Location

We chose Puerto Vallarta, a vibrant Mexican city in the state of Jalisco, for our workation. Spanning about 500 square miles with a population of nearly 300,000, Puerto Vallarta offered the perfect blend of work and play.

Time of Year: Mid November – Mid December

Duration: One Wonderful month

Experiences and Excursions

Our non-working hours were filled with delightful experiences that showcased the best of Puerto Vallarta.

Here are just a few of the highlights from our trip:

Malecon: We spent a lot of time on the famous boardwalk, always bustling with activity and lined with bars, restaurants, and shops.

Choco Museo: A visit to the chocolate museum was a treat. We participated in the ‘Bean to Bar’ workshop, learning about cocoa beans and making our own chocolates.

City Walking Tour: This tour took us through historic Centro and Gringo Gulch, made famous by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. We learned about the history and architecture of the area.

We also enjoyed these more local and authentic experiences:

Happy Hours and Dinners: Evenings were spent trying new restaurants and enjoying happy hour specials, with each member taking turns picking the venue.

Wellness Activities: Puerto Vallarta was great for our health and well-being. We incorporated walks, workouts, or yoga sessions into our routines before work, after work, or during lunch breaks.

Accommodations

To stay close to each other, we chose accommodations in two main areas: Zona Romantica and Centro. These districts were adjacent to each other in the southern part of the city, offering great accessibility to markets, restaurants, cafes, and the Malecon. Most of us ended up staying in the Zona Romantica neighborhood.

Proximity: Both areas provided easy access to local amenities and the beach.

Layout: Each of us selected accommodations that suited our personal schedules, commitments, and budgets, ensuring comfort and convenience.

Kitchen: Most of us had well-equipped kitchens, allowing us to cook our own meals or make communal meals.

Other Amenities: Many accommodations featured amenities like private pools and washing machines, adding to our comfort.

Connectivity and Infrastructure

Puerto Vallarta proved to be conducive to remote working with fast and reliable internet for the most part. However, one member faced an issue upon arrival at his Airbnb, where the internet only worked in the kitchen. This was quickly resolved with the installation of a Wi-Fi booster, allowing him to work from anywhere in the apartment, including his beach-facing balcony.

Internet: Reliable and fast overall, with minor issues quickly resolved.

Electricity: No issues – reliable and consistent.

Hot Water: Both accommodations had ample hot water for refreshing showers.

Workspace Options

We each found comfortable workspaces within our accommodations:

Inside the Villa: Desks in private bedrooms, large kitchen tables, and cozy living rooms.

Outside the Villa: Although most preferred working indoors, there were options for working around the pool and patio areas.

Local Cafes & Coworking Spaces: Within walking distance, offering additional workspace options. One member used a local beach club to work for a day.

Fun Activities

On weekdays, we worked from our respective accommodations during the day and met up for happy hour or dinner in the evenings. We enjoyed the flexibility of cooking our own meals or ordering food delivery to save time.

Pro Tip: Cooking your own meals or ordering delivery can save a lot of time during the workday, especially for breakfast and lunch.

While we enjoyed our jobs during the week, the weekends were reserved for fun and relaxation. Highlights included:

Beach Days: Casual hangouts and exploration.

Local Adventures: From the Malecon to the Choco Museo and city tours, we soaked up the local culture and history.