15 Top Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta: Insider Tips from a Local
Nestled between the lush mountains of the Sierra Madre and the Pacific Ocean is the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta, a Mexican destination like no other.
Boasting an array of gorgeous beaches and complete gastronomic and leisure options, Puerto Vallarta will make you come back again and again.
In today’s post, I will share with the very best things to do on your visit to this magical destination so you don’t miss anything!
Puerto Vallarta is dubbed the “Friendliest City in the World,” a title given by Travel + Leisure magazine.
Located in the State of Jalisco and facing the beautiful Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta is one of the best destinations on the Mexican Pacific coast.
Top things to do and see in Puerto Vallarta
With almost 500,000 residents, Puerto Vallarta is now a complete and modern city that caters to the needs of every traveler.
You can relax on the beach, stroll along the boardwalk, eat delicious food, go out for a drink in the evenings, enjoy quiet boat rides on the famous Banderas Bay, and explore the most romantic area of the city.
These are just some of the many alternatives that comprise PV’s tourism portfolio.
If you don’t know where to start don’t worry, I got you covered with the essential things to do not to be missed. Let’s begin!
1. Touring the Malecon
As any good coastal town, Puerto Vallarta boasts a beautiful boardwalk full of restaurants, bars, lodging, stores, handicraft stores, and tourist agencies.
This 1.5 km long pedestrian promenade stands out for its many art sculptures and structures that are a hallmark of the city.
The colorful letters of Puerto Vallarta are also here, a gathering point where taking a photo is a must.
Whether during the day, sunset, or night, Puerto Vallarta’s boardwalk is ideal for a stroll or to eat something while contemplating the gorgeous ocean view.
If it’s a cloudy or rainy day or you’re just curious, you can visit the Naval Museum, which tells the history of Mexico from the time of the conquest.
After 10 pm, the “Malecon” becomes the favorite meeting point amongst tourists, who are attracted by the music coming out of its bars and discos.
Therefore, it is a good place to go out for drinks, meet people, and have a good time.
Joel’s tip: your walk along the Malecon will not be complete if you don’t try a Tuba.
This exotic drink consists of fermented coconut palm water mixed with nuts and fruits; it is tasty and refreshing!
Where to find Tuba? you will see the vendors along the boardwalk dressed in white. You won’t miss them (or rather, they won’t miss you).
2. Witness the ancestral spectacle of the Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Flyers)
If you are lucky, during your walk along the Malecon, you will witness one of Mexico’s most emblematic spectacles: the Voladores de Papantla.
This ancestral tradition is celebrated in many parts of the country, and Puerto Vallarta is no exception. The show usually occurs at sunset and stars 4 men (the flyers) and a caporal.
In pre-Hispanic times the dance was a rite performed to ask for rains and abundance of crops. Today, it has also become a tourist attraction.
3. Take a stroll through Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone
The Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta (also known as Old Vallarta) is a must-see.
Here you will find the most traditional and cultural side of Puerto Vallarta, with its cobblestone streets full of stores, small hotels, cafes, and bars.
One of the icons of the Romantic Zone is the famous Los Muertos beach and its attractive pier.
In the center of the pier is a large sail-shaped structure that illuminates at night and adds a lot of beauty to the city’s postcards.
Right next to it is the Olas Altas beach, a little quieter than the previous one.
Other attractions in the oldest part of the city are the Olas Altas Farmers Market, which runs every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm; the art galleries and stores and the Cuale Island, on the banks of the Cuale River.
4. Discovering Cuale Island
Cuale Island is another emblematic place for locals. It was formed in the 1920s after a great flood of the Cuale River created a bifurcation.
During the 70’s it functioned as an amusement park. Now, it’s an area dedicated to promoting art and culture in Puerto Vallarta.
Inside the island you will find attractions such as the Cultural Center, where all kinds of artistic events are held; as well as many restaurants and bars where you will enjoy local dishes.
I like to call it “Cats Island,” because there are so many everywhere you look!
