – Proximity to Friends and Family in the US

Our son is in his twenties and still lives in the US, so this is a biggie. It sounds crazy that we don’t live in the same country our child does, but we know plenty of people who are a 3-hour plane ride away from their kids. Plus, your friends and family come see you when you live in a vacation destination! 

#9 – Pet friendly

I’ve only been to 6 or 7 different countries, but they are ALL more pet-friendly than the US. Why is that? At any rate, almost every place we go in PV is dog-friendly. Multiple times every day, someone stops to pet Teddy and tell me (in very rapid Spanish), “he is so beautiful and tiny, and I looove him!!”. 

#10 – Diversity

Puerto Vallarta is uniquely diverse. Not only is it the proud home to a fun-loving gay community, but it also abounds with things to do. You can hike in the jungle in the morning, lay out on the beach in the afternoon, then see a musical in the evening. One could never get bored here. There really is something for everyone! 

Reasons We Love Living in Puerto Vallarta

There are so many more reasons we love living in Puerto Vallarta, but these are the primary reasons we love it here. If you have never been to Puerto Vallarta, I encourage you to book a trip and see if the city charms you like it does us! If you HAVE been to Puerto Vallarta, drop me a quick comment below and tell me if you think you could live in PV full-time.