Best Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta

Los Muertos Beach and Pier, Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone (Old Town)

Surrounded by the towering Sierra Madre mountains, the white edges of beaches and the sparkling depths of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a tropical destination of contrasts and beauty.

There are many unique and wonderful things to do in, and near, Puerto Vallarta. Here is our list of all the fun things to enjoy in the area, you’ll surely find many options for your specific taste and by reviewing this section you make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

What to do in PV & Surroundings


Top Puerto Vallarta options


Beaches, Landmarks & Things To See in Puerto Vallarta


Recommended day trips (beaches, towns and more)


Different options to enjoy in Puerto Vallarta


Ecotourism and nature


From the simple cobblestone streets in the downtown area to sophisticated amenities provided at Grand Tourism hotels, Puerto Vallarta is always a great beach destination choice.

Puerto Vallarta offers each guest their own unique and ideal vacation mix of not only relaxation and wonder, but also tranquility and action.

Puerto Vallarta's Boardwalk / Malecon is one of the main attractions in town

Puerto Vallarta’s Boardwalk / Malecon is one of the main attractions in town

If you’d like to arrive by sea, the Banderas Bay area boasts a number of modern and sophisticated Marinas, and for those who like golf, Vallarta has eight championship golf courses.

You can also feel assured by the knowledge that the city also offers top-level hospitals, no unsavory surprises here.

No matter your particular preferences or indulgences, there’s a part of Puerto Vallarta that’s just right for you and your personal vacation.

 

Salud “Cheers!” (2023) Jim Demetro

[toc] "Salud": A Toast to Puerto Vallarta's Rich Heritage Introduction Salud (Cheers!) - 2023 - Jim Demetro, on the PV Malecon Ahhh, Puerto Vallarta! It'll take you back to the days of almost-sunburns, sandy toes, and tasty tacos al pastor that you just can't get enough of. Now, if you've never been to PV, let me tell you, it's a place that sticks with you (I call it PV'itis). So, just when you thought you'd seen all its wonders, along comes Monday, June 5th, 2023. That day at 5 pm (isn't that happy-hour?) vibrant Puerto Vallarta unveiled a new attraction with a wonderful new sculpture titled "Salud" (Cheers!). This new bronze masterpiece by the renowned sculptor, Jim Demetro is located in the Romantic Zone and whispers (or shouts?) tales of the past. It is not just a new addition to the ever-growing open air gallery on the Malecon, but also a heartfelt tribute to the city's rich cultural and historical legacy. About the sculpture First off, it's a donkey. But not just any donkey. This one's got a margarita in hand (or hoof?), looking like he's about to share ...

Vallarta Malecon Lighthouse in downtown Puerto Vallarta

Summary The Malecon Lighthouse started working on August 15, 1932 It's actually not a lighthouse, but a beacon used as a range marker Used to guide boats that arrived to Puerto Vallarta The other twin beacon/range marker is located 193 meters to the east The other beacon located on the hill on Matamoros Street was in service until June 1978 They are no longer in service, but stand as historical markers Concluded service on August 20, 1970 Location coordinates: 20°36′37″N 105°14′05″W [toc] Introduction The Puerto Vallarta Malecon Lighthouse (Faro del Malecón in Spanish), located on the corner of Galeana and Morelos Streets, has been an integral part of the city's history since it was built in 1932. This beacon, along with its twin located almost 200 meters away, served to guide and orient boats and ships arriving to PV until the 1970s, when the El Salado harbor began operation. The beacon on the Malecon is a useful city marker and the one up the hill, the Vallarta Lighthouse on Matamoros Street, has a staircase and access to a nice city lookout. History & More The lighthouse ...

Where are baby sea turtles released in Puerto Vallarta?

