You all know how much we love visiting Puerto Vallarta! Each time I am there I fall more and more in love with the city. From the art along the Malecon to the amazing food, it was hard to narrow down the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta. The list could be never ending, but I had to cut myself off at some point.
Trust me! You need to hop on a plane and head south to Puerto Vallarta!
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🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
Things to do in Puerto Vallarta!
There is truly something for everyone in Puerto Vallarta! From whale watching Humpback Whales in Banderas Bay, art galleries, day trips to Playa Los Muertos and Islas Marietas, boat tours, secluded beaches, amazing food and this is just the start of things to do in PV!
We have visited Puerto Vallarta multiple times, and as soon as we are heading home we are trying to figure out when we can plan a return trip. This is truly one of our favorite cities in the world.
Walk along the Malecon
The Malecon is the oceanfront boardwalk in downtown Puerto Vallarta, and it is free to stroll any time of day. Check out the amazing views of the Bay of Banderas, shop in the small stores, and enjoy local art and culture.
Papantla Flyers
If you are on the Malecon around sunset, keep an eye out for the Papantla Flyers. They usually perform around 6 pm near the main plaza.
The flyers climb to the top of a tall pole, tie themselves in, and spin slowly down to the ground while a musician plays a flute and drum at the top. It is one of those things you have to see in person!
Find the Malecon Sculptures
Stretching along the Malecon are amazing outdoor sculptures, and new pieces have been added over the years. The Boy on the Seahorse dates back to 1976 and is one of the most photographed spots in town.
You can easily spend time just wandering the Malecon, taking pictures of the sculptures, and people watching.
Taco Tour
Eat all the tacos in Puerto Vallarta! We highly recommend booking a taco tour with Vallarta Food Tours. Our tour stopped at 7 or 8 spots, including taco stands, a mezcal stop, and churros!
Trust me when I say a Costco churro will never taste the same after you try a fresh one in Puerto Vallarta.
We loved the Puerto Vallarta taco tour so much we came home and made these Carne Asada Street Tacos.
Ready to eat all the tacos? Book the Vallarta Food Tours Downtown Food Tour here. It includes 8 tastings and hotel pickup, so all you have to do is show up hungry!
Rent a Private Yacht
Live the life of a reality TV star and rent a yacht with Mike's Fishing & Tours. They offer private boats and luxury yachts that will take you around the Bay of Banderas and give you a day you will not soon forget.
Lounge on the front of the yacht sipping fresh mango margaritas while watching the world go by. Enjoy first class service the entire time you are on board.
Want your own reality TV star day on the water? Book a private yacht charter with waterslides here and bring your crew along for the ride.
Go Whale Watching in Banderas Bay
Humpback whales come to Banderas Bay every winter. Whale watching season runs from December through March, and January and February are the best months to see them.
If you are visiting during whale season, book a tour early. This is one of the most popular things to do in Puerto Vallarta in the winter!
Visiting between December and March? Book the Vallarta Adventures Whale Photo Safari here. They bring hydrophones so you can hear the whales singing!
Want a little extra peace of mind? Book the Whale Watching Experience With Guarantee here. Lunch is included!
Snorkel at Los Arcos Marine National Park
This is a highlight of a trip to Puerto Vallarta.
Picture swimming through one of the arches with hundreds of fish all around you while you soak up the amazing weather.
Keep an eye out for all of the birds nesting at Los Arcos. If you are a bird nerd like I am, this is a great place to go.
I am pretty sure I saw some blue-footed boobies, which were at the top of my bird bucket list.
Swim with the fish and spot the birds at Los Arcos! Book the Los Arcos small-group snorkeling tour here. Your snorkel gear and park permits are included.
Visit the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Located about 35 minutes south of Old Town on Highway 200, the Vallarta Botanical Garden is an oasis of flowers.
I highly recommend enjoying a margarita on the deck while hummingbirds flit around you, stopping at the feeders. Be prepared for bugs and bring sunscreen with you.
The garden is open 9 am to 6 pm. It is open daily from December through March and closed on Mondays from April through November. You can take a taxi or the El Tuito bus from the Zona Romantica.
Don't want to figure out the bus? Book the Vallarta Botanical Gardens tour here. It includes your garden entry, transportation, and a tequila tasting. Margaritas on the deck are still up to you!
Do absolutely nothing and love it!
