An Untouristed Taco Adventure With Vallarta Eats Tours

Berto was an amazing guide. Taking us to many different places we would’ve not found. Great for foodies and families. My family and I had a remarkable experience. Personally have had the best barria, pork belly and carnita taco of my life!

Our guide, Karla, thought of everything. She brought water and wipes and cups for us throughout the tour. She had a lot of great background knowledge and had wonderful relationships with all of the taco establishments that we visited. It was an absolute delight to meet all of the people and try all of the wonderful various tacos. Highly recommend this tour.

We had a wonderful day with our tour guide Alberto in his hometown community, 5 de Diciembre. Alberto showed passion and love for the area he grew up. He shared how he had moved away from the area in his youth and then came back to learn to appreciate the communities depth in new ways. He took us to half a dozen spots, several family owned restaurants, a bakery, a tortilla making factory, family cemetery, local seafood market, local bakery and ended with gelato - fresh icecream! The food we ate was phenomenal, loved the carnita taco, the mixture of it with the crunchy skin bits to die for. It was all fabulous. We were blessed to have the owner Stephen of Vallarta Eats Tours stop by and make sure things were good to roll and he took many pictures for us to remember the day by. Thank you Alberto and Stephen for making one of our last days here one to remember. Gracious y Mucho Gusto! Adria & Tara 🌴 Chilliwack BC, Canada

We booked the “Untouristed Tour”. There were 9 of us, and Karla was our guide. We would do that tour over and over again. Karla was magnificent, our stops were exactly what we were hoping for — Un-Touristed, and very genuine. The food was fantastic, and as were the proprietors of each locations. Again, we cannot say enough about our guide, Karla. She had great energy, knowledge, humor, and Patience. We were 9 women, and highly recommend this tour

This is a don’t miss activity staring mid morning until around 2 pm, taking you to some wonderful hidden family restaurants and taco stands in the 5th of December neighborhood. Which we learned is older and more authentic than Old Town. We have been on several Vallerta Eats after Dark Tours, which are fantastic for an evening activity, but we all LOVED this tour with Alberto!

Terrific off the beaten path tour. Karla was an amazing guide. She was genuinely excited about the food and the history behind it. A great learning experience about traditional Mexican dishes. Loved the tour and would recommend it.

Awesome experience. Karla is fabulous and shares so much information about the food and culture. We highly recommend this tour. And yes, the food is delicious.

Absolutely loved the Day of the Dead taco tour with Karla. Karla was the best; she was knowledgeable about families/food/day of the dead customs, she was fun, and she made sure we survived the heat and humidity. She gave great advice on choosing our tacos and drinks. The places we stopped were all fantastic and the food was delicious - we have our list so we can return next time we visit PV. This is a second tour with Vallarta Eats and it won't be the last.

I have done several food tours with Vallarta Eats. There are always great! We were staying in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood and decided to do this tour, so we would know some places we would want to go back to. Our tour guide was Karla. She was fun, energetic and had lots of information about the food, history, and families at all the eateries. All the tacos were delicious but the stand out for us was the taco aldilla (fried pork belly). We have already been back twice! I will dream about this taco. I always leave these tours FULL, and with a new favorite place to eat in PV.

Whenever we travel, we like to explore local neighborhoods and enjoy learning about foods and traditions. The Untouristed food tour from Vallarta Eats was wonderful from beginning to end. Our guide, Karla, was full of excitement to share her love of her Mexican culture and to introduce us to new flavors and regional specialties. She took time to explain the foods at each stop and to give us options for how best to enjoy each one. We loved being introduced to small family businesses and surround ourselves with local families enjoying the foods of their neighborhood. We ate until we thought we would burst, but each bite was better than the one before. So hard to pick a favorite. We will definitely return for more of these taco delights and to Vallarta Eats. Many thanks to Karla and Vallarta Eats for a wonderful day and many memories.

Alberto led a great tour away from the tourist zone where we made 8 stops at small, family run establishments serving fresh, tasty food - pastries, chilaquiles, tacos, birria gorditas, chicharrones, carnitas and even ice cream. We also checked out a neighborhood tortilla factory that starts with corn kernels and produces soft, delicious tacos on the spot. He also introduced us to a bar where a premium Mexican lager was just US$1.75 each - a fraction of what you'd normally expect to pay as a tourist. A very fun and a good value.