[toc] Introduction Every year, over one million sea turtles are released into Banderas Bay and the Riviera Nayarit, a haven for these tiny chelonians thanks to the numerous turtle sanctuary camps that dot the coastline.The Olive Ridley, green sea turtle, leatherback turtle, and hawksbill turtle all lay eggs here. The Olive Ridley turtle is the most common, laying eggs three times a year and generating an average of 100 eggs per nest, 80 percent of which hatch. Only one in a thousand turtles will go on to breed. As each new generation of female turtles matures, they return to their birth beach to lay their eggs. The male turtles never come back.Turtles arrive in June to deposit their eggs, and the hatchlings leave the nest 45 days later. Workers from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) and local volunteers stand watch on the beaches at night to collect the eggs, keep them safe, and hatch them. Baby Sea Turtle Release Find out more & Book Online! Encounter with Nature at the Sea Turtle Camp Find out more & Book Online! Nuevo Vallarta's beach has among the highest numbers ...

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea Market), Downtown Puerto Vallarta

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea Market) [toc] Those who know about towns and cities in America will get an overview of the town they are visiting by going to the main square, its church, and the local market. So if believe this, then you'll have to visit the Cuale Municipal Market. This flea market is the essence and tradition of this tourist destination, which has been operating for almost three decades on the banks of the Cuale River, right in the heart of the so-called historic downtown Puerto Vallarta. The Cuale River Municipal Market's history stretches back over a century. +52 322 201 3913 mercado@mercadomunicipalpv.com Agustín Rodríguez s/n, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 7:00PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 7:00PM Sunday 9:00 AM - 7:00PM History The market first opened in the early 1900s and boomed in popularity in the 1960s as more vendors began selling goods in the area. Major changes came in 1979, when new market facilities were built. Governor Flavio Romero de Velasco and Municipal President Eugenio Torres Ramrez officially inaugurated the new Cuale River Municipal Market building on November ...

Lo De Marcos is a really charming traditional town in Nayarit, Mexico

[toc] Summary Lo De Marcos is 1 hour and 10 minutes to Puerto Vallarta Population: 2099 (2020 census) Coordinates: 20.9537° N, 105.3540° W, 8m over sea level Activities: beaches, fishing, hiking, golf, kayaking, windsurfing, surfing and horseback riding Closest towns: Rincón de Guayabitos (15 min N) and San Pancho (15 min S) Approximately 32.5 miles (52.4 km) from Puerto Vallarta International Airport In the same time zone as Puerto Vallarta & Guadalajara, Central Daylight Time Introduction As with many of the smaller villages and cities in Nayarit, along the highway to Puerto Vallarta, Lo de Marcos is an unassuming little town. Most people seem to just drive by, not expecting to find anything of interest along the way. However, Lo de Marcos is actually one of the most charming places along the picturesque Riviera Nayarit where you can actually experience and witness what life is like in a small Mexican town, perhaps even a bit like Puerto Vallarta was some 60 or 70 years ago. Lo de Marcos is just 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of San Pancho (San Francisco) and 9 miles (14 km) south of Rincón de Guayabitos outside the Banderas Bay area to ...

El Salado Beach, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta

[toc] Introduction El Salado Beach in front of BVG, Marina Vallarta Marina Vallarta, a Puerto Vallarta area, is directly south of the international airport and has high-end hotels, condo complexes, magnificent houses, restaurants, stores, a marina with a long, pedestrian-friendly boardwalk, and a golf course. The beach at Marina Vallarta largely serves resort hotel guests, with some hotels sectioning off the beach in front of their premises with massive mounds of rock, making public access challenging. El Salado Beach (Playa El Salado) is a stunning 1.5 mile beach on the north to south mid-point of Bay of Banderas. Hotels and condominiums like Velas Vallarta and Bay View Grand line the shores of the beach; Marriott and Westin are on the southeastern end of El Salado. El Salado Estuary (Estero) The beach gets its name from the El Salado Estuary (Estero El Salado) Puerto Vallarta's El Salado Estuary (Estero El Salado) is a 168-hectare mangrove and marshland preserve containing both fresh and salt water, making it an ideal breeding ground for a variety of fish that later migrate to Banderas Bay. An estuary (in Spanish Estero or Estuario) is defined as a body of ...

