The best food in downtown Vallarta

Original

DownTown Tour

Quick Details

Ages: All ages

Duration: 3.5 Hours

Capacity: 10 hungry people • 1 awesome tour guide

Days: Everyday

Times: 10:30am

Weather: Tours are rain/shine and great anytime!

Location: Lazaro Cardenas Park

Transportation: Walking

Price: $59 adults, $45 children (under 13)

Experience the best food in downtown Vallarta since 2011!

PUERTO VALLARTA DOWNTOWN FOOD TOUR – Ready to eat like a local? Join our award-winning walking first food tour through Old Town and Downtown Puerto Vallarta—designed as the perfect combination of a city tour and food experience. Over 3–3.5 hours, you’ll taste your way through eight stops and 10+ tastings—each served where locals actually eat—while discovering the heart and history of Vallarta.

Along the way, you’ll explore and stop at many of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Old Town (Zona Romántica), the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Muertos Pier, and the charming Cuale Island—making this not just a food tour, but a true cultural deep dive.

Start with comforting chilaquiles before diving into slow-braised birria taco with rich consomé. As you explore bustling streets and hidden neighborhood gems, enjoy refreshing aguas frescas, fresh coastal ceviche, and a unique seafood enchilada that reflects Vallarta’s seaside roots. The journey continues with artisan chocolate rooted in ancient cacao traditions, followed by a rich mole enchilada and a perfectly balanced flan.

Voted among the Top 5 Food Experiences in the World and recently #1 food tour in Mexico in 2026 by TripAdvisor, this experience is part feast, part city tour, and 100% delicious—ending with a tequila tasting, one final sip of Mexico’s most iconic spirit.

There are a few more surprises along the way… but you’ll have to join us to discover them.

Dietary Restrictions

We’re happy to accommodate most food allergies and dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance when purchasing your tickets so we can make the necessary substitutions.

Highlights

Taste your way through tacos, mole, ceviche, and the heart of Vallarta.

  • Taste Vallarta’s Icons: Savor 10+ full-sized tastings of tacos, mole, aguas frescas, ceviche, birria, and other regional favorites - no tiny samples here!

  • Eat Like a Local: Join your expert foodie guide to explore Old Town and Downtown’s best-kept secrets - taquerías, seafood stands, and family-run kitchens that locals love.

  • Meet the Makers: Hear the stories behind Vallarta’s culinary legends and meet the chefs, vendors, and artisans keeping tradition alive.

  • Learn Taco Secrets: Discover how to dress a taco like a local and uncover what makes authentic birria and mole so special.

  • See the City Differently: Walk the colorful streets of Vallarta, from the Río Cuale to the Malecón, with plenty of food, history, and laughs along the way.

  • Award-Winning Experience: Voted among TripAdvisor’s Top 5 Food Experiences in the World - and consistently rated the #1 food tour in Puerto Vallarta in Tripadvisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Local Places. Local Food.

Local People

Where is the starting location?

Lazaro Cardenas Park. Click here for google maps.

What dietary restrictions are accommodated on this tour?

We’re happy to accommodate most food allergies and dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance when purchasing your tickets so we can make the necessary substitutions.

What is the cancellation and refund policy?

We're happy to offer a 24 hour hassle-free cancelation policy. Tickets cannot be cancelled due to the weather. Before purchasing tickets, please be aware of the possible weather conditions for that time of year.

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance? Do you take cash?

All tickets must be purchased in advance on this website or by calling 1-800-838-3006. Tickets can also be purchased with cash at our of or through our representative at your hotel. Send us an email and we will arrange an exact meeting time.

Are food tastings included in the cost? What about drinks?

The tour includes 10+ food tastings at 8 local eateries, water bottle plus a guided cultural and historical walking tour through Downtown and Old Town Puerto Vallarta. Beer , cocktails and drinks can be purchased seperately.

Can I book a private experience?

Absolutely! Please complete our Private Inquiry Form to upgrade your tour to a private experience.

What foods will I try?

Tastings vary slightly, but may include tacos, birria, ceviche, mole, seafood specialties, tacos, aguas frescas, traditional sweets, chocolate, and more.

How much walking is involved?

The tour covers approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 km) at a leisurely pace with plenty of stops for food, sightseeing, and stories along the way. Each stop is about 1-2 blocks from each other.

Is this a food tour or a city tour?

Both! Our Downtown Tour combines Puerto Vallarta's best local food with a guided city tour, making it one of the best ways to experience the culture, history, architecture, and cuisine of Vallarta.You'll visit many of Puerto Vallarta's most iconic attractions, including the Malecón, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Los Muertos Pier, Río Cuale, Gringo Gulch, Old Town, and the Romantic Zone.

Can vegetarians join the tour?

