Best Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta

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

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.

Olas Altas Beach, Condo Molino de Agua, Puerto Vallarta (Romantic Zone)

Puerto Vallarta with a strong presence at FITUR 2024

Puerto Vallarta 2024 Regatta

The Mexico Open golf tournament 2024 arrives to Vallarta

Canto del Sol Hotel, Las Glorias Beach, PV Hotel Zone

Vallarta SBK Dance Festival 2024

Puerto Vallarta will have Vinoma Fest where you will be able to taste the 16 producing regions of Mexico.

The next Michelada Festival in Puerto Vallarta is coming soon

Puerto Vallarta Malecon and Arches, Main Square, Seahorse Statue and the Parish all-in-one

Puerto Vallarta: Booming cinematographic destination

Puerto Vallarta May Festivities Festival 2024

Las Palmas by the Sea & Sunset Plaza, Las Glorias Beach, Puerto Vallarta

Wine, Celebration, and Sports in Puerto Vallarta

Las Glorias Beach looking south, Hotel Zone, Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit Gala, a leading tourism event on the Mexican Pacific coast

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

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.

Esmeralda Beach, South Zone, Puerto Vallarta

[toc] Introduction Esmeralda Beach is located 5.6 miles (9.1 kilometers) from Puerto Vallarta’s Main Square, it can be reached by land on a scenic drive along Federal Highway 200 to Mismaloya (Carretera Federal 200) between the sea and the green hills! It’s a small 630 ft long beach (190 m) with what is the standard Banderas Bay golden sand and short stretches of emerald green-blue water. It's a less-known beach in Puerto Vallarta so you won't find it very crowded. The access along a stream makes it a bit of a challenge, especially if there's a lot of water (June to mid-October is the rainy season) and the edges are slippery. Puerto Vallarta's South Zone has many beautiful beaches, from north to south to Mismaloya, you’ll find: Las Estacas Beach Punta Negra Beach Palmares Beach Garza Blanca Beach Esmeralda Beach Las Gemelas Beach Mismaloya Beach I've seen Esmeralda Beach called El Chilte Beach (Playa El Chilte) and La Manzanilla Beach (Playa La Manzanilla). Amenities & Where to eat This beach has no restaurants or extra services, there are some beach vendors during the busy season (December to April) selling shrimp ...

Olas Altas Farmers’ Market, Puerto Vallarta

[toc] Introduction Olas Altas Farmers' Market (ex-Old Town Farmers’ Market) has become one of the best weekend attractions in Puerto Vallarta, locals and ex-pats enjoy purchasing and sampling fresh local produce. Olas Altas Farmers' Saturday Market Puerto Vallarta Paper Mache The Market is a producer-only market, which means all vendors must make, bake or grow the products they sell here, no Walmart or Soriana here. Phew! Olas Altas Farmers' Market Photo Gallery You’ll find a great selection of organic vegetables, exotic fruits, chocolates, coffees, cheese, ice cream and local meats, handmade tortillas, cookies, pies and more. Local artisans sell their jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery and more. Olas Altas Farmers' Market Romantic Zone Puerto Vallarta You can also eat lunch and enjoy local foods, enjoy some “aguas frescas” or fresh-pressed juices, baked goods, tamales, burritos and much more. Olas Altas Farmers' Market is wheelchair accessible, pet-friendly, you can park under Lazaro Cárdenas park. Live music adds a vibe to the market. Olas Altas Farmers' Market Puerto Vallarta Food stands When? Open every Saturday from the first Saturday of November to the last Saturday of April between 9:30 am and ...

