5 reviewed party hostels · from €9.82/night · Hostelworld rated
Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife doesn’t just happen in clubs. It spills onto the malecón, a seaside promenade where street performers and pop-up bars draw crowds after dark. By day, the city’s hostels fill with backpackers heading to Los Muertos Beach, a 15-minute walk from the centre. By night, they regroup in Zona Romántica, where happy-hour deals start at 50 MXN for a beer and the pavement tables at places like La Santa fill by 9 PM.
The hostel scene here is small but social. Casa Kraken, on Basilio Badillo, packs its courtyard with travellers for tequila tastings, while Oasis Hostel runs its own bar crawls down Olas Altas. Most places are within a 10-minute walk of the action, so you won’t waste time or money on taxis.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
The most reliably social hostel in Puerto Vallarta, Casa Kraken guarantees daily adventures, nightly rooftop parties, and more new friends than you can handle. With a 95% rating from nearly 750 reviews, this no-frills party machine delivers exactly what it promises: organised chaos, free activities, and a social atmosphere so consistent you could set your watch to it. Just bring cash and earplugs for those cathedral bells.
Right in the heart of downtown PV with a legendary rooftop terrace, Hostel Vallarta delivers raw hostel chaos at rock-bottom prices. The volunteer-run vibe creates a love-it-or-hate-it atmosphere where you'll either find your travel family or wonder what you've gotten yourself into. Street noise is brutal, cleanliness is questionable, but when the rooftop bar is pumping and the pancakes are flowing, none of that matters to the right crowd.
Two blocks from the beach with a 99% rating, Chanclas has mastered the art of being social without sacrificing quality. The rooftop bar with bay views, free breakfast you cook yourself, and spacious rooms with actual working fans make this the sweet spot for travellers who want to party at night but still function during the day. The international staff and mix of beach and bar proximity seal the deal.
The original Puerto Vallarta hostel keeps it real in an authentic Mexican neighbourhood with stunning rooftop views and genuine value. At €10-16 per night with good WiFi, proper breakfast, and a free welcome beer, Oasis proves that budget doesn't mean terrible. It's a 15-minute walk from the beach and the party crowd has aged up a bit, but for travellers seeking authenticity over Instagram moments, this is your spot.
The adults-only Teocalli offers something different: a gorgeous, plant-filled oasis for mature travellers who want hostel prices without hostel chaos. With AC in private rooms, an aesthetic that actually involves design choices, and a peaceful rooftop kitchen, it's where you stay when you've aged out of drinking games but still want to meet people. Not a party hostel, but a solid base for exploring PV's nightlife on your own terms.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A three-hour walking tour that visits 5–6 bars in Zona Romántica and El Centro. Starts at 9 PM outside Oasis Hostel and includes free shots at each stop, plus drink discounts. The crawl usually ends at CC Slaughters or Mandala around midnight, depending on the group’s energy.
A guided tour that introduces over 25 bars, pubs, and clubs in the historic El Centro area. Runs for three hours and covers a mix of dive bars, rooftop spots, and late-night clubs. Includes a welcome shot and a map of the city’s nightlife.
How Puerto Vallarta's nightlife zones break down
The heart of backpacker nightlife, packed with bars, hostels, and restaurants. Olas Altas and Basilio Badillo are the main drags, lined with two-for-one cocktail boards and taco stands. The beach is a 10-minute walk away, and the malecón is 15 minutes in the other direction.
The historic centre, where the malecón runs along the waterfront. By day, it’s all souvenir stalls and street performers. By night, bars like The Iguana fill with live music and cheap drinks. The area is safe but can feel touristy: stick to the main streets after dark.
A quieter neighbourhood north of Zona Romántica, known for its local eateries and budget hostels. Lucerna Street has a few bars, but most nightlife is a 20-minute walk away. It’s cheaper here, and you’ll find fewer tourists. Good for a low-key night with a few beers.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A two-storey bar on Olas Altas with a rooftop terrace. Reggaeton and Latin pop dominate the playlist, and the crowd is mostly backpackers and young locals. Happy hour runs from 4–7 PM, with 60 MXN beers and 80 MXN cocktails. Gets packed by 10 PM on Fridays.
Right on the malecón, this place has live bands most nights: usually rock or salsa. No cover charge before 9 PM. A michelada costs 70 MXN, and the kitchen serves decent tacos until midnight. Tables on the pavement fill up early, so arrive by 8 PM for a good spot.
A late-night club on Francisco Villa with drag shows on Thursdays and EDM on weekends. Entry is 120 MXN, including one drink. The dance floor gets sweaty by 1 AM, and the crowd is a mix of tourists and expats. Dress code is smart casual: no flip-flops.
A dive bar hidden down a side street in Zona Romántica. Pool table, cheap beer (40 MXN during happy hour), and a jukebox. The crowd is mostly locals and long-term travellers. Open until 2 AM, but the vibe is relaxed: no dance floor, just cold drinks and bad karaoke.
A high-energy club with three floors and a rooftop terrace. House and reggaeton play until 5 AM on weekends. Entry is 150 MXN, and drinks start at 90 MXN. The crowd is older: late 20s to 30s: and dressier. Expect queues after midnight.
A seafood restaurant that turns into a bar after 9 PM. Live bands play salsa and cumbia, and the dance floor is tiny but lively. No cover charge, and beers cost 50 MXN. The crowd is mostly Mexican families and tourists. Try the ceviche if you’re hungry: it’s 120 MXN.
A walking tour that hits 5–6 bars in Zona Romántica and El Centro. Starts at 9 PM outside Oasis Hostel, includes free shots and drink discounts. Tickets cost 200 MXN, and the group usually ends up at CC Slaughters around midnight.
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