Karly was a great guide and took us to a very good selection of taco places. She explained what we were getting at each stop and the traditions behind them. The area we visited is not as tourist oriented as other parts of PV and it was interesting to see the differences. We were a little disappointed the Vallarta Eats bag wasn’t provided on this tour. It is how we first found out about the company a few years ago, seeing the bags around town. It was great advertising. Maybe consider an option to add the purchase of a bag to your check out. Definitely will revisit some of the stands again and will join another Vallarta Eats tour on our next visit.

We had a wonderful time with guide Alberto. The food was amazing and Alberto was fun and informative. 5 de Diciembre is a great neighbourhood. It gave us a look at a different way of life, away from the Romantic Zone.

Karla and Abraham were our guides and they were both professional, attentive and top notch! If you are interested in Real Mexico and some of the foods the people here enjoy- join this tour. A variety of styles of food and toppings. If you have food allergies - let them know- they can make accommodations. Groups are 10 or less which is super manageable. Lots of walking, education and fun. All communication before hand was clear and dealing with the company was easy. Our cruise ship arrived an hour late- we only learned of the change a few days before the cruise started. I let them know and we were able to still make the tour in time. You also get to see the many Mexican families who run these small businesses and see how hard they work. We also got to experience a real local food market. Thank you

Karla was an absolutely outstanding guide! Her extensive knowledge, friendly demeanor, and effortless charisma made this tour an unforgettable experience. She has a natural talent for connecting visitors with the heart of Puerto Vallarta, introducing you to hidden taco gems that you’d never find on your own. As a true local, Karla is deeply in touch with her community, and it’s evident in the warm welcomes she receives everywhere. Her vibrant energy is contagious, and her ability to switch seamlessly between witty English and Spanish adds a delightful touch of humor that makes you feel right at home. The Untouristed Taco Tour isn’t just about eating amazing tacos (though the food is spectacular!); it’s about experiencing the pride and love behind each family-owned spot. Karla has a knack for highlighting this, making the tour a journey through the rich culture and incredible flavors of Puerto Vallarta. Each stop is a staple of the local community, and the passion behind the food shines through in every bite. Having Karla as our guide elevated this experience beyond what we could have imagined. She made us feel like part of her neighborhood, and her pride in showcasing the beauty and flavor of Puerto Vallarta was truly inspiring. If you’re booking this tour, do yourself a favor and ask for Karla (with a K). You’ll leave with a full stomach, a happy heart, and memories to cherish forever.

Karla was our tour guide and was exceptional. She was very knowledgeable, friendly and funny. The taco places she took us to were outstanding. Very quaint and delicious. I would recommend this tour if you want an authentic experience.

We had a wonderful time seeing a neighborhood and tasting food we would have otherwise not experienced. Our guide Karla was wonderful and took the time to really give us great information about the food, the neighborhood history and about Mexican culture. The tour was a great value and we are glad we went.

Karla was super friendly and knowledgeable about the neighborhood and the food was delicious. I would recommend doing this on a totally empty stomach because you’ll get super full by the end of the experience.

What an honor it is to be invited into people’s homes, businesses and neighborhood to experience the food, traditions and stories that are part of their lives. We had the good fortune to have two amazing guides - Karla and Berto - to take us through the 5 de Deciembre neighborhood. We stopped at 5 restaurants to sample a variety of tacos, from birria and carnitas to pork belly and seafood. We visited the home / restaurant of a family who generously shared the history of their abuela (think all the drama of escaping the circus life to elope with the love of your life) while we ate gorditas at their dining room table. And there was ice cream at the end! We really enjoyed the personal stories from our guides, and they made every effort to make our tour memorable and unique. My husband was celebrating his 50th birthday and two of the restaurants honored him with a traditional song and birthday cake! We know this wouldn’t have happened without Karla's relationship with the local businesses and desire to create a special experience for us all. M

Karla is a gem of a tour guide! Very down to earth, fun, real, and knowledgeable. We had delicious food from only off-the-beaten-path places where we were the only non-locals eating. Always a good sign. Karla was also more than happy to share cultural information as we walked through the neighborhoods away from the tourist areas. Highly recommend this tour and asking for Karla!

