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Before coming to Puerto Vallarta, we researched where to find the best taco in Puerto Vallarta. And while there were a couple of places that came up time and time again, we’re certain there really isn’t a best taco in Puerto Vallarta. They’ve all been unique and different in their own way.
In Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find taco stands each offering different and unique items. Some places specialize in certain types of tacos, we’ll share that below, and each offers its own little twist on how they make and serve their tacos.
You’ll find stands with fresh, homemade tortillas. Stands only serving corn tortillas. Taco joints with only one kind of meat. And even some that only offer fish. So it’s hard to put a finger on the best taco in Puerto Vallarta.
Instead of writing a post all about the best tacos in Puerto Vallarta, we’re simply sharing all the taco stands we visited in PV, so you’re sure to get some of the best tacos in Puerto Vallarta wherever you stay!
How to get the most out of this Puerto Vallarta Taco Guide..
We recommend downloading maps.me and then pinning each taco spot. In doing so, you’ll create your very own Puerto Vallarta taco tour! Taco tours are a huge hit in the city costing around $50 USD and only visiting 8 taco stands. So save the cash, and create your own tour with these taco stands in Puerto Vallarta.
A Few Things to Note About the Best Taco in Puerto Vallarta
*We originally visited Puerto Vallarta in June 2022, and at that time the exchange rate from USD to Mexican pesos was about 1 USD to 20 Mexican pesos. Meaning, that most taco stands offered their tacos at right around 1 USD per taco. However, we’re now living in Puerto Vallarta in 2024, and have seen a major increase in prices. We’re updating this post as we visit the same taco stands and more.
*Keep in mind, that the more “expensive” stands… the ones around 1.25-1.50 USD per taco typically have bigger tacos or fish.
*Most, if not all, taco stands in Puerto Vallarta are cash-only, “solo efectivo”. You can pull money from an ATM and pay fees, or bring cash from your home country and exchange it. If exchanging money, do not exchange at the airport, and be sure to shop around at exchange places, as the rates vary drastically. This is the geolocation to where we saw the best exchange rate in Puerto Vallarta.
Zona Romántica | Best Tacos in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone
Pancho’s Takos
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′07.09″N 105°14′15.39″W
Opening Times | Monday – Saturday 4pm-11:30pm
Expected Cost | 35 pesos per taco
Pancho’s Takos came up time and time again for the best taco in Puerto Vallarta. And shoot they did not disappoint. There’s always a line of people, but waiting even 20 minutes is well worth it with how big their portions are and how delicious the tacos taste.
Pancho’s Takos is known for its al pastor tacos, which is the big chunk of pork rotating on a spit with a wood-burning stove on one side. The meat is cut off the massive spit to order, and it literally melts in your mouth.
We loved the options for hot sauces sitting on the tables at Pancho’s Takos and splurged on some chips and guac as well as two margaritas. While the guac was bomb, and something we’d get again. The marg was okay, but huge so still worth the USD 6.50.
2024 Prices for Pancho’s Takos
- 35 Mexican pesos per taco (higher priced than street tacos, but a massive helping of meat)
- 95 Mexican pesos for chips and guac (worth every penny)
- 105 Mexican pesos per marg (overpriced and underwhelming in our opinion)
Tacos de Birria Chanfay
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′12.11″N 105°13′59.81″W
Opening Times | Monday – Saturday 9-3 + Sundays 9-1
Expected Cost | 20 pesos per taco
The first time in Puerto Vallarta, I didn’t understand why Birria Tacos are said to be breakfast tacos. However, I’ve recently learned they’re breakfast tacos because the stewed meat and liquid served with them is good for headaches and belly aches — aka, good for hangovers!
In our opinion, they’re nothing like breakfast tacos, but they certainly are delicious!
Tacos de Birria Chanfay specializes in birria tacos. In fact, that’s the only kind of meat you can get here. But that’s a good thing. It’s mouthwatering good.
Birria is a traditional Mexican dish that originated in the state of Jalisco, here in Puerto Vallarta. It’s stewed meat traditionally made from goat or sheep, and holy sheep, it’s amazing.
At Tacos de Birria Chanfay, you can get your tacos blanditos or dorados (soft or hard/fried). We liked them fried (dorados) better than the soft ones, but honestly, both were great. Be sure to try the green sauce in the yellow bottles on the tables. It’s a jalapeno sauce but doesn’t have a kick, and it’s perfect on top of the birria meat.
Be sure to have some of their agua frescas de horchata. It’s a sweet drink made with rice and cinnamon… which makes it sound totally nasty but trust us, it’s divine!
Prices for Tacos de Birria Chanfay
- $152 Mexican pesos for six tacos and two small agua frescas de horchata.
