Puerto Vallarta travel guide

Activities in Puerto Vallarta

If you’re seeking adventures during your vacation, Puerto Vallarta has a lot to offer. Here’s a selection of activities to enjoy during your visit to this beautiful tourist destination:

• Jungle Adventures: Explore the lush Sierra Madre surroundings through canopy tours, rappelling, or hiking. Discover the region’s flora and fauna while soaking in breathtaking views.
• Water Sports: Whether it’s surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or snorkeling, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding coast offer plenty of opportunities for water sports enthusiasts, depending on local sea and weather conditions.
• Boat Tours: Hop on a boat to explore Puerto Vallarta’s coastline and Banderas Bay. Take in panoramic views and look for marine life along the way.
• Guided Tours: Dive into Puerto Vallarta’s history and culture with the help of a guide. Visit historic landmarks, learn about local life, and immerse yourself in Mexican traditions.
• A Day at the Beach: With plenty of beaches to choose from, you can relax in the sun, swim when conditions allow, and savor local delicacies. Ask locals for beach recommendations tailored to your preferences.

Where to Go in Puerto Vallarta?

If you’re searching for new adventures and interesting places, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place! As you wander its vibrant streets or enjoy its beaches, Qeepl offers luggage storage locations in Puerto Vallarta, which can be useful before hotel check-in, after check-out, or between transport connections. Storage costs MX$73.90 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of MX$20,000.

Here are some must-visit spots to add to your itinerary:

• The Malecon: The heart of Puerto Vallarta, this pedestrian boardwalk stretches for almost one kilometer along the waterfront and offers ocean views, famous sculptures, shops, bars, and restaurants.
• Zona Romántica: One of Puerto Vallarta’s liveliest neighborhoods, this area features cobblestone streets, art galleries, restaurants, bars, shops, and a vibrant nightlife scene.
• Marietas Islands: Located off the coast of Nayarit, Parque Nacional Islas Marietas is a protected natural area known for marine biodiversity, seabirds, snorkeling, and diving. Visits must follow the park’s regulations and use authorized tourism providers, while access to Playa del Amor is particularly restricted.
• Magical Towns: Pueblos Mágicos in the wider region, such as San Sebastián del Oeste in Jalisco and Sayulita in Nayarit, offer distinctive cultural experiences, local cuisine, crafts, and very different settings from Puerto Vallarta itself.

Best Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding Banderas Bay region are known for their beaches. Here are some popular options to enjoy the coast during your visit:

• Playa Los Muertos: One of the most iconic and busiest beaches in Puerto Vallarta, with the distinctive Los Muertos Pier and plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants.
• Mismaloya Beach: Located south of central Puerto Vallarta at the foot of the Sierra Madre, this beach is known for its scenic setting and access to boat trips and coastal activities.
• Bucerías Beach: Located north of Puerto Vallarta in Nayarit, Bucerías has a long beach where visitors can relax and enjoy activities such as swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking when conditions permit.
• Sayulita Beach: Also located in Nayarit, Sayulita is a Pueblo Mágico particularly well known for surfing, its bohemian atmosphere, and its shops and restaurants.
• Las Animas Beach: Located south of Puerto Vallarta and reached mainly by boat or by hiking from the Boca de Tomatlán area, this beach combines coastal scenery with several beachfront restaurants.

Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta’s culinary scene is a standout attraction. The city offers an array of restaurants ranging from traditional Mexican cuisine to international options, catering to different tastes and budgets.

For Mexican flavors, El Arrayán is known for regional Mexican cuisine. Los Alcatraces serves Mexican and home-style dishes and is particularly popular for breakfast and lunch. For a sophisticated dining experience, Café des Artistes provides an elegant ambiance and a refined menu.

• El Arrayán: Calle Allende 344, Centro
• Los Alcatraces: Av. Jesús Rodríguez Barba 116, Fluvial Vallarta
• Café des Artistes: Guadalupe Sánchez 740, Centro

Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

If you’re looking for accommodation in Puerto Vallarta, you’re in luck. The city boasts a wide range of hotels, from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly and cozy options.

For all-inclusive stays, Puerto Vallarta offers properties and packages that may include meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment. If you prefer something more intimate, there are boutique hotels that provide smaller-scale and personalized experiences.

The hotels in Puerto Vallarta are located across various areas, so it’s important to choose a spot that suits your needs. For beach and nightlife enthusiasts, the Zona Romántica is a popular choice. If you prefer the city center, the Historic Downtown is convenient for sightseeing. For tranquility, consider properties along the quieter southern coast or in other less central areas.

Notable hotels in Puerto Vallarta and the wider Banderas Bay area include Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, Garza Blanca Resort & Spa, Hotel Mousai, and Casa Kimberly.

• Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit: A luxury all-inclusive resort located in Nuevo Nayarit, Nayarit, outside Puerto Vallarta proper but within the wider Banderas Bay area.
• Casa Velas Hotel Boutique: An adults-only boutique hotel in Marina Vallarta with tropical gardens, an on-site golf setting, and access to its Táu Beach Club.
• Garza Blanca Resort & Spa: A luxury resort on Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast with ocean views, suites and residences, pools, dining, and spa facilities.
• Hotel Mousai: An adults-only luxury resort in Puerto Vallarta offering ocean-view suites and high-end amenities.
• Casa Kimberly: An adults-only boutique hotel with nine individually designed suites and a historic connection to Puerto Vallarta’s Hollywood-era past.

What to Do in Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta offers a wide range of activities to enjoy during your visit. Beyond its beaches and nightlife, here are some options to make your experience unforgettable:

• Explore the city’s historic center, strolling along its cobblestone streets and admiring its traditional architecture.
• Visit the Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, an iconic landmark recognized by the distinctive crown at the top of its main tower and its stained-glass windows.
• Visit the Museo Naval México Vallarta to learn about Mexico’s maritime history. The Museo del Cuale is currently listed by INAH as temporarily closed, so check its status before planning a visit.
• Enjoy nature at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, where you can discover collections of native Mexican plants and orchids, walk along garden trails, and enjoy the surrounding mountain and river landscape.
• Savor local cuisine at markets, street-food stands, and restaurants, where you can try fish tacos and other regional specialties.
• Take a boat tour of Banderas Bay. Whale watching is seasonal and regulated, so check the official dates for your travel period and choose an authorized operator. Dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine animals may also be seen depending on the season and conditions.
• Discover Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant art scene by visiting galleries such as Galería Colectika or joining the seasonal Historic Center Art Walk.
• Enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife in bars and clubs around the Malecón, Zona Romántica, and other entertainment areas, checking current venue schedules before you go.

Events in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is not only famous for its beaches and culture but also for its active calendar of events and festivals. Dates and programmes can vary each year, so check the official calendar before your trip:

• Historic Center Art Walk: This long-running seasonal event brings together galleries in Puerto Vallarta’s historic center. During the Art Walk season, participating galleries open on Wednesday evenings and showcase works by Mexican and international artists.
• Festival Gourmet International: Held annually in November across Puerto Vallarta and the wider region, this culinary festival brings together participating restaurants, guest chefs, special menus, tastings, and other gastronomic events.
• Puerto Vallarta International Marlin and Tuna Fishing Tournament: This long-running sportfishing tournament is generally held in November and includes several competition categories, such as marlin, tuna, and dorado.

By including these activities and events in your plans, you’ll experience Puerto Vallarta in all its vibrant and colorful glory, making your trip truly unforgettable.