Things to do in Jalisco
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Guadalajara: Tequila Route Tour & Premium TastingsYou're picked up in Guadalajara and driven through UNESCO-protected agave fields to working distilleries where you see the harvest, cooking, fermentation, and distillation of tequila. You taste four expressions—Blanco through Extra Aged—visit family operations in El Arenal, and stop at a traditional tequila chant bar. Transport, water, tastings, and travel insurance are all included; you return to the city in the evening.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand how tequila is actually made rather than just drink it—the distillery visits and field time are what separate this from a bar crawl, and the bilingual guide means you're not guessing at what you're seeing.
Puerto Vallarta: 8 Zip Lines & Suspension Bridge with TequilaYou zip line eight times through Puerto Vallarta's jungle canopy, walk the continent's longest suspension bridge, and get a tequila tasting included. Bilingual guides handle all the safety checks and gear; round transport from Zona Romantica means you show up and go. The whole experience runs five hours, and you're back in town by late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full jungle adventure without arranging your own transport or worrying about safety gear and guide quality — the five-hour structure and included tequila tasting turn a single afternoon into a complete experience.
ATV Riding Puerto Vallarta: Private El Eden AdventurePrivate ATV riding adventure from Puerto Vallarta to El Eden, a jungle paradise and former film set where you ride intermediate-level trails, swim in the river, and decide how long to spend at each stop. The tour runs 4 hours with a private guide in English or Spanish; you'll pass the Malecón and Los Arcos on the way out, and can add zip lines or tequila tasting at checkout. Minimum age is 16 with a valid driver's license; passengers can be as young as 6.Is it for me?Book this if you're an intermediate ATV rider who wants to control your own pace and stops — the private format means you spend as long as you want at El Eden's river and trails, or skip the village stop entirely and ride deeper into the mountains instead. Single or double riders work equally well; just bring your valid driver's license and a swimsuit.
Puerto Vallarta: Six Beach Coastal Hike & Water Taxi ReturnYou’ll start in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone, ride with locals by bus to Boca de Tomatlán, then hike through jungle paths connecting six wild beaches. Swim where few people go, eat fresh seafood at Las Animas (not included), and finish with a breezy water taxi ride back along the coast. Expect real adventure—and maybe sand stuck between your toes for days.
Puerto Vallarta: ATV Rio Cuale Sierra Madre & Tequila TastingYou’ll ride ATVs from Puerto Vallarta along the Rio Cuale into the Sierra Madre mountains, crossing rivers and rocky trails before cooling off with a swim in a waterfall lagoon (if it’s rained enough). Lunch at a mountain spot comes with fresh flavors and ends with an honest-to-goodness tequila tasting. It’s loud, messy fun — and those views really stay with you.
Puerto Vallarta: Untouristed Taco & Street Food TourYou meet local families and eat at their taquerias in an authentic working neighborhood, with breakfast and lunch included. The tour runs steady for a few hours with moderate walking, so plan for a morning or early afternoon out. It's built for meat eaters who want to skip the tourist restaurants and eat where locals actually go.Is it for me?Right for travelers who eat meat and want to understand how Puerto Vallarta actually feeds itself, away from resort restaurants. Expect a few hours of steady walking through a working neighborhood — that's what keeps the experience real and the portions genuine.
6 Beaches Hiking Tour Puerto Vallarta: Jungle to CoastA full-day hiking tour from Puerto Vallarta that covers 4+ miles of challenging terrain through jungle paths and along the coast, visiting Colomitos, Playa Madagascar, Playa Los Caballos, and Playa Las Animas with a professional guide in English, Spanish or French. The hike involves steep, rocky ground and narrow trails; swimmers can enter the water at optimal conditions, snorkel gear is provided at Colomitos, and the day ends with a seafood meal at Las Animas before a boat ride back to Boca de Tomatlán. Pickup is available at the Romantic Zone bus stop or by car for an additional fee.Is it for me?The steep jungle terrain and full-day commitment suit hikers with strong fitness who want to cover multiple beaches in one outing without navigating the route themselves. If you prefer shorter walks, easier paths or a guide-free pace, a self-guided beach day or a shorter coastal stroll would be a better fit.
