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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Puerto Vallarta: Cooking Class & Tequila Tasting with PoolYou'll prepare five traditional Mexican dishes from scratch, taste five house-made tequilas and mezcal (if you're 18+), eat lunch with unlimited margaritas, and have access to the pool and grounds for the rest of the afternoon. The drive is part of the experience, and the open-concept bus means you're not sealed off from the landscape on the way out.Is it for me?Right for travelers in Puerto Vallarta who want hands-on cooking instruction plus a proper tequila education, not a rushed demo. Plan for a full day out — the jungle setting and pool time are what make the experience feel like a retreat, not just a class and a tasting.
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.
Puerto Vallarta & Nayarit: Surf Lessons with Pickup & PhotosYou’ll start your day with a pickup near your hotel in Puerto Vallarta or Nayarit, heading out with local instructors who match you to the right beach for your level. Expect hands-on surf lessons (with plenty of laughs), fresh fruit snacks, and free photos capturing your first ride—or wipeout. It’s less about being perfect than feeling part of this sun-soaked coastline.
Los Arcos Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta: 2 TanksLos Arcos scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta is a 4.5-hour dive at a PADI 5-Star center in Banderas Bay, open to certified divers only. You bring a valid certification card and proof of at least one dive in the past 12 months; the center provides 2 tanks, weights, a certified divemaster, snacks and water. Non-certified divers must complete a beginner course at the center one or two days before the dive trip.Is it for me?Book this dive if you're a certified diver with proof of a recent dive—the PADI 5-Star center and the two-tank setup let you spend the full 4.5 hours exploring Los Arcos instead of spending time on certification or logistics. If you're not certified yet, take the beginner course at the center one or two days before and come back to dive the park.
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens Hiking Tour: Orchids TequilaThis six-hour hiking tour in Puerto Vallarta combines the Botanical Garden's orchid collection with a private riverside trail, river activities, and a tequila tasting at Los Veranos Adventure Park. A native guide leads small groups through the gardens and along the Horcones River, where you swim, slide on natural rock formations, and kayak before visiting the on-site animal sanctuary. Entrance, tequila tasting, and river activities are included; transportation is provided from your chosen departure point in Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, or Sur/Romantica.Is it for me?Choose a departure point based on where you're staying — Nuevo Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, or Sur/Romantica — and the guide and small group size mean you move at a pace that works for everyone, with time to ask questions and linger at the orchids or the river without feeling rushed.
ATV Riding in Vallarta: Drive the Sierra Madre off-roadOff-road ATV riding in Vallarta's Sierra Madre mountains on a guided 3.5-hour route where you operate your own quad bike (or ride as a passenger) and stop to swim in crystal-clear waters, taste tequila and mezcal, and make tortillas at a local family stop. Helmets, guide in English or Spanish, and round-trip pickup from your hotel are included; you choose morning or afternoon departure.Is it for me?Book the individual quad bike if you have a current driver's license and want to control the ride yourself through the mountain terrain; choose the double quad bike if you'd rather have someone else navigate the off-road sections while you take in the views and focus on the stops. Morning or afternoon departure lets you fit the ride around the rest of your day in Vallarta.
Private Yacht Charter Puerto Vallarta: Waterslides & Water ToysA private yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta for groups up to 65 people, cruising Banderas Bay and around Los Arcos National Marine Park with two waterslides, a jumping platform, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, kayaks and an open bar included. You choose your group size and preferred stops—Los Arcos, Yelapa, Colomitos, or Playa Majahuitas—and the captain and crew customize the 4-hour route around your preferences. Fresh guacamole, chips, and a full bar with beer, wine, margaritas and piña coladas are included; hot Mexican fajitas are available for an additional cost.Is it for me?Book the 15- or 25-person option if your group is small and wants the yacht mostly to yourselves; go with 35 or 45 people if you're a larger family or friend group and want to spread the cost; pick the 65-person charter if you're organizing a corporate outing or celebration and want the full boat. The captain customizes the route around your group's preferences, so whether you want to spend the day snorkeling at Los Arcos, beach-hopping, or anchored at one spot, the day shapes itself around what you want to do.
