Colonia Versalles Puerto Vallarta: Our Neighborhood Guide
Looking for information on Colonia Versalles in Puerto Vallarta?
Colonia Versalles in Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful up-and-coming neighborhood. It offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Versalles was our home base during an extended stay in Puerto Vallarta. We loved it so much we almost didn’t want to tell others about it! But, it’s such a unique part of Puerto Vallarta that we have to share it with you.
Versalles is a charming neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta, full of restaurants and cafes, and a slower pace than the rest of the city. The neighborhood is very walkable, and is also easy to access from other parts of the city by foot or public transportation. Read further for our recommendations on where to stay and eat in Versalles.
Where is Colonia Versalles in Puerto Vallarta?
Colonia Versalles is a quickly up-and-coming neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta. It is located between Las Glorias and the Hotel Zone to the West, and Fluvial Vallarta to the North. Each of these areas are a 10-20 minute walk from Versalles.
From Versalles, it is about a 30 minute walk to 5 de Diciembre, 45 minute walk to El Centro, and 1 hour walk to Zona Romantica.
Walkability
Like most of Puerto Vallarta, Versalles is a very walkable neighborhood. When thinking about the walkability of Versalles, we considered the following:
- Pedestrian safety: While the streets in Versalles are cobblestone, they have sidewalks and well-marked stop signs, keeping pedestrians safe. In fact, the cobblestone streets are sort of built-in speed bumps. Vehicles are never traveling too fast through the area.
- Neighborhood safety: Versalles is generally a very safe area of Puerto Vallarta. We felt comfortable walking around at any time of day (of course, taking precautions you would any place).
- Street grid: The streets in Versalles are laid out in a grid format, making walking from one place to another easy.
- Proximity to public transportation: Buses are easy to catch along Highway 200, the main thoroughfare through Puerto Vallarta. Depending on your location in Versalles, you can reach Highway 200 in a 5 to 10 minute walk.
- Proximity to restaurants: Versalles is known as the foodie neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. That should tell you all you need to know about restaurant proximity! There is a high concentration of restaurants, cocktail bars, and cafes here, offering a range of options.
- Proximity to shopping: In addition to neighborhood boutiques and bodegas, Versalles is a 10-minute walk from a 24-hour pharmacy, a large grocery store (La Comer), and Costco.
What is the vibe in Versalles?
Compared to other neighborhoods in Puerto Vallarta, Versalles has a laid back feel. While areas like Zona Romantica, El Centro, and the Hotel Zone are often bustling with tourists and traffic, Versalles offers a respite from this.
That said, Versalles is a fast-changing neighborhood, with commercial and residential development shaping the area and its overall vibe as we speak. This makes Versalles an exciting place to be, whether you’re thinking of buying a place of your own, looking to rent short-term, or just visiting for the day.
During our extended stay in Versalles, we saw a number of changes, from cafes opening their doors to new high-rise condos being built. That’s how fluid Versalles is. It’s pretty common to hear and see construction in this part of town.
Are there hotels in Versalles?
When it comes to hotels, Versalles isn’t like the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Because Versalles is mainly residential, there are very few hotels. In our view, this is good if you’re looking to buy in the neighborhood, or rent for an extended stay like we did.
Short term rentals on Airbnb or Vrbo
If you’re planning a vacation and want to stay in Versalles in Puerto Vallarta, there are a wealth of options through apartment rental sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo.
Most of the rentals in Versalles offer a range of amenities, including 24-hour security, rooftop pools, gyms, secure parking, and more. In addition, we found the price of a 2-bedroom condo rental in Versalles competed with (and was often less expensive than) small hotel rooms in more crowded areas such as Zona Romantica or the Hotel Zone.
🌴 Hotel Mio Vallarta
That said, if you love the idea of being close to Versalles but are looking for a hotel stay, we recommend booking a stay at Hotel Mio Vallarta, an adults only hotel in the Hotel Zone.
We stayed here for two nights at the end of our extended stay in Versalles and Puerto Vallarta. Each room at Hotel Mio has a balcony – this was the view from ours!
From Hotel Mio Vallarta, it is only a 10 to 15 minute walk to Versalles. Yet, you’re right by Playa Los Tules.
Here, you get the best of both worlds – you can enjoy morning beach walks and rooftop pool sunsets, but then walk over to Versalles to enjoy its charm.
