What to do in Puerto Vallarta

Sightseeing/Landmarks | Top 10 | Enjoy Vallarta | Ecotourism/Nature | Day trips

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

Sightseeing & Landmarks

Here's a list of things to do and see, most of them in the Puerto Vallarta downtown area.

Attractions and Sightseeing North Zone Nuevo Vallarta Marina Vallarta Hotel Zone Downtown Romantic Zone South Zone Beaches in Vallarta and the bay area, beach guide Camarones beach Conchas Chinas beach Cuale River Island, downtown oasis. El Pulpito & Las Pilitas Gringo Gulch, history, traditions, & legend

Las Amapas Beach Lookout on Matamoros, lighthouse/beacon with a view Lookout on Cerro La Cruz Los Muertos Beach Malecon, The Heart of Mexico in PV Museums and culture Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, the "Cathedral" Pier at Playa Los Muertos Sculpture guide & sculptures on the Malecon Things to do in PV

Top Options

Here's what we consider the best top options in each category.

Top 10 Romantic Experiences Top 10 Things to do (Mostly Free)

Top 10 Tours & Activities Top 10 All Inclusive Hotels

Enjoying Puerto Vallarta

A more general list of things to do in Puerto Vallarta, includes food, Mexican culture, and sports activities.

Art Galleries Bars in town Culture & Arts Fishing - Fishing Report Golf Grills you'll enjoy Huicholes - Wixárika Art Living it up in Puerto Vallarta (1, 3 & more days) Motorcycle tours in PV Mountain biking Nightlife - We recommend Papantla Flying Men Parasailing Restaurants and Cafes

Romantic Places & Ideas Shopping Skydiving (only for the brave) Sports & Activities Surfing Sweets Tacos Tequila, Mezcal & Raicilla Typical dishes Vanilla Vegetarian Restaurants

Ecotourism and Nature

PV would not be a beautiful destination if it wasn't graced with such a lush and diverse natural environment.

Birdwatching - another article on Birding in Vallarta Canopy Tours (Zip-line options) Ecotourism Humpback Whales Jorullo Bridge, the longest hanging bridge in the world Leatherback Sea Turtles

Nature & Biodiversity Reef fish River Crocodiles Sea Turtle Protection Vallarta Botanical Gardens (VBG review) Vallarta Zoo

Recommended Day trips

Wonderful coastal towns, beaches, and colonial towns to visit in the area. Some require a trip that is a bit longer and would best if your trip lasts a day or more.

Boca de Tomatlan (Jalisco) Bucerías (Nayarit) Colomitos (Jalisco) Chacala (Nayarit) Destiladeras beach (Nayarit) El Eden (Jalisco) El Pitillal (Jalisco) El Tuito (Jalisco) Garza Blanca (Jalisco) La Caleta (Nayarit) La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Nayarit) Las Ánimas de Quimixto (Jalisco) Las Caletas (Jalisco) Las Gemelas (Jalisco) Los Arcos (Jalisco)

Majahuitas (Jalisco) Marietas Islands (Nayarit) Mascota (Jalisco) Mismaloya (Jalisco) Navidad (Jalisco) Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit) Punta de Mita (Nayarit) Quimixto (Jalisco) Riviera Nayarit San Pancho (San Francisco) (Nayarit) San Sebastián del Oeste (Jalisco) Sayulita (Nayarit) Tehuamixtle (Jalisco) Yelapa (Jalisco)

From its simple cobblestone streets in the town center to sophisticated services provided by Grand Tourism hotels, Vallarta is always at its most accommodating.

Puerto Vallarta offers each unique guest their own ideal vacation blend of relaxation and exhilaration; tranquility and activity.

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 vacations.