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Looking for Puerto Vallarta’s can’t-miss activities? You’ve come to the right place!
There is a lot to do in this coastal city, so much that it can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve traveled to Puerto Vallarta countless times and have tried out most big-ticket activities.
So to alleviate your planning anxiety, we have put together the absolute best things to do in Puerto Vallarta. These are easy to book, top-rated, and the best way to experience the beach, jungle, food, and culture that Mexico’s west coast has to offer!
All you have to do is read through this list, book your favorite activities, and you’re well on your way to vacation!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this boat tour to the Marietas Islands! Explore remote islands, see wildlife, and kayak and snorkel in bright blue waters – how beautiful! Check out the hundreds of 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: This tour is popular, so book it in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
- 1. Marietas Islands Tour
- 2. Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkeling Tour from Puerto Vallarta
- 3. Rhythm of the Night Dinner Show and Cruise
- 4. Half-Day Whale Watching Excursion
- 5. Puerto Vallarta Outdoor Adventure Zip Line and Speedboat Ride
- 6. ATV Tour
- 7. Food and Mixology Tour: Tequila, Tacos, and Mexican Cocktails
- 8. Swimming with Dolphins
- 9. Parasailing Tour
- 10. Horseback Riding Tour in Sierra Madre
- Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
- Thanks for reading!
- Renting a Car in Mexico
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
1. Marietas Islands Tour
Islas Marietas, or The Marietas Islands, are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Puerto Vallarta! This is an area of several untouched pristine tiny islands – the perfect place to relax and explore some of the best natural beauty Puerto Vallarta has to offer.
Some of the highlights of the Marietas Islands include exploring different caverns and archways by kayak or paddleboard, relaxing at secluded white sand beaches, and then seeing fish, turtles, and other sea life while snorkeling! You’ll also stop at Majahuitas Beach which is very secluded and tranquil.
Of course, you’re going to need to join a tour to get out and explore these islands by boat.
This top-rated full-day tour will take you out to the islands, where you will enjoy a fun and relaxing day of traveling on the catamaran, kayaking, paddle boarding, and snorkeling. It includes an open bar, snorkel equipment, a kayak, and SUP. With all this swimming and open bar, we were thankful for the picnic lunch and snacks that were provided throughout the day.
On top of that, the cruise finishes with a search for wildlife such as manta rays, turtles, dolphins, and whales. In fact, those joining this Puerto Vallarta excursion between December and March have favorable chances of seeing humpback whales.
We had such a fun time on this tour and think it’s the best way to experience the Marietas Islands. You can book this tour for $109 USD per person for a full 7 hours of exploring – not a bad price if you ask me! Be sure to bring cash, as you’ll need to pay 40 pesos (about $2 USD) for the port fee.
Book this popular tour in advance here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
2. Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkeling Tour from Puerto Vallarta
This is a full-day tour to Yelapa and Majahuitas from Puerto Vallarta via boat, and it’s a stunning day trip! Yelapa is a small fishing village on a beautiful beach whereas Majahuitas is a secluded beach free of all civilization. This amazing tour visits both destinations in addition to a waterfall!
Yelapa is one of the best places to go snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta. On this tour from Puerto Vallarta, you’re just a short boat ride away from experiencing some of Mexico’s best marine species. The water is so clear it’s like glass. And the colorful schools of tropical fish are everywhere!
Hands down, this is the best excursion in Puerto Vallarta if you want to spend the day leisurely walking through the jungle, swimming near waterfalls, and feeling completely off the grid. It is like taking a mini-vacation while you’re on vacation.
The forest is lush, and the bay and beaches are private. Only a handful of tours go to Yelapa per day, so it’s not as crowded as other places. Enjoy a continental-style breakfast and a light buffet lunch onboard the boat.
Your day trip itinerary includes a stopover in Yelapa, where the locals ride donkeys and ATVs as their primary form of transportation. Then it’s off to Majahuitas, a private beach alcove getaway you’d be hard-pressed to find on a map.
The tour also offers up the panoramic splendor of Banderas Bay, the mighty Cola de Caballo waterfall, along with plenty of kayaking and swimming to keep you happy all day! The tour includes all your snorkeling and kayaking equipment as well as an open bar. There’s also an option to go horseback riding so bring extra pesos if that interests you.
