Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta — Sayulita, Marietas Islands & Tequila Country

Puerto Vallarta occupies the northern end of Banderas Bay — the largest bay on Mexico’s Pacific coast — and the geography opens up an unusually varied set of day trips. North along the Riviera Nayarit coast you find surf towns and remote beaches. Offshore, the Marietas Islands offer one of Mexico’s most restricted-access natural spectacles. South by boat, the village of Yelapa has no road access and no cars. And inland, the road to Tequila passes through mountain terrain that most visitors never see.

Sayulita

Sayulita is a small surf town approximately 40 kilometres north of Puerto Vallarta, accessed via Highway 200 and a short descent off the main road. The drive takes around 45 minutes. Sayulita was named a Pueblo Mágico in 2015, recognising the colonial character of its centre, the arched church on the hill, and the artisan market atmosphere.

The main beach faces southwest and picks up consistent Pacific swell, making it one of the most popular learn-to-surf locations on Mexico’s west coast. Surf lessons run approximately USD 50–80 per person for a two-hour session with a board and instructor included, with operators such as Lunazul Surf School and Captain Pablo’s running multiple sessions daily.

Beyond surfing, Sayulita’s market street has a good selection of Huichol beadwork, hand-embroidered clothing, and food stalls. The town is noticeably younger and more backpacker-oriented than Puerto Vallarta. Friday evenings bring a small artisan market to the main plaza. By mid-morning on weekends the beach fills with day visitors from Vallarta — arriving before 10am gives you the town at its most relaxed.

Buses from Puerto Vallarta’s central bus station depart frequently for Sayulita (approximately MXN 60–80, 45 min), and Ubers are available from the hotel zone for approximately MXN 250–350.

Marietas Islands

The Marietas Islands are an uninhabited archipelago approximately 35 kilometres offshore from Puerto Vallarta, accessible only by permitted boat tours. The islands and surrounding waters form a protected UNESCO biosphere area and are ecologically significant for nesting seabirds, dolphins, manta rays, and humpback whales (December–March).

The primary draw is Playa del Amor — a hidden beach accessible only by swimming through a short tunnel in the rock, revealed at low tide. SEMARNAT permits for beach access are capped at a small number per day, making advance booking essential. Tour operators book permit slots months ahead during high season.

Full-day tours from Puerto Vallarta cost approximately USD 90–130 per person and include boat transport, snorkelling gear, a bilingual naturalist guide, and lunch. Tours depart from the Marina Vallarta and typically take 5–7 hours including travel time. Operators listed on GetYourGuide and Viator with verified permit access include Vallarta Adventures and Sociedad Cooperativa de Producción Pesquera.

If Playa del Amor permits are sold out (which is common), tours still operate for snorkelling around the outer islands, where marine life encounters are often comparable.

Yelapa

Yelapa is a small fishing village on the southern shore of Banderas Bay with no road access. Water taxis from the Los Muertos pier in Puerto Vallarta (in the Emiliano Zapata neighbourhood) depart throughout the morning and the crossing takes approximately 45–75 minutes depending on conditions. Return fares cost approximately MXN 500 per person.

The village has a single beach, a handful of restaurants serving fresh fish and cold beer, and a waterfall trail that climbs approximately 20 minutes into the jungle above the town. The smaller of the two waterfalls (Cascada Pequeña) is a 20-minute walk; the larger (Cascada Grande) requires about an hour and a local guide, available for approximately MXN 200.

Yelapa has developed slowly, with a small community of foreign residents living without cars among the local fishing families. The beach itself is quiet, the food is fresh, and the setting — where the jungle meets the Pacific — is unusual. There’s nothing to do except swim, eat, and walk, which is exactly the point for those who seek it out.

Organised tours from Puerto Vallarta that include snorkelling stops en route to Yelapa cost approximately USD 50–90 and depart from the Malecón. These add another two to three hours to the journey but cover more of the bay’s marine life.

San Sebastián del Oeste

San Sebastián del Oeste lies approximately 1.5 hours northeast of Puerto Vallarta in the Sierra Madre Occidental, reached via a mountain road that climbs from sea level to nearly 1,500 metres through pine forest. The town was a significant silver mining centre in the colonial era and retains well-preserved 19th-century architecture around its central plaza.

The temperature at altitude is noticeably cooler than the coast — often 8–12°C lower — making it a particularly welcome excursion during the hot humid months of July and August. The Hacienda Jalisco on the outskirts operates as a small hotel and restaurant, and the church and plaza de armas are in good condition. The town has very few tourist facilities beyond one or two restaurants and a small local market.

Access requires a rental car or a tour; there is no regular public bus service from Puerto Vallarta. Tours cost approximately USD 60–90 per person and typically combine San Sebastián with a wine or mezcal tasting at one of the local producers.

Tequila Town

Tequila town is approximately 3.5 hours southeast of Puerto Vallarta via Highway 15D through Tepic. The distance makes this a long but feasible day trip if you leave early. Most visitors who want the tequila experience without the drive opt for the Tequila Express train from Guadalajara (see below) rather than travelling from Puerto Vallarta independently.

That said, organised full-day tours from Puerto Vallarta include transport, a Jose Cuervo or Herradura distillery tour, tasting sessions, and lunch for approximately USD 90–130 per person. If you’re based in Puerto Vallarta for an extended stay, the drive through the highland landscape and agave country has its own reward.

Bucerías and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Both towns sit on Highway 200 between Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita and make logical stops on the way north.

Bucerías (approximately 20 minutes north of PV) is a mixed local-expat beach town with good seafood restaurants along the malecón and a Wednesday evening artisan market. Less touristic than Sayulita and easier to reach, it suits a half-day rather than a full day.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (approximately 30 minutes north) has a working fishing harbour and a Sunday artisan market popular with local expats. The marina here caters to long-term sailboat anchorages and has several good restaurants with bay views.

Both towns are reachable by local bus from the Puerto Vallarta bus terminal for approximately MXN 25–45.

Getting There

• Sayulita: Bus from PV terminal (~MXN 60–80, 45 min) or Uber (~MXN 250–350)
• Marietas Islands: Permitted boat tour only, USD 90–130, book well in advance
• Yelapa: Water taxi from Los Muertos pier (~MXN 500 return, 45–75 min)
• San Sebastián del Oeste: Rental car (~1.5 hrs) or organised tour USD 60–90
• Tequila town: Organised tour from PV USD 90–130, or rental car (~3.5 hrs)
• Bucerías / La Cruz: Local bus (~MXN 25–45, 20–30 min)

All prices and journey times are approximate as of 2026.