The Penthouse: Top-Floor 3BR, Two Ocean Terraces, Heated Pool, Walkable | Apartment in Puerto Vallarta
3 Bedroom Apartment in Cerro, Puerto Vallarta
Summary:
The Penthouse is the entire top floor of Villa Amistad, our hillside villa in the historic El Cerro neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. Slide open the glass wall and the living room opens right to the ocean breeze, with two ocean-facing terraces: one off the living area with a dining table and seating area, and a private one off the master suite with a hammock and lounge seating. From December through March you can often spot humpback whales breaching offshore. Three king bedrooms, three ensuite baths, a full kitchen, and 1,569 sq ft (146 m²). Sleeps six.
The Space:
Every apartment at Villa Amistad is named for a friend who helped bring the villa to life, and that's really the whole idea behind the place. Amistad means friendship, and we hope you feel it from the moment you arrive. The Penthouse joins our two top-floor apartments, Ivan's Bella Vista and Miguel's Mirador, into one home with the whole top floor to itself.
All three bedrooms have king beds with luxury linens, their own ensuite bathroom with a rainfall shower, air conditioning, and ceiling fans. The master suite (Miguel's side) is a lookout of its own: the king bed faces the water, and when you slide open the floor-to-ceiling glass doors, the suite and its private terrace become one indoor-outdoor living space, with a hammock, lounge seating, a table that doubles as a workspace, and its own kitchenette. The main living area (Ivan's side) opens through a sliding glass wall to the second ocean-facing terrace, with a dining table and seating area. The full kitchen has an island that seats four and filtered drinking water straight from the tap, here and throughout the property. We keep the kitchen stocked with coffee from the Chiapas region, which guests tend to rave about, for your whole stay. Warm terracotta tones and handcrafted Parota wood run throughout, including the custom doors made by local artisans. Fast fiber Wi-Fi (up to 1 Gbps, plus a backup line) makes it as easy for a remote-work stretch as for a group getaway.
You'll share the heated saltwater pool overlooking the bay (open 24/7, kept around 29 to 30°C / 85 to 86°F in winter), two terraces, an honor bar, and a BBQ grill with the apartments below. The lower terrace has a table that seats nine, so your whole group can eat together. You get light housekeeping Monday to Friday (beds made, a tidy, and a restock of essentials), with fuller cleans and fresh linens scheduled on longer stays; the full schedule is in your Guest Stay Agreement and guidebook.
A VILLA, NOT A CONDO BUILDING
Villa Amistad is a house with four private apartments, not a large condo or hotel. When you book the Penthouse, the top floor is entirely yours, and you share the pool and terraces with the guests of up to two other apartments below. We added as much soundproofing as we could, but this is still a shared home, so now and then you may hear voices from another apartment. Most guests love the tradeoff: a real villa experience without renting the whole property. We ask everyone to respect quiet hours and the comfort of the other guests staying with us.
Guest Access:
You'll have keyless entry with your own personal code, using the main Penthouse door as your way in and out. For security, we have a video doorbell at the entrance, and there are smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors in the living room and the master suite, and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. One thing to know before you book: the Penthouse is the top floor, so it's 17 steps up from the street to the gate, a flight up to the main terrace, and one more flight up to your door. There are shady spots to stop and take in the view along the way. There's no parking in our alleyway, but free street parking is available on the adjacent streets, a short walk away.
The Neighborhood:
Villa Amistad sits on a quaint cobblestone alley in El Cerro, one of Puerto Vallarta's original hillside neighborhoods in Centro. Longtime Mexican families have lived on this street for generations, neighbors know each other and look out for one another, and it feels genuinely lived-in and safe. It's quieter than most areas downtown, though you may hear children playing in the street or a dog barking now and then, the sounds of a real neighborhood. You're a 5-minute walk downhill to the Malecon and the Rio Cuale, with the Romantic Zone just beyond. Five of Puerto Vallarta's most highly rated restaurants are within a 5-minute walk, with many more to choose from. Camarones Beach is a 9-minute walk and Los Muertos Beach about 17 minutes on foot. The nearest pharmacy is a 4-minute walk, there's a convenience store a block up the street, and a coffee shop is a block away with several more offering Wi-Fi within a 5 to 10 minute walk.
