Imagining beachy waves, palm trees and the smell of Mexican condiments? Does that sound like a dream to you? Well, it’s not because we have found a place for you that has everything to offer. Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican beach resort town alongside the Pacific ocean that has plenty of things to offer. We have prepared a list for you about what things to do in Puerto Vallarta. The list includes places and activities that you can do with your family as well as solo.
Puerto Vallarta is the second largest urban agglomeration in the state after the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Surrounded by a beautiful beachside promenade with contemporary sculpture, lounges and bars, this place wins the heart of travellers as a vacation spot. Puerto Vallarta is also known for the lush greenery and deep jungles along with majestic mountains thus it is a dream location for nature lovers and travellers. You can plan your trip now with United Airlines to enjoy cheap fares to make your trip more memorable. And if you are planning to start your budget friendly trip by finding the best Puerto Vallarta flight fares for your trip.
Explore What Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta
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Witness the mesmerising Rhythm of the Night show
One of the most famous things to do in Puerto Vallarta is to watch the Rhythm of the night show. It is a full night experience where you can start your night with a sunset dinner cruise from the Bay of Banderas. On this 1-hour cruise you can enjoy the scenic sunset with a drink or two with your partner or alone. Your next stop is Las Caletas (a private beach) where you can watch the famous and fascinating Rhythm of the Night show. The show is famous for its unique combinations of acrobatic, theatrics and music and dance. This show acts as a medium to display Mexican history and folktales to the audience.
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Immerse yourself in the Islas Marietas National Park
This pristine island is the perfect place to relax and one of the best places to visit in Puerto Vallarta. The beauty of this place is unparalleled as it has not been altered by human interventions. Hire a boat that will take you to the island and rest start your full day of relaxation. If you are up for activities then explore the island aboard a catamaran or do snorkelling, kayaking and even paddling.
Want to know a secret ? While kayaking you can explore some of the unknown caverns and archways or swim with fishes and turtles while snorkelling. Don’t forget to visit the Majahuitas Beach which is basically secluded and serene.
Tip: Visit the hidden beach or sea cave to experience one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta. But beware, not every tour goes to these hidden beaches due to newly imposed restrictions.
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Explore the plethora of option for food
Mexican food is world famous for a reason. The combinations of condiments and sauces results in an amazing mouth watering dish especially in the case of tacos and burritos. You just can not miss out on the tacos if you are in Puerto Vallarta. You will be stuffed once you weave your way through the lesser known streets of the La Zona Romantica (Romantic zone) in Puerto Vallarta and visit individual families’ stalls to taste the best delicacies. Definitely, this Taco Tour is one of the fun things to do in Puerto Vallarta. The taste of food is not limited to tongue but there is a long history of recipes being passed down from generations and thus a well kept secret also.
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Feel nature in the Vallarta Botanical Park
Are you a nature lover who wants to spend your relaxing time in nature’s lap?
Then explore the Vallarta Botanical Park that is located 30 minutes away from the Romantic Zone and 45 minutes away from the centre of Puerto Vallarta. Either you can take a local bus or book a taxi or uber. Originally, this park is privately owned and the motive behind its preservation is to protect and display the flora and fauna of the town. This botanical park is one of the best places to visit in Puerto Vallarta. You can start your expedition early in the morning with breakfast in the park itself and then explore the hiking trails, vanilla plantations and obviously watch a variety of birds.
You will be amazed to know that you can feed hummingbirds from your own hands. The personal hummingbird feeders allow you to have a close interaction with these little creatures. All being said, this place is deeply loved by nature enthusiasts.
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Walk on Malecon
The Malecon is a long broadway path along the oceans in the centre of Puerto Vallarta. Just a walk on this path during sunset and it will cure all your melancholy and monotony in your life. This place is among the top places to visit in Puerto Vallarta. The refreshing ocean air with amazing street food from the stalls sounds like a perfect thing to do. There are various restaurants lined up along the path but Senor Frogs is among the best of them. You can also eat some indigenous street food and buy some souvenirs from the stalls also.
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Climb the Mirador de la Cruz
This is not a hiking spot but still it gives you a splendid panoramic view of Puerto Vallarta. Just at the end of Abasolo street, you will find stairs that will lead you to the top of Mirador de la Cruz. The hike usually takes 15 minutes or it depends how long you take to climb 200 stairs. Visiting this place is one of the top things to do in Puerto Vallarta. We suggest you bring some water along with you to avoid complete exertion. You can also opt for funicular service which starts after 9 am.
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When Thrill means SkyDiving
If you seek thrill as your hobby then do try skydiving at Puerto Vallarta. There are many skydiving clubs that will offer you the taste of thrill. Irrespective of ages and nationalities, Puerto Vallarta is the spot for first time skydivers. There are some companies that specialise in Tandem jumps for people who want the thrill of a lifetime. The nervousness and adventurous streak on the face of skydivers will motivate you to surpass your fears in life. This is definitely among the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
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Ride an ATV in Jungle
Puerto Vallarta has a significant amount of untouched vegetation. These jungles are untravelled but you can explore them on ATV rides. The muddy and offbeat roads will evoke the wild spirit in you. After your ride, you can enjoy some home brewed alcohol or enjoy a swim to take off all the dirt.
You can ride your own ATV with no prior experience because professionals will give you lessons or you can pair up with your partner. Regardless, riding an ATV in the jungle is one of the thrilling things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
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Visit Sayulita
About 1 hour away from Puerto Vallarta, this beachside town is called Sayulita. It is famous for its cobblestone streets and range of trendy cafes and shops. The beach is obviously the most charming point of this town, perfect for swimming and surfing. You can ride a local bus or rent a car that will give you the freedom to explore the place in your time.
You can also visit the San Pancho beach nearby. Known for its crystal clear water and amazing beachy view of the ocean San Pancho is also one of tourists’ favourites. If you want you can also spend a day or two to absorb the aura and stargaze the night. This is among the best places to visit in Puerto Vallarta.
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Meet the Wild Dolphins
Meet the friendly water creatures called Dolphins and have a swim with them. It is as magical as it sounds. You can touch, swim with bottlenose dolphins in their own natural habitat. The company that has taken the initiative to conserve the dolphins will guide the activity throughout along with an expert biologist. This is completely an ethical activity and no dolphins are harmed in the process. Rather, dolphins are great friends for humans and they actually enjoy spending this with them. So, if you are looking for some of the best experiences then this is one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
Conclusion
Puerto Vallarta is not just a tourist place to hang out, it is a place to understand, feel and absorb. The atmosphere of the town is vibrant, cheerful just like its people. You can spend your vacation walking around the streets taking in the colourful houses, the musical nights and shows, the splendid variety of food and drinks. We are sure to tell you that you can not explore the whole of Puerto Vallarta in one trip, unless you are planning to stay for a whole month. Yet, we have created the above list of some of things to do in Puerto Vallarta to make the most out of your experience.