Private Puerto Vallarta City Tour: Your Pace, Your GuideA private city tour of Puerto Vallarta with a certified local guide and dedicated vehicle, starting from your hotel, villa or cruise port. You travel at your own pace through Banderas Bay, the Malecón boardwalk, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and hidden coastal viewpoints, with the itinerary adapting to your interests—extra time for photos, spontaneous food stops, or a tequila tasting at a Sierra Madre distillery. The guide speaks English or Spanish and the vehicle is air-conditioned with bottled water included.Is it for me?The four- to six-hour window gives you time to see the main sights—the Malecón, the church, hidden viewpoints—and still have room for a long lunch or an optional tequila tasting without rushing. If you're on a cruise ship with limited time ashore, you can trim it to the core stops; if you have a full day, you can linger and add extras. Solo travelers and couples pay a minimum equivalent to three guests, which covers operational costs but gives you a completely personalized experience with a dedicated guide and vehicle.
Puerto Vallarta: Scuba Diving Arcos & Marietas Islands TourYou’ll ride out from Marina Vallarta with a local guide, spotting dolphins or even whales along the way before diving into clear waters at Los Arcos or Marietas Islands. Certified divers can explore deeper sites while beginners get gentle coaching and full gear included. Lunch on deck tastes better after swimming with turtles—and you’ll head home sun-warmed and salt-haired.
Puerto Vallarta Food Tour: Pueblos, cooking class & tastingsA six-hour cultural tour from Puerto Vallarta into the rural pueblos of San Juan de Abajo and Valle de Bandera, with a local guide, a hands-on cooking class and lunch included. You visit the church and plaza of each town, walk through the countryside that supplies the city's markets, and prepare a meal using techniques and ingredients the guide teaches you on the spot.Is it for me?Most food tours in Puerto Vallarta stop at restaurants or markets to taste what others have made. This one puts you in the kitchen with a local cook, so you leave knowing how to make the dishes instead of just remembering the flavor.
Puerto Vallarta: Private Cooking Class & Mexican Meal with Chef ManuYou spend three hours in Chef Manu's Puerto Vallarta home kitchen learning to prepare three traditional Mexican dishes from scratch — ceviche, enchiladas, and a third dish customized to your taste. The cooking portion takes about an hour, hands-on and guided by someone trained professionally. Afterward you sit down and eat together with local wine or beer included. Dietary restrictions and allergies are accommodated if you mention them when booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want to learn actual Mexican cooking in a real home setting and walk away with recipes you can use, rather than a polished class in a commercial kitchen. The small group size and Manu's flexibility with dietary needs means you're not following a fixed menu — you're cooking what you actually want to eat.
Puerto Vallarta: Palo María Waterfalls Hike & River SwimmingYou hike into the Sierra Madre foothills with a local guide, swim in river pools beneath Palo María waterfalls, and watch for birds and wildlife along the way. Transport, water and snacks are included, and the moderate pace suits hikers with solid fitness but no technical climbing skills. The half-day format gets you back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see the mountains and jungle around Puerto Vallarta without renting a car or hiring a private guide — the shared transport and local expertise are what make a half-day in the Sierra Madre feel both accessible and real.
Puerto Vallarta: Hidden Beaches Snorkeling & Local LunchYou’ll ride out from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlan, then boat down wild coastline with local guides who know every hidden beach. Snorkel secret spots where fish swirl around you, lounge on untouched sand with a drink in hand, then finish with real regional food right by the waves. It’s not polished — it’s honest Vallarta.
