Here we leave you an extensive list of ALL the activities you can do in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. We anticipate that you will need time.
walks Do not stay in your hotel room watching movies, it is better to go hiking in the mountains, on the rivers and streams, or along the roads and trails that lead to the rural area of the municipality of Puerto Vallarta, or the neighboring municipalities of Cabo Corrientes and Banderas Bay. There are multiple safe paths and gaps through which you can enter and see panoramas of exceptional beauty, observing the regional flora and fauna.
Cycling This sport can be practiced by joining one of the clubs that organize "pedal rides" on the main avenue to the boardwalk, or with some adventurers who venture into the mountains to climb the nearby mountains. In Bahía de Banderas there are guides who know the various routes where you can practice cycling safely and pleasantly, and the starting points go from Bucerías to the rural area or from Nuevo Vallarta to Bucerías and other points.
Horses Horseback riding is a noble activity and can be done in several ranches located in the rural area of Puerto Vallarta, on the road to Las Palmas, in front of the Desembocada there are establishments where horses are rented to tour the nearby places and enjoy nature. There are also options in Bucerías, Sayulita and San Pancho, in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas.
Polo This sport has more and more fans in the Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit area. The La Patrona club, located in the town of San Pancho, stands out in a special way, but there are other establishments where they can teach you how to practice it. Every year an international polo tournament is held that attracts fans and stars of the sport internationally.
Swimming with dolphins Knowing and at least touching these fascinating marine animals is something that every tourist dreams of doing one day. In the region there are dolphin parks where you have the opportunity to swim with them and have the most beautiful experience, but you can even find them swimming freely in the Bay of Banderas, since they are one of the inhabitants of this beautiful region.
Road trips There are many places in the Bahía de Banderas region where you can take short walks and have fun alone or with your family. For example, by bus you can get to San Pancho, the romantic town that has an infinite number of attractions that can only be discovered by walking through its streets. Another point to the south of Puerto Vallarta is Mismaloya, where you can see the set where the movie “La Noche de la Iguana” was filmed, which was the reason for this paradisiacal place to become known to the world.
Surf This sport is the one that has made Sayulita stand out as a place especially vocation for surfers at an international level. However, young connoisseurs know that it can be practiced on most of the beaches in the area, from Punta de Mita to Jarretaderas, and from here to Mismaloya. Just search and you will find boards and people to teach you how to choose the right wave and ride it in the best way.
Paddle Surf You can also practice paddle surfing on all the beaches and in general throughout the Bay of Banderas due to its calm waters. Don't be surprised if while resting on one of the benches on the Nuevo Vallarta jetty, you suddenly find that one or more paddle surfers cross the aquatic horizon; but the same can be found in Mismaloya -south of Puerto Vallarta- as in Punta de Mita, to the north. Sliding on a board, pushing yourself with a paddle is something that fascinates young people every day and is part of the new water sports that is gaining more followers every day in Guadalajara, Monterrey and the Federal District.
Golf In the region of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit there are nine golf courses that stand out for the amenities they offer and the equipment they have. They are designed by great figures of this sport and are a guarantee of leisure and elegant well-being. Among the most recommended golf courses, it is worth mentioning El Tigre, in Nuevo Vallarta, designed by Robert von Hagge, the one at the Vista Vallarta complex, designed by Tom Weiskopf, the one at Villa Vallarta, created by Jack Nicklaus, and the Club de Golf Marina Vallarta, with the guarantee of the Joe Finger courses.
Tennis Tennis was the sport that also projected Nuevo Vallarta in the past, and the most popular courts are in the Los Tules complex, although they exist in other hotels in the region, where there are trainers who can teach you how to hit the first shots with the racket. Even in the Sports Unit of Puerto Vallarta there are tennis and racquetball courts, where you can practice this energetic sport.
Canopy Gliding on a zip line is exciting for tourists of all ages, and in the region there are almost a dozen canopy tours, from the oldest one located in Chico's Paradise, to the one in Las Juntas and Los Veranos, or the one in Sayulita. They all have highly trained staff to guide you on this adventure and make your experience the most fun and joyful.
