Magical Towns near Puerto Vallarta
13 Magical Towns are less than 150 km from Puerto Vallarta, close enough for a day trip, and 14 more are within 292 km for a weekend getaway. The closest is Sayulita, Nayarit, about 33 km away. Distances are in a straight line; by road, expect roughly 20–40% more.
Day trips (under 150 km)
≈ 33 kmNayaritSayulita
The bohemian surf town of the Riviera Nayarit: beach, surf lessons, street art, design shops, cafés and nightlife.
≈ 41 kmJaliscoSan Sebastián del Oeste
A mining village in the Sierra Madre, a few hours from Puerto Vallarta: old mansions, mist, high-altitude coffee and raicilla.
≈ 48 kmJaliscoMascota
Authentic Jalisco highlands: the Unfinished Temple, community museums, Juanacatlán Lake, the village of Yerbabuena and regional raicilla.
≈ 52 kmJaliscoTalpa de Allende
End point of the Pilgrim's Route and sanctuary of the Virgin of Talpa, with a rare maple forest, raicilla and guava sweets.
≈ 73 kmNayaritCompostela
One of Nayarit's oldest towns (founded 1530): colonial architecture, regional food and a gateway to the Riviera Nayarit.
≈ 87 kmNayaritAmatlán de Cañas
A rural corner among mountains in southern Nayarit: hot springs, waterfalls such as El Manto and quiet village life.
≈ 89 kmNayaritAhuacatlán
On southern Nayarit's tourist corridor: historic churches, the Ceboruco volcano, natural pools and its October patron-saint festival.
≈ 96 kmNayaritJala
At the foot of the Ceboruco volcano: the Lateran Basilica, rural traditions and a corn fair with a contest for the world's biggest ear of corn.
≈ 99 kmNayaritIxtlán del Río
The Los Toriles archaeological site and its round temple, the Cristo Rey viewpoint and natural pools in southern Nayarit.
≈ 99 kmNayaritSan Blas
A historic Nayarit port: the Contaduría fort, La Tovara mangroves, birdwatching, a crocodile sanctuary, beaches and seafood.
≈ 142 kmNayaritMexcaltitán
The “Mexican Venice”: a tiny island in Nayarit whose streets turn into canals in the rainy season, tied to the legend of Aztlán and famous for shrimp.
≈ 147 kmJaliscoTequila
Birthplace of tequila and the UNESCO-listed Agave Landscape: blue agave fields, historic distilleries, museums and Jalisco's tequila culture.
≈ 149 kmJaliscoCocula
“The mariachi comes from Cocula!”: the world birthplace of mariachi in Jalisco, with a museum, music in the plaza and birria.
Weekend getaways
≈ 172 kmJaliscoTapalpa
Jalisco's first Magical Town: a mountain village surrounded by forest, the giant boulders of Las Piedrotas, El Nogal waterfall, lakes and outdoor adventure.
≈ 174 kmNayaritPuerto Balleto
On Isla María Madre, the former Islas Marías penal colony: guided tours, history, trails and nature in a protected area.
≈ 190 kmJaliscoSayula
Cajeta, handmade knives and the memory of Juan Rulfo in southern Jalisco: workshops, museums and an unhurried historic center.
≈ 200 kmJaliscoTlaquepaque
Folk art in Guadalajara: ceramics, galleries and workshops, the Independencia pedestrian street, El Parián with mariachi and ceramics museums.
≈ 204 kmZacatecasTeúl de González Ortega
Mezcal and stone in southern Zacatecas: blue agave fields, mezcal distilleries, an archaeological site, reservoirs and mansions with stone gargoyles.
≈ 209 kmJaliscoAjijic
A bohemian town on Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest lake: a waterfront, colorful murals, galleries, cobbled streets and an international art scene.
≈ 213 kmColimaComala
The “White Town of the Americas”: white façades and red-tile roofs, the literary world of Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo, volcano views and snack-filled arcades.
≈ 244 kmJaliscoMazamitla
Jalisco's cabin town: forests of the Sierra del Tigre, cool weather, El Salto waterfall, zip lines and slow-roasted lamb.
≈ 259 kmZacatecasNochistlán de Mejía
Where the first Guadalajara was founded in 1532: the story of Tenamaxtle's Caxcán resistance, El Peñol hill, churches and provincial life.
≈ 268 kmSinaloaEl Rosario
Mining and ranchera roots in southern Sinaloa: the Lola Beltrán Museum, the Mining Museum, the Rosario parish church and Iguanero Lagoon.
≈ 268 kmJaliscoTemacapulín
Hot springs and the Río Verde canyon in the Altos de Jalisco: a village with strong community memory and a history of defending its land.
≈ 272 kmMichoacánJiquilpan de Juárez
The city of jacarandas and birthplace of President Lázaro Cárdenas: plazas, churches, gardens, a Cárdenas museum, a mural-filled library and rebozos.
≈ 279 kmMichoacánCotija de la Paz
Home of Cotija cheese: stone architecture, colonial roots, cattle ranches and the traditional cooking of western Michoacán.
≈ 292 kmAguascalientesCalvillo
The “World Capital of Guava”: sweets and preserves, the National Museum of Magical Towns, Malpaso reservoir and the Sierra del Laurel.