Mariscos Rafa
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′17.8″N 105°14′06.2″W
Opening Times | Monday – Saturday 12-5pm
Expected Cost | 24 for a fish taco
I had read in multiple different places that Mariscos Rafa has amazing fish tacos. Unfortunately, this was not the case when we visited! Compared to the fish tacos we’ve had in the 5 de Diciembre zone of Puerto Vallarta, these lacked flavor and we wouldn’t go there again.
With that said, they did have an interesting stuffed marlin chili relleno that was good.
2024 Prices for Mariscos Rafa
- 24 Mexican pesos for fish tacos
- 20 Mexican pesos for a ceviche tostada
- 38 Mexican pesos for a marlin stuff chile relleno taco
Birria de Robles
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′13.13″N 105°14′01.84″W
Opening Times | lunch hours, not at dinner time
Expected Costs | 20 pesos per taco
We took our friends here when they first arrived in Puerto Vallarta after realizing Tacos de Birria Chanfay was closed. This stand also specializes in birria tacos, and while they were really good, there wasn’t much meat in the tacos, so we’d recommend Tacos de Birria Chanfay in this area over this one.
However, if you haven’t tried birria tacos and the other taco stand is closed, definitely give this place a try!
With our tacos, the four of us also got agua frescas.. and they were really good as well. Agua frescas no matter what kind are always a good choice!
Prices for Birria de Robles
- $280 pesos for 10 tacos de birria (all fried) and 4 agua frescas (really good size)
EL CENTRO | The Best Taco in Puerto Vallarta’s El Centro Zone
Ricas Tostadas y Baratas
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′25.98″N 105°14′06.34″W
Opening Times | late morning – early afternoon
Expected Price | super expensive for gringo pricing here
When there’s a crowd at a taco stand, you’ve got to stop. And that’s exactly what we did at Ricas Tostadas y Baratas in the El Centro zone. We’re always a bit hesitant to eat seafood from street stands, but the line of people told us the seafood was fresh and good. So we went for it.
While I suppose we technically didn’t get tacos at this stand, we still think it should be included in this list.
We ordered a fish tostada and a seafood cocktail. The seafood cocktail is a mix of octopus, shrimp, and fish, with cucumber, and pico de gallo. Served with a hot liquid poured into the cup. A hot drink on a hot day wasn’t the best choice, but boy did it taste good.
The fish tostada was fresh and bomb too. A heaping amount of fish piled on top of a tostada. Then served to you with multiple different hot sauces and fresh pico de gallo to dump on top. Again, delicious.. per every other experience we’ve had at street stands too!
Prices at Ricas Tostadas y Baratas
- $150 pesos for one fish tostada and one seafood cocktail (I think we got gringo prices though here)
5 de DICIEMBRE | The Best Tacos in Puerto Vallarta’s 5 de Diciembre Zone
Bicho Marisqueria
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′52.54″N 105°13′50.69″W
Opening Times | Monday – Saturday 11:30 – 5 for seafood | Monday – Wednesday 7-late night for land food
Expected Price | 25-50 per item
Mario is the chef at Bicho’s and he is phenomenal! The fish tacos here are done in a sourdough batter and are absolutely to die for. He takes a unique twist on food and even on his tortilllas, offering ones made from beets and others from bananas.
Stopping by Bicho’s there’s always something new on the menu. We were just there the other day and had oyster tacos! So good!
In the evenings, Mario has his “land” menu, complete with both vegan and vegetarian options!
2024 Prices at Bicho’s
- 30 Mexican Pesos for fish tacos
- 40 Mexican Pesos for specialty tacos
Taqueria las Flores de Doña Cata
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°36′52.54″N 105°13′50.69″W
Opening Times | Thursday – Saturday 7 pm (ish) – late night
Expected Price | 25-50 per item
Oh my Lanta, this taco shop is what street food dreams are made of. Bicho’s taco stand holds a special place in our hearts. We were staying for a week just up the road from this taco stand, and after passing it one night after just eating elsewhere, we knew we had to go back. When we returned the next day, we were greeted by a fluent English speaker who gave us the entire history of her family owning the taco stand and growing up in the area.
We were then introduced to our first proper street tacos. We each got one of each meat they offer in taco form, a quesadilla, and agua frescas de jamaica — all of which were phenomenal. They make their corn tortillas from scratch, you can watch them being pressed right in front of you, and they add a twist to the traditional jamaica drink (hibiscus-infused water). They add basil to it, and holy smokes, it takes the jamaica to a whole new level!