Are there beaches in Versalles?
Unfortunately, Versalles is located inland from Banderas Bay. However, from Versalles, you can walk to the beach in about 10 to 15 minutes.
The closest beaches are Playa Las Glorias and Playa Los Tules. Both of these beaches are located close to or within the hotel corridor. This means they’re often fairly crowded, but never so crowded that you can’t find a place to plant your beach chair and umbrella.
If you’re looking for a quieter beach experience, we recommend a day trip to someplace like Playa Colomitos.
Closest buses to/from Versalles
While you can walk to several other areas of Puerto Vallarta from Versalles, buses are also readily available. Whether you’re headed north or south, you can catch a bus from Highway 200, a 5 to 10 minute walk from Versalles.
Headed to Bucerias, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, or other areas of Nayarit? You can also catch the ATM or Compostela buses from this area. Head to the stop in Las Glorias and let the driver know your destination. On your return, tell them you’re getting off at Las Glorias.
And don’t forget to have plenty of pesos for the bus fare!
Restaurants in Versalles
Versalles is an ideal location in Puerto Vallarta for a number of reasons, but its food scene ranks high on our list of things to love about the neighborhood.
One thing that makes Versalles unique, relative to the rest of Puerto Vallarta, is its density and range of restaurants and cafes. There are so many options just within a few blocks!
This post would be extremely lengthy if we did a full review of all our favorites here, so we tried to condense it all into a list of our Top Places to Eat in Versalles.
Top Places to Eat in Versalles
- Barbacow: This was our first and last meal in Puerto Vallarta over our extended stay, with multiple trips in between. We think that says a lot, but if it doesn’t — just know that Barbacow has 8 (eight!) salsas and cheese-crusted tacos. We loved their barbacoa and chicharron.
- Barrio Bistro: Have you ever had one of those dining experiences where you just feel really well taken care of? That’s what it’s like at Barrio Bistro, where the menu changes seasonally and the staff go out of their way to make sure you have a good experience. Please go!
- Restaurante Ascencio Tacos y Chelas: This small eatery serves up what we referred artisanal tacos. Their tacos need no additional toppings because they’re prepared with such a deep flavor profile by their expert chef.
- Abulon: If you’re looking for delicious fresh seafood dishes in Versalles, Abulon is a must. From aguachiles to tacos to fresh seafood main dishes, you can’t go wrong.
- Hamburg: We know what you’re thinking. Burgers in Puerto Vallarta? You’ll think differently when you order any of the burgers from Hamburg with the fondue cheese.
Bonus! Our Favorite Breakfast Spots in Versalles
In Versalles looking for breakfast? We recommend the following spots:
- Crepas De Autor: Whether you’re a sweet or savory person, Crepas De Autor has you covered with their crepes made to order. They also have a variety of sandwiches, if someone in your group isn’t into crepes.
- Oh! Croissant: This bakery serves up flaky croissants and other sweet breakfast treats with fillings like apples, berries, almonds and pecans, and cinnamon. Try a few — you won’t regret it!
- Fluffy’s: Named for their fluffy pancakes (with the help of egg whites), Fluffy’s serves up a full menu of breakfast foods and drinks. And yes, they do have chilaquiles.
And if we can offer just two more foodie suggestions while in Colonia Versalles in Puerto Vallarta:
Stop into Eloteca and try their cupped corn with cream, cheese, and lime. It’s salty, it’s zesty, it’s delicious. Who knew corn in a cup could be so tasty?
Looking for a sweet treat after dinner? Check out the Churro Guy at the intersection of Hamburgo and Berlin streets. Tell him how many churros you want, and he’ll cook these crispy, sugary treats to order.
Wrapping Up: Colonia Versalles Puerto Vallarta
Colonia Versalles in Puerto Vallarta is a neighborhood that’s balancing tradition and transformation, offering a unique glimpse into Puerto Vallarta’s evolving charm. Whether you’re drawn by its incredible food scene, its walkable streets, or its quieter atmosphere away from the city’s busiest tourist zones, Versalles has something special to offer. For us, it became more than just a temporary home—it was a place we truly connected with.
If you find yourself in Puerto Vallarta, take the time to explore Versalles. Try a new restaurant, stroll its cobblestone streets, stay a night or two, and experience a different side of the city. You just might fall in love with it too.