Bird Watching Bird watching is a little appreciated activity, but in the region there are specific points where you can admire macaws and parrots, such as the mountainous area in the south, and in the El Salado estuaries, in Jalisco, and the El Quelele Lagoon, in Nayarit. In the Bahía de Banderas Region there are a large number of songbirds and colorful plumage. It is well worth getting up early to take a sighting tour and discover wonderful places.
Dive This is a very attractive activity in the region, because the seabed of the Bay is very rich for the adventurous eye, since you can admire the same colorful fish, giant turtles, manta rays and other marine species just by leaning out with the viewer , since the transparency of the water allows it. From Mismaloya to Punta de Mita there are multiple establishments with professional guides that can take you to the most attractive points.
Snorkel Snorkeling is something very common in Puerto Vallarta, since there are multiple points in the Bay where there are concentrations of colorful fish and other marine fauna, as well as others where there are spectacular rocks and seascapes. The busiest places are Los Arcos and Mismaloya, as well as the beaches of Las Ánimas and Quimixto, as well as the Marietas Islands. The advantage to practice this activity is the transparency of the water, which allows a fairly good visibility, although for this you have to choose the best times and a professional guide can advise you.
Fishing Going fishing is the most pleasant and relaxing for many tourists who come from the interior of the Republic. There are multiple options for this, since in the four marinas of Bahía de Banderas there are small yachts or boats that are rented to practice this sport. The captains of each boat are the experts who know the places where you can catch a dorado, a marlin, a sail or at least a giant tuna.
Regatas If you like regatta, the Copa México Regatta and the MexOrc International Regatta are held annually in Puerto Vallarta, in which around 60 boats participate. These competitions in the waters of Banderas Bay take place in March, a month in which the wind blows strong in the afternoon, but is light in the morning and at night. In addition, the bay is a sanctuary for many species, from the humpback whale to olive ridley turtles, giant manta rays and colorful fish.
Sailboats If you prefer to go sailing, Banderas Bay is the best option, since in the first months of the year the wind currents are constant during noon and afternoon. This is the reason why several sailing schools have been established in Cruz de Huanacaxtle, also in the marinas of Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, in Cruz de Huanacaxtle, there are sailboats that are rented for those who do not have their own boat but do not want to miss the opportunity to go out to sea.
Kayak, Jet Sky, Water Sky These sports are classic in the Bay of Banderas and on most of the beaches there are businesses that rent the necessary equipment to practice kayaking, or jet skiing, or jet skis. On the Nuevo Vallarta beach, as well as in Puerto Vallarta, on the 'Holli' beach, you can rent jet skis or jet skis to ride around the bay.
Workshops If you want to learn to model with clay, the municipal workshop located in the eastern part of the Isla del Río Cuale is a good option. In the downtown area there are also artists' workshops who can be observed while they carry out their works.
Parties/Events Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are the destinations where the largest number of events take place throughout the year, since around 60 take place, among which we can name the Ceviche Festival and the Oyster festival in Bucerías; Among the sporting events, the Open Water Swimming competition stands out, which recently celebrated its sixth edition, and there are also marathons and triathlon competitions.
Pilgrimages Puerto Vallarta is a Guadalupano town, due to the fact that its original name is Puerto las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe and for this reason, in December the traditional pilgrimages are made to the Parish located in the center of the city. They are very attractive walks from the spiritual point of view, standing out among them the "pilgrimage of the Favored", in which those people who feel especially grateful to Our Lady participate. Also in Mezcales, the Guadalupano fervor is accentuated each time, becoming the point of arrival for the pilgrimages of towns and colonies from the rest of the municipality of Bahía de Banderas, although most prefer to walk to Puerto Vallarta.
Fishing Tournaments There are three traditional fishing tournaments in the region: the International Sport Fishing Tournament organized by the Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas International Sport Fishing Club and the one also organized in Cruz de Huanacaxtle by the Tepic Fishing Club and which offers An opportunity for fans of this activity from the entire coast of Jalisco, Nayarit and Sinaloa to compete and seek to win attractive prizes, since among them there are latest model cars. In addition, there are one-day fishing tournaments like the one organized at Playa de los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta.