This Puerto Vallarta tour departs from either Puerto Magico near the ship terminal or Vallarta Adventures, near the El Tigre golf course. The cost for this 7-hour excursion ranges from $93 USD to $109 USD, depending on the time of year you’re visiting.
Don’t miss out on this tour – book it in advance here to access free cancellation.
3. Rhythm of the Night Dinner Show and Cruise
The Rhythms of the Night Dinner Show is one of the most highly-rated excursions in Puerto Vallarta and a show I absolutely loved. But it is so much more than just a show.
The Rhythms of the Night tour is a full-on evening experience. It starts with a sunset dinner cruise in the Bay of Banderas. On this 1 hour cruise, you can enjoy a drink (or many drinks, as we did) onboard a catamaran while enjoying the famous Puerto Vallarta sunset. During certain times of the year, you may even see whales!
Then, when you arrive at Las Caletas (a private beach), you’ll be seated in the amphitheater to watch the show. The Rhythm of the Night show was actually conceived by the co-founder of Cirque de Soleil, so it is an impressive combination of acrobatics, theatrics, and music and dance. However, it also has a Mexican spin telling historical legends and stories. Honestly, it’s so impressive, and during some parts, you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
After the show, you’ll be taken to one of the many restaurants on the beach to enjoy a romantic candle-lit buffet dinner. The food is fantastic, and there are cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine on offer. We were very impressed with the dinner and the service.
This is truly an experience unique to Puerto Vallarta and one you shouldn’t miss out on! Tickets do often sell out, so be sure to book online in advance – especially during high tourist season. You can purchase tickets for $179 USD, which includes an open bar, dinner, and your show tickets. There is also an option to upgrade to VIP tickets and you’ll need to pay the port fee, so be sure to bring extra cash with you.
The tour begins with a 5 pm check-in at the port, and we arrived back at around 1 am – it’s a long night!
Book this show with hundreds of 5-star reviews here, before it sells out!
4. Half-Day Whale Watching Excursion
Puerto Vallarta’s marine life is a reason to visit all on its own. These majestic creatures visit Banderas Bay every year between December and April. As they frolic in the water, putting on a spectacular show, you can enjoy a front-row seat if you go whale watching in Puerto Vallarta.
Sit back in awe as the largest creatures on earth breach the water for all to see. This whale-watching tour in Puerto Vallarta is one of the most exciting, and you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face if you see a whale. Of course, you’re not guaranteed to see a whale over the entire season. However, in January, and February whales are spotted every day.
On whale-watching tours, you’ll head out for around 4 hours in search of Humpback Whales. You may also see dolphins and seals too. The tour also includes lunch and non-alcoholic beverages. Your professional guide will also tell you everything you’ve ever wanted to know about whales.
Overall this is one of the most popular tours in Puerto Vallarta between December and April so book ahead of time!
Check availability and reserve your spot on this top-rated experience here!
5. Puerto Vallarta Outdoor Adventure Zip Line and Speedboat Ride
Ziplining is one of the most popular excursions in Puerto Vallarta. In fact, the surrounding mountainous landscape is perfect for ziplining. Soar high above valleys above the canopy of the trees and see spectacular scenery.
You’ll get a bit of an adrenaline rush, so it’s exciting but also beautiful. Some of the longest ziplines in all of Mexico are located not far from Puerto Vallarta, making it the perfect place to give it a try!
On the zipline and speed boat tour, you’ll begin your day with an adrenaline-filled speed boat ride to Boca de Tomatlan – a secluded beach on the south end of Banderas Bay. Once you arrive, take the 4WD offroad journey through the jungle and reach 2,000 feet above sea level.
After, you’ll jump on a mule and climb even higher to begin your ziplining tour. The ziplines here are some of the largest in Mexico at over 1,000 feet long and 250 feet high. The ziplining ends with a repel down a tall waterfall and a swim in the river – which is super refreshing in the Puerto Vallarta heat.
This is a 6-hour tour that includes snacks for only $129 USD. That’s great value if you ask me!
Book this tour with over 1,000 5-star reviews here!
6. ATV Tour
Going on an ATV tour is always a fun way to spend a couple of hours. But, in Puerto Vallarta, ATV tours are even more special as you ride through lush tropical jungle and remote villages!
The tour we did in Puerto Vallarta took us along a dirt road that was really muddy in places (it was the wet season.) This made the tour super fun, and we got more than a little dirty.
