Puerto Vallarta has added another major accolade to its growing collection of tourism honors, earning multiple distinctions in the 2026 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards. The recognition places the popular Banderas Bay destination among Mexico’s top travel destinations while also highlighting several local hotels, restaurants and experiences.

The awards are particularly significant because they are based on reviews and opinions submitted by travelers over a 12-month period. The Best of the Best designation represents the highest level of recognition in the program and is reserved for fewer than 1% of listings on the platform.

Puerto Vallarta ranked No. 4 among Mexico’s top destinations, placing it behind Cabo San Lucas, Playa del Carmen and Mexico City. The ranking reflects the destination’s broad appeal, from its beaches and outdoor adventures to its food, nightlife, art and historic neighborhoods.

The city’s iconic Malecón boardwalk also received recognition, ranking among the five best attractions in Mexico. The waterfront promenade, known for its collection of sculptures, ocean views, restaurants, street performers and spectacular sunsets, remains one of the city’s signature experiences.

The 2026 awards extend well beyond the destination itself. Several Puerto Vallarta businesses and attractions earned spots among the best in Mexico in their respective categories.

Casa Velas was recognized among Mexico’s top 10 hotels, while Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway was included among the country’s best all-inclusive hotels. Casa Yvonneka was recognized among Mexico’s best small and boutique hotels.

The city also made a strong showing in the culinary category. Gaviotas Restaurant at Sheraton Buganvilias Hotel was ranked among Mexico’s top 10 fine-dining restaurants, joining Café des Artistes, another Puerto Vallarta restaurant recognized among the country’s best fine-dining establishments.

Adventure and food experiences were equally well represented. Los Veranos Zip-line Tour was named among Mexico’s 10 best experiences, offering visitors an opportunity to soar through the Sierra Madre jungle. Centro de Vallarta Food Tours also earned a place among the country’s top experiences, highlighting the city’s increasingly important culinary-tourism scene.

Additional Puerto Vallarta experiences received the prestigious Best of the Best designation, including the Los Veranos Canopy Tour, Banderas Scuba Republic, Las Caletas Beach Hideaway, The Palm Cabaret and Bar, and Vallarta Food Tours. Together, the honors illustrate how the destination’s appeal extends well beyond its beaches and resorts.

The recognition comes at a time when Puerto Vallarta continues to promote itself as a destination offering a combination of traditional Mexican culture and an increasingly sophisticated international tourism scene. Visitors can spend the morning exploring galleries and historic streets, the afternoon on the water or in the mountains, and the evening enjoying some of the city’s celebrated restaurants and entertainment venues.

The latest awards also underscore the importance of traveler reviews in shaping the destination’s reputation. Rather than being determined solely by an industry panel, the rankings reflect the experiences reported by people who have actually visited the destination and its businesses.

For Puerto Vallarta, the result is a particularly strong showing in 2026: a top-five destination in Mexico, a top-ranked attraction, and a collection of highly rated hotels, restaurants and activities. It is another indication that the city continues to offer travelers considerably more than a traditional beach vacation.