Gastronomic festival Gastronomy, which has developed impressively in the region, is one of the most attractive market segments and that is why several events are held throughout the year, including the International Gourmet Festival, which is already going for its twentieth edition, as well as the Vallarta Nayarit Gastronómica, events in which the new values of local gastronomy are projected and the new proposals of talented chefs and cooks from other cities of the world are also known.
Whale Watching Every year the Bay of Banderas is visited by one of the largest mammals in the world, the humpback whale, which offers an overwhelming spectacle to those who have the opportunity to enjoy it. But not only the humpback whale visits the bay, occasionally gray whales and the main predator of the humpback, the orca, are found here, although less frequently. On a very lucky trip you can see all three species. The official season for their sighting begins in the first week of December and ends in the last week of March.
Turtle camps There are numerous camps along the coast of Banderas Bay where the reproduction of the olive ridley turtle is cared for. The best known is the one found on the Nuevo Vallarta beach, but most of the hotels have their own nests, -under the supervision of hotel staff-, and they release turtles that are quite an event, especially for children, since many participate directly in the release of a turtle in marine waters and that helps them to acquire ecological awareness.
Marina Puerto Vallarta The Puerto Vallarta Marina is a walk that is worth doing on its own. The visitor can arrive by taxi or by urban bus and walk along the entire length of the boardwalk, where there are various restaurants, art galleries, water sports shops and all kinds of handicrafts. At the same time, you will be able to admire the yachts, speedboats and tourist boats that are anchored in the private docks.
The Mangoes Library Los Mangos Library is more than just a library. Actually it is a whole cultural venue, where painting or modeling workshops, folk dance workshops, artistic exhibitions, conferences, and all kinds of cultural events are held. It is located on Francisco Villa avenue, next to the Fluvial Vallarta subdivision.
API (Sea Port) The Integral Port Administration is the most important port area in the region, it is the point where the large cruise ships arrive and moor, but it is also where you can hire all kinds of tours and trips around the Bay, including trips to Yelapa, Las Souls and Quimixto. There you can also hire water taxis to travel to any beach. The API, as it is popularly known, is located right in the middle of Puerto Vallarta, between the Marina Vallarta and the northern hotel zone.
Naval Historical Museum There is nothing like taking a trip back in time when visiting this museum, where you can admire the photos of various vessels, both old and some modern, that the Mexican Navy has used in its efforts to provide maritime security for all Mexicans. You can also admire some weapons, and with this you can have a parameter of the great evolution that exists in the world in this aspect. In the museum cafeteria, the visitor can enjoy a rich cup of coffee or a full breakfast, while admiring the stained glass window of an impressive sailboat. Hours: Tuesday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Free admission.
Cuale Museum On the Cuale River Island, almost reaching the mouth of the sea, between the center of Puerto Vallarta and the Romantic Zone, is the small but well installed Archaeological Museum founded by the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) with more of a thousand pieces from the Western region and a collection of pre-Hispanic weapons. Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., free admission.
OPC Office of Cultural Prospects is the name of this magnificent space located on Juárez street in the center of the city, where the most avant-garde and interesting museum projects in Puerto Vallarta are exhibited.
Peter Gray Museum The Peter Gray Museum is located inside the Centro Universitario de la Costa (CUCosta), with a very interesting Mexican plastic offer from the private collection of Peter Gray and increased with acquisitions and donations of the first order. This museum is a little gem worth visiting.
Manuel Lepe Museum The Manuel Lepe Museum-Gallery is dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of the works of this artist from Puerto Vallarta. Among the services offered by the museum are: guided tours, theater workshops and classes for children and adults in the community.
