Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

90-minute sunrise yoga session on the beach. All levels welcome. Mat and water provided. Meditation and breathwork included.

Boardwalk tour of a mangrove crocodile sanctuary north of the airport — rescued crocs, iguanas, birds. Cheap, quick, shaded, and a hit with kids.

1-hour SUP lesson and 1-hour rental on Playa Los Muertos. Calm bay water, perfect for beginners.

A small enclosed butterfly garden and natural-history museum a short drive from Centro — hundreds of native morphos and swallowtails, shaded paths, and a quick, cheap, kid-proof hour out of the heat.

2.5-hour guided walk through Centro and Gringo Gulch: the church, the Malecón sculptures, the Elizabeth Taylor / Richard Burton houses, the Isla Cuale.

An open-top loop past the Malecón, the Guadalupe church, Zona Romántica, the Marina and the lookout points, with a ticket that lets you get off and back on all day. The low-commitment way to see the city on your own schedule.

Pre-booked roundtrip airport shuttle between PVR Airport and your hotel. Skip the sales corridor and taxi lines with confirmed pickup and drop-off.

Guided half-day hike up the Cuale river valley — swimming holes, birdlife, an old mining trail. Moderate, ~6 km, cooler under the canopy. Good for fit families.

Jungle trail from Boca de Tomatlán to Colomitos (PV's smallest beach) and on to Las Ánimas. Hike one way, water-taxi back. No guide needed; bring water and reef shoes.

See the Los Arcos marine reserve reefs without needing to swim — walk-up glass-bottom pangas leave hourly from Los Muertos pier, or book ahead online for a shaded sightseeing boat cruise around the 5 islands (with an optional snorkel stop). Good for non-swimmers, grandparents and small kids.

Water-park day north of the airport: slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, plus an optional dolphin or sea-lion swim. A full easy day for families with a range of ages.

3-hour guided bar crawl through PV's LGBTQ+ scene in Zona Romántica. 4 venues, welcome drink at each. Friendly, local guide.

Paddle a sit-on-top kayak from Los Muertos out to the Los Arcos rock arches — about 45 minutes each way, snorkel stop in the middle. No motor, small group, good workout.

4-hour snorkeling at Los Arcos National Marine Park. Sea turtles, tropical fish, manta rays. Equipment included.

Guided day up the Riviera Nayarit coast: the surf-town buzz and artisan market of Sayulita, then quieter San Pancho for lunch. Transport and a local guide; skip the bus hassle.

2.5-hour zip-line tour through the jungle canopy near the Cuale River, at the El Edén film location. 14 lines up to 250m. Transport from PV included.

2-hour guided walk to 5 of the best street taco stands in Centro. Eat birria, carnitas, fish tacos, and elote. Local guide, no tourist traps.

3-hour walking food tour through Centro and Zona Romántica. 8–10 tastings including tacos, birria, mariscos, agua fresca.

Roast, peel, grind and temper your own chocolate bar from Mexican cacao in a two-hour hands-on workshop in Centro. Take the bars home. Works for kids and non-drinkers, unlike most of the food tours.

Raicilla is the Sierra's answer to mezcal — this tasting walks you through raicilla, mezcal and tequila side by side with a guide, at two bars in the Romantic Zone.

An ATV or RZR ride up the Cuale river valley, a walk across the Jorullo suspension bridge (one of the longest of its kind anywhere), then a run of ziplines, a rappel and a water slide. The single most-booked adventure combo in the bay.

Traditional pre-Hispanic sweat-lodge ceremony led by a temazcalero: heat, herbs, chant, and rest. ~2 hours. Not for pregnancy or heart conditions.

Sunset release of newly-hatched sea turtles with a marine biologist, on a protected beach. August–December only. Low-key, moving, and a favourite with families.

2-hour guided tasting of 8 artisanal tequilas and mezcals at 3 bars in Zona Romántica. Expert guide explains production and regions.

Panga from Boca de Tomatlán to the car-free village of Yelapa. Waterfall hike, beach time, fresh fish and the famous pie ladies. Return by mid-afternoon.

3-hour guided whale watching in Banderas Bay. Humpbacks December–March. Hydrophone on board to hear whale songs.

Ride along the sand and into the surf as the sun drops, north of the marina. Calm, well-kept horses; short (90 min) and beginner-friendly. Photos included on most departures.

Electric-bike loop — Malecón, the pier, Gringo Gulch, the Cuale island, 5 de Diciembre and coastal/mountain lookouts — with stops for photos and a snack. Pedal-assist, so the hills don't matter.

3-hour ATV ride through the Sierra Madre jungle to a hidden waterfall. No experience needed. Helmet, goggles, guide included.

Visit a working agave field and distillery outside town — see the process end to end, taste blanco/reposado/añejo, lunch at the hacienda. More substance than the in-town bar tasting.

Day trip to a former silver-mining town at 1,500m in the mountains. Colonial plaza, coffee and raicilla tastings, cool pine air. ~1.5h each way.

