I have been to Puerto Vallarta 35+ times (perhaps more none less). I'm most often solo. I love it. But I don't feel any of what you are posting about so have no idea how I could address when it "doesn't feel so great". I prefer to be alone rather than convincing a newbie to come along. Perhaps might be good to change it up and stay at a different resort, or hotel, or condo? I have never done tours or paid tourist activities (like Rhythms of the Night) just not my thing.

Truly this question sounds more about you traveling being uncomfortable traveling alone, really nothing specific about Puerto Vallarta. And while I am not a chatty-cathy I do often have conversations with people in cafes, bars, restaurants, around the pool, my room maid, etc. How about an activity like taking a cooking class at ChocoMuseo, or the walking tour thru the Tourist Bureau or the art gallery one of the Malecon sculptures.

I also would feel akward doing something like the boat cruise alone, but I have zero problems kicking around town on my own finding fun, free, independent things to do.

Hope that helps... maybe suze

Hola, I just answered a similar question on your more recent thread on the Travel Tips forum.

Still feel the same as everything I've posted above here. suerte, suze

"For the Rhythms tour I thought I'd check the local ads to see if there was a woman I could pay to accompany me for that event - I'd pay her and for everything else, ​​​​​​"
What you're suggesting sounds quite unsavory, as well as dangerous for you. PV is well known as a center for sex/human trafficking. Answer or place an ad at your own risk of being a victim of a sting...or worse.

I agree. I would not pay a local female to be your escort. Because that sounds pretty much like prostitution. And certainly that is available.

Although I've never before this post above seen Vallarta referred to as a "center for sex/human trafficking". That would hardly be anything a typical tourist would encounter.

But I'd like to get better with being 100% okay with being alone the whole time.
Anyone else dealing with this?

No not dealing with this because I love being on my own in PV. What would make you feel better about being alone? Maybe plan your days out with activities. Or maybe your question is bigger than a travel forum can help you with meant with kindness.

I think I said it already but if you stayed at a local hotel in Zona Romantica you'd have a very different experience than staying at a nicer resort. I have no statistics but I'm guessing more solo travelers end up at Posada de Roger, Rio Malecon, Hotel Encino, Eloisa, etc. than at the more expensive resorts. I've met all kinds of people from all over the world at Posada Roger's.

I'll be a bit harsh: If you can't find a way to enjoy your own company, don't expect anyone else to do so!

If particular places prove difficult for you, find a way to travel that doesn't involve going to such places.

I love solo travel, to the extent that I won't consider traveling with anyone else -- but that's just me. Maybe you'll find some inspiration in this thread:
Goin' solo...nothing like it! (A trip report collection)

Moved to the Mexico/Central America forum and tagged for Mexico.

OK -- I was curious when I saw this topic over on Travel Tips. Please take this kindly and not as criticism. Seeing your profile you've been a member for years but your only threads have been about being uneasy/even angry because your sister talks to strangers when traveling, and issues about traveling solo to PV. This seems to be an opportunity to 'work on oneself'. Instead of hiring some unknown woman (or man for that matter) to make you feel more comfortable on an evening dinner cruise/show -- go by yourself. You do not need an 'escort'. I'm a single woman (divorced years ago) and travel solo (about 75% of the time) and with friends/relatives (20-25% of trips). I am perfectly comfortable either way. Sometimes solo is better (great even) and once in a while having company is better. I have gone solo to everything from greasy spoon dives to 3 star Michelin starred world famous restaurants, to isolated pubs, to major concerts, theater, and festivals.

Try to get comfortable at home alone -- go out to a nice restaurant where you'd usually take a friend. Go to a concert or comedy club solo. You won't melt

Getting comfortable doing things on your own would be much MUCH better IMO than hiring a fake 'lady friend' in a far away place to make it look like you have a date.

I travel solo. I just don't do touristy activities where you have to pay and that will be mostly couple or families. There is plenty to occupy a person in Puerto Vallarta without doing things like "Rhythms of the Night", booze cruises, etc. Also I wouldn't stay at a 'resort' where again it would be mostly couples (since Villa Premiere is adults only at least no kids there but hardly a hotel that attracts a singles crowd).

Hello. I skimmed these posts and found what I saw to be amusing. I will have to use this site a lot more. Sorry about the delay, but I haven't been here.
I have to say it's kind of funny how so many were upset and their comments went right to the worst scenarios. That speaks more about them and not me. What I did see was the equivalent of if I had said I wanted to buy a new $100 Casio G-Shock love them!) watch, but folks commented that I wanted to hold up a jewelry store and steal a Rolex. Anywho, A friend of mine just returned for there and did several touristy things there, and he wasn't alone. He found a group that does this. He did the same boat tour and he said they had a blast! They met at the port and did the cruise, dinner, show, drinks, etc. They they shook hands and went their separate ways. No roofies, no pay-for-play, nothing illegal. Just a fun time at a public event. Sorry!!!
I'll report back when I do the same thing for several tours,
¡Que tengen un buen dia!

Maybe if you stayed at a different hotel or resort would give you a better experience as far as meeting people to do something with?

Why not stay longer than 4 days? Why not stay at a different hotel or resort where you might feel is a better fit?

If I didn't like a place I wouldn't keep going back year after year.

Your two threads have been merged

Trip alone could be less enjoyable, I agree on that.

A trip alone for me is always the most enjoyable... because you do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it. No planning, no compromises, no worries about another person's expectations, moods, feelings.

OK officially confusing - because one thread was from 2023 and one from 2025 that the mods put into one for some reason. I normally wouldn't reply to a thread started several years ago.

I enjoy both but solo is just fine by me. I definitely don't agree with muntiqa - a trip alone is not less enjoyable . . . or at least doesn't have to be.

I saw that too but I think it was because someone posted to the old original thread and brought it to the top. A couple of days ago I'm pretty sure I saw both threads at the top of the page. So that's probably why they combined the two.

Yes, I'm following. Just saying it makes it confusing when two different threads from several years apart all get mixed together as if they are new.

Several pieces of information I contributed in 2023 are no longer current or correct or accurate but there's no way for me to correct them.

Everytime I see this title pop up I keep thinking I posted! Because yes another trip to pv by myself. But never yet once had a bad time or faced these kind of obstacles.

It was a little hotter than I would like, but it went well. I did the Finca 18 agave tour. But hey, I did Ritmos de la Noche with a companion. I mentioned before that I was able to locate a group that did these kinds of arrangements. Well, I met Erica at the port, we boarded the boat and things went swimmingly. She had never done that tour before and she loved it. Back dockside we shook hands, and that was it. Some elbow bending, good conversation, a cool show, and more tippling on the return trip. A perfect night!

I have to admit that I enjoyed the comments on this forum about all my untoward intentions and all the bad things that would happened to me. The horror! It's funny how some people just see the dark side of things. I know some of you will be greatly disappointed but my experience couldn't have been better. Thank you all!