Yes. We can accommodate vegetarians with advance notice. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions when booking.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Absolutely. Families love this experience, and children are welcome. It's a fun way for all ages to explore Puerto Vallarta through its food and culture. If you have more than 6 in your group we can do a private custom tour for the same price. Just send us a request in our private tour page.

Why is the Original Downtown Food Tour different from other food tours?

The Original Downtown Food Tour is our first tour and has been introducing travelers to the flavors, culture, and history of Puerto Vallarta since 2011. Along with authentic local food, expert guides, and unforgettable cultural experiences, you'll explore the city's most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks while eating where locals eat. Our award-winning experience has been recognized among the world's best, including being named one of the Top Food Experiences in the World by TripAdvisor and recognized as the Top Food Tour in Mexico in 2026. Led by federally certified guides, chefs, historians, mixologists, and lifelong Vallarta locals, this is much more than a food tour—it's the ultimate introduction to Puerto Vallarta.

Lock in your spoT

from $59 per adult

Flexible Cancellation Policy

48 hours hassle-free cancelation policy.

Learn More

Our Reviews

See what fellow foodies are saying

Our Guides

Your new foodie friends in our downtown food tour!

Silvia

I'm from: Mexico City

Rock Star Guide since 2020

My favorite thing to eat is:

Cheese and Nutella Marquesita

Expertise:City, Gastronomy,

Agave Expert & Federal Tour!

Personal tip:The more salsas

you add to your taco the

better it is!

Miel

I'm from: Mexico City!

Foodie Storyteller since 2018

My favorite thing to eat is:

Eating tacos with homemade salsas.

Expertise:City, Gastronomy,

History and Federal Tour!

Personal tip:Vallarta has

amazing hikes in Sierra

Madres!

Fernanda

I'm from: Puerto Vallarta

Local Guide since 2023

My favorite thing to eat is:

Birria

Expertise:City, Gastronomy,

and culture!

Personal tip:

Take a walk and meet the

amazing people of Vallarta!

Erick

I'm from: Puerto Vallarta

Entertaing Guide since 2021

My favorite thing to eat is:

Pozole

Expertise:Chef, Mixologist

& local traditions!

Personal tip:Hike to Las

Animas beach

Al

I'm from: Acapulco

Informative Guide since 2017

My favorite thing to eat is:

The original Birria taco al Robles: Goat Birria

Expertise:City, History,Food,

Culture and Federal Tour!

Personal tip:Boca to Las

Animas beach hike!

Joana

I'm from: México City

Insightful Guide since 2016

My favorite thing to eat is:

intense Good fresh Mexican Food

Expertise:City, Gastronomy,

History and Federal Tour!

Personal tip:I love to go the

local market,go to beach and

see sunset, drink a beer with

friends

Edgar

I'm from: San Luis Potos

Adventurous Guide -2022í

My favorite thing to eat is:

Ceviche / Shrimp tacos

Expertise:Mixologist &

Agave Expert!

Personal tip:I like to enjoy a ceviche and

a margarita after cooling off

on the beach

Gio

I'm from: Jalisco

Super Fun Guide since 2018

My favorite thing to eat is:

Aguachile, Birria & Menudo

Expertise:Mixologist &

Agave Expert

Personal tip:Take a Boat Tour

and cruise through the Bay.

Bernardo

I'm from: Acapulco

Charismatic Guide since 2016

My favorite thing to eat is:

My favorite thing is carnitas

tacos or birria

Expertise:History, Agave Expert

& Federal Tour Guide!

Personal tip:Go out of the

city to magical towns around

the bay!

Brenda

I'm from: México City

Informative Guide since 2024

My favorite thing to eat is:

Any dish or taco with a good

green salsa

Expertise:Archeology,History &

Federal Tour Guide!

Personal tip here:

Have your camera ready when

you walk around Vallarta. It will

suprise you!

Maho

I'm from: Oaxaca

Entertaining Guide since 2024

My favorite thing to eat is:

Mole

Expertise:City, Gastronomy,

History and Culture!

Personal tip:

Go to an amazing show!

Jesus

I'm from: Puerto Vallart

Passionate Guide since 2025

My favorite thing to eat is:

Seafood

Expertise:City, Gastronomy,

History and Culture!

Personal tip: Go to the smaller

towns around Vallarta!

Private Experiences

Enjoy intimate, small-group tastings and private events designed for personal connection and exceptional service. Our curated experiences offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere for you and your guests.

Candid small-group private tasting around a wooden table, intimate lighting, warm tones and close-framed composition emphasizing personal service
since 2011
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Contact Us

From US/Canada: 888-360-9847

1-888-360-9847

From Mexico: 52-322-222-6117

Email: [email protected]

Our Office

Av México 1193-A

5 de Diciembre,

48350 Puerto Vallarta

Jalisco, Mexico

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