Things to do in Jalisco
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Guadalajara City Center Walking Tour: José Clemente Orozco muralsA walking tour of Guadalajara's historic center covers eleven stops across the city's colonial core, led by a certified guide in English. The route moves through Liberation Square, past the Governor's Palace (home to murals by José Clemente Orozco), the Metropolitan Cathedral, and ends at the Cabañas Cultural Institute with a view of the skyline. Children from age 1 are welcome; the tour takes just over two hours on foot.Is it for me?Book this if you're comfortable walking continuously through plazas and the market; choose the guided version to have the colonial architecture and Orozco murals contextualized as you move.
Puerto Vallarta: UTV Off-Road Adventure & Private Trail RideYou’ll carve through tropical forest near Puerto Vallarta in your own UTV, guided by locals who know every bend of these private trails. Expect muddy shoes, laughter over snacks, and views stretching back toward Nuevo Vallarta. This off-road adventure includes pickup options, all gear provided, plus stories you’ll probably tell for weeks after.
Puerto Vallarta: Jet Ski Safari & Snorkel at Los ArcosYou’ll race across Puerto Vallarta’s bay by jet ski with a local guide, see Old Town from a new angle, pause for snorkeling near Los Arcos (weather permitting), and zip back to Marina Vallarta at full speed. Expect laughter, salty air, fish sightings—and a little adrenaline rush that lingers long after you’re back on land.
Guadalajara: Walking Tour Historic Center & Orozco MuralsYou’ll wander Guadalajara’s historic center with a local guide who brings every plaza and mural alive — from Orozco’s powerful art to market snacks you’ve never heard of. Expect real stories, new flavors (tejuino is… an experience), and moments that stick with you long after you leave.
Puerto Vallarta: Market Tour & Cooking Class with Chef ManuYou shop the local market with Chef Manu, learning which vendors he trusts and how to pick ingredients for authentic Mexican cooking. Back at his home kitchen, you prepare a three-course meal side-by-side—ceviche, enchiladas, and a protein dish—using what you bought, then sit down to eat together with wine or beer. The experience ends at his home, and you leave with techniques you can use in your own kitchen.Is it for me?Book this if you want to learn real Mexican cooking from someone who trained professionally but cooks at home, and you'd rather spend time in a local market and a real kitchen than in a restaurant or cooking school—the private format means Manu adjusts the pace and menu to what you actually want to make.
Tequila & Amatitán: Private Distillery Tour with TastingsYou’ll ride through agave fields to Tequila in a comfy AC vehicle with drinks on board. Taste six types of tequila at a premium distillery with a friendly local guide, then relax over dinner inside an old hacienda garden. The day wraps up with live music and big smiles at Cantaritos El Güero—a real taste of Jalisco warmth.
Puerto Vallarta Yacht Charter: Waterslides & All-Inclusive BarA private 4-hour yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay on the Chica Fun 3, a 45-foot trimaran with two waterslides, jumping platform and water toys for groups up to 35. You customize the route — Marietas Islands or Yelapa Falls are the main options — and the crew, captain and open bar come with it. Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards and fresh snacks are included; hot lunch is available for an extra charge.Is it for me?Pick this charter if your group wants to control the day — which destination, how long at each stop, when to slide and when to snorkel — instead of following a set schedule. The crew and captain handle the navigation and the bar; you handle the itinerary.
Puerto Vallarta: Jungle Hike, Waterfall Swim & Bay ViewYou’ll ride local transport from Puerto Vallarta into lush jungle, hike along winding rivers with a guide who knows every plant, swim beneath cool waterfalls with fish at your feet, and end up gazing over the bay from high above. Expect muddy shoes, fresh fruit breaks, laughter—and a moment of real quiet at the top.
Puerto Vallarta Tour with Butterfly Garden & Tequila TastingA guided city tour of Puerto Vallarta that combines the Malecón seawall, a live jewelry workshop, the butterfly garden with restaurant and river access, and free beach time—4 to 6 hours depending on the departure time you choose. Morning tours include stops where you step out of the vehicle; evening tours keep the city review from inside the van. Pickup is included from hotels or cruise ships, and a complimentary tequila tasting comes with butterfly garden entry.Is it for me?Choose the morning departure if you want to step out and walk the Malecón and jewelry workshop; choose the evening tour if you prefer to stay in the vehicle and move faster through the city. Both include the butterfly garden and beach time, so the main difference is how much time you spend outside the transport and how much heat you're willing to sit in.
Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling Tour: Los Arcos & Hidden BeachesHalf-day snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta at Los Arcos Marine Park, where you jump into warm water to find colorful tropical fish and reef species around granite formations and sea caves. The boat then cruises the remote southern coastline—past Colomitos (Mexico's smallest beach, with optional cliff jumping), Madagascar Beach and Horse Beach—before ending at Las Animas Beach with a complimentary appetizer and free time to swim or relax. Snorkeling equipment, water and beer are included; the whole outing runs four hours.Is it for me?Book this half-day if you want to snorkel a protected marine park and see the remote southern coastline in one outing—the fixed schedule keeps all three sea caves, five islands, hidden beaches and free time at Las Animas inside a single afternoon, so the day holds together without building it yourself.
Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise Puerto Vallarta: Banderas BayA whale and dolphin watching cruise in Banderas Bay near Puerto Vallarta that runs December through March, with a bilingual marine biologist guide, continental breakfast, open bar, and lunch. The boat changes course based on where humpback whales and dolphins are spotted that morning, so no two trips follow the same route.Is it for me?The bilingual guide delivers commentary in both English and Spanish throughout the cruise, so mixed-language groups follow the same explanation without needing separate tours. If you're traveling with young children, the flexible itinerary—where the boat follows the whales rather than a fixed schedule—means you're not locked into a tight timeline and can move at the pace the marine life sets.
Banderas Bay whale watching cruise with open barA 3-hour whale watching cruise through Banderas Bay operates December to March, when humpback whales migrate to the bay to breed and raise their young. You scan the horizon from a stable yacht while the crew tracks the latest sightings, and you're likely to see dolphins, rays and sea turtles alongside the whales. The tour includes fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and juices at the start, plus guacamole, ceviche, chips and an open bar throughout—water, coffee, beer, wine, margaritas, tequila and piña colada. You choose your meeting point (Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta cruise terminal) before booking.Is it for me?Book the morning or afternoon departure that fits your schedule—both run the same 3-hour route and include the same food and bar, so the choice is yours based on when you want to be on the water. If you're arriving mid-trip with a free afternoon or a port day, you can pick your meeting point in Nuevo Vallarta or at the cruise terminal and be on the bay within hours.
Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Sunset & Bioluminescence Boat TourYou’ll start your evening on a boat from Puerto Vallarta or Mismaloya Beach, catching stories from your local guide as you cruise toward Los Arcos for sunset views with drinks in hand. After dark, slip into glowing waters alive with bioluminescent plankton—swim or just watch them dance around your hands before heading back under the night sky.
Guadalajara: Charrería Heritage Tour & Horseback Ride TequilaYou’ll step into Jalisco’s charrería world—touching old saddles in a living museum, meeting real charros, learning to lasso (or trying), riding a Quarter Horse with your own charro hat, then sharing tequila and music under wide Mexican skies. It’s lively, hands-on, and surprisingly moving if you let it be.
Marietas Islands: Snorkeling & Hidden Beach Small Group TourYou’ll meet your small group at Marina Vallarta before heading out to snorkel around Marietas Islands with a biologist guide who actually points out wildlife you’d miss alone. If you’re lucky in the draw, you’ll swim into the famous Hidden Beach for ten minutes—otherwise you’ll relax on board watching birds wheel overhead. Expect real conversation, salty air, and honest moments you’ll remember later.
Chapala & Ajijic Tour: Lake Chapala Pueblo MagicoA guided tour from Guadalajara to Lake Chapala and the pueblo mágico of Ajijic, traveling by air-conditioned van with a live guide who speaks English or Spanish. The route includes a stop at Vicente Fernández's Tres Potrillos store to learn about charrería as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, time at the lake's riverbank to hear its history and biodiversity, and a walk through Ajijic's cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Travel insurance and bottled water are included; the tour runs eight hours and departs from La Minerva in Guadalajara.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a guide who knows Lake Chapala's history and Ajijic's character — the eight-hour route and included transport mean you're not managing the logistics yourself, so the day stays focused on what you came to see.
Puerto Vallarta: Whale Watching Speedboat Tour & Marine ExpertYou’ll ride a small speedboat into Banderas Bay with a marine expert guiding your search for humpback whales. Listen to live whale songs through hydrophones, watch mothers and calves from up close (but respectfully distant), and share laughs with your group over light snacks and stories from your guide. It’s not just sightseeing — it’s an experience that lingers long after you’re back on shore.
Guadalajara: Private Walking Tour with Historic Plazas & Mercado LibertadYou’ll wander Guadalajara’s historic streets with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Expect lively plazas, the chaos (in a good way) of Mercado Libertad, and time to pause at Hospicio Cabañas’ murals. This private walking tour moves at your pace—with plenty of chances for snacks, questions, or just soaking up the city’s rhythm.
Sayulita & San Pancho: Private Day Trip with Art, Markets & BeachYou’ll feel swept along by color and sound as you explore San Pancho’s art-filled streets and Sayulita’s lively market on this private day trip from Puerto Vallarta. Taste local food, meet artisans (maybe even try your hand at beading), wander sun-warmed beaches, and return with sand between your toes—and probably a story or two.
Puerto Vallarta: Road Food Tour with Tastings & Local GuideYou’ll ride through Puerto Vallarta’s neighborhoods tasting everything from barbacoa tacos to beachside flan with a local guide leading the way. Expect real stories behind every dish, plenty of laughs in the van, and enough flavors for a full lunch — plus transport and water included. It’s more than just eating; you’ll feel part of the city for an afternoon.
