15 Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta You Cannot Miss!

Last Updated on Sep 5, 2024

Puerto Vallarta offers a ton of entertaining activities for all types of tourists. It is a well-known tourist destination for a good reason—the area provides luxuriant mountain rainforests, the best scuba diving experience you’ll ever witness, stunning beaches, a wide variety of culinary delights, and world-class entertainment.

Choosing what to do in Puerto Vallarta with limited time is the only challenge. There’s something to do for everyone here, whether you are looking for a relaxing boat trip or want your adrenaline pumping while you’re ziplining over the forest, Puerto Vallarta has it all.

Below are some of the top activities you can expect to find in this beautiful place. I’ve included some of the most popular activities as well as some that will take you through the quiet spots of the region, allowing you to truly soak up the experience.

1. Experience Zona Romantica

Experience the spirit and essence of ancient Puerto Vallarta by traveling back in time. Among the most aesthetically beautiful areas of the city is its historical center, Zona Romantica.

Historic buildings line cobblestone lanes and alleyways, and each is topped with distinctive red-tile roofs. Side streets are decorated with purple bougainvillea bloom arches, adding vibrant splashes of color.

At the Rio Cuale bridge, the Zona Romantica starts. The Old Farmers Market, as well as some of the city’s busiest beaches, eateries, art exhibitions, and boutique hotels, are all located here.

It is also the area with the highest percentage of ex-pats; therefore, it is particularly tourist-friendly.

One of the most famous sights in this region of the city is the Pier, from where you can take a water taxi to several of the nearby neighborhoods or charter a boat cruise to bring you all around the bay for a breathtaking perspective of the city from the sea.

2. Take a Cruise Around The Bay of Banderas

Due to its beachfront setting, Puerto Vallarta is thriving! Whether that’s fishing, kayaking, or simply lounging by the beach, life is centered on the sea. Getting out on the lake is one of the most enjoyable ways to take in the city.

One of the world’s largest bays is the one in which Puerto Vallarta is situated, the Bay of Banderas. It is abundant with wildlife, including dolphins, octopi, hawksbill turtles, whales, and a wide variety of fish. In fact, it’s uncommon to be out on the water without seeing a whale or a dolphin.

Many boat companies take tourists out on the waters for an afternoon, whether for a wildlife cruise, a tour of the Los Arcos natural monument, or a visit to beaches that can only be reached by watercraft, like Yelapa or Las Animas.

3. Go On a Food Tour

Joining a tour is the ideal method for learning more about the delicious cuisine of Mexico because there is so much more to Mexican food than tacos and quesadillas. Learning about the local cuisine is one of my best Mexico travel tips no matter where you visit and for foodies, this is a must-do activity in Puerto Vallarta.

There is so much variety of tours can take in Puerto Vallarta to enjoy walking, culture, and culinary excursions, making it a perfect opportunity to learn about the area while also eating delicious food and burning calories.

Chocolate-making classes, taco & tequila tours, or cooking workshops are just some examples of all the different types of food tours you have to choose from here!

If you want a little help deciding where to start, check out my guide to the best food in Mexico to try.

4. Do Not Miss the Rhythms of The Night Show

One of the things you cannot miss when visiting Puerto Vallarta is the Rhythms of the Night dinner performance, which has the highest ratings of any show there. But this isn’t simply a show; it’s much, much more.

The Rhythms of the Night tour is the best local nighttime event. A sunset cruise at dusk in the Bay of Banderas serves as the introduction. You may enjoy a drink, or a few, on a catamaran during this one-hour trip while taking in the renowned sunset.

After the performance, you’ll be driven to one of the many beachside eateries for a candlelit buffet meal. In addition to the excellent meals, cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine are available. The dinner left us feeling quite satisfied.

Afterward, you’ll be situated in the amphitheater at Las Caletas (a private beach) to witness the performance!

The co-founder of Cirque de Soleil created the Rhythms of the Night show, which has a unique fusion of acrobatics, theatrics, music, and dance. It also gives historical legends and myths a Mexican twist, though.

You’ll be on the edge of your seat at times because it’s so astounding.

5. Try Skydiving

Anyone who loves adrenaline-pumping action should take the time to go skydiving! However, if you want to do this, you will need to sign up and plan ahead of time, as it’s not a walk-in service.

Don’t worry if you’ve never done it before, you will jump out of a plane in a tandem dive with an expert.

If skydiving isn’t your thing, that’s okay too! You can always hang around the drop zone and watch everyone as they come in for landings.