Another feature of Isla Cuale is its colorful handicrafts market, clothing, and jewelry made by the Huichol natives, who inhabit small villages of the Sierra Madre Occidental.
5. Visit the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe
If you are attracted to religious architecture and culture, then don’t hesitate to visit the beautiful Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe.
Located in the heart of town and next to the main square (across the boardwalk) this parish is truly the landmark of Puerto Vallarta.
This small temple of neoclassical and baroque style is easily recognized by the crown on top of its bell tower.
It bears the name “Tecuntlanopeuh,” which in Nahuatl translates as “The one that originated in the summit of Las Peñas.”
You may want to read: 10 Must-Visit Beaches in Puerto Vallarta: Beach Lover’s Paradise
This is because, until 1918, Puerto Vallarta was called Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe.
The Plaza de Armas (main square) of Puerto Vallarta is a landscaped area with a sculpture of Don Ignacio L. Vallarta, who governed the state of Jalisco between 1830 and 1893, in its central part.
6. Climb to the viewpoint of “Mirador de la Cruz”
If you want to take one of the most beautiful pictures of the city, you have to go up to the Mirador de La Cruz.
This walk, located just a few minutes from the Malecon, starts on Abasolo Street and is a bit tough because the path is uphill with lots of steps.
But, once you reach the highest point you will be happy you made the effort. Plus, it’s a hell of an exercise!
From this panoramic point, you can see the entire bay and the mountains that embrace the city. Undoubtedly, a view worth contemplating.
7. Ride the Puerto Vallarta tourist bus
Honoring its role as a tourist city, Puerto Vallarta has a bus that takes visitors to discover its most emblematic corners.
Taking the Puerto Vallarta Tourist Bus can be an ideal activity to have a first approach to the sites of interest in the city.
Throughout the tour, the bus makes stops for tourists to take pictures.
The tour starts and ends at the boardwalk and passes by the most famous attractions of Puerto Vallarta.
Besides, with the ticket you will be able to get on and off as many times as you want during the day and have a cold beer and a small chocolate and tea tasting at Cacao Magico.
8. Enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s most important beaches
Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are spread along Banderas Bay, each with its charm and features.
The coastline embraced by the Sierra Madre is distinguished by the presence of small and wide beaches, islands, coves, and lots of green in the surroundings that will make your summer days in Puerto Vallarta unforgettable.
Resting on the sand, sunbathing, swimming, exploring the marine life of the Pacific, hiking in the mountains and tropical forests, practicing water sports, taking an excursion to the nearby islands… The beaches of Puerto Vallarta offer a world of possibilities.
Here is a selection of some of the most beautiful beaches within the city:
Los Muertos: again, this emblematic beach is the most lively in the city. This sandy beach, accessible from the boardwalk, is about 650 meters long, very clean, and has a wide range of services. It is also famous for its beautiful pier from which many excursions to the different beaches of Banderas Bay depart.
Las Gemelas: these two small beaches of white sand, crystalline waters, and soft waves are located 8 km south of Puerto Vallarta’s Main Square. Although small, they have crystal clear and calm waters that make them a paradise for snorkeling, kayaking or just relaxing on the sand. Services are a little more limited, although near them you will find resorts, condominiums, and villas to stay with all the comforts.
Camarones: you will see Playa Camarones at the beginning of the boardwalk, right in the heart of the city’s hotel zone, which is another of the most touristic beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Besides carrying the Blue Flag distinction, it stands out for its high level of cleanliness, purity, and environmental protection. It has lots of stores, bars, and restaurants, as well as agencies that offer all kinds of adventures.
Conchas Chinas: another “famous” beach neighborhood in the Romantic Zone, Conchas Chinas hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Vallarta. The sandy area comprises a series of golden sand beaches and crystalline waters separated from each other by rocky outcrops.
Las Glorias: this beautiful beach of almost 1,000 meters has all the amenities designed for tourists. Located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, Las Glorias is characterized by its golden sand and emerald green waters, as well as by the wide range of activities it offers. In addition to swimming, you can enjoy horseback riding, kayaking, windsurfing, water skiing, whale watching tours and more.
