A Slow Travel Guide to Jalisco: Beyond Puerto Vallarta

When I first thought about visiting Jalisco, my mind immediately went to Puerto Vallarta and Tequila. And while both absolutely deserve a place on your itinerary, my recent trip gave me a much bigger appreciation for the region.

What I loved most was how easy it was to experience completely different sides of Jalisco in one trip. From the beaches and food scene of Puerto Vallarta to the quiet coastline of Costalegre and the agave-covered landscapes of Tequila.

Rather than staying in one place, we used Puerto Vallarta as our starting point and slowly made our way through the region, staying at a few beautiful hotels along the way. If you’re planning a trip to Jalisco, here’s how I’d do it.

Start in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta makes an easy introduction to Jalisco. There’s plenty to do here, but I also loved that you can spend a few days enjoying the city before venturing farther out.

We stayed at Hotel Mousai, a sleek adults-only resort with beautiful ocean views, multiple pools, and a rooftop that was especially nice for sunset drinks. It’s a great place to start a trip when you want a little time to settle in, relax, and enjoy the coast.

From there, we moved into the heart of Puerto Vallarta and stayed at Casa Kimberly, a completely different experience. Located in Zona Romántica, the boutique hotel is filled with history, art, and old-world Mexican charm. Its location also makes it easy to explore the neighborhood on foot.

Some of my favorite experiences in Puerto Vallarta were actually centered around food and culture rather than simply spending time at the beach. We took a food tour through the city, went snorkeling, explored the Malecon and Isla Cuale, and had the opportunity to learn more about Huichol art and its cultural significance.

Don’t Just Stay on the Coast

One of my biggest takeaways from this trip was how much there is to see outside of Puerto Vallarta. If you have the time, I’d absolutely recommend adding a few nights in Costalegre.

The coastline feels quieter and much more remote, with stretches of tropical landscape and very little of the busyness you might associate with a traditional beach destination. We spent two nights at Las Alamandas, a secluded luxury property surrounded by tropical gardens and coastline. It was the kind of place where the best part of the day was often simply staying put.

We had a farm-to-table lunch, explored the property by bike, spent the afternoon by the pool, and watched the sunset before dinner. It was a good reminder that slow travel doesn’t always mean seeing more. Sometimes it means giving yourself permission to stay somewhere beautiful long enough to actually enjoy it.

Spend a Few Nights in Tequila

No trip through Jalisco would feel complete without spending time in tequila country.

Tequila isn’t just a drink here. It’s deeply connected to the landscape, history, agriculture, and culture of the region. Seeing the agave fields and learning about how tequila is produced made the experience feel much more meaningful than simply going for a tasting.

We stayed at Hotel Solar de las Ánimas, a beautiful boutique hotel in the center of Tequila with traditional architecture and colorful Mexican details. While there, we visited La Rojeña, learned more about the tequila-making process, participated in a blending experience, and finished the day with a chef experience and an intimate mariachi serenade.

I’d recommend giving yourself at least two nights here rather than trying to squeeze Tequila into a quick day trip. There’s something really enjoyable about waking up in the town, wandering around without a strict schedule, and experiencing tequila in the place where it originated.

Eat Your Way Through Jalisco

Food ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. Along the coast, you’ll find incredible seafood and fresh local ingredients, while farther inland, the food becomes another way to understand the traditions of Jalisco.

Some of our meals were elaborate tasting menus, while others were much more casual. We had a farm-to-table lunch in Costalegre, a food tour in Puerto Vallarta, traditional Mexican dishes, and meals paired with tequila. If you’re planning a trip, I’d leave room in your itinerary for long lunches, local restaurants, food tours, and meals that aren’t necessarily planned months in advance.

Some of the best travel memories happen around a table.

Where I’d Stay

For a trip that combines all three destinations, these are the properties I’d put on my list:

Puerto Vallarta — Hotel Mousai
For a polished, modern resort experience with ocean views, pools, spa time, and plenty of amenities.

Puerto Vallarta — Casa Kimberly
For boutique charm, history, art, and a walkable location in Zona Romántica.

Costalegre — Las Alamandas
For a quiet, secluded escape where the goal is to slow down and enjoy the property and surrounding coastline.

Tequila — Hotel Solar de las Ánimas
For a beautiful boutique stay in the center of Tequila with traditional Mexican character.

My Ideal Jalisco Itinerary

If I were planning this trip again, I’d give myself around 8 nights:

3 nights — Puerto Vallarta
Food tour, snorkeling, art and culture, beach time, shopping, and plenty of time to explore Zona Romántica.

2 nights — Costalegre
Slow mornings, farm-to-table dining, biking, pool time, and sunset by the water.

2 nights — Tequila
Agave fields, tequila experiences, wandering the town, and long meals.

The beauty of this route is that each stop feels completely different.

The Slow Travel Takeaway

If you’re heading to Jalisco, my biggest piece of advice is don’t make Puerto Vallarta the whole trip. Use it as your home base and then venture farther out.

Spend a few days on the coast, slow down in Costalegre, and finish among the agave fields of Tequila. You’ll get beaches, boutique hotels, food, culture, and tequila… but you’ll also get a much better sense of the region itself.

That combination is what made Jalisco such a memorable trip for me. And honestly, I left feeling like I had only scratched the surfac, which is usually my favorite sign that a destination is worth coming back to.