Getting Around:
The Romantic Zone, Centro, and 5 de Diciembre are all within walking distance, most places 5 to 25 minutes on foot. The walk up the hill to the villa is moderate. If you'd rather ride, Uber and taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, and local buses run along the main roads below for about 10 pesos. The airport is roughly a 20-minute drive.
Other Things to Note:
YOUR DIGITAL GUIDEBOOK
Once you book, we'll invite you to our digital guidebook, which we built ourselves from the ground up. Answer a few quick questions so we can prepare for your visit, and it unlocks with everything you need: full check-in instructions, a complete guide to the villa, and our local recommendations for Puerto Vallarta. It's also home to our Villa Extras, where you run the practical side of your stay. Request concierge services like airport transportation, a private chef, or grocery delivery; book a Priority Early Check-in or a Late Check-out; arrange an in-house massage from one of our vetted providers; and even pay your Honor Bar tab right from the app.
CHECK-IN
Check-in is at 4 PM, and we can often have the apartment ready for a complimentary early check-in at 3 PM. If you'd like an earlier check-in or a later check-out, you can request one for a small fee in the guidebook.
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
The check-in form we send after booking includes a copy of our Guest Stay Agreement, which must be digitally signed before you arrive. Once that's done, your guidebook unlocks with all your check-in information and your keyless entry code. The day before arrival, we place a $100 USD authorization hold on the card used to book. It's a temporary hold, not a charge, to confirm the card is valid and can cover any damages, incidentals, or outstanding balances during your stay; your bank releases it after checkout if there's nothing outstanding. A Damage Waiver of $35 USD is included with your booking and covers accidental damage up to $500 USD; the details are in the Guest Stay Agreement.
GOOD TO KNOW
The whole property is smoke-free, quiet hours are 10 PM to 8 AM, and we don't host parties or events. Everyone is welcome here: couples, families, groups, and LGBTQ+ travelers alike. The villa isn't childproof (unfenced pool, open stairs, low railings, and breakable art), so if you're traveling with little ones, reach out and we'll help you decide whether it's the right fit.
We'd love to host you. Hecho con amistad, Puerto Vallarta.
Interaction with Guests:
Mark and John live onsite in our own private apartments, so we're around whenever you need us, whether that's a local tip, help arranging something, or just the peace of mind of knowing a host is here, while fully respecting your privacy.
This 3 Bedrooms Apartment provides accommodation with Bedding/Linens, Child Friendly, Ocean View, for your convenience. This Apartment features many amenities for guests who want to stay for a few days, a weekend or probably a longer vacation with family, friends or group. The rental Apartment has 3 Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms to make you feel right at home.
Check to see if this Apartment has the amenities you need and a location that makes this a great choice to stay in Cerro. Enjoy your stay in Cerro at this Apartment.
This Property is OneKey Eligible
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible vacation rentals, villas, cottages, cabins, and more when you book on Vrbo.
Amenities
Policies
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Reviews
FAQ's
Is this Cerro apartment pet-friendly for guests?
No, pets are not allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.
Does the Cerro apartment have a swimming pool?
Yes, this Cerro apartment has a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.
How much does it cost per night to stay in Cerro apartment?
Best-rates for the Cerro apartment starts from $261 per night with includes Oceanfront, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, View, Balcony/Terrace, Security/Safety, Internet, Kitchen, Laundry, Air Conditioner, Pool, TV, Bedding/Linens, Child Friendly, Ocean View, Wellness Facilities with all other facilities. matches every traveler with their perfect accommodation, whether you are traveling with a group, friends, family, or pets.
Is Cerro apartment a family-friendly place to stay?
Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this apartment Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the apartment has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.
Is the Cerro apartment wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?
Based on the information received from our partner, the Cerro apartment has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.
What is the minimum night stay policy for the Cerro apartment?
Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Cerro apartment indicates 1 day stay policy at this apartment. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.
What cancellation policy is in place for Cerro apartment?
Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.