I take a Vallarta Eats taco tour every time I'm in PV - they really are wonderful (and I really love tacos!). Karla (with a K) is a fantastic guide, super knowledgeable, super friendly and just a joy to be around. This October was the first time we were with Karla, so I have to say that I've also very much enjoyed our other guides. The tacos are wonderful & it's so great to visit locations that we might not have found on our own - and the guidance in ordering is also great!

We did the Untouristed dias los Muertos tour with Karla with a K. She was absolutely fabulous! She was so happy, knowledgeable and upbeat. Our tour lasted slightly longer than the posted, we were never rushed. All of the food was delicious and we were full when we were done. Highly recommend Vallarta Eats. We are repeat customers and they have always been great!

Karla and Abraham were our tour guides and they were so fun and knowledgeable about the different local taco stands in the neighborhood. They gave us the cultural history for each type of taco and filling, such as when it is typically eaten, how it is customary to cook it, etc. This tour was special because it was one of the few Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tours that Vallarta Eats Tours provided in honor of the holiday. Karla and Abraham provided us with a few Dia de Los Muertos gifts and gave us the history of the holiday's special meaning in Mexican culture. It was a wonderful tour and I would highly recommend any tours from Vallarta Eats. Karla and Abraham are the best!

The Untouristed tour with Karla was amazing! Such a great experience, trying some amazing foods. 6 places as well as ice cream and a stop at the local market to watch tortilla's being made. Absolutley recommend Karla for her insights, her friendliness and as it was only myself and my partner, she took her time, and it was fantastic. 4 hours but worth it. Way too much food and I was beaten at the last taco place; although i did get to have some icecream at the end! thanks Karla

We chose the “Untourist” Food Tour. Karla was our guide and did a fabulous job. I felt like we got a taste and experience of the locals in PV. We did not go to any tourist locations, but we got to experience PV like the locals. Karla helped us understand the cultural aspects of PV and other areas of Mexican. I really enjoyed the way she included everyone in the tour, including the two young kids that were with us. She spent an equal amount of time with everyone group and provide a great experience. I would definitely recommend.

Come hungry and ready to eat and walk and learn! Our amazing guide, Klara, took us to seven wonderful places (finishing with candied nuts right after ice cream!). The various taco adventures were each very different from the previous one. Some indoors and modern, some street stands that have been open, run by the family, for more than 30 years. Eat the way the locals eat - and eat really well! Very yummy, with a truly wonderful guide. Highly recommended.

For anyone looking to see the authentic, non-touristy side of Puerto Vallarta, this is the perfect tour! We visited a great combination of stops including a taco stand, a family restaurant where we ate right in their dining room, a small casual restaurant, a beautiful up and coming restaurant with gourmet quality food, and a final stop for homemade ice cream. Karla was a wonderful guide as she toured us through the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood, through a local market, and even a sneak peek at a beautiful, local cemetery. We had a wonderful experience! This is the 6th time we have taken a food tour with Vallarta Eats, and they never disappoint! Highly recommend this tour AND Karla!

We booked this tour a few weeks before our trip to Puerto Vallarta. I worked directly with the owner, Stephen, over the phone and email to set up our private group of 13. He was very accommodating when it came to managing payments and getting each couple in our group squared away. He also offered his opinions and perspective on the tour options I was weighing and I couldn't be happier that he encouraged us to go with Untouristed. Karla was our tour guide and having seen her name mentioned in other TA reviews, I knew we were in for a great experience. Not only did we eat the most delicious food of our entire trip, but we got history and cultural lessons as well! Untouristed took us through areas of Puerto Vallarta that we would not have otherwise seen, and to restaurants the locals enjoy. Karla's stories and energy carried us along as we got progressively more stuffed. This tour is one you don't want to miss. And as they recommend - come hungry.

We had a great time on the tour! It was a perfect mix of delicious tacos, interesting info about the neighborhood and background about each business owner. Ricky did a fantastic job guiding us and providing cultural insights that we would not have learned about Puerto Vallarta otherwise. Would highly recommend if you love and food and getting to know the culture of a place!

