Puerto Vallarta is a quintessential beach town. Sitting on the Bay of Banderas on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, this former fishing village affords access to some of the country’s most beautiful stretches of sand; the Sierra Madres for adventurous jungle outings; and a mix of neighborhood eateries, world-renowned restaurants and robust nightlife.

The city comprises seven zones, or areas, most of which lie south of the airport. In recent years, Nuevo Vallarta, to the north, grew more popular as a resort destination and makes a great home base. Those who prefer the hustle and bustle of the city, however, will want to explore Centro (downtown) and neighboring Zona Romántica (also known as Old Town).

“In Search of Reason” by Sergio Bustamante © Anthony Aneese Totah Jr | Dreamstime.com

The pedestrian-only Malecón Boardwalk, just more than a mile long, stretches between the ocean and El Centro Historic Downtown’s cobblestone streets. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, one of the most recognizable sites in the area, sits a block off the palm tree-lined path. As you walk, a street vendor may offer you a taste of tuba fresca, a delicious coconut sap-based drink mixed with sugar and topped with walnuts and diced apples. You’ll find sea-themed sculptures along the route and, at the north end, Lazaro Cardenas Park, which local artist Natasha Moraga transformed, with community help, into an outdoor art gallery of mosaic tiles. On Saturdays it hosts Olas Altas Farmers’ Market.

“La Nostalgia” by Jose Ramiz Barquet © Anthony Aneese Totah Jr | Dreamstime.com

Colorful street art abounds on the neighborhood’s walls. You’ll pass many murals as you taste your way through another ubiquitous sight: taco trucks. To discover the best — and get an introduction to local favorites like tacos dorados, a crunchy take on traditional birria — join a walking tour.

Puerto Vallarta’s food scene extends well beyond tacos, though, and Zona Romántica brims with options, from Tintoque, which serves reimagined Mexican fare next to the river, to El Barracuda, a seafood mecca on Camarones Beach. Reserve a table for dinner at The Iguana, the restaurant in Casa Kimberly, a hotel in the former home of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The residential neighborhood of Versalles, a 15-minute drive north, is another up-and-coming culinary hot spot.

Zona Romántica is packed with a mix of bars and nightclubs, including a wide variety of gay bars. As day turns to night, live music and DJ-spun tracks pour through open windows, keeping the vacation party going well into the wee hours.