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach, a lesser known family option

[toc] La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach, Nayarit, Mexico Located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle 2950 ft long (0.55 miles) 50 minutes from PV's main square Between Bucerias and Punta de Mita 5 minutes from La Cruz's square Between Marina Riviera Nayarit and Vallarta Gardens Hotel Family-friendly beach Controlled waves & shallow edges Easy access from the Marina side Introduction La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach beside Marina Riviera Nayarit There are five beaches around La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, some larger than others, with easier and more difficult access. We will concentrate on the ones that are more readily available and offer better services and experience. Two of these beaches are this one and Playa La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Playa La Manzanilla. The sequence of beaches from east to west in La Cruz are: El Tizate Beach La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach La Manzanilla Beach Piedra Blanca Beach Arena Blanca Beach In this article, we focus on La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach, the second most popular beach option in La Cruz, behind La Manzanilla Beach. The beach measures a total of 2950 feet (0.55 miles) and offers an 80 feet ...

La Manzanilla Beach, a great North Zone family option

[toc] La Manzanilla Beach, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico Located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle 2800 ft long (0.53 miles) 60 minutes from PV's main square Between Bucerias and Punta de Mita 5 minutes from La Cruz's square Between Marina Riviera Nayarit and Condominiums Real del Mar Family-friendly beach Controlled waves & shallow edges Most popular side is the western end of the beach Introduction There are five beaches around La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, some larger than others, with easier and more difficult access. We will concentrate on the ones that are more readily available and offer better services and experience. Two of these beaches are Playa La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Playa La Manzanilla. The sequence of beaches from east to west in La Cruz are: El Tizate Beach La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach La Manzanilla Beach Piedra Blanca Beach Arena Blanca Beach La Manzanilla Beach, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico In another article, we will describe Playa La Cruz in another way. In this one, we will focus on La Manzanilla Beach. Although the beach measures a total of 2800 feet (0.53 miles), the area most ...

Olas Altas Beach Guide, Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone

[toc] Introduction Olas Altas Beach (Tall Wave Beach) is one of the main beaches in the Puerto Vallarta city area because it is part of the same beach that is the most popular in town, Los Muertos Beach. Because of this, it tends not to be known or even named. You'll find this beach along the northern end of the Romantic Zone. It starts off by the mouth of the Cuale River and ends by the Los Muertos Pier. You'll also notice that the main street in the Old Town is also called Olas Altas, so it's an important feature in town. Where is Olas Altas Beach? I must admit to have been making the same mistake for years (the video below has it burnt in the captions), I thought this beach ended at Venustiano Carranza Street, but it actually ends at Francisca Rodríguez Street and the Los Muertos Beach pier! How do I know now? I am basing my decision on moving the Playa Olas Altas limit on the words of Mr. Carlos Munguía Fregoso, the late Official City historian (cronista) that in his 1996 book "Puerto Vallarta el paraíso ...

El Malecon Beach, Downtown Puerto Vallarta

[toc] Introduction The Malecon Beach (El Malecon Beach, Playa del Malecón) is not one of Puerto Vallarta's main beaches, it just happens to be right by the boardwalk. Furthermore, the new promenade design included paths down to it from the seaside walkway, so now it's readily accessible. Even so, it's not a beach that the locals normally use for swimming (plus there are no lifeguards!), even so, you'll find people sunbathing here, kids also enjoy it, but it is not the best of beaches. Depending on the tides it'll be wide or not, when the tide is low, you may even enjoy a walk from the Millennia statue to more or less Corona Street by the "Ladder" statue. El Malecon Beach's south end by Corona Street Where is the El Malecon Beach? The Malecon Beach is located in downtown Puerto Vallarta, starting off on the north side right by The Millennia statue and Hotel Rosita, it runs alongside the Malecon/Boardwalk in one piece to Corona Street, where "In Search of Reason" ladder statue is located. The beach's curve by Galeana street is very rocky and hard to walk from ...

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