The verdict
Our pick
Puerto Vallarta Catamaran Beach Tour: Remote Island Waterfalls★ 4.83 (582) · 6h
Best value
Puerto Vallarta: Jungle Hike, Waterfall Swim & Bay View★ 4.81 (235) · 4h
Top rated
ATV riding in Puerto Vallarta: Sierra Madre trails and waterfall★ 4.93 (1,050) · 3h
The 12 best-value of 13 options, side by side
✓ 2026-09-28Real price per person across the 13 options: US$ 35–US$ 142 (median US$ 103). With an extra fee to pay on site: 4 of 13. With 100+ reviews: 8 of 13.
Default order: real price per person — the group price divided by the seats it includes.
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2 to 5 hours (3)
Puerto Vallarta: Horseback Riding & Waterfall Trek Sierra MadreYou ride through Sierra Madre foothills, cross hanging bridges to a waterfall where you swim, then return to the ranch to prepare and eat a Mexican lunch with an open bar. Pickup from designated points outside Puerto Vallarta is included, along with the guide and all drinks. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out of the city.Is it for me?Right for riders who want a full Sierra Madre experience in one morning without arranging transport or lunch — the horseback riding, waterfall swim, and meal you help prepare are all handled. Expect a few hours out of the city with some walking and climbing mixed into the riding, which is what makes the waterfall and the swim possible.
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.
Quimixto Waterfall Hike from Puerto Vallarta: Swim at the fallsA guided hiking tour from Puerto Vallarta to a waterfall in Quimixto takes five hours, including a city bus ride to the trailhead, a 3km walk along the river, swimming at the falls, and the return journey. The guide speaks English or Spanish and leads groups of mixed ages; children are welcome from age 6. The hike is rated easy, and the bus ride and photos are included.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a guide handling logistics and navigation while you focus on the scenery; choose a private option if you'd rather explore at your own pace.
Half day and longer (7)
Yelapa Yacht Cruise: Snorkel, Waterfall & All-Inclusive BarA six-hour all-inclusive yacht cruise from Puerto Vallarta to the car-free beach town of Yelapa, with snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, waterslides and a guided walk to a waterfall. The yacht carries an open premium bar, fresh Mexican lunch, and water gear; you choose your boarding point (Puerto Vallarta Cruise Terminal or Nuevo Vallarta) before checkout. Gratuities are optional.Is it for me?Book this cruise if you want to swim, snorkel and paddleboard in one morning, hike to a waterfall in the afternoon, and never leave the boat to order food or drinks—everything is prepared and waiting, and the crew handles the timing so you just show up and choose what to do.
Ziplining and Waterfall Rappelling in Puerto VallartaZiplining and waterfall rappelling in Puerto Vallarta combines a high-speed boat ride, off-road 4x4 truck expedition through the Sierra Madre, muleback trek to the summit, multiple ziplines over canyons, a waterfall rappel into a river pool, the Roller Coaster Zipline, and Mexico's highest waterslide drop — all in 6.5 hours with a live guide, safety gear and transport included. Minimum age is 8; maximum weight 260 lbs. Not suitable for travelers with spinal, heart, back or knee issues, or pregnant travelers. Cameras are not allowed during the circuit, but photo services are available on site.Is it for me?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary live — book this if you want the full narrative of what you're doing and why, not a silent circuit. The 6.5-hour commitment and the physical demands (rocky terrain, constant motion, high-speed water activities) suit travelers who are fit and ready to move the whole time, not those looking for a gentler pace or photo stops.
Puerto Vallarta: Sea Safari, Jungle Horseback & Pizota Beach BBQYou’ll snorkel among bright fish at Los Arcos near Puerto Vallarta, visit Quimixto for fresh tortillas and salsa made by locals, ride horseback through jungle to a hidden waterfall for swimming or just sitting quietly, then end with a relaxed BBQ lunch on peaceful Pizota beach—sun-warmed sand underfoot and ocean all around you.
Mismaloya Waterfalls Hike: 3 Falls in Puerto VallartaA full-day hiking tour from Puerto Vallarta to three waterfalls in the Sierra Madre, with private transportation, breakfast, guide and all entry fees included. The route follows one of the range's most dramatic trails, crosses the river, and ends with swimming in natural ponds. Minimum age is 18; a high level of physical fitness is required.Is it for me?This tour works best for hikers comfortable with eight hours of steady walking, river crossings and uneven terrain—the guide and small group size mean you move at a pace that lets you actually see the waterfalls and swim, rather than rushing through them.
Snorkel Majahuitas & waterfall hike from Puerto VallartaA full-day tour from Puerto Vallarta combines snorkeling at Majahuitas with a hike through jungle trails to a waterfall in Quimixto, followed by lunch at a local restaurant serving fresh seafood. The day starts with a public bus to Boca de Tomatlán, then a 20-minute boat ride south along the coast, and includes a guide in English or Spanish; children are welcome from age 12.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to combine water and land in one day — the boat gets you to a place most day-trippers don't reach, the hike is real jungle, not a paved path, and the waterfall is where you swim, not just look at. The moderate fitness requirement and the 7-hour commitment mean this suits travelers who are comfortable moving through heat and terrain, not those looking for a short or easy outing.
Las Ánimas to Quimixto Waterfall Hike: Puerto VallartaThis half-day hiking tour from Puerto Vallarta takes you by private water taxi to Las Ánimas beach, then follows the Bahía de Banderas coastline through jungle for roughly six hours. You hike to Quimixto fishing village and continue another 25 minutes to Cascada de Quimixto, where you swim and rest at the waterfall. A local guide leads a small group; private transportation, snacks, water and fruit are included. Children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private vehicle picking you up from your hotel and a local guide leading a small group into the mountains and jungles beyond the resort zone to swim at waterfalls and find photo-worthy spots.
Puerto Vallarta: ATV & RZR Jorullo Bridge with Waterfall & TequilaYou drive your own ATV or RZR across the Jorullo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Latin America, with stops at El Salto waterfall for swimming and a mountain bar for refreshments. The five-hour experience includes round transport from the office, jungle roads through the Sierra Madre, photo time on the bridge itself, and a tequila tasting back at the facilities. Bring a valid driver's license, swimsuit, and closed shoes; this tour runs in all weather.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive something yourself rather than sit in a tour van, and you're comfortable on dirt roads in the mountains — the five-hour day is built around the drive time and the bridge crossing, which is what makes both feel unhurried.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 13 of the 13 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last half a day or longer. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Puerto Vallarta Catamaran Beach Tour: Remote Island Waterfalls is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.83 out of 5 across 582 reviews.
More things to do in Puerto Vallarta
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