If Puerto Vallarta has ever been on your “maybe one day” list, this episode might move it straight to the top. I sat down with my friend Kathleen Shanahan — who splits her time between San Diego, San Francisco, and Puerto Vallarta — to talk about what makes this corner of Mexico so magnetic. Think warm turquoise water, jungle-draped hills, a food scene that rivals San Francisco, and a rhythm of life that somehow feels both vibrant and laid-back.
In our conversation, Kathleen shares what it’s really like to live there — from mornings swimming in her family’s mango-tree-filled compound to afternoons spent boating to secret coves and long lunches that stretch into sunset. We cover her favorite local spots, the magic of Día de Los Muertos on the Malecón, and how Puerto Vallarta’s international community has reshaped the city post-pandemic. It’s part travel guide, part love letter — and a reminder that the best travel stories often come from the people who’ve made a place their second home.
So grab a margarita (preferably not too sweet, as Kathleen would say) and come aboard — this one’s got food, love, and a little Love Boat nostalgia woven in.
🎧 Click on the above link to listen to the interview or listen on “Mixtape Travels” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
A Bay That Feels Like a World
First things first — Puerto Vallarta is just one piece of the larger Bahía de Banderas, the second largest bay in the world (after San Francisco, fun fact). Kathleen calls it “a melting pot of cultures,” where Americans, Canadians, Argentinians, Ukrainians, and locals from Guadalajara all share the same sunsets and shrimp tacos.
She loves how easy it is to get to: just under three hours from San Francisco, or an hour and a half from San Diego. And unlike Cabo’s dry, desert vibe, this part of Mexico is lush, tropical, and green — “a true paradise,” as Kathleen puts it.
Boats, Beaches, and Fanny’s by the Sea
Kathleen is a self-proclaimed ocean person. Every visit starts on the water. She takes boats to small beach towns like Yelapa or Los Animas, both accessible only by sea. Her go-to move? Hop a water taxi (or better yet, charter a small boat), drop anchor, and head straight for lunch at Fanny’s in Yelapa.
Pro tip: if you board a restaurant’s boat, you’re expected to dine there — a fair trade for fresh ceviche with your toes in the sand.
She also loves exploring Los Arcos, the iconic rock formations you can paddleboard or snorkel around, and still marvels at Marieta Islands, the once-overcrowded “Lover’s Beach” that’s now thankfully protected.
Where to Eat (and Drink) in Puerto Vallarta
Kathleen’s list reads like a greatest-hits guide for food lovers:
In Puerto Vallarta proper
Campomar – A surf-and-turf spot where you literally pick your fish from the ice bar.
La Vaca – A moody Argentinian steakhouse with deep red interiors and excellent cocktails.
El Barracuda – Beachfront dining where you can sip a drink, wade into the bay, and come back to find your plate waiting.
In Nuevo Vallarta
La Dolce Vita – Cozy Italian for date nights.
Tacos on the Street – Her all-time favorite for clean, flavorful steak tacos and what she swears is the best margarita in Mexico.
Banana Bar – A local hangout known for its ribs (Kathleen insists: no sauce, just clean meat and sides for dipping).
In Bucerías
Tarantella – Italian comfort food with a seaside breeze.
La Casa by Thierry Blouet - Innovative dishes, reinvented classics and a fantastic wine list.
And if you’re wandering the beaches, keep an eye out for locals grilling shrimp skewers straight from the ocean. “They dive for them, cook them on the beach, and serve them with lime. It’s heaven,” she said.
The Heart of the City
On the Malecón, the seaside boardwalk, the city comes alive during Día de Los Muertos — with parades, live music, and art installations. The Romantic Zone is where old Vallarta shines: cobblestone streets, the historic church, and yes, the houses Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton once owned — connected by a bridge so they could escape each other when needed.
Life Between Two Worlds
Kathleen lives on a family compound that sounds like a dream — three homes surrounded by mango trees and a pool big enough for daily laps. Her mornings start with a swim and end with sunset walks to the beach.
She insists Mexico is deeply safe when you travel with respect. “The people are beautiful and kind,” she said. “They work hard and they welcome you like family.”
Side Trips Worth the Drive
If you have time, she recommends exploring beyond the bay:
Sayulita – Fun and colorful, though a bit crowded these days. (In case you missed it, check out my Gomes Guide post on Sayulita).
San Pancho – Smaller, artsier, and more relaxed.
San Blas – Colonial, surfy, and mosquito-heavy (avoid in summer).
Barra de Navidad – South of Vallarta, where the hillsides look like the south of France.
If You Go
Fly into: Puerto Vallarta (PVR) — nonstop from most West Coast cities.
When to visit: November through May for dry, sunny weather; June to October is rainy but beautiful (and less crowded).
Currency: Mexican peso (bring cash for taxis and beach food).
Don’t miss: A boat day to Yelapa, dinner at Campo Mar, tacos at Tacos on the Street, and a sunset cocktail in Nuevo Vallarta.
🎶 And Finally… the Theme Song
When I asked what song best captures Puerto Vallarta for her, Kathleen didn’t hesitate: The Love Boat. Kathleen fell in love and got engaged to her now husband on a boat in Yelapa. “Every time I’m there,” she said, “I feel like I’m back on that boat — totally in love, totally happy.”
Meet Kathleen Shanahan
A California native with an entrepreneurial spirit, Kathleen Shanahan is the CEO and founder of BOCA Marketing Agency — a purpose-built B2B tech marketing firm serving clients at the forefront of AI-enabling technologies, from innovative startups to established mid-market leaders.
The daughter of a Spanish-speaking mother from Buenos Aires (now based in Mexico) and a fifth-generation Californian father, Kathleen brings a bicultural lens to her work and life. She’s also the proud mother of two daughters who embody the California dream as competitive sailors and surfers.
A hands-on strategist and natural leader, Kathleen excels at turning vision into execution — whether guiding teams, driving client success, or rolling up her sleeves to make things happen.
Entirely self-made, she worked her way through college waiting tables at Mel’s Diner near UC Berkeley, where she earned dual Bachelor’s degrees in Art History and History.
As a media Latina fluent in Spanish, Kathleen spent her childhood traveling throughout Mexico and Latin America, living in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta. Now running her business remotely, she splits her time between San Diego, San Francisco, and Puerto Vallarta — where her mother and sister live full-time. The family holds Mexican residency and plans to retire between California and Puerto Vallarta.
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