After our ride, the tour stopped at the same place “The Predator” movie with Arnold Swaranegar was filmed called El Eden. It featured a gorgeous river and a man-made pool. Here we got to have a few beers and enjoy a swim.
The place was beautiful, and the water was so refreshing. There was even a natural rock slide as well as the opportunity to go ziplining. Of course, we opted to simply relax with a beer in hand and cool river water to swim in.
Before we knew it, it was time to take our ATVs back but not before stopping for a generous tequila tasting! We must have tried 10 types of tequila!
You can ride your own ATV (no experience required as the experts will give you a lesson) or, you can go in a pair. You can book this tour for $124 USD for a single rider or $139 USD for a double-rider ATV. Regardless, riding an ATV in the jungle is one of the best day tours in Puerto Vallarta!
Secure your spot now and access flexible cancellation and payment options.
7. Food and Mixology Tour: Tequila, Tacos, and Mexican Cocktails
If PV’s environmental backdrop isn’t transformative enough, the food scene in Puerto Vallarta is an endless extravaganza of flavorful delights. So taking at least one food tour is a must, and I highly recommend this Food and Mixology tour. You’ll get your fill of tacos, tequila, and cocktails, and with over 1,500 5-star reviews (see them all here) – this is a popular choice!
You’ll meet your tour guide at a designated spot in the city center. Then walk, talk, and eat your way through five memorable restaurants (enjoying food and a cocktail at each.) You’ll feast on street tacos and stuffed poblano peppers, learn the fundamentals of making tequila and mezcal, and uncover the uniqueness of each!
Up next, a toast at a local microbrewery that serves roasted a stupendously delicious street corn and pork belly snack! Then stroll to a café and wind down with a Mexican coffee on the beach!
This tour is well priced at $98 USD, including 5 dishes and 6 cocktails (or more if you befriend the guide!). That’s a lot of food and drinks in 4 hours! You’ll learn about some of Puerto Vallarta’s historical sites while you’re at it too. Arrive hungry, and make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!
Check out the thousands of positive reviews and book your spot here, before this tour fills up.
8. Swimming with Dolphins
I think we can all agree dolphins are fantastic! These smart and inquisitive creatures are the second smartest on the planet and, like us, are mammals.
In Puerto Vallarta, there is a unique excursion to jump in the water with a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins who marine biologists are researching at Wildlife Connection.
This tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and there is only one company that runs the tour. So you’ll not only get to jump in the water with the dolphins but also learn all about their life off the coast of Mexico. There is a hydrophone on board, and you’ll have a good chance to listen to the dolphins communicate.
The company is committed to the research and conservation of the dolphins in this area, so you can feel good about this ethical tour.
The tour will provide snorkeling equipment and take you out on a boat to visit a resident bottlenose dolphin group. On the way out to see dolphins, you may also get to see other wildlife. From December to March, it’s possible to see Humpback whales, rough-toothed dolphins, spinner dolphins, manta rays, marine turtles, and even Orcas.
Although the company cannot guarantee you will be allowed to swim with the dolphins, there is a good chance. This is because they let the dolphins tell them if they want to see us – exactly the way it should be!
The tour costs $100 USD, lasts for 3.5 hours, and includes bottled water. I’d rate this as one of the best tours in Puerto Vallarta and maybe even all of Mexico!
Reserve this epic tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
9. Parasailing Tour
One of the most popular water activities in Puerto Vallarta doesn’t even get you wet. Parasailing is when you get toed by a boat and sail through the air. Not only does this activity get the blood pumping but it’s also incredibly scenic.
While it’s a pretty quick experience, this parasailing tour was one of my favorite memories of Puerto Vallarta! It was truly epic seeing the goregous beach and ocean right below my feet. Okay, maybe a little freaky too but it was worth it. The crew did a great job of hyping us up and making sure we were safe as we soared through the air.
Parasailing can be done all over Puerto Vallarta from the Romantic Zone all the way to the Hotel Zone. A parasailing tour costs around $78 USD per person and they last for around 15 minutes.
Check availability and reserve this exciting parasailing experience here!
10. Horseback Riding Tour in Sierra Madre
Horseback riding is such a fun and unique experience in Puerto Vallarta! Not only will you get to explore remote parts of the mountains, but you’ll enjoy a beautiful ride surrounded by wildlife.
