Gringo Gulch
Gringo Gulch
4
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Where the first foreigners settled, this neighborhood overlooks the Rio Cuale and Isla Cuale.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
87 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
34
Average
15
Poor
5
Terrible
0
KaraokeDiva
Cincinnati, OH174 contributions
The purpose of our trip to Puerto Vallarta was actually a jumping off point for our honeymoon at a small resort (Verana) in Yelapa. However, because one can only get to and from Yelapa by boat at certain times of the day, we decided our time would be best utilized by spending both the first and last nights of our trip in Puerto Vallarta. This decision was even more easily made by the fact that Verana owns a house, called Casa Sin Tiempo, in the Gringo Gulch part of Puerto Vallarta which they make available to their resort guests. We were VERY happy with our decision to explore PV for a couple of nights!
We LOVED Gringo Gulch and "utterly charming" is a perfect description of the area. It's beautiful and away from the hustle and bustle of the tourism that surrounds the areas closer to the beach, but is still within a completely reasonable walking distance to almost everything - beach, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, you name it. And whatever you can't get to on foot, is a cheap cab ride away. The whole area is up on a hill, so you can see the entire city and the ocean spread out below you. I'm only familiar with the house we stayed in, but it seemed to me that nearly every house/villa in the area had a rooftop or second floor patio (as ours did) high enough to have breathtaking views of Puerto Vallarta and beyond.
The beauty of the climate of PV is that so many houses are open-air, and ours was no exception. It was wonderful to have the breeze blowing in through the open-windows all day and night! The only downside is that due to the steep nature of the roads in the area, we also spent some time listening to (and sometimes smelling!) cars burn rubber in an attempt to get up and down the inclined streets! But it didn't distract from the area for me in the slightest. I loved it, and would go back in a heartbeat.
Another plus is that we never once felt unsafe in the area - we wandered around after dark for several hours each night we were there, and though we did remain aware of our surroundings (as one from the US is prone to do in any major city!), we never had reason to feel at all threatened.
My husband and I would both highly recommend staying away from the high-rise hotels on the beach in favor of the far less touristy Gringo Gulch! Find a gorgeous villa there and be on your way!
We LOVED Gringo Gulch and "utterly charming" is a perfect description of the area. It's beautiful and away from the hustle and bustle of the tourism that surrounds the areas closer to the beach, but is still within a completely reasonable walking distance to almost everything - beach, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, you name it. And whatever you can't get to on foot, is a cheap cab ride away. The whole area is up on a hill, so you can see the entire city and the ocean spread out below you. I'm only familiar with the house we stayed in, but it seemed to me that nearly every house/villa in the area had a rooftop or second floor patio (as ours did) high enough to have breathtaking views of Puerto Vallarta and beyond.
The beauty of the climate of PV is that so many houses are open-air, and ours was no exception. It was wonderful to have the breeze blowing in through the open-windows all day and night! The only downside is that due to the steep nature of the roads in the area, we also spent some time listening to (and sometimes smelling!) cars burn rubber in an attempt to get up and down the inclined streets! But it didn't distract from the area for me in the slightest. I loved it, and would go back in a heartbeat.
Another plus is that we never once felt unsafe in the area - we wandered around after dark for several hours each night we were there, and though we did remain aware of our surroundings (as one from the US is prone to do in any major city!), we never had reason to feel at all threatened.
My husband and I would both highly recommend staying away from the high-rise hotels on the beach in favor of the far less touristy Gringo Gulch! Find a gorgeous villa there and be on your way!
Written June 24, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mahalia1980
Canada600 contributions
Feb 2013 • Solo
Beautiful old area where old homes are and the real Mexicans live. Dogs on the streets, Mexican music playing, kids running in the streets, little candy kiosks, along a river, men wearing cowboy hats and women tending to putting up fresh washed laundry on their lines to dry.
Written March 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrkickit
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico109 contributions
very old school vallarta style. driving up this street is a trip. It's kinda scary looking but safe to walk up.
Written December 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony S
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico3 contributions
Nov 2012
can walk anywhere, inexpensive 'Mexican' styled homes, many gringos still live there so if you need to have someone close to translate for you, they are there.
Written November 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DarrenofKent
Saskatoon, Canada157 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
Every time we visit Puerto Vallarta we take a few hours to wander through the Gringo Gulch area. You can spend less time if you want, or more. Just up from the Malecon a few blocks we normally access it from the river island by taking the "step bridge" and then wander from there. Gringo Gulch is an interesting mix of homes -- old and brand new, huge and tiny, fancy and plain. Mixes within the home are small shops and you get to see a much less touristy side of Puerto Vallarta. We felt completely safe here.
Written March 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudetteth
Cornwall, Canada2,192 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
It is difficult to pin point exactly where Gringo Gilch actually is located in Puerto Vallarta. Lookup the definition of a Gulch and you will quickly orient yourself. A Gulch is a narrow and steep sided ravine marking the course of a fast stream.
Now look at the map of Puerto Vallarta and look North of the Romantic zone. You will see the Rio Cuale. The Gringo Gulch is found high on the hill just north of there.