Public Lookouts in Puerto Vallarta

Matamoros Lookout, downtown Puerto Vallarta [toc] Introduction View from La Cruz del Cerro Lookout, downtown Puerto Vallarta There are many great lookouts in Puerto Vallarta, some up in the hills, some closer to sea level, here's my list of recommended public lookouts: La Cruz Hill Lookout Matamoros Lighthouse lookout Aguacate Walkway Los Arcos de Mismaloya Lookout Cuahtemoc Street Iguana Bridge Cuale River Pedestrian Bridge Lookout Los Muertos Pier Lookout El Púlpito (The Pulpit) Conchas Chinas Lookout Mismaloya Beach Lookout Boca de Tomatlan Lookout Lookouts, downtown Puerto Vallarta Public Access Lookouts Here we'll include the lookouts and places with great views and that offer public access too. We'll be adding others as soon as we discover them on our trips around town and the surrounding sightseeing attractions. La Cruz del Cerro Lookout (The Cross on the Hill Lookout) Hiking to La Cruz Lookout is a fun and exciting adventure that will have your adrenaline pumping the whole way. A great way to see some amazing views of Puerto Vallarta, start at Malecon along Abasolo Street away from the sea then follow available signs up the hill along the streets ...

Palmares Beach (Complete Guide) Puerto Vallarta South Zone

[toc] Introduction Palmares Beach, Dec. 14, 2021 The Puerto Vallarta South Zone has many beautiful beaches, from north to south to Mismaloya, you'll find: Las Estacas Beach Punta Negra Beach Palmares Beach Garza Blanca Beach Las Gemelas Beach Mismaloya Beach Palmares Beach, Puerto Vallarta South Zone Puerto Vallarta is a destination known for its beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts. What's the best way to enjoy these perks, while also experiencing some authentic Mexican culture? Visit Palmares Beach! You will love to come to Palmares, a beautiful beach south of PV where you can enjoy yourself with all the tastes from this Mexican town on a clear sand beach with a beautiful emerald-green transparent sea! Palmares Beach is located 4.0 miles (6.5 kilometers) from Puerto Vallarta's Main Square, it can be reached by land on a scenic drive along the highway to Mismaloya (Carretera Federal 200) which affords views of both sea and mountains! It's a 2800 ft (850 m) long beach with the characteristic golden sand and emerald green-blue water of the beaches in Banderas Bay. It was the first beach in the State of Jalisco to be awarded ...

Las Glorias Beach, Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone

[toc] Introduction The Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone has four beaches, from north to south they are: Playa de Oro Beach Los Tules Beach Las Glorias Beach Tranquila Beach Las Glorias Beach is a 3080 ft long (940 meters) stretch of golden sand running from the creek between Los Tules and Las Palmas by the Sea on the northern end to the creek between the abandoned building and Costa Club Punta Arena on the south end. The resorts, condos, and hotels you’ll find along Playa Las Glorias from north to south are: Las Palmas by the Sea Sunset Plaza Beach Resort Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort Canto del Sol Plaza Vallarta Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa (Now Amber & Secrets Vallarta Bay) It’s some 11 minutes, approximately 2.4 miles (4km) from the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta to the northern access path that's the nicest way to get to the beach. Las Glorias Beach (Playa Las Glorias) features emerald-green waters and inviting clear sands. The beach is not as wide as Los Tules or Playa de Oro, it's on average some 30 meters wide, and the sea edge slopes a bit ...

Tranquila Beach, Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone

[toc] Introduction The beaches in the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone are from north to south:Playa de Oro BeachLos Tules BeachLas Glorias Beach andTranquila BeachThe resorts, condos, and hotels you’ll find along Tranquila Beach from north to south are:Costa Club Punta ArenaSheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention CenterBuganvilias Resort Vacation ClubBy car it’s some 9 minutes, approximately 1.7 miles (2.8 km) from the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta.Tranquila Beach on the northern end features darker emerald-green waters and some darker golden sand, you can wade a bit into the sea, but because it is not the most popular beach, you won't have a lifeguard, so do be careful. The beach is some 40 meters wide on the northern end and tapers down to some 25 meters on the southern end. You'll only find sand north of the beach in front of the Sheraton property. The rest is very rocky (check out the video). What to do Tranquila (Calm) Beach, Hotel Zone, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico I would recommend going in through the northern side access via Febronio Uribe street. You'll walk between the "ghost" building and Flamingos Beach Club (Bar). There are a few ...