Take a picture at the famous pier of Los Muertos beach.
One of the most emblematic seals of Puerto Vallarta is the pier of Los Muertos beach. It has a pedestrian walkway that looks out over Banderas Bay and is the point from which many water cabs depart to more distant beaches, such as Yelapa, Mismaloya or Quimixto.
The hallmark of this modern pier is the metallic sculpture in the shape of a sail in its central part, which at night is illuminated with multicolored lights. It is therefore a very attractive corner of the city, both during the day and at night, so be sure to take your souvenir photo!
9. Take an excursion to Las Animas and Colomitos
From the pier of Puerto Vallarta boat excursions and boat rides depart daily to some of the most picturesque beaches of the Bay of Banderas.
One of them is Las Animas, which can also be accessed through a hiking trail that starts in the town of Boca de Tomatlan.
The beach of Las Animas is distinguished by its paradisiacal landscapes and jungle surroundings.
The Pacific here is also clean, crystalline and has the perfect conditions to enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle surfing.
One of its disadvantages is its relative proximity to Puerto Vallarta, which makes it a very popular stop where you will always find people.
After all, no one wants to miss this little paradise. Therefore, if you prefer the more secluded beaches you might want to look for other options.
Along the coastline, several palapas prepare delicious shrimp cocktails, ceviches, and tropical fruit juices. So, if the snorkeling day whets your appetite, you will have something tasty to snack on.
Near Las Animas is the tiny Colomitos beach, a paradise of just 30 meters (in fact, it is one of the smallest beaches in Mexico).
Seen from the air you can appreciate its triangular shape surrounded by dense vegetation and round rocks. It is precisely this jungle environment and almost virgin atmosphere that gives it its distinctive seal.
The sea at Colomitos Beach is clean, calm, and crystalline. On the other hand, it is home to the prestigious Ocean Grill restaurant, a place overlooking the sea ideal for enjoying delicious fresh seafood!
Undoubtedly, both beaches are two great options to enjoy from Puerto Vallarta.
10. Things to do in Puerto Vallarta: Excursion to Las Caletas
Another popular excursion in Puerto Vallarta is Las Caletas, a beach enveloped in a completely magical natural environment.
This beach hidden among the mountains of the Sierra Madre offers an unbeatable context for nature lovers.
Therefore, be sure to take this excursion to Las Caletas and discover one of the most magical corners of Puerto Vallarta.
Las Caletas is a golden sand beach, very intimate and quiet, where the sea is calm, crystal clear, and ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
It is located 15 minutes east of the town of Yelapa, within a natural reserve that protects more than 1,000 hectares of jungle.
In addition to beach access, the reserve offers visitors an aviary, orchid gardens, a deer sanctuary, and a hilltop spa.
On this tour of Las Caletas, you will have free time to walk the trails immersed in tropical vegetation, snorkel, paddle surf, or kayak in the small bay.
After an open bar lunch, you can continue exploring the jungle, enjoy a cooking class and mezcal tasting or just swim and have a good time.
If you are traveling with children, you will find two parks with different themes for all ages (Kids Adventure Park or Teen Adventure Park).
11. Discovering Los Arcos National Underwater Park
Another must-do excursion in Puerto Vallarta is to visit Los Arcos National Marine Park.
This scenery of great beauty imposes with rock formations and its sea full of life. In fact, it is one of the best destinations for snorkeling in Banderas Bay.
The park is located about 20 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, between the beaches of Mismaloya and Las Gemelas.
In Los Arcos you can snorkel, scuba dive, paddle board or just have a relaxing time.
12. Explore Puerto Vallarta’s Botanical Garden
Hidden among the mountains south of the city is the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden (about an hour from PV).
This 26-hectare paradise is accessible through Highway 200, which passes through Boca de Tomatlan.
This fantastic garden has trails, hanging bridges, and a beach on the Horcones River.
Its great attraction is the enormous amount of plant species it houses, from cactus, flowers of all kinds (including 300 of the 1,000 species of orchids in Mexico); aquatic plants, and wild palm trees to more than 200 species of birds.