Puerto Vallarta: Mayahuel Show & Tequila Tasting NightYou’ll step into Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant heart with a live Mayahuel show full of myth and color, then taste local tequila poured by friendly experts who love sharing their craft. Expect laughter, stories you’ll remember later, and maybe even goosebumps as legends come alive right in front of you.
Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Release: Sunset Conservation ActivityThe Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Release is a 2.5-hour sunset activity where you help baby sea turtles reach the ocean for the first time, guided by a bilingual marine biologist. You'll check in at the Marina Vallarta office, receive a brief talk on turtle biology and conservation, take a short drive and walk to the beach camp, then release hatchlings at sunset before returning to the office. Transport from the office, camp entry, a donation to conservation efforts, water and a snack are included; the experience depends on hatchlings being present that day.Is it for me?The activity starts and ends at the Ecotours office in Marina Vallarta with transport included, so you don't need a car or need to arrange your own way to the beach—book this if you're staying in Puerto Vallarta without a rental and want to reach the turtle camp without the logistics of finding the trailhead yourself.
Tortuguero Sea Turtle Release: Watch Hatchlings Reach OceanA two-hour tour at Tortuguero's sea turtle conservation camp where you meet a guide, receive an environmental education talk about turtle protection, visit nest incubation areas, and watch baby turtles begin their journey to the ocean. The camp sits inside a natural mangrove reserve with diverse bird life. Water and entrance fee are included; guides speak English and Spanish, and children from age five are welcome.Is it for me?You're in the camp where biologists protect turtles daily—watch the hatchlings begin their ocean journey as part of the actual operation, set against a mangrove reserve alive with birds and the golden hour light.
Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Paddleboard & Snorkeling TourYou paddle 1 mile to sea caves in a protected sanctuary, snorkel in clear water among tropical fish and rays, and return the same way. The drive from Puerto Vallarta is 20 minutes, and the whole outing takes three to four hours. Equipment, water and a snack are included; you'll need moderate fitness and comfort on the water.Is it for me?Right for travelers in Puerto Vallarta who want to paddle and snorkel in one outing without arranging their own gear or transport — the 20-minute drive and on-land lesson mean you show up ready to go. Expect moderate physical effort: paddling 1 mile each way and time in the water, which is what lets you reach the caves and spend real time snorkeling.
Puerto Vallarta: Private Surf Lesson & Sayulita Beach TownYou get picked up from your hotel, driven to the easiest break point near Punta Mita, and taught to surf by a local instructor who stays with you until you're riding waves. The afternoon is yours: keep surfing, relax on the beach, or drive to Sayulita to walk the village and eat. Pickup and drop-off are included, and the schedule flexes around what you want.Is it for me?Book this if you want to learn to surf without arranging a lesson, transport, and a beach day separately—the private format means you're not waiting for a group or following a fixed schedule, and the driver handles getting you to Punta Mita and back.
Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Snorkel Tour & Private Beach StopYou’ll start your day spotting dolphins near Marina Vallarta before heading out for snorkeling at Los Arcos with expert guidance. Expect clear water, colorful fish, and time on a quiet beach—all with snacks and gear included. If you love real moments more than perfect ones, this tour is probably your style.
Puerto Vallarta Yacht Charter: Waterslides & All-Inclusive BarChica Fun 2 is a 55-foot private yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta that carries groups of up to 55 people on a customized four-hour tour of Banderas Bay, with two waterslides, a jump platform, and an open bar serving champagne, margaritas and tequila. You choose which stops to visit—Marietas Islands, Yelapa Falls, or the Puerto Vallarta coastline—and the captain and crew adjust the itinerary to match. All-inclusive activities include snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water tubing and a water mattress; landing and facility fees are covered.Is it for me?Choose the group size that matches your party—the yacht is yours alone, so you're not sharing the waterslides, the bar or the crew's attention with strangers. If you want to set the route instead of following a schedule, or if your group is large enough to fill a private boat, this charter removes the compromise of a shared tour.