ATV Riding Puerto Vallarta: Sierra Madre Mountains & Spring WatersPrivate ATV riding in Puerto Vallarta takes you through dirt roads and mountain terrain to hot spring waters near Ejido El Jorullo, with a live guide, all protective gear and the freedom to set your own pace. Minimum group size is two ATVs; riders must be at least 16 with a valid driver permit, and passengers can join from age 6. The five-hour experience operates in all weather, and you'll pass through traditional Mexican villages away from tourist areas.Is it for me?This ride suits experienced riders or confident beginners with high fitness and a valid driver permit — the advanced terrain and five-hour duration demand both physical stamina and comfort on rough ground. If spinal injuries, pregnancy or cardiovascular concerns apply to you, this activity is not the right fit.
Puerto Vallarta: Progressive Dinner Tour with Cocktails & Riverside DessertYou’ll wander Puerto Vallarta’s oldest neighborhoods on foot, tasting both classic and inventive Mexican dishes at four different restaurants—with craft cocktails and wine pairings at every stop. End your evening beside the river with dessert and café de olla as city lights flicker nearby. This is for anyone who wants to feel—and taste—the real Vallarta.
Lake Chapala & Ajijic tour: Rancho Los 3 PotrillosThis 8-hour Lake Chapala and Ajijic tour from Guadalajara includes hotel pickup, a professional guide in English or Spanish, and entrance to Rancho Los 3 Potrillos. You walk the boardwalk along Mexico's largest natural lake, visit the French-facade train station built around 1920, stop in the town of Ajijic for free time, and tour the legendary 500-hectare ranch. Lunch at Piedra Barrenada restaurant on the lakeshore is at your own expense.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day exploring the lake and countryside in a guided group—the stops (ranch, boardwalk, Ajijic town) move at a pace that works best with others rather than solo.
Puerto Vallarta: Mole Poblano Cooking Class & Market WalkYou’ll wander Puerto Vallarta’s bustling market with a local guide before making your own mole poblano from scratch at ChocoMuseo. Expect hands-on cooking—over 25 ingredients!—and stories behind every spice. You’ll share a meal (with chicken or vegetarian option), sip fresh local drinks, and leave with your own jar of mole plus memories that linger longer than any recipe.
Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta: Vacation Photo Session with Pro PhotographerYou’ll wander sandy beaches in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta while a local photographer captures honest moments — no stiff poses required. Expect laughter, unexpected backdrops, and small details you might’ve missed on your own. Perfect for families or couples who want memories that actually feel like their vacation.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling: Hidden Beach Access GuaranteedPrivate snorkeling at the Marietas Islands with boat, guide, and snorkeling gear included; Hidden Beach access (limited to 116 visitors per day) is optional and available Tuesday through Sunday. The operator holds more official permits than most providers in the region, giving you a higher chance of reaching this secluded beach. Water clarity varies by sea and weather conditions; the experience is not recommended for pregnant travelers, those with spinal injuries, or cardiovascular concerns.Is it for me?Book this if you want the security of a private boat and the highest realistic odds of reaching Hidden Beach—the operator's extra permits mean more daily spots than most competitors, and a 99% success rate speaks to the difference. The four-hour window is tight enough to fit a cruise-ship port call or a single morning, yet long enough to snorkel and spend time on the beach itself.
Birdwatching tour Puerto Vallarta: 350 species, two ecosystemsThis small-group birdwatching tour from Puerto Vallarta explores two distinct ecosystems in a full day: tropical semi-deciduous forest on the city's outskirts and coastal wetlands at the mouth of the Ameca River. Led by a biologist guide with binoculars and spotting scope provided, the tour targets species like Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Green Jay and Black-throated Magpie-Jay across nearly 350 species recorded in the area. Transport by air-conditioned van, coffee, tea and a snack at a palapa restaurant are included; the guide speaks English or Spanish.Is it for me?The tour picks you up from Puerto Vallarta itself, so you don't need a car or need to arrange your own way inland to the forest and out to the river estuary—the van and guide handle the route and the timing, which settles the logistics for anyone staying in the city without transportation.