The vast range of nationalities and ages among those who chose to parachute out of an aircraft for the very first time in Puerto Vallarta is shocking! It’s obvious that vacationers in Puerto Vallarta from all around the world enjoy this diving location.

Recommended Tours:
Tandem Skydive in Puerto Vallarta With Beach Landing

6. Experience the Underwater World by Scuba Diving

One particular favorite activity in the area is scuba diving. Underwater ocean exploration is nothing short of incredible and there are several beautiful bays, reefs, and maritime reserves in Puerto Vallarta, where you may witness marine life and vibrant coral.

There are a lot of excellent PADI-certified scuba diving businesses in Puerto Vallarta. You have the option of taking a recreational dive or enrolling in a school to get certified!

But if using oxygen to go to the depths of the ocean sounds a little scary, of course, snorkeling has always been fun and a fantastic substitute for scuba.

Many of the local businesses provide a fantastic scuba tour for both experienced and inexperienced divers, traveling to the most stunning and inaccessible locations in the area.

7. Zipline Above the Jungle

One of the most well-liked experiences in Puerto Vallarta is ziplining. As you soar far above the jungle canopy, you’ll experience an exhilarating adrenaline rush. In addition to being exciting, it is also a very lovely view!

Near Puerto Vallarta are some of the most incredible zip lines in all of Mexico, making it the ideal location to test it out! Plus, this is one of the best places to visit in Mexico with kids.

In addition to zip lining, you can also book an adventure excursion that offers the option to leap down a waterfall as well as a speed boat and 4×4 rides through the forest. Many tourists strongly recommend it as the most incredible adventure complete package in Puerto Vallarta.

Combining all of these activities into a single tour also helps to reduce costs. Check the deals before you go so that you can time everything and save the most money!

8. Go Swimming with Dolphins

Are you prepared to dive in? It is a beautiful experience to go dolphin swimming in the wild. In their natural habitat, you can swim with dolphins on this specific tour from Puerto Vallarta.

You may feel good about this ethical excursion because the company is dedicated to the study and preservation of the dolphins in this area. Additionally, a knowledgeable scientist will lead you as you learn more about the species.

You’ll be given snorkeling gear as part of the excursion, which will also take guests out on a boat to see a local pod of bottlenose dolphins. On your trip out, you might also spot whales, turtles, and orcas to observe the dolphins.

9. Ride the Waters Aboard A Pirate Ship

The Pirate Ship Cruise and Show is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most well-liked excursions. It’s famous to tourists, and even locals, and is definitely an experience that you don’t want to miss.

On this excursion, you will board a sizable pirate ship (yes, it does look like a real pirate ship) and be served beverages and meals while you get to enjoy some entertainment.

The performance is fantastic! Expect pyrotechnics, cannons, and people jumping off the boat. It’s quite entertaining and theatrical. The tour departs precisely in time to take in the breathtaking sunset from the water as well.

10. Day Tour to Sayulita & Islas Marietas

My friends and I got to experience a perfect day tour from the resort with Punta Mita Expeditions. It was only 8 of us in a minivan, not an entire bus of people, so we could easily tailor the excursion to our needs and skip or add activities depending on our preference.

The excursion started with a boat tour to Islas Marietas, which you might have heard about. Marietas is known for its hidden beach and used to be a major attraction of Riviera Nayarit. However, due to the high tight and too many tourists, the hidden beach is now closed to the public unless you hold a special permit and go at a certain time.

However, it turns out that there are many awesome things to see and do around the hidden beach. While some people chose to snorkeled with colorful fish, I chose to stare at a happy family of blue footed boobie birds.

You might have heard about the Blue Footed Boobies, one of a few famous inhabitants of the Galapagos Islands. As the name indicates these birds have blue feet, which makes them look extremely cute.

11. Take a Guided City Tour

The best way to discover and experience Puerto Vallarta is to take a walking tour of the area!

The Municipal Tourism Office is the meeting point for this walking tour, which departs from there twice daily on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9 am and 12 pm and again at 9 am on Saturdays.

A local expert will guide you through the historic downtown area for roughly two hours. It’s the ideal approach to discovering more about the people, culture, and history of the site, as well as some fascinating local lore!

Things to do in Puerto Vallarta — Meet my new friends!

12. Enjoy Vallarta Botanical Gardens

With nearly 80 acres dedicated to preserving the natural landscape, if you want to see some pristine gardens full of abundant wildlife, you have to take a trip to Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

The Botanical Gardens focuses on native Mexican plants and includes a huge collection of orchids, attracting a number of different animal species to create homes within the habitat.

