Puerto Vallarta: Pitillal Food Tour & 8 Local Tastings

Summary

Walk Pitillal’s streets taste tacos tamales & meet real Vallarta

You’ll wander through Pitillal’s real streets with a local guide, tasting carnitas tacos straight from Neto’s counter and sweet tamales at La Tianita. Expect laughter over fresh fruit from Ernesto’s stand and sticky-fingered churros as you chat with neighbors along the way. This isn’t just lunch—it’s stepping into someone else’s everyday for a few hours.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you step off the bus and everything smells like masa and grilled meat? That’s how our day started in Pitillal, just outside Puerto Vallarta. It’s not a touristy place—there were no souvenir stalls or anyone trying to sell me a hat. Just kids darting between shops, old men playing dominoes on the corner, and this low hum of daily life. Our guide, Martín, waved us over with a grin and handed out napkins before we even reached the first stop. I guess he knew what was coming.

Tacos Neto was up first—carnitas so tender I almost forgot to chew. The air was thick with that porky-sweet scent, and I remember watching Neto himself chop meat at warp speed while chatting with Martín about last night’s fútbol match. Someone in our group tried to ask for “más salsa” and got a friendly lesson in Spanish pronunciation (Li laughed so hard she nearly dropped her taco). After that it was seafood tostadas at Mariscos Pichi—shrimp so fresh it tasted like the ocean had just let it go. There was a moment where I just stood there, tostada in hand, listening to the sizzle from the grill behind me and thinking, “Yeah, this is what I came for.”

We kept moving—birria at Robles (slow-cooked beef that made my fingers sticky), tamales at La Tianita (the banana leaf kind, soft as cake), then Ernesto’s fruit stand where he sprinkled chili powder on pineapple and handed it over with this little nod like he knew it would blow my mind. The paletería was next; I picked guava because it looked prettiest but ended up stealing bites of everyone else’s too. By the time we hit the churro stand—hot dough rolled in cinnamon sugar—I was full but somehow still hungry for more of whatever this neighborhood wanted to show me.

Honestly? I didn’t expect to feel so welcomed here. People smiled when we passed by; Martín waved at half the town. The tour wasn’t rushed—sometimes we just stood in the shade talking about how every family has their own way of making tamales or why everyone argues about which taco stand is best (the answer depends on who you ask). Even now, back home, I think about those little moments—the taste of lime on my fingers or how sunlight hit the cobblestones—and yeah… makes me want to go back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pitillal food tasting and cultural walk

• Start tour in Pitillal neighborhood
• Visit Tacos Neto for carnitas
• Try seafood tostada at Mariscos Pichi
• Taste slow cooked meat at Birria Robles
• Sample tamales at La Tianita
• Enjoy handmade popsicles at Paleteria
• Watch churros made fresh
• Try local fruit at Ernesto's stand
• Eat carne asada at No Name Taco Stand
• Learn about local customs and folklore
• Explore important Pitillal landmarks

Top questions

How long is the Pitillal food tour?

The food tour lasts around 3.5 hours from start to finish.

How many tasting stops are included?

You’ll visit eight different local eateries during the tour.

Is lunch included on this Puerto Vallarta food tour?

Yes, all tastings are included and are enough for most people as a full lunch.

Where does the Pitillal food tour start?

The tour starts in Pitillal, a neighborhood near Puerto Vallarta.

Is this walking tour suitable for children?

Yes, children can join and infants/small children can use strollers.

Are vegetarian options available?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

The tour runs rain or shine; dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transport options are close to the starting point in Pitillal.

What’s included

Your day includes guided walking through Pitillal with an expert foodie guide, tastings at eight different spots—from carnitas tacos to handmade paletas—and enough food that you probably won’t need lunch after. Just bring your appetite and any special dietary needs when booking; everything else is taken care of right there on those lively streets.