Boca de Tomatlán It is a small community where the Tomatlán River flows into the sea. Of surprising beauty, it has a beach of delicate and soft sand where swimming, snorkeling or diving is a privilege. The beach is full of bowers and restaurants that serve the delicacies of the local gastronomy. From here, water taxis or pangas are taken to other beaches such as Yelapa, Las Ánimas or Quimixto. It is 35 minutes south of Puerto Val
Yelapa It is the place where the waters of the mountains and waterfalls meet the sea. One of the most beautiful beaches south of Puerto Vallarta, which is only accessible by sea (water taxis are available from Los Muertos or Boca de Tomatlán). It is ideal for camping, walking, exploring upstream, going into the jungle, visiting the waterfalls and especially climbing them. There are all kinds of services with an atmosphere naif encantador.
Las Ánimas Las Ánimas is one of the beaches located further south, on the end of Banderas Bay, in the municipality of Cabo Corrientes. It is characterized by the whiteness of sand and the cleanliness of the waters. There you can practice snorkeling and other water sports, even if you want, the tourist can go up in a parachute over the small bay and see the mountains and the exuberant jungle from the heights.
Los Muertos This is the most traditional and busiest beach in Puerto Vallarta. It is worth saying that whoever does not know the beach of Los Muertos did not know the destination. There you can admire the beautiful pier that bears the name of the beach, which at night projects lights of different colors, also from the pier you can admire all the hotels and condominium buildings that exist; In general, you can admire all of Puerto Vallarta and even the furthest points of the Riviera Nayarit, such as the Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
Los Camarones Los Camarones is a very visited and attractive beach, in the center of Puerto Vallarta. Most of the national tourism that comes from the Bajío arrives at that beach because very close there are craft shops, shopping centers, restaurants, and everything that the center and boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta offer. It is a certified beach and has everything necessary for the visitor to enjoy an unforgettable experience in contact with nature.
Conchas Chinas Conchas Chinas is the first residential subdivision in Puerto Vallarta and many of its houses have an interesting history because all kinds of characters have lived there, most of them foreigners, including artists, musicians, painters and businessmen. The subdivision includes the entire southern part of the coast, up to what was the old Camino Real Hotel, on the mythical Las Estacas beach. Some residences that are attached to the sea have their own beach space or a small pier.
Nuevo Vallarta It is the most important residential tourist subdivision of the last decades in Mexico, in it you can find the most important hotels, as well as condominium buildings, beach clubs, a marina and the residential area. Many of the residences that have been developed there have access to the estuary channel that runs for about seven kilometers and empties into the sea. It has three golf courses and various tourist facilities.
Destiladeras It is the most attractive public beach in the Riviera Nayarit. With soft sand and crystal clear water, it is quite an experience to bathe and walk along the almost 500 meters of extension. At the eastern end there is a rocky area that is dangerous for those who do not know, but it is also attractive for those who like to explore. Destiladeras is located approximately three kilometers to the west, driving along the highway that goes from Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Punta de Mita.
Punta Mita Punta Mita is a very attractive place, because from there you can embark to the Marietas Islands. The most popular beach is Anclote, and the tourist boatmen that are there offer the same whale watching tours, in the season months, as visits to Playa del Amor in Las Marietas. There are several high-quality restaurants where you can taste the most sophisticated dishes, as well as the traditional ones of the region, such as aguachile, or zarandeado fish.
Sculptures Uno de los mayores orgullos de PV es ser considerada un museo al aire libre, las diferentes piezas escultóricas que adornan el paseo marítimo y distintos puntos de la ciudad son un claro reflejo del gusto de los vallartenses por el arte. Durante la temporada alta (De diciembre a abril), todos los martes a las 9:30 am hay un recorrido gratuito (en inglés) a lo largo del corredor escultórico en el malecón, donde hay obras de destacados artistas, como Alejandro Colunga, Bustamante, y Ramiz Barquet.
Isla del Río Cuale The Cuale River Island divides downtown Puerto Vallarta from the Romantic Zone. The Island is accessed by the three bridges that cross the Cuale River (several hanging, very picturesque) offering one of the most beautiful walks in the entire city. Centuries-old trees offer a unique shade and freshness, while the visitor walks among artisan stalls, restaurants, the Cuale Cultural Center and the Archaeological Museum.