Lounge by the pool, sip a frosty beverage, soak up the sun, and do absolutely nothing and love it!
There is nothing quite like lounging on a beach bed and spending the day doing absolutely nothing.
Please learn from me and make sure you put on plenty of sunscreen and reapply many times!
I spent a day doing nothing at Casa Velas and ended up getting fried! I had to get on a plane the next day, and it was not the best flight of my life.
Explore Marina Vallarta
The marina district is a quick five minutes from the airport. Here you can find great restaurants, including Porto Bello, one of the first restaurants in the marina, serving Italian food with a view of the boats.
The pathway is lined with restaurants, art galleries, cafes, and more.
If you are interested in a fishing excursion, there are a ton of boats in this area you can book with.
Take a sunset sail on the Bay of Banderas
Hop on a pirate ship or a sailboat and cruise the Bay of Banderas. Keep an eye out for dolphins as you wait for the sun to go down.
We took a sunset sail with Vallarta Adventures, and it was fantastic.
Watch the sun go down over the Bay of Banderas with a glass of wine in hand! Book the Vallarta Adventures Sunset Sail here. Trust me, this is one of the best ways to end a day in Puerto Vallarta.
Eat all the food!
Seriously Puerto Vallarta is a foodie town! You can't go wrong eating all the food in Puerto Vallarta. Check out our restaurants of Puerto Vallarta post to see a few of our favorites.
Visit the Chruch of our Lady of Guadalupe
This gorgeous church located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta is well worth a visit. During my first trip to Puerto Vallarta, I helped renew the wedding vows of a couple who was also on my trip.
The church will always hold a special place in my heart.
Wander the Zona Romantica
The Zona Romantica (Romantic Zone) is just across the Rio Cuale from downtown. You can walk the cobblestone streets and explore cafes, art galleries, shops, and so much more.
This is the perfect area to wander and enjoy a bit of historic Puerto Vallarta.
Want a local to show you around? Book the Puerto Vallarta Local-Style Walking Tour here. You'll walk the Malecon and the Zona Romantica with taco and paleta stops along the way!
Walk the Los Muertos Pier
The Los Muertos Pier is hard to miss, jutting out into Banderas Bay. The pier was rebuilt in 2013, and its tall sail-shaped sculpture lights up at night.
You can take a water taxi from here to southern beaches and coves such as Las Ánimas, Quimixto, Mismaloya, Yelapa, and other beautiful spots.
This is a great place for photos of Puerto Vallarta and Los Muertos Beach.
Relax at Playa de los Muertos
Playa de lo Muertos borders the romantic zone and is the perfect place to lounge or enjoy a frosty beverage.
The waves are normally super light so you can float in the water easily.
Vendors walk up and down the beach offering a little bit of everything.
If you get hungry there are a ton of options in any of the hotels and condos lining the area.
Shop on Isla Cuale
If you love strolling an open-air market and checking out crafts and souvenirs, this is the place for you.
A powerful storm in 1925 split the Rio Cuale into two channels, and the island slowly formed in between. Puerto Vallarta celebrated the island's 100th anniversary in 2025. Today it sits between the Zona Romantica and downtown.
There are a couple of cafes in this area and a ton of open-air stalls to explore.
Pamper yourself at the spa
Puerto Vallarta knows how to pamper you! I highly recommend the four hands massage at the Villa Premiere, an adults-only boutique hotel. I was a walking noodle after this massage. Oh my goodness, it is bliss.
The tequila scrub at the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa (formerly the CasaMagna) was also amazing. Don't worry, you don't smell like tequila when you are done!
Puerto Vallarta FAQ
When is whale watching season in Puerto Vallarta?
Humpback whale season runs from December through March. January and February are the best months to see them.
Is the Malecon free?
Yes! Walking the Malecon, checking out the sculptures, and watching the sunset are all free.
How far is the Vallarta Botanical Garden from downtown?
The garden is about 35 minutes south of Old Town on Highway 200. You can drive, take a taxi, or ride the El Tuito bus from the Zona Romantica.
Plan Your Puerto Vallarta Trip
Wondering how to fit it all in? Booking a tour is a great way to skip the stress of figuring out transportation and what to expect. Let yourself enjoy exploring and leave the work to the tour company.
These are our favorite things to do in Puerto Vallarta! We hope they help you plan an epic trip to one of our favorite places in the world. Let us know if we missed your favorite thing to do!
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