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy this horseback tour, which brings you through the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain range. This tour transports you from Puerto Vallarta and provides an expert guide to lead you through the tropical jungle area on horseback.
You’ll visit a waterfall for a swim, ride along the river, and cross hanging bridges before arriving at a ranch for a delicious lunch and open bar. This area is seriously beautiful, and we had so much fun experiencing it in a unique way. It’s not every day you can ride a horse through the jungle! Kids also love this tour and it makes for a great family activity.
The entire tour lasts for 5 hours and costs $103 USD. It includes lunch, unlimited drinks, your amazing guides, and the horse – of course!
Check out all the 5-star reviews and book this tour with free cancellation options here!
Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta
There are TONS of great hotels in Puerto Vallarta – no matter your budget or preferences. From luxurious budget resorts to cozy boutique hotels, deciding where to stay in Puerto Vallarta is super exciting, so I thought I’d share some of my favorite spots with you!
Hilton Vallarta Riviera – $$$
The Hilton Vallarta Riviera is one of the best resorts in town – it’s all-inclusive, so you’re free to have plenty of peaceful downtime. They also have 7 restaurants, a private beach, a pool, a spa, and a gym. Rooms have super comfy beds and can include a terrace, balcony, and a private jetted tub overlooking the ocean! There’s evening entertainment and a kid’s club to keep the little ones happy
Rooms here at the Hilton Vallarta Riviera average around $350-$650 USD per night, but you can often get a good deal (on the lower end of that range) if you book in advance.
Amapas Apartments Puerto Vallarta – $$
The Amapas Apartments in Puerto Vallarta are a series of adult-only, self-contained apartments, located in my favorite area of town – the Romantic Zone. It’s really close to the beach, and restaurants, as well as tons of shopping and nightlife options. They even have a pool, with all rooms being air-conditioned too!
With one and two-bedroom apartments available, a stay here typically starts around $96 USD per night, which I think is a great deal considering the size of the apartment and its location! This is another really popular spot though, so don’t forget to book your stay online in advance.
Posada de Roger – $
Another superb budget choice is the Hotel Posada de Roger that’s right in the heart of the Romantic Zone. All rooms here have AC, and they even have an outdoor pool that gets tons of sun. If you fancy making up some packed lunches, they also have a shared kitchen which is free for guests to use. No wonder it’s our go-to place to stay in Puerto Vallarta!
A one-night stay here at Posada de Roger starts at $64 USD per night, but it is pretty popular, so I’d recommend making your reservation in advance on Booking.com.
Renting a Car in Mexico
Undoubtedly, one of the best ways to get around Mexico is in a rental car.
I struggled to get around by bus and taxi for the longest time. But after renting a car in Cancun in 2023, I never looked back. It allowed me to explore the country without worrying about tours or taxis. It was why I fell in love with Mexico and eventually decided to live here periodically.
I refuse to use local services whenever I rent a car in Mexico. The truth is they sometimes can’t be trusted or come with hidden fees (or costly insurance that doesn’t make sense.) There are even rental car scams! So instead, I use Discover Cars, the company most experienced travelers or ex-pats in Mexico recommend. Read my honest review of Discover Cars here for more details!
The rates on Discover Cars are cheap, too, with the average rental costing around $25 USD per day. Full coverage insurance can be added for an extra $10 USD a day too.
Driving in Mexico also only requires a driver’s license using the Roman alphabet. If yours uses another like Japan and China, you simply need an international driving permit.
Insurance is required, but if you book with Discover Cars and get the full coverage, that’s all you need! Oh, and being over 18 is required, and if you’re over 25, your rental will be much cheaper!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
There is a lot to love about Puerto Vallarta, and these top activities hit the highlights! We’ve traveled all over Mexico, but Puerto Vallarta has always been one of our favorite spots. I’m sure after ticking off some of these top activities, you’ll feel the same way!
Thanks for reading our blog! If you need more resources and travel inspiration, check out the rest of our Mexico blogs here. I’ll leave a few related reads below that will help your travel planning. Cheers!
12 Things to KNOW Before Going Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta
7 BEST Tequila Tours in Puerto Vallarta +Tips BEFORE Booking
How to Spend 3 Days in Mexico City: An Ideal 3-Day Mexico City Itinerary