Puerto Vallarta: Seafood Food Tour Old Town & Beach Stops

Summary

Puerto Vallarta seafood tour with ceviche tacos & beach strolls

You’ll wander Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town with a local guide who knows every seafood stall worth stopping for. Taste fresh ceviche, octopus tacos hot from the fryer, aguachile by the beach — all while hearing stories that connect food to place. Expect laughter, surprises, and maybe some lime juice on your shirt.

What’s the experience like?

You know that feeling when you arrive somewhere and the air just smells different? That’s how it hit me in Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town — salty, a little smoky from the street grills, mixed with something sharp and green I couldn’t place at first. Our guide, Ana, waved us over to this tiny spot where the cook was already piling shrimp into tortillas. I tried to say “jalapeño” like she did but totally missed the accent; Ana grinned and said I’d get it by the last stop (I didn’t). First bite: hot fried octopus taco, crunchy on the outside, soft inside — honestly, I could’ve stopped there and been happy.

We zigzagged through narrow streets past bright murals and old men playing cards under faded umbrellas. At the market, Ana pointed out fish so fresh their eyes looked glassy-bright. She told us about her dad fishing off the pier back when she was a kid. Next up was ceviche — cold, citrusy, almost too much lime at first but then it mellowed out with a little avocado on top. I’m not usually a fan of raw fish but this changed my mind. There was laughter from another table; someone dropped a tostada and nobody cared because everyone was just… eating with their hands anyway.

By the time we reached Muertos Beach, my shirt smelled like grilled calamari (not complaining). The sun got lower and everything turned gold for a minute. We sat on plastic stools with our plates balanced on our knees — aguachile that made my lips tingle and a tuna azul tostada that tasted way fresher than anything back home. Ana told us about all the ways seafood is woven into Mexican history — Aztec to Spanish to now — but honestly I kept getting distracted by the sound of waves hitting the pier behind us. I still think about that view.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Seafood tasting in Old Town Vallarta

• Try ceviche and octopus
• Enjoy tuna azul tostada
• Eat stuffed jalapeno shrimp taco
• Enjoy local seafood favorites
• Eat red snapper at local spot

Top questions

How long is the Puerto Vallarta seafood tour?

The guided food tour lasts about 3 hours.

Does the tour include stops at Muertos Beach?

Yes, one of the stops is at Muertos Beach for tastings.

Are there vegetarian options on this food tour?

No vegetarian options are mentioned; it focuses on seafood dishes.

What kind of seafood will I try?

You’ll taste ceviche, grilled calamari, fried octopus taco, aguachile, shrimp tostada, stuffed jalapeño taco, tuna azul tostada and red snapper.

Is pickup included in this Puerto Vallarta food tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; you meet in Old Town Puerto Vallarta.

Is this food tour suitable for kids or strollers?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

Can travelers with service animals join?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available near the meeting point.

What’s included

Your day includes six different seafood tastings—think ceviche spooned onto crisp tostadas or hot fried octopus tacos—plus stories from your local guide as you walk through Old Town markets and finish with bites right by Muertos Beach before heading off full (and probably smiling).