2024 Prices at Taqueria las Flores de Doña Cata
- $20 for Tacos Maiz (house-made corn tortilla tacos)
- $20 for Tacos Aceite (flour tortillas)
- $60 for Quesadillas (can be just cheese or stuffed with meat and beans)
- $50 for a Volcanes (tostada piled with all the goods)
- $20 for Jamaica (Hybiscus infused water with basil)
Pepe’s Tacos
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°37′08.29″N 105°13′50.84″W
Opening Times | Sunday – Saturday 1pm-6am
Expected Prices | 24-50 pesos per taco
Our Uber driver recommended we try Pepe’s Tacos for el pastor tacos, and while we were a bit hesitant with all the gringos at Pepe’s, the locals were piling in later into the night, so we knew it had to be good. We’ll say though, the portions are a bit smaller than the el pastor tacos at Pancho’s Takos, and in our opinion, we liked Pancho’s Takos better.
However, that’s not to say the el pastor tacos at Pepe’s aren’t good. They were! But Pancho’s Takos certainly wins the best tacos in Puerto Vallarta for el pastor tacos!
At Pepe’s the drink pours are heavy, the atmosphere is fun and 1,000 miles an hour, and the location is great for those in the 5 de Diciembre area!
Prices at Pepe’s Tacos
- 22-24 Mexican pesos for corn tortilla tacos
- 44 Mexican pesos for flour tortilla tacos
- 25 Mexican pesos for a small Jamaica
Tacos el Gato
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°37′02.4″N 105°13′54.3″W
Opening Times | Wednesday – Monday 6pm-1am
Expected Prices | 20 pesos per taco
We just wrapped up tacos at another taco stand, but after watching the sunset on the beach, we had to try tacos at this place. It was full of people every time we passed it before, so we knew we both needed to get at least one taco.
Although the name of the taco stand literally translates to cat tacos, they actually offer el pastor(pork on a spit), tripa (small intestines of cows), carne asada (beef), and adobada (pork).
We found the amount of meat on each taco and even themselves to be quite small, and we likely wouldn’t visit this taco stand again. I suppose with the cheaper prices, we should have known that though.
Prices at Tacos el Gato
- 17 Mexican pesos for most tacos on corn tortillas
- 45 Mexican pesos for quesadillas
- 18 Mexican pesos for volcanes
Taqueria Lupita’s
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°37′02.08″N 105°13′51.32″W
Opening Times | late morning to early evening
Expected Cost | 25 pesos per taco
This place is phenomenal. We both got tacos de birria and they were stuffed full of meat, the flavor was amazing, and the workers were super nice. This is also the only place we saw that had really good sanitary protocol!
In our opinion, the birria here was better than the birria place in Zona Romantica. This is the perfect place to stop for tacos right by the supermarket in 5 de Diciembre.
2024 Prices at Taqueria Lupitas
- 25 Mexican pesos for tacos
- 60 Mexican pesos for a quesadilla
- 100 Mexican Pesos for un plato de birria (a bowl of the birria meat)
**Extra tip.. don’t miss the churro stand in the evenings across the street from here! They’re made right in front of you and cost only 5 pesos per churro!
Mariscos Shanklas
Google | Find it here on Google
Use these coordinates to pin on maps.me | 20°37′00.26″N 105°13′53.76″W
Opening Times | lunch time
Expected Cost | 25-30 per tostada
When we moved flats after a week in Puerto Vallarta, we moved to a flat right near this restaurant. And while I suppose tostadas are technically not tacos, we’re including them on this list anyway.
We really wanted to have more ceviche, and this place was calling our name every time we went by. So, one day for lunch, we popped on in. We had their fish, shrimp, and marlin tostadas, and each was great! The marlin was served hot, while the shrimp and fish ceviche were both cold (as they’re supposed to be).
Prices at Mariscos Shanklas
- $25 for pescado (fish) ceviche and marlin tostadas
- $30 for camaron ceviche (shrimp) tostadas
- $50 for pulpo (octopus) tostadas
Contrary to Popular Belief…
Contrary to popular belief, we did do more than just eat tacos in Puerto Vallarta. Although, searching for the best taco in Puerto Vallarta has been an honor, we’d also like to share with you other things we did!
Puerto Vallarta Excursions | what to book and what to watch for
Scams of Puerto Vallarta | and how to avoid them
Animals of Puerto Vallarta | and where to find them
Dangerous Wildlife in Puerto Vallarta | yes, right in the city
Waterfalls in Puerto Vallarta | all the waterfalls we found near PV
San Pancho | the perfect day trip from Puerto Vallarta
Chartered Fishing with Fresh Ceviche | you’ve got to do this trip!
We stayed in Boca de Tomatlan for a week, hiking to different waterfalls and beaches, and soaking up all the Mexico Village experiences we could. Read more about them below.
Hiking to Los Colomitos Beach | hiking during a hurricane maybe wasn’t the best choice
More on Travel | these posts are live now
Best Travel Credit Card with No Travel Fees | hey-o happy hour at Oxxo all day long
25 Ways to Save Money to Travel Longer
In Flight Comfort Kit | Our DIY comfort kit for your comfort on all transportation
Not Heading to PV Just Yet? | save this post for later here
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