I'm a solo traveler who loves to dance.
And Puerto Vallarta? It's become my absolute favorite spot to let loose on the dance floor without needing a crew to back me up.
The city's nightlife scene is welcoming, safe, and ridiculously fun. I've spent countless nights bouncing between venues along the Malecon, getting lost in the cobbled streets near Los Muertos Beach, and discovering hidden gems in the Marina district.
Here's what I've learned about dancing solo in PV.
Why Solo Dancing Works Here
Most cities make you feel awkward showing up to a club alone.
Not Puerto Vallarta.
The vibe here is inherently social. Locals and expats mix freely. Everyone's in vacation mode even when they're not on vacation.
I've never felt out of place walking into a venue by myself. Within minutes, I'm usually chatting with someone at the bar or getting pulled onto the dance floor by a group of friendly strangers.
The layout of the nightlife zones helps too. Everything's walkable. You can bar hop without calling an Uber or worrying about getting stranded somewhere sketchy.
The Malecon Magic
Start your night along the Malecon.
This waterfront boardwalk stretches for miles and is lined with bars, cafés, and clubs that spill out onto the promenade. Live bands set up on the street. Vendors sell cocktails from carts. Street performers do their thing while you sip your drink.
I love starting here because it's low-pressure. You can wander, grab a drink, and feel out the crowd before committing to a specific venue.
The music varies wildly. One spot might be playing reggaeton. Walk fifty feet and you'll hear live mariachi. Another hundred feet and it's electronic dance music.
You get to curate your own soundtrack.
Romantic Zone: Where the Real Dancing Happens
Once you're warmed up, head to the Romantic Zone.
This is where I spend most of my dancing nights. The cobbled streets around Los Muertos Beach are packed with bars and clubs that cater to every taste.
Salsa nights. Bachata classes followed by open dancing. DJ sets that go until sunrise.
I've taken spontaneous salsa lessons at venues where they teach beginners right there on the dance floor before the main party starts. No judgment. Just pure fun.
The beauty of going solo? You can move at your own pace. If a venue isn't your vibe, you're not tied to a group decision. Just leave and try the next spot.
Bar Crawl Tours for Instant Friends
My first solo dancing experience in PV happened on a bar crawl tour.
These organized crawls are brilliant for solo travelers. You pay one fee and get unlimited drinks while guides take you to four or five different venues throughout the night.
The group format means you're automatically part of a crew. No awkward standing-alone-at-the-bar moments.
I met people from all over the world on these crawls. By the third bar, we were dancing like we'd known each other for years.
The guides know which venues have the best energy each night. They handle cover charges and drink logistics. You just show up and dance.
Highly recommended if it's your first night out solo.
VIP Club Tours: Skip the Lines
On nights when I want to feel fancy, I book a VIP club tour.
These are similar to bar crawls but focus on trending clubs with reserved table seating. You get four hours of unlimited drinks and bypass all the lines.
Sounds bougie. And it kind of is.
But when you're traveling solo, having a reserved spot gives you a home base. You can leave your stuff at the table, hit the dance floor, and come back knowing your spot is secure.
The crowd on VIP tours tends to be slightly more upscale. Better dressed. More interested in bottle service and club photography.
Still super friendly though. I've never felt excluded or judged for being there alone.
Themed Nights Are Your Best Friend
Puerto Vallarta loves a themed night.
Sundays have drag shows at multiple venues. Tuesdays are for country line dancing at certain bars. Thursdays might be Latin night with live salsa bands.
I keep track of these recurring events because they're perfect for solo dancing. When you know what to expect, it's easier to show up confidently.
The drag shows are AMAZING. High energy. Everyone's dancing and cheering. The performers interact with the crowd in the most hilarious ways.
Country line dancing night was a surprise hit for me. I'm not even a country music fan. But learning the steps alongside a room full of people who are equally clueless? So much fun.
Marina District for a Different Vibe
The Marina offers a more upscale, laid-back dancing experience.
The venues here tend to be restaurants and lounges with live music rather than full-on dance clubs. Think jazz trios, acoustic guitarists, and small bands playing covers of classic rock and pop hits.
It's less about getting sweaty on a packed dance floor and more about swaying to good music with a craft cocktail in hand.
I go to the Marina when I want to dance but don't want the intensity of the Romantic Zone. The crowd skews older and calmer.
Still welcoming to solo travelers though. I've had lovely conversations with locals and other visitors at Marina bars.
Staying Safe While Dancing Solo
Safety is always a consideration when you're out alone at night.
Puerto Vallarta is incredibly safe compared to many tourist destinations. But I still take basic precautions.
I never leave my drink unattended. I stay in well-lit, populated areas. I use the Uber app to get home rather than hailing random taxis on the street.
The staff at most venues are protective of solo female travelers. Bartenders and security guards keep an eye out. I've had bouncers walk me to my Uber multiple times without me even asking.
Trust your gut. If something feels off, leave. There are a hundred other spots to try.
Finding Your Home Base
After exploring for a while, you'll find your favorite spots.
I have three or four bars I return to regularly because I love the music, the staff knows me, and I've made friends with other regulars.
Having a home base makes solo dancing even better. You walk in and people greet you. The bartender knows your order. You feel like part of a community.
Finding a rental property in puerto vallarta mexico in the Romantic Zone or near the Malecon makes all of this easier. You're walking distance from the best nightlife. No need to worry about transportation after a long night of dancing.
I've stayed at multiple spots, but being centrally located always enhances the experience.
What to Wear
Dress codes in Puerto Vallarta are generally relaxed.
Most venues allow shorts and sandals during the day. At night, casual-nice works everywhere except the most upscale clubs.
I usually wear comfortable shoes I can actually dance in. Humidity is real here. You WILL sweat. Dress accordingly.
Bring a light jacket or shawl if you're going to air-conditioned venues. The temperature shift can be intense.
The LGBTQ+ Scene
Puerto Vallarta has one of the best LGBTQ+ nightlife scenes in Mexico.
The Romantic Zone is particularly welcoming. Venues like INDUSTRY Night Club are legendary.
I'm not part of the LGBTQ+ community, but I've been welcomed into these spaces multiple times by friends I've made here. The energy is inclusive, celebratory, and safe.
If you're looking for LGBTQ+-specific dancing venues, guided tours are available that take you to the best spots in the Romantic Zone.
Connecting Your Days and Nights
What I love most about Puerto Vallarta is how well the daytime and nighttime experiences connect.
You can spend your morning hiking the Sierra Madre trails like I wrote about in my Solo Serenity post, then dance until 2 AM without feeling like you're living two separate vacations.
Or you can wander the Romantic Cobblestones during the day and return to those same streets at night when they transform into a party zone.
The city has this seamless flow between adventure, relaxation, culture, and nightlife.
Making It Your Routine
After my first few visits, dancing in Puerto Vallarta became part of my routine.
I stay at a condo and apartment rentals puerto vallarta for weeks or months at a time. During the week, I work remotely. On weekends, I dance.
It's the perfect balance.
And because the nightlife scene is so welcoming to solo travelers, I never feel like I'm missing out by not having a permanent crew with me.
Follow along with more of my Puerto Vallarta adventures on X where I share real-time updates from my favorite spots around the city.
Just Show Up
If you're hesitating about going dancing solo in Puerto Vallarta, don't.
Just show up. Pick a venue. Order a drink. See what happens.
The city will take care of the rest.
I promise you'll be dancing with new friends before your first drink is finished.
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