Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
Whale Watching Puerto Vallarta9 optionsSnorkeling Puerto Vallarta23 optionsATV Tour Puerto Vallarta19 optionsZipline Puerto Vallarta16 optionsBoat Tour Puerto Vallarta48 optionsPuerto Vallarta Airport Transfer8 optionsMarietas Islands Tours15 optionsCatamaran Cruise Puerto Vallarta8 optionsFood Tour Puerto Vallarta38 optionsHiking Puerto Vallarta14 optionsCity Tour Puerto Vallarta8 optionsSunset Cruise Puerto Vallarta8 options
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ATV & RZR mountain driving Puerto Vallarta: 4 hoursA 4-hour ATV or RZR driving experience in the Sierra Madre foothills near Puerto Vallarta where you pilot your own vehicle (or ride as a passenger) through terraced trails to Mirador La Joyita viewpoint, the village of Los Llanitos, and natural mountain pools. Small groups keep the pace personalized; safety equipment, tequila tasting and a meal of handmade tortillas and salsa are included. Drivers must hold a valid license; passengers aged 16+ may drive with an adult present.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive yourself rather than sit as a passenger on a guided tour—the machine and the terrain are yours to navigate, and the small-group format means the guide adjusts to your pace instead of keeping to a fixed schedule.
Puerto Vallarta Whale-Watching Tour: Small-Group HumpbackA small-group whale-watching tour in Puerto Vallarta takes you out into Bahia de Banderas on a boat with a bathroom, guided by a biologist, ecologist or naturalist who teaches you how to observe humpbacks responsibly without disturbing them. The tour runs 3.5 hours, includes soft beverages and lunch, and operates December through March. Minimum group size applies; if not met, you'll receive a refund or date change.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're in Puerto Vallarta December through March and want to watch humpback whales without the crowds of a large commercial boat—the small group and the guide's expertise mean you'll see the animals behaving naturally, not reacting to dozens of people competing for a view.
Puerto Vallarta: Canopy Zipline Tour with River Swim & TequilaYou’ll fly high above Puerto Vallarta’s jungles on 19 ziplines with local guides cheering you on, then cool off swimming in natural river pools or relaxing by the water. Lunch is served riverside with tropical drinks and a tequila tasting included. It’s loud, messy fun—and somehow exactly what you need.
San Sebastian del Oeste: Coffee Farm, Silver Workshop & Walking TourYou’ll wander San Sebastian del Oeste’s cobbled lanes with a local guide, peek inside a silversmith’s shop, sample fresh coffee at an organic farm, and share lunch in the village square. Expect slow rhythms, mountain air, and small moments that stick with you long after you leave.
Puerto Vallarta: ATV & RZR Sierra Madre Tour with Tequila TastingYou’ll ride ATVs or RZRs from Puerto Vallarta into the Sierra Madre mountains with local guides leading the way. Expect muddy trails, mountain views, lunch by a river at Rancho mi Abuelo (with time to swim), plus a guided tequila tasting at Tequilera Vallejo before heading back.
Puerto Vallarta: Pitillal Food Tour & 8 TastingsYou walk through Pitillal's neighborhood streets with a small group and a local foodie guide, stopping at eight family-run eateries to taste carnitas, seafood tostadas, tamales, birria and regional dishes. The tour lasts 3.5 hours, includes all tastings, and keeps the group to ten people so you're not lost in a crowd. You finish knowing how Puerto Vallarta actually eats, not how it's marketed.Is it for me?Book this if you want to eat like a local in Puerto Vallarta without navigating language, finding the right spots, or figuring out what to order — the guide handles all three, and the small group size means you're not following a flag through a crowd.
Puerto Vallarta: Luxury Sailing Tour with Open Bar & LunchYou’ll sail across Banderas Bay on a luxury yacht with an attentive local crew, enjoying premium open bar drinks and fresh deli-style lunch as you relax or try snorkeling and paddleboarding. Watch for dolphins near the boat and soak up mountain views from deck cushions—this day is all about slowing down and feeling connected to Puerto Vallarta’s sea air.
ATV and Zip Lining in Puerto Vallarta: Sierra Madre AdventureAn ATV and zip-lining combo activity in Puerto Vallarta where you operate the four-wheeler through colonial town streets and mountain trails, then zip-line between treetops before a mule ride back down the canyon. The activity runs 4 hours with a live guide in English or Spanish, helmet provided, and photos of the ATV portion included. Minimum age is 6; drivers must hold a valid license. You choose between a single ATV (one person per machine) or a double ATV (two people sharing one vehicle).Is it for me?Book the single ATV if you want to ride solo and control your own machine; choose the double ATV if you're traveling with one other person and want to share the cost and the experience. Either way, you're operating the vehicle yourself on the trails, not sitting as a passenger—that's what sets this apart from a guided tour where someone else drives.
Puerto Vallarta: Cirque du Soleil LÚDŌ & Gourmet DinnerYou get a gourmet dinner timed to a 75-minute Cirque du Soleil production in a custom-built aquatic theater, with acrobats performing in and above water from a 360-degree perspective. Theater access, all taxes, and parking are included. Arrive an hour early, expect high-volume sound and strobe effects, and know this is a VidantaWorld resort experience, not a walk-up ticket.Is it for me?Book this if you're staying at a VidantaWorld resort and want a high-production theatrical experience that combines fine dining with acrobatics — the custom-built aquatic stage and immersive format are what make this different from a traditional Cirque show, and the gourmet dinner timing removes the need to eat separately.
Horseback Riding & Tequila Tasting near Puerto VallartaThis horseback riding activity near Puerto Vallarta takes you on a 25-minute drive to Hacienda Dona Engracia, where you're matched with a horse suited to your ability and ride along the Mascota River through local countryside. If river conditions permit, you swim with your horse; afterward, you head to La Dulce Vista to taste four artisanal tequilas made in small batches (Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, and Pink Tequila), then eat a traditional Mexican lunch with unlimited margaritas. The full experience runs about five hours and includes a guide who speaks English or Spanish, bottled water, and transportation by white bus from your meeting point.Is it for me?Five hours is the full day commitment, which leaves room for other activities in the morning or evening but not a second major outing—book this if you want a single immersive experience that combines riding, water, and food without splitting your day.
Puerto Vallarta: Parasailing Adventure & Beach Takeoff ViewsYou’ll feel nerves turn into pure thrill as you lift off from Puerto Vallarta’s main beach, guided by locals who know every detail. Soar above city rooftops and mountain edges during your 8–10 minute flight, then land softly back on warm sand with your pulse still racing. This isn’t just another view — it’s something you’ll carry home long after your feet touch down.
Chocolate Workshop in Puerto Vallarta: Make & Taste CacaoA chocolate-making workshop at Planeta Cacao, a cacao garden in rural El Tondoroque near Puerto Vallarta, where you spend 90 minutes learning the craft from cultivation through grinding, tasting cacao drinks and mesoamerican cookies as you work. The guide teaches in English or Spanish, and children from age 5 are welcome. You leave with handmade chocolate you made yourself.Is it for me?The workshop includes the hands-on chocolate-making itself — you're not watching a demonstration but working through the craft from bean to finished bar — which means you leave with something you made and the knowledge of how it came together, not just a taste and a story.
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.
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.
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.
