Attractions
MALECON BOARDWALK
This pedestrian-only boardwalk spans 12 blocks and is peppered with oceanfront eateries, tequila bars, and vendors selling street food—sip on a margarita as you take in the stunning ocean views. Also, check out the vendors selling regional handicrafts and traditional sweets. Travelers come from all over for the art exhibitions and buzzing nightlife.
During your stroll along the ocean, you'll come across impressive bronze sculptures and street performers like the acrobatic spectacle of Voladores de Papantla. Hit the boardwalk early for a spectacular sunrise and snap a photo with the vibrant block-lettered sign of Puerto Vallarta as a holiday keepsake.
WHALE WATCHING TOUR
Book a tour for one of the first days of your trip. Whale watching tours in PV frequently get canceled due to choppy seas or lack of local whales. Booking early in your vacation gives you a chance to try another day if your first tour doesn't pan out.
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Spotting a humpback whale as it crests the surface of the ocean is an awe-inspiring sight, and Puerto Vallarta is one of the best places to do just that. Whale watching season runs from early December through March, when humpback whales congregate in the sheltered, warm waters of Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay to have their babies. The peak of whale watching season is between January and February. And although you can bring your binoculars and look for whales from the shore – try the Malecón – your best chance for seeing them up close is aboard a tour operator's boat.
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Wildlife Connection is a traveler-recommended operator that offers half-day whale and dolphin watching tours, starting at $72 for adults and $48 for kids (if booked online). Along with a bilingual guide, Wildlife Connection also serves their guests bottled water and lunch. Vallarta Natours is another highly-rated tour company that offers whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta. Ticket prices start at $104 for adults and $83 for children. Tour times and prices vary by company. During the offseason, you may be able to book dolphin encounters with these companies.
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Recent travelers describe the tours as the “experience of a lifetime.” Others appreciated the presence of an onboard naturalist guide and all of the information provided about the animals. You can find out more in our list of the best Puerto Vallarta tours.
YELAPA
For a break from the tourist crowds of Puerto Vallarta, head about 20 miles south to Yelapa. Considered by travel experts to be one of Mexico's few "undiscovered" beach towns, Yelapa is only reachable by boat, which is part of the reason why it sees relatively fewer travelers than other popular areas along Bahía de Banderas.
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Many travelers come to Yelapa for its unspoiled beach, but if you're looking for a little more adventure, you won't be disappointed. There's a waterfall not too far from town that you can reach via a paved walking path. Recent visitors suggested swimming in the pool beneath the waterfall, praising the clean, refreshing waters. Because of the paved path and short hike, many said it was suitable for children. However, a few visitors were disappointed with the unimpressive size of the falls.
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There are also several organized snorkeling and scuba diving tours that explore the waters surrounding Yelapa and Majahuitas – another popular beach town just a few miles north of Yelapa. Vallarta Adventures is one well-reviewed operator that offers day trips from Puerto Vallarta – a good option if you're looking for organized transportation to Yelapa and don't want to deal with the water taxi schedule. Chica Locca is another traveler-approved operator that offers several different sailing trips to Yelapa that depart from Puerto Vallarta.
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To reach Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta, hop on a water taxi. Water taxis from Puerto Vallarta's Los Muertos pier depart several times daily starting at 11 a.m. The trip takes about 45 minutes and costs 450 pesos (or about $26) round trip. You can also take a water taxi from the small town of Boca de Tomatlan, but that will require that you take a local bus from the Romantic Zone to Boca de Tomatlan. According to recent visitors, there are several vendors walking along the beach offering everything from food and drinks to tours. There are restaurants in the area, but if you're hoping to save a little money, plan to pack your own food and drinks.
BOTANICAL GARDENS
To explore beyond Puerto Vallarta, you might want to try the popular Jardín Botánico Vallarta (Vallarta Botanical Gardens). The gardens feature an assortment of wildflowers, including orchids, and insect life that provides a relaxing and romantic getaway from the day-to-day hustle of Vallarta's downtown.
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Some travelers expected to spend one or two hours walking around the gardens, but ended up staying the entire day since along with enjoying the magnificent plant life, you can also boulder the jungle's rocks and swim a section of the river. Some reviewers only recommend these activities for fit travelers. Also, be sure to buy a meal or, at the very least, a drink at the on-site restaurant, which comes highly recommended by both travelers and experts. If you plan to hike, you'll want to bring insect repellent (it's also available to purchase on-site) and consider wearing long sleeves and pants.
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The gardens are generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., though hours can vary depending on the season. Keep in mind: The gardens are closed on Mondays April through November. The gardens are located just about 15 miles south of the city and accessible by taxi or the special "El Tuito" bus from the corner of Carranza and Aguacate in the Romantic Zone. Bus fare is 50 pesos (about $2.50) each way; buses leave every 30 minutes. Most past travelers arrived to the gardens via Uber. Admission to gardens costs 200 pesos (around $10) per adult and is free for kids 4 and younger. For information on tours and more, visit the website.
LOS MARIETAS ISLANDS
The Marietas Islands are a collection of small, uninhabited islands off the coast of Riviera Nayarit. Punta Mita is the closest departure point for reaching the islands, but many Puerto Vallarta vacationers add the Marietas Islands to their itineraries given its close proximity (about an hour’s drive north). The islands are known for their incredible beaches, flora and fauna, and marine life, including sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins and manta rays. However, the islands' "Hidden Beach" is what really attracts tourists thanks to its Instagram-worthy views and location that's tucked within the jungle on a remote island. When you search for photos of Hidden Beach, you can clearly see that it's completely surrounded by land. The water is only accessible during low tide as well, and you can only get there by snorkeling with a mask (but no flippers) when the tide is low. The best way to reach this natural wonder is via an organized boat tour.
Vallarta Adventures is a top-rated company that offers Hidden Beach guided tours as well as a full-day Marietas Islands Eco Discovery tour that goes to other islands, but not Hidden Beach. However, it's worth noting that some past visitors to Hidden Beach say they didn't get enough time on the beach itself (visits are limited to 15 to 20 minutes due to federal regulations). Others said the swim from the boat to the beach, which requires participants to swim beneath a rock arch, is treacherous due to strong currents, and may not be suited to those who aren’t capable swimmers. For many, spotting whales and other wildlife during the boat ride is the highlight.
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The costs and timing of guided tours vary, but typically last a full day and start at around $120 per person. Note that you may also be required to pay additional national park and conservation fees that are not included in the tour ticket price – a common gripe among reviewers.
LOS ARCOS NATIONAL MARINE PARK
Los Arcos National Marine Park is an iconic natural area that sits just 20 minutes south of the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta. This park is protected from agricultural and developments and new construction, so it's become a haven for a range of bird species as well as sea life, including tropical fish.
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Visitors here can take advantage of a range of adventure activities in and out of the water, including diving, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling and more. There are also guided tours you can book that include transportation and entry into the marine park, some of which include Jet Ski rides or snorkeling. Tickets for snorkeling tours start at about $50; Jet Ski tours start at about $145 per person.
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Past travelers said they truly enjoyed getting up close and personal with nature, especially during snorkeling and diving sessions. However, some said the once vibrant coral seems to have taken a beating. Also be aware that the Pacific waters can be relatively cold for swimming compared to the warmer waters of the Caribbean.
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Los Arcos National Marine Park is located between Las Gemelas and Mismaloya beach, about 5 miles south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, and is easily reached via taxi or Uber. If you opt to book a tour, your tour will likely include round-trip transportation between downtown Puerto Vallarta and the town of Mismaloya.
PLAYA ANIMAS
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LOST MARIETAS ISLANDS
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