Without a doubt, it is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and connect with the greener side of Jalisco.
You can even make a strategic stop at the Hacienda de Oro restaurant and enjoy a delicious meal with beautiful views of the jungle and gardens.
13. “Taste” Puerto Vallarta
As you may know by now, eating in Mexico is always a pleasurable experience and Puerto Vallarta is no exception.
The city is full of restaurants and bars where you can try the most typical dishes of the country and the area.
Take advantage of the food tours available where you will taste the true local flavors.
Do you like tequila? Then you should know that Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, the home of Tequila.
Therefore, tasting this regional pride is one of the best things you can do in Puerto Vallarta. Where? Many shops downtown and the Romantic Zone offer tastings.
14. Take an excursion to the Marietas Islands
I know I said this before but yes, this National Park is also a must-do-attraction in Puerto Vallarta.
The Marietas Islands National Park is a group of small uninhabited islands declared a World Heritage Site in 2004.
This small archipelago is located in front of Banderas Bay, 1 hour by boat from Puerto Vallarta.
To visit them you just have to hire a tour and discover its famous “Hidden Beach,” where you can swim through cave formations and rock arches until you find an oasis of white sand and crystalline waters.
By the way, Playa Escondida has characteristics that make it unique. It is surrounded by rocks and seems to be under the earth or inside a huge crater.
Because the Marietas are a protected area, access is limited to a certain number of visitors per day, to preserve the beauty of the place.
A visit to Playa Escondida or Playa del Amor is only allowed from Wednesday to Sunday and the capacity is 115 people per day.
Therefore, I recommend that you book well in advance to make sure that tickets are available.
Access to the beach is by swimming, but don’t worry, because the tour operators will provide you with life jackets and snorkeling gear.
15. Go on a humpback whale-watching tour
Maybe you didn’t know it, but Banderas Bay is one of the best places in Mexico to see humpback whales.
From the beginning of December until the end of March, these enormous cetaceans arrive to the warm waters of Puerto Vallarta to give birth to their calves.
Therefore, if you visit the area during this season, do not hesitate to join a tour. The experience is truly exciting. Watch my video above!
It is estimated that between 350 and 600 humpback whales arrive every year to these coasts, so the possibilities of sighting them are almost guaranteed.
Daily tours take place between 8:30 am and 1 pm, when the sea is calmer, and depart from the Puerto Vallarta Marina.
When is the best time to travel to Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is first and foremost a vacation destination.
Therefore, the best time to travel is from November to April, when the average maximum temperature is around 27°C (81°F).
However, this is considered high season so prices are higher and the beaches are always more crowded.
From April to June the weather is still good and prices go down. Therefore, it is a good time to travel. October, on the other hand, is a good month to enjoy scuba diving.
The rainy season usually lasts from July to September, while from February to May the season is rather dry and the days are sunny.
Another advantage of Puerto Vallarta is the fact that it’s surrounded by mountains, which shield the city from hurricanes, although of course, the weather is always unpredictable.
Finally, another piece of advice if you want to better enjoy your vacations in Puerto Vallarta, is to avoid traveling during the Easter holiday.
It gets super crowded with Mexicans from other states and foreigners too. So if you don’t like massive crowds, well, you know.
Map of Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta offers a world of possibilities. Be sure to visit this coastal city and let yourself be seduced by its charms.
All you have to do is choose a date on your agenda and take that vacation you deserve so much.
Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta: Final thoughts
Puerto Vallarta offers an incredible blend of vibrant culture, stunning natural beauty, and unique local experiences that make it a must-visit destination.
Whether you’re looking to relax on hidden beaches, dive into the thriving art scene, or explore charming local spots, this city has something for every traveler.
As someone who calls this place home, my insider tips are meant to help you dive deeper into what makes Puerto Vallarta truly special.
So go ahead, soak up the sun, enjoy the delicious cuisine, and immerse yourself in the magic of this coastal paradise. You’ll leave with memories that will last a lifetime!
PD: Contact me if you have any questions. I live here!
Joel