Islas Marietas Facing Punta de Mita, at the northern end of Banderas Bay, are the Marietas Islands, one of the most biodiverse bird sanctuaries in Mexico, converted into a National Park by Unesco for its protection. These three small islands are home to several unique species of birds, while offering the opportunity to immerse yourself in a marine paradise surrounded by turtles, manta rays, dolphins and humpback whales. Tours depart from Punta de Mita and it takes 45 minutes to reach the islands where you can practice snorkeling and kayaking.
Botanical Garden 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, to the south, is the largest collection of native plants and flowers in the region, especially orchids. The place has a restaurant and shops, surrounded by a jungle environment to spend an unforgettable day among roses, cacti, aquatic flowers and tropical fruit orchards.
Malecón There is no better place to enjoy Puerto Vallarta than its Malecón. Along 1 km, -from the Hotel Rosita to the Main Square-, among sculptures, restaurants, shops, art on the beach, bars, music and artists of all kinds, the Malecón de Vallarta displays all its charm. It is an open-air museum adorned with palm trees, Huichol figures traced on the ground and the Bay of Banderas as the background of the most beautiful promenade in Mexico.
Los Arcos Maritime Park To the south of Puerto Vallarta, between Mismaloya and Playas Gemelas, there are five granite islets with heights between 5 and 50 meters above sea level. Three of them have the formation of a natural arch creating one of the emblematic images of the city. Although it is a protected area, several tourist boats stop in its surroundings to enjoy its beauty and practice snorkeling and diving.
Laguna El Quelele Located between Nuevo Vallarta and the town of Mezcales, it is one of the 100 most important places in the country for bird watching, since both regional and migratory species can be found there.
Romantic Zone On the south side of the Cuale River is the Romantic Zone, formerly called Old Vallarta. With all the flavor of the Vallarta of yesteryear, it is the liveliest area of the city: galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, beaches, shops. Everything happens in the Romantic Zone! During the high season, in the Lázaro Cárdenas park, every Saturday morning the Farmers Market most famous in the region.
Guadalupe Parish It is the symbol of Puerto Vallarta internationally; It is located on one side of the Main Square. Its construction began in 1930 concluding 10 years later. The largest tower was crowned in 1965, although in 1995 an earthquake destroyed it and it was replaced by the current one, made of fiberglass. The Church of Guadalupe is one of the must-visit points in the city, especially in December when the Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated and massive processions are held for 12 days in her honor.
Plaza Principal Right in the heart of Puerto Vallarta is the Main Square, also called Plaza de Armas. Adorned with a kiosk, trees and flower boxes as well as a sculpture by Ignacio L. Vallarta, former Governor of Jalisco who gave the city its name. A small but charming square where exhibitions, dances and a number of cultural and gastronomic activities are held. It is a must walk on Sunday afternoon.
Municipal market In the center of Puerto Vallarta, right next to the Cuale River, is the Municipal Market, one of our biggest attractions when it comes to buying souvenirs. Very colourful, it offers visitors all kinds of handicraft items as they walk through its corridors on the ground floor. On the second floor is the food area, with an unbeatable offer of local gastronomy.
Gringo Goulch Dominating the entire landscape of Banderas Bay, the neighborhood known as Gringo Goulch It is nestled between the elevated part of the hill, behind the Guadalupe Parish and the Cuale River. This redoubt was built by and for the first North Americans who settled in Puerto Vallarta in the 50s and 60s. Here is the Kimberly House that belonged to the actress Elizabeth Taylor. You can enjoy the most beautiful views of the city from here.
Muelle de Los Muertos The new pier located on Playa de los Muertos offers visitors one of the most beautiful views of Puerto Vallarta. Built in 2013, the structure in the shape of a large sail juts out some 100 meters into the sea, which allows you to embark, fish, or simply sit and enjoy unique moments on the sea. At night, the Pier has changing lighting that makes it spectacular.
Art Walk The ArtWalk or Art Walk is an important contribution to the cultural scene of Puerto Vallarta. It takes place every Wednesday from November to April. The participating galleries offer works by important national and international artists. Exceptional paintings and sculptures, fine ceramics, blown glass and many other types of art is what the ArtWalk offers.