Los Tules Beach, Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone

[toc] Introduction The Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone has four beaches, from north to south they are: Playa de Oro Beach Los Tules Beach Las Glorias Beach Tranquila Beach Los Tules beach is a 3400 ft long (1000 meter) stretch of golden sand running from the El Pitillal River on the northern end to a creek between Los Tules and Las Palmas by the Sea. The name "tule" comes from a reed that was very abundant in this area. The resorts, condos, and hotels you'll find along Playa Los Tules from north to south are: Grand Venetian Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Friendly Vallarta Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive & Spa Los Tules It’s some 12 minutes, approximately 2.4 miles (4km) from the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Los Tules Beach (Playa Los Tules) features emerald-green waters and inviting clear sands. The beach is quite wide on the northern end, around 60-70 meters wide, though as an average it's around 30-35 meters wide. What to do Friendly Vallarta Beach, Los Tules Beach, Hotel Zone, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico The activities in Los ...

Playa de Oro Beach in the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone

[toc] Introduction Playa de Oro (Gold Beach) Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone The beaches in the Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone are from north to south: Playa de Oro Beach Los Tules Beach Las Glorias Beach and Tranquila Beach The northern Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone has a beach that runs along its edge that’s called Playa de Oro (Gold Beach). This Puerto Vallarta beach has three easy public access points within the 3470 ft (1060 m) long beach. It’s 15 minutes, 6km, approximately 4 miles from the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta. It is bounded on the north side by the harbour area and runs along the edge of various hotels and condos until Peninsula Condominiums and the Pitillal river, which is the southern end of Playa de Oro Beach. Playa de Oro Beach looking south. Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone The beach’s name derives from one of the first hotels built in this area of the city, called Hotel Playa de Oro. Playa de Oro Beach has soft golden sand (hence the name) that makes it an excellent option for those who enjoy a walk along the shore, followed by a dip in ...

List of Best Beaches in Puerto Vallarta

[toc] Best and safest swimmable beaches Garza Blanca Beach Puerto Vallarta is a world-renowned resort town with miles of pristine beaches, but sometimes it's hard to find the best spot for you. Here are six of the best swimming beaches in Puerto Vallarta & the Banderas Bay area that will make your time on the beach even better! Garza Blanca Playa de Oro Las Animas Playa Camarones Boca de Tomatlan Bucerias Best beaches for snorkeling Conchas Chinas Beach, Puerto Vallarta If you're looking for the best beaches to snorkel, look no further. This is a list of the seven best beaches/locations in Puerto Vallarta and the nearby Bay area that are perfect for snorkeling and guaranteed to provide you with an incredible experience. Conchas Chinas Yelapa Majahuitas Colomitos Marietas Islands Las Gemelas Mismaloya Best beaches for kitesurfing and windsurfing Bucerias Beach Nayarit If you're looking for the best beaches for kitesurfing and windsurfing, Bucerias and La Manzanilla in the town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle in the neighboring Nayarit, but still in the Banderas Bay area are where you should go. These two towns offer some of the best sand ...

Recommended day trips (beaches, towns, etc.)

[toc] Recommended Sightseeing Trips Wonderful coastal towns, beaches, colonial towns to visit, lots of fun things to do near Puerto Vallarta. Some need to travel a bit and might require a trip that lasts a whole day, or a bit longer, to make it enjoyable. All the times are measured starting off from Puerto Vallarta's main square. They are given as a reference, specific times will vary according to the exact conditions on the day you travel there. 45 minutes or less from Puerto Vallarta North of PV Bucerías (Nayarit) 45 min Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit) 39 min South of PV Boca de Tomatlan (Jalisco) 40 min Garza Blanca Beach (Jalisco) 23 min Las Gemelas Beach (Jalisco) 20 min Los Arcos (Jalisco) 25 min Mismaloya Beach (Jalisco) 27 min 45 minutes or more from Puerto Vallarta North of PV Chacala (Nayarit) 2:25 hours Destiladeras beach (Nayarit) 1:05 hour Hidden Beach, Marietas Islands (Nayarit) 1:00 hour in speed boat La Caleta (Nayarit) 2:25 hours La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Nayarit) 55 min La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Beach (Nayarit) 50 min La Manzanilla (Nayarit) 58 min Lo De Marcos (Nayarit) 1:10 hour Marietas Islands (Nayarit) 1:00 hours in speed boat Punta de Mita (Nayarit) 1:15 hour San Pancho (San Francisco) (Nayarit) 1:20 hour Sayulita (Nayarit) ...

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