Yet again, our tour with Vallarta Eats did not disappoint! I tried to tell my companions to not eat everything put in front of them, no matter how delicious the food, but they didn’t listen. They were very full after this tour. So many amazing bites of food off the beaten path. We’ve been coming to PV for 25+ years and we tried foods we never knew existed. Gorditas, anyone? Karla, our guide, was knowledgeable, funny, friendly and very accommodating even with our pickiest eaters (wimps lol). If you get her as your guide, you will be in excellent hands. We love to take out of town guests on food tours when they come to visit because it’s the best way to get the local “flavor” - both taste and culture. Vallarta Eats is our favorite tour company.

Incredible experience tasting through the less touristy parts of the area made even better with delicious food and the best tour guide I’ve had on a food tour. Gracias for all your energy and history of the area Karla! You were amazing

Karla was amazing! She was so knowledgeable, and very easy to talk to. Would highly recommend the tour as well, we got to try unique tacos places that we would have never found on our own. Well worth the money, thanks for the great food adventure!!

Karla was our guide and was amazing. Friendly, funny and knowledgeable. Some of the best tacos I have ever tasted. We also really enjoyed the street art, neighborhoods and people.

Great tour of amazing local places that we would not have found on our own! Absolutely do this, and the earlier in your trip the better! Karla gave a great experience, all that anyone could ask for. Fantastic food and lots of info.

Touring around PV with Karla and friends was so fun and delicious. I learned a ton about local culture, which so often comes alive through food. Warmth and welcome at all the stops along the way. Karla our guide was funny, interesting, and made learning fun and enriching. This tour was a highlight of my trip. Highly recommend!

This was the best tour and our tour guide Ricardo, was awesome. He was patient, informative and just a great tour guide. When I come again, I will request him.

Great tour. Great food. Great host. This is the one for more adventurous eaters. You still need to ask, but the more exotic eats are there if you wish.

Great tour! Met at Kiosko as instructed Karla our guide was informative and friendly. Explained culture and backgrounds

Karla with a “K” is awesome! We had such a great experience with her. We instantly felt like old friends. Vallarta Eats is great, and Karla is a large part of that!

Tour date 26 June 2023. Manny was the tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the types of tacos and the history of the specific stands/restaurants where we stopped. Being June, it was a hot day, but we stayed on the shady side of the street, and took breaks as necessary. Manny even provided frozen hand towels to each of the guests to help cool down. He is a very thoughtful, professional, and experienced guide. It was nice to get out of the tourist areas and experience the streets and markets where the locals live, shop, and eat.

Manny was very knowledgeable with the history of the places we visited-good variety of tacos-places we would not have found or known about on our own!

We met Abel for our tour and he started off great with history of PV, how it got it's name and grew to the current size. He took us on the back streets tour and to some places we would never have found on our own, and we like to explore. He had knowledge of the taco stands and took us though a vegetable and fish market along with 2 tortilleria vendors. All the tacos were great!

Had a wonderful time with Abel and a married couple (in matching outfits) as we trekked around the neighborhood. Tacos, beverages, walking, laughing, eating, and learning about the cuisine of PV and its history. Abel was a fun, knowledgeable, and charming man. Highly recommended!

What a fabulous food tour experience! I had no idea tacos could be so wildly different from one another - I am a changed person! Abel was our guide and he was the best. His tour was great mix of culinary & cultural history with a great sense of humor to boot! Make sure you are VERY hungry before embarking on the taco tour. Each stop was so unique and delicious in its own way.

What a fun way to taste different types of tacos and see a part of Puerto Vallarta that mostly locals know about. Abel, our tour guide was great, very personable and engaging. It was fun talking with him about the area and where he grew up

Wonderful time! Been coming to Vallarta for decades and we manage to always learn something new during these tours! Abel was a wealth of information, super friendly, and it felt like walking around with someone you’ve known your whole life. Loved this tour and we’ll be back again to try another one (we did Tacos After Dark in 2022 and it was also wonderful!!

Great food coupled with the history and the culture that is Mexico. The walk through the old streets , the market places and tortilleria was fascinating. Thank you Able!!

The Untouristed food experience was very interesting. The tacos were very diverse and the flavours were unique and highlighted the flavours of the pork, beef and lamb. Abel was very friendly and shared so much knowledge about the local food and PV itself. A bit of history, architecture, and deep insight into the local flavours and preparations. Highly recommend, great food adventure.

Great guide and fantastic food!!! Guide was knowledgeable with local food and history. Would definitely recommend!!