PV celebrated its 100th Anniversary in the early 50's and tourists became drawn to the area. Some decided to stay...thus creating the name.
One famous person who built homes was Freddy Romero. He developed what is commonly known as the Vallarta style of home with the Mexican tile roofs and above facades. Donkeys would transport building materials up the hill as they still do today. You just might see some as you explore the area.
Another important person recognized for his building talents here is Guillermo Wullf - he introduced the idea of cupolas.
I mention these two people as you will see homes stating that they were build by each of these people.
A key landmark here are the homes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton now the casa Kimberly. Walk around this area and marvel at the homes that were built around this area as a result of these two famous people coming to PV.
Richard Burton came to PV to film The Night of the Iguana. Hotel accomodations in PV at the time were rather primitive and Elizabeth turned her nose up at where they would be housed.
Richard called his good friend John Huston who was directing the movie and told him that he would lose him unless better accommodations were found. Richard immediately had them transfered to Casa Kimberley.
Shortly after Burton bought it as a gift for Liz.
A really fun area to explore if you don't mind climbing hills. Well worth the time especially if you enjoy architecture.
Now look at the map of Puerto Vallarta and look North of the Romantic zone. You will see the Rio Cuale. The Gringo Gulch is found high on the hill just north of there.
PV celebrated its 100th Anniversary in the early 50's and tourists became drawn to the area. Some decided to stay...thus creating the name.
One famous person who built homes was Freddy Romero. He developed what is commonly known as the Vallarta style of home with the Mexican tile roofs and above facades. Donkeys would transport building materials up the hill as they still do today. You just might see some as you explore the area.
Another important person recognized for his building talents here is Guillermo Wullf - he introduced the idea of cupolas.
I mention these two people as you will see homes stating that they were build by each of these people.
A key landmark here are the homes of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton now the casa Kimberly. Walk around this area and marvel at the homes that were built around this area as a result of these two famous people coming to PV.
Richard Burton came to PV to film The Night of the Iguana. Hotel accomodations in PV at the time were rather primitive and Elizabeth turned her nose up at where they would be housed.
Richard called his good friend John Huston who was directing the movie and told him that he would lose him unless better accommodations were found. Richard immediately had them transfered to Casa Kimberley.
Shortly after Burton bought it as a gift for Liz.
A really fun area to explore if you don't mind climbing hills. Well worth the time especially if you enjoy architecture.
Written February 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rollingstn
Arlington, Texas47 contributions
Jul 2017 • Friends
Reminds me of the Hollywood Hills. Fabulous homes, spectacular views. This is where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton lived. It is full of history.
Written July 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wyldecamp
Aurora, CO2,192 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
We visit Puerto Vallarta every January for a week and wandering the back streets and hidden spots of the Gringo Gulch area is one of my favorite things to do in the morning.
You can enter from any of the streets that head up the stairs on either side of the Lady Guadalupe Church in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. The stairs are steep in some areas but are well maintained and beautifully landscaped. There are cute little restaurants and shops along the way up as well as a few along the your walk. There are several dogs that will greet you on your walk, like Greta the official "Welcoming Committee" of Gringo Gulch. She is a sweetheart for sure. As you wind around the streets and find nooks and crannies keep an eye out for the houses that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton owned. It was in bad disrepair until someone purchased it and had it gutted. It is currently being remodeled inside and will be a hotel. They have kept the bridge that connected the two houses and have repaired/refurbished it as well. It is truly a beautiful and unique part of Puerto Vallarta rich in culture, history and a wonderful place to "get lost." If you are really energetic you can wind around to the top of the hill where the cross sits next to the tower. The area is totally safe and I have never had any problems as a woman wandering around by myself.
You can enter from any of the streets that head up the stairs on either side of the Lady Guadalupe Church in Old Town Puerto Vallarta. The stairs are steep in some areas but are well maintained and beautifully landscaped. There are cute little restaurants and shops along the way up as well as a few along the your walk. There are several dogs that will greet you on your walk, like Greta the official "Welcoming Committee" of Gringo Gulch. She is a sweetheart for sure. As you wind around the streets and find nooks and crannies keep an eye out for the houses that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton owned. It was in bad disrepair until someone purchased it and had it gutted. It is currently being remodeled inside and will be a hotel. They have kept the bridge that connected the two houses and have repaired/refurbished it as well. It is truly a beautiful and unique part of Puerto Vallarta rich in culture, history and a wonderful place to "get lost." If you are really energetic you can wind around to the top of the hill where the cross sits next to the tower. The area is totally safe and I have never had any problems as a woman wandering around by myself.
Written February 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveandPeter
Toronto, Canada91 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
You can find many great places to eat and shop there. You can even see where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton uses to own property there.
Written September 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
livethelifeyoulove8
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico33 contributions
Dec 2012
Love to just walk around the area and admire those beautiful homes in the middle of a Mexican town just guess what is behind those beautiful facades. Walk around and you might find a nice restaurant, view and a photo spot
Written January 14, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FredFromVegas
Henderson, Nevada
What are the map outlines for the gringo gulch area of San Jose?
Written February 6, 2020
San Jose? This is Peurto Vallarta and you can google the area.
Written February 6, 2020
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