Panga to Quimixto, a tiny south-shore village. Walk (or ride a mule) 20 minutes to a jungle waterfall with a swimming pool, then lunch on the beach. Quieter than Yelapa.

Hands-on class focused on the coast: three ceviches, aguachile, a whole grilled fish and a michelada to wash it down. Market visit first. Smaller and more relaxed than the mole class.

After-dark paddle when the plankton glows — every stroke lights up. Runs on new-moon weeks, roughly May–December. Clear-bottom kayaks on some departures.

Walk the sea floor at Los Arcos in a helmet that keeps your head dry — no swimming or certification needed. Good for non-swimmers and nervous snorkelers who still want to be underwater.

An evening walking tour built around drinks as much as food — tequila, mezcal, raicilla and agave cocktails paired with tacos, birria and street snacks across Centro. From the team behind the Downtown Food Tour.

3-hour sunset catamaran cruise along the Bay of Banderas. Open bar, light dinner, live music. Anchored swim stop near Los Arcos.

Morning humpback watching, then the boat drops anchor at a calm cove for a snorkel and swim before heading back. Best of both on one half-day; December–March only.

Boat to the UNESCO-protected Marietas Islands. Snorkel, kayak, and — permit allowing — swim into the Hidden Beach. Blue-footed boobies. Book 3+ days ahead in high season.

Self-guided day at the botanical gardens 30 min south of town. Orchid house, jungle trails, river swimming hole, hacienda restaurant. Bus 'El Tuito' from Centro.

Cruiser-bike ride between four taquerías and a craft-beer stop, with a guide who knows which stand does the best al pastor. Flat route, ~3 hours, plenty of eating.

Small-group humpback research boat with a marine biologist. Fewer people, closer to the science, better photos. Federal permit holder.

Guided in-water dolphin encounter at Dolphin Adventure — a trainer leads a small group, hands-on, with education about the animals. The single most-booked family experience in PV.

Two-tank guided dive at Los Arcos for certified divers. 15–25m, giant boulders, eels, octopus, seasonal mantas. Gear and nitrox available.

Half-day trail ride into the Sierra Madre to a swimmable waterfall. Well-kept horses, matched to your experience level. Family-run since 1993.

Boat to a jungle-backed private cove reachable only by water. Hammocks, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, a spa menu, buffet lunch and open bar. A full relaxed day, not a rush-around tour.

Evening cruise to a candle-lit, no-electricity beach cove for a dinner and a theatrical show inspired by ancient Mexico. PV's best-known night out.

2-hour beginner surf lesson in Sayulita with certified instructor. Boards and rash guards included. Best for first-timers.

5-hour bird watching tour in the Sierra Madre foothills. 200+ species possible. Expert guide, binoculars provided.

The classic Viator combo: zip-line circuit at the El Edén film location, a tequila tasting, then a speed-boat ride back down the river. Half a day, good value.

Multi-activity day in the Sierra Madre: zip-lines, rappels, a mule ride, water-slides and a river crossing. Consistently PV's top-rated adrenaline tour.

The first permanent Cirque du Soleil production in Mexico — an immersive theatrical dinner where acrobats, live music and a multi-course tasting menu unfold around your table. Runs several evenings a week near the Marina.

3-hour hands-on Mexican cooking class. Visit the local market, cook 4 dishes including mole and ceviche, eat what you make.

A full day on a big, lively all-inclusive catamaran: breakfast, lunch, snacks and a premium open bar, a private beach near Quimixto with a pool, waterslides, snorkeling, kayaks and paddleboards, and a stop in the car-free village of Yelapa with a short walk to its waterfall. Dancing on the way back; whale watching is included December to April. It is a social boat with up to about 115 guests, so book it for the party, not for peace and quiet.

Shallow-water session with California sea lions and a chance to touch rays in a pool. Same site as the dolphin swim; gentler and cheaper, great for younger kids.

Boat-assisted surf session to the Punta de Mita point breaks. For beginner–intermediate surfers. Longboards and shortboards, water safety guide.

A day in the Sierra Madre foothills: soak in shaded natural hot-spring pools by a river, a short massage in the trees, and a Mexican grill lunch. Slow, quiet, out of the sun — a good rain-day or heat-day pick.

Full-size replica galleon: day cruise with a beach stop, water games, open bar and a pirate show; or the evening dinner-and-fireworks sail. Loud, fun, unabashedly touristy — kids love it.

Side-by-side UTV (not solo ATV) through jungle trails, river crossings and a hidden village, ending at a waterfall. Two to four per vehicle, so kids and non-drivers can ride along.

Your own driver-guide and air-conditioned van for the day — build the route: San Sebastián, the botanical gardens, a beach, lunch spots. Price is per group of up to 8.

4-hour sport fishing charter in Banderas Bay. Target: yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish. Bait, tackle, and captain included.

Private 4-hour boat charter for up to 10. Set your own route — Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto. Captain, fuel, snorkel gear, cooler included. Price is per group.

8-hour private charter offshore for marlin, sailfish, tuna and dorado — further out than the half-day, better shot at the big pelagics. Captain, mate, bait and tackle included. Price is per private boat (up to 6 anglers).