Settling Into the Sweet Side of Versalles

Hola from sunny (and very warm) Puerto Vallarta! Daytrip Northwest is back on the road—or rather, back on the cobblestones—as we return to one of our favorite cities on the Mexican Pacific: Puerto Vallarta. But this time after more than 25 years of visiting this beautiful town together, we're skipping the bustling Malecón and crowded Zona Romántica and El Centro. Instead, we’re tucked away in a neighborhood that’s got all the flavor, charm, and yes, air conditioning: Colonia Versalles.

We’re spending a week in this up-and-coming, quietly buzzing part of town, staying in the lovely Roma Encore condos, nestled on Calle Roma. It’s a modern, peaceful spot with just enough distance from the nightlife—but not too far from a taco.

Arrival Adventures & Airport Angels

Our trip didn’t exactly start off as planned—we landed late after a medical incident on the flight with an emergency return trip to the United States before heading back to Puerto Vallarta. Thankfully, our wonderful friends Miguel and Lolita were the ultimate MVPs, staying up late and braving the late-night airport chaos to pick us up. Lifesavers!

Our beautiful and restful bedroom we were so happy to see that night at the condo:

Reset, Recharge, Repeat

Our first full day was all about recovery: catching up on sleep, getting groceries, and slowly shifting into vacation mode. Luckily, Versalles is perfect for this. It’s walkable, leafy, and full of surprises around every corner—think of it as the SoHo of Puerto Vallarta: a little artsy, a little vintage, and suddenly there’s another cool café just around the corner.

Versalles: The Neighborhood with a Secret Sauce

Versalles isn’t the touristy heart of Vallarta—and that’s exactly why we love it. This neighborhood used to fly under the radar, full of old-school charm and family homes, but in recent years it has become Puerto Vallarta’s fastest-growing culinary hub. Picture charming homes turned into new restaurants, stylish bakeries popping up where you'd least expect, and taco stands that locals and chefs swear by.

Fun Fact: While the name Versalles might bring to mind images of royal palaces, this neighborhood is more “laid-back local” than “Louis XIV.”  But it is something of a foodie kingdom—just one with way more hot sauce and way fewer wigs.

Morning Croissants & Midday Meltdowns

On our second day, we ventured out for croissants from Oh, Croissant!, Calle Niza 198, 48310 Puerto Vallarta—and oh yes, they were worth every flaky bite. This tiny bakery is a neighborhood favorite and feels like a little slice of Paris tucked into a Mexican street corner.

Interesting foliage on every street!

We strolled the shady lanes of Versalles, admiring the lush gardens, tropical blooms, and eclectic mix of homes—some ultra-modern, others wonderfully Mexican retro. And then we were melting in the heat!

Along the way, we stumbled upon new spots that caught our eye:

• Danny’s Tortas Ahogadas, Calle Niza 189, 48310 Puerto Vallarta , serving Jalisco’s famous drowned sandwiches.

• Dulce Y Amargo, Calle España 306, 48310 Puerto Vallarta – which promises a sweet and bitter culinary balance.

• Magdalena, Calle Venecia 195, Puerto Vallarta – a charming bistro-style restaurant where we ended up returning later for a light lunch. We will be back here again and again!!!

Some other restaurants that caught our attention:

Rain? What Rain?

Despite every weather app shouting “Storm incoming!”, we've barely seen more than a sprinkle. Meanwhile, the heat and humidity are sticking around like that last tortilla chip at the bottom of the basket—always there, always tempting you to eat it with that last bit of hot salsa, but you know it’ll make you sweat.

So we’ve had to slow things down a little. Instead of long walks, we’re leaning into slow sips, cool A/C, and well-timed siestas. Honestly, it’s kind of perfect.

What’s Next?

There’s still so much more to explore in Versalles—every block seems to have a new café, a tucked-away taqueria, or a boutique filled with handmade goodies. We’re looking forward to diving deeper into the neighborhood (we’d melt if we tried to do it right now). More great food, more friendly faces, and maybe—just maybe—a little rain to cool us off.

Stay tuned as we uncover more gems in Versalles and beyond. But for now, it’s time for another iced coffee and maybe a nap in the shade.

Adiós for now from Puerto Vallarta’s tastiest corner!

– Daytrip Northwest