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Skydiving in Puerto Vallarta has to be one of the most amazing experiences Mexico has to offer. Beautiful beach landings, amazing sunsets, and not to mention, the best views you could possibly ask for!
For most people, working up the courage to make their first jump out of an airplane can be daunting (trust me I’ve been there), especially in another country.
I skydive solo as a hobby. I am rather new to the sport and to date have only completed 31 solo jumps. To you, that might sound like a lot, but in reality, it’s not.
Skydiving is a sport where thousands of jumps are required to be considered “experienced.” I am an Australian “A license” holder and have jumped at 4 different drop zones around the world. Due to the fact that I am new to the sport, safety is a huge concern to me, and jumping around safe people is the most important thing!
The majority of people reading this will likely be contemplating doing a tandem jump (jumping attached to an experienced instructor) and with that, probably have a few questions.
So, in this post, I want to give an unbiased review of skydiving in Puerto Vallarta touching on safety, atmosphere, and much more.
Note: The companies that offer skydiving in Puerto Vallarta are called “Vallarta Skydive” and “FLY Skydive”. Although this blog does contain affiliate links, in no way is this a sponsored post, this is just my experience with Vallarta Skydive to provide you with relevant information.
The Safety of Skydiving in Puerto Vallarta
Skydive Puerto Vallarta is a very safe and professional company to skydive with. They follow the USPA (United States Parachute Association) standards.
When choosing a place to skydive, making sure that they follow the safety standards of a governing body is important as it sets the standards for equipment maintenance, licenses, training, and many other factors in the sport.
You can secure your skydive with Skydive Vallarata online here!
As for me, from the moment I contacted the team at Skydive Vallarta about jumping solo again after an 8-month break, I was asked many questions in order to determine the necessary steps/training to get me in the sky again. I met with the owner upon my arrival and sat down to discuss some of my experiences and check my licenses before a coach took me for a 3-hour training refresher.
Since I hadn’t jumped in a while, Skydive Vallarta’s concern about my safety was a huge relief and a testament to their focus on safety as a company. After getting to know the jumpers more, I found out that the experience the tandem instructors had was huge (with one guy having over 16,000 jumps!)
Skydive Puerto Vallarta’s equipment was all well maintained. Equipment pre-checks before taking off as well as in the plane took place to ensure jumping was very safe. This combined with the years of experience from the team, my time skydiving with Skydive Puerto Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta is a fun memory that I won’t forget.
Related Read: While you’re in Puerto Vallarta, be sure to head to the nearby town of Sayulita where there’s plenty of fun things to do and see!
The View!
As far as places to skydive, Puerto Vallarta is up there with one of the most breathtaking views! From 12,000 feet you get some great views of the surrounding mountains and beautiful beaches.
One thing I loved about jumping there was landing on the beach! During the time I spent skydiving in Puerto Vallarta, I witnessed many tandems jumping out at different locations so they could land right out the front of their own hotel! The beach that Skydive Vallarta lands at is in the Hotel Zone – one of the best places to stay in Puerto Vallarta.
My favorite time to jump is always at sunset. The beautiful red and yellow array of colors that fills the sky only adds to the experience and makes for the best landing photos. You can book your own epic skydive experience here!
Related Read: For other great adrenaline-filled experiences, check out the best excursions in Puerto Vallarta! Our blog outlines everything from top-rated ATV to zipline tours and more!
The Team
One thing that makes skydiving in Puerto Vallarta so amazing is the people. The friendly atmosphere and welcoming smiles at Skydive Vallarta made everyone who jumped have an amazing time even before they got on the plane!
Most of the jumpers had spent a lot of time jumping in the United States and all spoke fluent English. With the tens of thousands of jumps between them, the crew at Skydive Puerto Vallarta are, in my opinion, professionals in the sport.
Overall, I believe you won’t find a more professional skydive club than Skydive Vallarta. We all want to push the limits and experience amazing things and here you can do that knowing you’re in great hands.
If you’ve gotten more confident after reading this guide you can book your spot with Skydive Vallarta online in advance – these guys are very busy and you’d hate to miss out!
I love the sport of skydiving and it will be something I continue to do for a long time. However, for most people it is a bucket list experience, you know, that thing you do once and never again – like me with my first jump! But no matter what your reasons, skydiving in Puerto Vallarta is one experience you’ll never forget!
Related Read: In our guide on the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta we’ve included a ton of unique suggestions that are sure to keep you full during your holiday!
