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  • 🌮 Taco Trail Stop #5: Seafood Tacos & Sunset Margs in Puerto Vallarta

🌮 Taco Trail Stop #5: Seafood Tacos & Sunset Margs in Puerto Vallarta

Nov 1, 2026

📍 STOP #5: HILTON VALLARTA RIVIERA, MEXICO

The location: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

The vibe: Tropical mountains, oceanfront pools, beachfront cocktails, and laid-back Pacific coast living.

The main attraction: Cocomar.

Situated along the southern shores of Banderas Bay, Hilton Vallarta Riviera combines lush mountainside scenery with a beautiful oceanfront setting.

The resort sits outside the bustle of central Puerto Vallarta, offering a quieter stretch of coastline while keeping the city's restaurants, galleries, and famous Malecón within driving distance.

Think oceanfront balconies, two infinity pools, warm Pacific sunsets, and an all-inclusive dining program featuring 12 food-and-drink venues.

And yes, the tacos are part of the plan.

Unlike our last two stops, where dining was billed separately, Hilton Vallarta Riviera brings the core dining experience back into the all-inclusive equation.

Tacos without keeping a running restaurant tab?

We like the sound of that.

🌮 THE MAIN EVENT: COCOMAR

Alright, Fam. It's seafood taco time.

Cocomar is the resort's open-air oceanfront restaurant, where fresh seafood, ceviches, and Mexican coastal dishes take center stage.

And the published taco lineup is exactly what we'd hope to see this close to the Pacific.

Here's what we're eyeing:

Baja-Style Fish Tacos: Battered fish on corn tortillas with cabbage, cilantro, pickled onions, and chipotle mayonnaise. Classic coastal taco territory.

Baja-Style Shrimp Tacos: Shrimp gets the Baja treatment with the same crunchy slaw, fresh herbs, and creamy chipotle finish.

Tacos Gobernador: Shrimp and poblano peppers in a quesadilla-style preparation with coleslaw and chipotle mayonnaise. Seafood and melty goodness? We're listening.

Pescadillas: Fried fish tacos with cabbage salad, fresh cucumber, and jalapeño mayonnaise. A little crunch, a little heat, and plenty of personality.

And if you're ready to venture beyond tortillas?

Cocomar's seafood lineup also includes:

Traditional Green Aguachile: Shrimp with red onion, cucumber, and avocado in a bright, chile-forward preparation.

Vallarta Ceviche: Fresh ground fish seasoned with lime, carrot, Mexican salsa, and mayonnaise.

Pacific Ceviche: Your choice of fish, shrimp, octopus, or mixed seafood with red onion, tomato, cilantro, cucumber, and lime.

🌶️ The Taco Tuesday Move: Start with Baja-style fish tacos, follow with tacos gobernador, and save room for the pescadillas.

Then order a cold drink, sit back, and enjoy that ocean view.

Know before you order: Cocomar's published menu includes these dishes as part of the all-inclusive offering. Certain premium menu items carry an additional charge.

Menus can change, so confirm the current taco selection and operating hours when you arrive.

🍹 THE MARGARITA SITUATION

Now we're talking.

Hilton Vallarta Riviera's all-inclusive program means drinks are part of the experience, with cocktails available across multiple bars and lounges.

And the locations? Pretty convincing.

Pool Bar: A swim-up bar at the adults-only pool. Exactly where we expect to find ourselves after lunch.

Sky Bar: An adults-only rooftop-style retreat with panoramic ocean views, whirlpools, cabanas, and sunset cocktails.

Mojito Lounge: A dedicated spot for different takes on the classic mojito, with the ocean nearby.

Martini Lounge: A more polished, adults-only cocktail setting with spectacular ocean views.

And for anyone who wants to learn something between rounds, the resort offers cocktail workshops and tequila tastings among its scheduled activities.

The move: Poolside cocktails after Cocomar, then Sky Bar when the sun starts heading toward the horizon.

One small note: Standard drinks are included, but confirm whether particular premium labels or special experiences carry supplements.

Because vacation surprises should involve extra guacamole, not unexpected charges.

🏖️ THE RESORT: MORE THAN A TACO STOP

There's something particularly appealing about the setting here.

Hilton Vallarta Riviera sits between the tropical hills of Puerto Vallarta and the waters of Banderas Bay.

The property offers oceanfront accommodations, beachfront pools, spa facilities, fitness activities, kids' and teens' clubs, and evening entertainment.

And when you're not chasing tacos, there's more to explore on the dining front.

Maxal: A Mexican restaurant inspired by regional traditions, from Michoacán carnitas to Oaxacan moles and Mexico City street-food flavors.