In fact, the Military Macaw is one species that was on the brink of extinction in the area before the Botanical Gardens were created, allowing them a safe home and helping the population to boom. Nowadays it is quite common to see these beautiful birds throughout the gardens.

Aside from enjoying nature, here you can take a hike through the gardens, swim in the river and even dine at the beautiful Hacienda del Oro Restaurant.

13. Go Whale Watching

As I mentioned earlier, it’s almost guaranteed that you will spot marine animals if you take a cruise on the bay here, but if you want to specifically experience the majestic nature of the area/s whales, it’s best to take a whale-watching tour.

Some of the tours like this one are even led by qualified biologists who are on board to teach you all about whales and answer any questions you have as you search for the huge humpback whales in the bay.

You will never forget the first time you hear the songs of these amazing creatures!

14. See the Sculptures along the Malecon Puerto Vallarta

Malecon literally translates to “boardwalk” but that’s not all this is. This 1km long boardwalk runs along the coast of Puerto Vallarta and is lined with restaurants, art exhibits, shops, and more.

The Sculptures which are scattered along the Malecon are perhaps the most famous part of this exciting stroll, but also don’t miss the opportunity to take a picture with the Puerto Vallarta sign!

To enjoy the Malecon to its fullest, simply spend an afternoon/evening strolling the entire length of the boardwalk, stopping at anything which takes your fancy. It starts at Playa Los Muertos and runs all the way to the Millennia Statue.

Alternatively, if you want to really explore the art, take a tour with a guide to learn the meaning behind each of the pieces.

15. Relax on the Beach

Can you really go to Mexico without spending at least one day relaxing on a beach? Puerto Vallarta is no exception to being home to some of Mexico’s famous white sand beaches.

Below is a list of some of the best ones to check out during your trip!

Playa Las Gemelas – Loated just south of Puerto Vallarta, Playa Las Gemelas is actually two beaches with beautiful white sand and without many vendors (perfect if you’re looking for some peace and quiet). It’s lined with resorts but access to the north beach is available to the public.
Playa Los Muertos – The starting point for the Malecon Puerto Vallarta, this beach is the most popular in Puerto Vallarta. Although this means it can be crowded at times, there’s plenty to do here and it is home to the famous Los Muertos pier.
Los Arcos – Los Arcos is a national marine park full of beautiful coral reefs, caves, and the famous arches which give it its name. A stop here is included on a lot of the tours in this list but if you haven’t yet, make sure to add it to your itinerary.
Playa Las Animas – This is the adventure beach of Puerto Vallarta. Here you will find many different opportunities to get your heart racing going such as parasailing, banana boat rides, and much more.
Boca De Tomatlan – For something a little different, check out the finishing village of Boca de Tomatlan a short drive from Puerto Vallarta. Boca is full of beautiful little beaches so you can find your own slice of paradise.

16. See the View from Mirador de la Cruz del Cerro

“The Cross on the Hill” lookout is the best place to go for sunset if you want to enjoy a 360-degree view over the city of Puerto Vallarta.

Located on the eastern side of Puerto Vallarta, most people simply walk from the downtown area to reach the top. It is a bit of a hike however there is a cable car that can take you up the last section of elevation where an amazing panorama will be waiting for you.

Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting?

Yes! Puerto Vallarta is definitely worth visiting! There are so many different things that you can do here, no matter your preferences, or your age.

With things to do for those who love the water, the air, or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, there’s something for everyone.

It’s a place you can go, even if you are on a budget as a lot of the experiences don’t cost as much, and allows you to have a nice taste of what the area has to offer. You won’t be disappointed!

1. Experience Zona Romantica

2. Take a Cruise Around The Bay of Banderas

3. Go On a Food Tour

4. Do Not Miss the Rhythms of The Night Show

5. Try Skydiving

6. Experience the Underwater World by Scuba Diving

7. Zipline Above the Jungle

8. Go Swimming with Dolphins

9. Ride the Waters Aboard A Pirate Ship

10. Day Tour to Sayulita & Islas Marietas

11. Take a Guided City Tour

12. Enjoy Vallarta Botanical Gardens

13. Go Whale Watching

14. See the Sculptures along the Malecon Puerto Vallarta

15. Relax on the Beach

16. See the View from Mirador de la Cruz del Cerro

Is Puerto Vallarta Worth Visiting?

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