Private Luxury Yacht Charter Puerto Vallarta: Banderas Bay cruiseA private luxury yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta lets you cruise Banderas Bay with your group aboard a 58ft-61ft Hatteras, fully crewed and stocked with a premium bar, snorkeling equipment, kayaks and paddleboards. You choose the departure pier (Marina Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta), the duration (4 to 8 hours), and the captain adjusts the route to your preferences. Up to 20 guests travel at the same price, and longer charters add fresh ceviche, paninis, salads and crab dips to the onboard menu.Is it for me?Book this private yacht if your group is 8 or more and wants to explore Banderas Bay together—you'll choose between a 4-hour afternoon cruise or 6–8 hours with time for snorkeling, kayaking, and lingering at Los Arcos.
Puerto Vallarta: ATV Sierra Madre & Hot Springs with TequilaYou ride your own ATV through two mountain villages, taste tequila with locals, soak in natural thermal pools, and return to base camp after four hours of actual driving time. The guide handles navigation and safety; you handle the throttle. Lunch is available nearby but separate from the tour price.Is it for me?This is for riders who want to explore Puerto Vallarta's mountain villages under their own power rather than watch from a passenger seat — the four-hour drive time is what makes the remote villages and natural pools reachable in one morning.
Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands Hidden Beach & SnorkelingYou board a covered boat at Punta Mita Pier, cross to the Marietas Islands in 15–20 minutes, then swim through a natural tunnel to reach Hidden Beach for 30 minutes of photos and floating. After snorkeling in the day's best spot with included gear, you visit Playa Nopalera's caves before returning to the pier. The whole experience is coordinated so the small group moves together without rush, and your phone stays dry in a waterproof bag the guide carries.Is it for me?Book this if you want to reach Hidden Beach without arranging your own boat and guide—the small-group format keeps the price down while the certified guide handles the tunnel swim and photo work, leaving you free to float and explore.
Sayulita ATV Tour from Puerto Vallarta: Mountain Trails & Fishing VillageYou drive your own UTV through mountain trails and creek beds from Puerto Vallarta to Sayulita, a small fishing village with a surf and arts scene. The guide leads the route, but you control the vehicle and the pace. The four to five hour trip includes transport, helmet, a light snack, and free time to explore Sayulita on your own. Bring a valid driver's license if you're driving, wear jeans and comfortable shoes, and confirm your pickup location before the day of the tour.Is it for me?Book this if you want to drive yourself through real terrain instead of watching it from a bus window, and you're comfortable with a few hours of bouncing over dirt roads to reach a place that doesn't feel like a tour destination — the UTV and the guide are what make the route possible without needing your own vehicle or navigation.
Puerto Vallarta City Tour: Guided Walk Through History & CultureA guided walking tour of Puerto Vallarta led by a local expert who takes you through the city's main attractions—the lighthouse, Church of Guadalupe, artisans' market and famous boardwalk sculptures—with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The tour runs eight hours and covers the history and culture of this Pacific coast city, ending with a tequila tasting. Suitable for all fitness levels; wear smart casual.Is it for me?If you speak English or Spanish fluently, you'll follow the guide's commentary without strain. The eight-hour pace works for anyone comfortable walking at a steady clip through the old town and along the boardwalk—no scrambling or long climbs, just consistent movement through the city streets.
Puerto Vallarta: Electric Bike Tour, Sierra Madre & Rancho LunchYou’ll pedal electric bikes from Puerto Vallarta’s lively center up into cool mountain air, stopping for riverside pools at Rancho Mi Abuelo. Expect local flavors—fresh tortillas, optional lunch—and a taste of tequila with friendly guides. It’s a day trip that mixes city sights with quiet moments in nature you might not expect so close to town.