The Cost of Skydiving in Puerto Vallarta + Different Packages
If you’re still reading then you’re probably curious as to how much a bucket list experience like this is going to set you back. You can check out the different skydiving package offerings with prices below and find which one is perfect for you!
All experiences include a 10-minute safety training session before heading into the plane. You will jump from 10,000 feet (3,050 meters) with 40-45 seconds of freefall. During the winter there are higher jumps from 18,000 feet (5,500 meters).
- Tandem jump only – $346.16 USD per person
- Tandem jump with photos – $420.52 USD
- Tandem jump with photos & video – $449.24 USD
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Other Activities to do While You’re in Puerto Vallarta
There’s a good reason why we keep coming back to Puerto Vallarta! Not only is skydiving here pretty epic but there are a ton more fun activities to try too!
From cruising around on an ATV tour to strolling down the Malecon (boardwalk), you’ve got plenty to sink your teeth into outside of jumping out of a plane. Here are a few of our personal favorite things to do in Puerto Vallarta:
- Enjoy a swashbuckling show on a pirate ship – Ahoy landlubbers! Ever wanted to live out your dream of being a pirate, sailing across the seven seas? Or maybe you’ve got a little one who is swinging around their imaginary cutlass like a pro? This pirate ship cruise includes a dinner fit for a pirate king with cannons, fireworks, and all kinds of jolly entertainment to boot!
- Explore the jungle on an ATV tour – One of my all-time favorite activities in Puerto Vallarta was going on an ATV tour. Dan and I went on this half-day Jorullo Bridge ATV experience that takes you to some of the most scenic natural spots in the area, as well as over the longest suspension bridge in Latin America!
- Visit the Rhythms of the Night Show – When it comes to the best dinner shows in Puerto Vallarta, the Rhythms of the Night Show is a tough one to beat! It takes place on a secluded island with incredible dancing, acrobatics, music, and, of course, the food is amazing too. You also get to enjoy a beautiful catamaran cruise to and from the island! You can book your ticket online here.
- Walk the Puerto Vallarta Malecon – The boardwalk here is absolutely full of amazing museums, some of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, and more shops than you can count! This is a great spot to pick up some souvenirs for the folks back home, have a go at making your own chocolate, or simply enjoy a drink at Señor Frog’s!
- Go whale watching – Going whale watching in Puerto Vallarta is a pretty popular activity (and a favorite of mine!). Not only is it one of the best places to see humpback whales, but you might even see grey or blue whales too. This 4-hour whale-watching tour is ideal for those on a budget but is also capped at just 12 passengers per tour!
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!
Oasis Hostel – $
Who said you couldn’t live the dream on a budget? The Oasis Hostel offers both dorms and private rooms, which all have air conditioning with traditional Mexican decor. It’s around 5 km (3 mi) to get downtown, but that’s really easy with a taxi, or you can also rent a bike straight from the hostel.
Rooms here are super affordable, starting at just $19 USD including breakfast! Whether you’re backpacking through Puerto Vallarta or prefer to spend your money on experiences over accommodation, this is a great choice. You can book your space on either Hostelworld or Booking.com.
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. You can always cancel the stay for free if you change your mind, so it’s a win-win!
Amapas Apartments Puerto Vallarta – $$
The Amapas Apartments in Puerto Vallarta are a series of adult-only, self-contained apartments, located in my favorite area of town – the Romantic Zone. It’s really close to the beach, restaurants, as well as tons of shopping and nightlife options. They even have a pool, with all rooms being air-conditioned too!
With one and two-bedroom apartments available, a stay here typically starts around $96 USD per night, which I think is a great deal considering the size of the apartment and its location! This is another really popular spot though, so don’t forget to book your stay online in advance.
Hilton Vallarta Riviera – $$$
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.
Note: For more options, you can also browse all the hotels in Puerto Vallarta here!
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!
If you have any more questions I will leave you with the link to Skydive Vallarta’s website here. Through the website, you can contact one of their professional staff and get any questions you may have answered before you book your jump!
Check out all of our Mexico blogs! We have tons of city guides, info on the best places to visit and what to do there, and other inspiring articles to help you enjoy Mexico as much as we do!
Here are a couple of our favorite blogs about travel in Mexico:
Amazing things to do in Mexico City
Things to do in San Pancho, Mexico
Best hotels in Oaxaca near the Zocalo
20 Things to KNOW Before Renting a Car in Puerto Vallarta
Destinationless Travel
Tuesday 20th of March 2018
Thanks for the website, I will check it out!