Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has a wider activity range than most Pacific resort towns — the bay for whale watching and island trips, the Sierra Madre jungle for zip-lines and hikes, and the old town for walking, eating, and evening entertainment.

At a glance

Activity	Cost	Best Season	Duration
Whale watching	From ~USD $70/person	Dec–Mar	3–4 hours
Marieta Islands + Hidden Beach	From ~USD $120/person	Year-round (limited access)	Full day
Water taxi beaches (Yelapa)	~MXN $350–400 return	Year-round	Half to full day
Canopy zip-line	From ~MXN $1,500	Year-round	3–4 hours
Sayulita day trip	Bus ~MXN $50	Year-round	Half to full day
Malecón + Zona Romántica	Free	Year-round	2–3 hours
Snorkelling (Los Arcos)	From ~MXN $800	Year-round	2–3 hours

All prices approximate, as of 2026.

Whale watching (December–March)

Humpback whales migrate into Banderas Bay in significant numbers each winter to breed and calve. The bay’s size and the whale density make Puerto Vallarta one of the most reliable humpback watching destinations in the Pacific. The whales are close to the boats — breaching, tail-slapping, and mother-calf pairs are regularly sighted.

Half-day group tours (3–4 hours) from approximately USD $70–100 per person. Tours depart from Marina Norte and Los Muertos Pier. January and February are peak months when whale numbers are highest. The season runs from approximately early December to late March. Private charters are available from approximately USD $400–600 for a group of up to 8.

Operators: Vallarta Adventures (one of the largest, departures from Marina Norte), Ocean Friendly (smaller boats, marine biologist guides), and Wildlife Connection (from approximately USD $72 per adult, USD $48 per child). Book at least 2–3 days in advance during January–February.

Marieta Islands (Las Islas Marietas)

A national marine reserve 35 km northwest of the city in open ocean. The islands are famous for the Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach) — a beach inside a collapsed volcanic crater, accessible by swimming through a short tunnel at low tide. The surrounding reef is protected, with excellent snorkelling.

Tours: Full-day trips from approximately USD $120–150 per person, including boat transport, snorkelling equipment, and guide. Departures from Marina Norte. An additional Hidden Beach entrance fee of approximately MXN $600 per person (cash only) is payable on-site. Access to Hidden Beach is limited by federal permit — visits are capped at 15–20 minutes, and the beach is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Book at least several days in advance; spots fill fast in high season.

Operators: Vallarta Adventures runs the most established tours. Eco Explorers and Jet’s Private Boat Tours offer smaller group options.

Remote beaches by water taxi

Several beaches south of Puerto Vallarta are accessible only by water taxi from Los Muertos Pier or from Boca de Tomatlán (30 minutes south by city bus, approximately MXN $15):

Beach	Water taxi from Los Muertos	What to expect
Las Ánimas	~MXN $200 return, 30 min	Palapa restaurants, calm water, snorkelling
Quimixto	~MXN $250 return, 40 min	Short hike (20 min) to a jungle waterfall
Yelapa	~MXN $350–400 return, 45 min	Village with no road, waterfall, overnight stays possible

Water taxis from Boca de Tomatlán are cheaper (approximately MXN $100–250 return) since the distance is shorter. The last return boats typically leave by 4–5 pm — confirm the schedule when you board.

Yelapa is the most atmospheric destination — a permanent village with a handful of guesthouses (from approximately MXN $500/night), a waterfall reachable by a 30-minute walk, and a pace completely detached from Puerto Vallarta. Day trip or overnight.

Jungle activities

The Sierra Madre mountains directly behind the city rise steeply from the coast, creating dramatic jungle canyons.

Canopy zip-line tours: Los Veranos and Vallarta Adventures run zip-line circuits through the jungle with views of the bay and river canyons. Tours from approximately MXN $1,500–2,500 per person (3–4 hours), including transport from Puerto Vallarta. Most circuits include 8–12 zip-lines, some spanning 300+ metres over the canopy.

Hiking: The La Colomilla trail runs through jungle behind the city — free, accessible independently, with views over Banderas Bay. Allow 2–3 hours. Boca de Tomatlán is the starting point for coastal jungle trails to Las Ánimas and Quimixto (2–3 hours one way on foot, moderate difficulty).

ATV and buggy tours: Available through several operators, typically running through jungle trails and river crossings. From approximately MXN $1,500 per person for a 3-hour circuit.

Snorkelling and diving

Los Arcos — a cluster of granite arches and islands just south of the Hotel Zone. The marine life around the rocks is abundant — tropical fish, rays, and sea turtles. Snorkel tours from approximately MXN $800–1,200 per person (2–3 hours). The site is also popular for diving (from approximately MXN $1,500 for a two-tank dive).

Diving: Puerto Vallarta has several dive shops along the Malecón and in the Zona Romántica. Sites include Los Arcos, the Marieta Islands (clearer water), and the El Morro pinnacle north of the bay. PADI certification courses from approximately MXN $5,000–7,000.

Zona Romántica and Malecón

The Zona Romántica south of the Río Cuale is the city’s most atmospheric neighbourhood — narrow cobblestone streets, independent restaurants and bars, art galleries, and the main gay beach (Playa Los Muertos). The area has the densest concentration of quality restaurants in the city, particularly along Basilio Badillo (known as Restaurant Row).

The Malecón boardwalk runs approximately 1.5 km along the waterfront through the Centro. Public art sculptures line the walk — from the seahorse at the southern end to the Los Arcos amphitheatre at the northern end, which hosts free evening performances (music, dance, theatre — schedule varies, check locally). The best time to walk the Malecón is at sunset.

Isla Cuale — a small island in the Río Cuale, accessible by footbridge. A craft market selling pottery, jewellery, and textiles, plus the small Museo del Cuale (free entry, local archaeology).

Sayulita and the Riviera Nayarit

45 km north — a surf village with a consistent beach break (longboard-friendly), good tacos, and a more relaxed pace than Puerto Vallarta. Buses from the PV bus station or highway (approximately MXN $50, 1 hour). The town has its own restaurant and bar scene, surf schools (from approximately MXN $500 for a 1-hour lesson), and a colourful, walkable centre. Easy half-day or full-day trip.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (35 km north) has a Sunday artisan market along the marina — crafts, food stalls, and live music. The marina also has fishing boat access for deep-sea fishing charters (from approximately MXN $5,000 for a half day).

Practical tips

• City buses run along the coastal road from the Hotel Zone through Centro and Zona Romántica (approximately MXN $10–15). Easy to use — look for buses marked “Centro” or “Mismaloya.”
• Uber works throughout Puerto Vallarta and is cheaper than taxis for most routes.
• Timing: The best months for activity variety are January–March — dry weather, whale watching, and comfortable temperatures. May–June is good value with decent weather. July–September is hot and humid with afternoon rain but the lowest prices.

More Puerto Vallarta Guides

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• Food to Try in Puerto Vallarta
• Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

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See Also

• Sayulita Travel Guide — 45 minutes north, the surf village on the Riviera Nayarit
• Whale Watching in Baja California — humpback whales off Puerto Vallarta from December to March
• Pacific Coast Beaches — how PV’s beaches compare with the wider Pacific coast
• Los Cabos vs Puerto Vallarta — which Pacific resort works better for your trip
• Puerto Vallarta vs Cancún — Pacific vs Caribbean — comparing Mexico’s two main resort destinations