La Luce: An Italian trattoria with stone-oven cooking, pasta, and a relaxed dinner atmosphere.

Sunan: Southeast Asian-inspired dishes drawing on Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese flavors.

Seasalt: An open-air grill serving familiar favorites with a Mexican twist.

Vela Food Hall: The international buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with live cooking stations.

The honest beach note: The resort has a sheltered stretch of beach where swimming can be enjoyable, but water conditions and waves still change. Follow the beach team's guidance before heading in.

And remember: This is a resort-centered experience. Exploring Puerto Vallarta's independent taquerías and lively downtown dining scene requires a separate outing.

Our advice? Enjoy the included dining, but save time to experience the city beyond the resort.

☀️ POOLSIDE

Two oceanfront infinity pools, one for families and another for adults, bring Banderas Bay right into the picture. Take a dip, grab a lounger, or order a cocktail at the swim-up bar. Sunset arrives with a front-row seat to the Pacific. Tacos first, pool time second. Or vice versa. Obviously.

🛏️ THE ROOM KEY

Here's something we appreciate.

All 444 guestrooms feature ocean views and private balconies.

No complicated calculations about whether you've booked the right side of the building.

For couples: Consider an Oceanfront Premier View Adults King room, combining the oceanfront setting with an adults-only accommodation category.

For families or friends: A Standard Oceanfront Two Queen room accommodates up to four guests and includes a balcony overlooking Banderas Bay.

Worth the splurge: An Enclave Oceanview Governor Suite with a jetted tub offers additional space and access to the resort's upgraded Enclave benefits.

Those Enclave perks include a private lounge on the 13th floor, dedicated concierge service, premium evening drinks, and upgraded in-room amenities.

The Taco Tuesday Move: If sunset views are your priority, ask about the balcony orientation and floor when booking.

An oceanfront balcony, a cold drink, and the Pacific at golden hour?

That's what we're here for.

☀️ THE PERFECT TACO TRAIL DAY

Let's map out a proper Puerto Vallarta day.

9 AM — Breakfast at Vela. Coffee, Mexican breakfast favorites, and no reason to set an early alarm.

11 AM — Poolside, Naturally. Find your favorite infinity pool and settle into vacation mode.

12:30 PM — COCOMAR TACO TIME. Start with Baja-style fish tacos, then work your way toward the gobernador and pescadillas, subject to the day's menu.

2 PM — Beach Break. Take a walk along the sand, relax by the water, or join one of the resort's scheduled activities.

4 PM — Pool Bar or Siesta? Decisions, decisions.

Sunset — Cocktails at Sky Bar. Find a spot overlooking the bay and enjoy the show.

Evening — Dinner at Maxal. Explore regional Mexican flavors and a very different side of the resort's culinary program.

And if you have another day?

Arrange a trip into Puerto Vallarta to explore its independent restaurants, taco stands, and historic streets.

Because the Taco Trail doesn't have to end at the resort gates.

🔥 WHO SHOULD BOOK THIS RESORT?

Book it for: Couples, families, groups, and travelers who want an oceanfront all-inclusive with varied dining options, lively activities, and beautiful Pacific sunsets.

This is a resort for travelers who appreciate convenience, ocean views, and the flexibility of having most meals and drinks included.

🌮 THE TACO TUESDAY TAKE

Seafood tacos. Oceanfront pools. Sunset cocktails. That's a very persuasive vacation formula.

Taco Tuesday x Hilton Taco Trail

Hilton Vallarta Riviera brings our Taco Trail back to the easygoing side of resort travel.

Cocomar's menu gives us a promising combination of Baja-style fish and shrimp tacos, gobernador, and fried fish pescadillas.

And we like that the seafood story continues beyond tacos into ceviches and aguachiles.

But the real draw is how naturally the resort fits into a relaxed Pacific coast vacation.

Two oceanfront pools, plenty of dining variety, included drinks, and easy access to Puerto Vallarta's wider food scene.

Would we start with the Baja-style fish tacos?

Obviously.

Would we schedule a second round of seafood before sunset?

You know us.

And would we make time to venture into town for a real Puerto Vallarta taco adventure?

Absolutely.

Because sometimes the best vacation plan is to enjoy the resort and leave room for the unexpected.

🌮 NEXT STOP: MEXICO CITY!

For our sixth and final stop, we're trading oceanfront infinity pools for something completely different.

Hilton Mexico City Reforma.

Blue-corn tortillas. Slow-cooked beef. Rooftop city views. And one of the world's most exciting taco cities waiting outside the hotel doors.

We're bringing the Taco Trail home in style.

Killer Tacos. Perfect Sunsets.

See you on the trail!
~ The Taco Tuesday Crew 🌮🔥



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