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 Night Tour: Tacos, Tequila & Bike RideYou’ll pedal through Puerto Vallarta’s lively streets at sunset with a local guide, stopping for six different tacos (marlin, asada, pastor), mezcal cocktails in hidden bars, and fresh churros. Along the way you’ll pass landmarks like El Malecon and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe — and soak up flavors and stories you’ll remember long after the ride.
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 Gay Sunset Cruise: 48-foot Yacht, Open BarA 3-hour sunset cruise on the Escándalo, a 48-foot gay-owned and operated motor yacht departing from Marina Vallarta, with premium open bar, fresh appetizers and cushioned seating across the bow, fly-bridge and covered cockpit. The boat carries English and Spanish-speaking guides and welcomes all bodies, genders and allies; minimum age is 15. Depending on sea conditions, the route passes Los Arcos Nature Reserve, Los Muertos Beach, Señora de Guadalupe Church and the Malecon.Is it for me?Book this if you want a shared evening cruise with other LGBT+ travelers and allies—the open bar and onboard appetizers mean you're socializing without managing separate tabs or food orders.
Private Sunset Sailing Cruise Puerto Vallarta: Sierra Madre ViewsA private sunset sailing cruise in Puerto Vallarta takes you onto the water for 3.5 hours with a local guide in English or Spanish, two complimentary cocktails, and views of the Sierra Madre mountains and downtown Puerto Vallarta's waterfront. The boat carries restroom facilities and snacks; service animals are welcome.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to watch the sunset from a sailboat with drinks included and a local guide to explain the coastline, rather than booking a larger group tour.
Private City Tour & Rain Forest: Puerto Vallarta with guideA private guided tour of Puerto Vallarta covers the Malecón waterfront, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Gringo Gulch's hillside homes, the Romantic Zone, and Los Arcos National Marine Park, with lunch included at a scenic spot. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, drives an air-conditioned vehicle, and answers questions throughout the five-hour route; pickup is included.Is it for me?The five-hour pace means steady movement between stops rather than long walks—you're mostly riding and stepping out for photos and short visits, so it suits travelers who want to see the main sights without a full day commitment or heavy walking.
Puerto Vallarta: Night taco walk with local guide & dinnerYou’ll wander Puerto Vallarta’s lively streets with a local guide, tasting up to ten different tacos—from classic pastor to tender beef head—plus all-you-can-drink aguas frescas or beer. Learn how locals eat, laugh over new flavors, and end your night with dessert and tips for exploring more on your own—a taco adventure you’ll remember long after you leave.
Swim with Wild Dolphins in Puerto Vallarta: Bahía de BanderasSwim with wild bottlenose dolphins in Bahía de Banderas near Puerto Vallarta on a small-group activity led by a marine biologist. You'll observe the dolphins from a distance using a hydrophone to hear them communicate, then enter the water to swim in a nearby area while respecting their natural behavior. The 3.5-hour experience includes lunch, snorkeling gear, soft beverages and a guide who answers questions about the marine environment; groups stay under 10 people.Is it for me?The 3.5-hour window means you can fit this into a morning or early afternoon without losing the rest of your day to travel and setup. The small group and the marine biologist's expertise make it possible to learn while you're in the water, rather than just observe—you understand what you're seeing as it happens.
Private Surf Lesson in Punta de Mita: Catch Your First WavePrivate group surf lessons in Punta de Mita teach you to paddle, pop up and ride waves in a single three-hour session at La Lancha, an unspoiled beach in the Sayulita area. The instructors are ISA-certified and work with your skill level, whether you're six years old or intermediate; soft-top boards, rashguards, booties and towels are included. Lessons run year-round in friendly Pacific swells, and you rinse off and change at the shop before heading back.Is it for me?Your first lesson in the water with friends—boards included, instructor guiding you through every moment—means you're ready to catch waves from the moment you arrive.
Guadalajara Hot Springs Day Trip & BBQ LunchYou’ll soak in natural hot springs near Guadalajara with local guide Vicente, try a homemade BBQ lunch under the trees, enjoy a tequila tasting at a distillery, and unwind with a massage before heading home relaxed — an easygoing day you’ll remember long after your trip.
Puerto Vallarta Fishing & Snorkeling Tour: Bay AdventureYou’ll get hands-on fishing tips from locals, explore secret corners of Puerto Vallarta’s bay, and snorkel in clear waters teeming with life—all with friendly guides who know these spots by heart.
Puerto Vallarta: 19 Ziplines & Tequila Tasting with Boat TransportYou're transported by boat or truck to Los Veranos canopy in the Sierra Madre, where you zipline across 19 lines through jungle above the Los Horcones River, with the longest stretching 1,800 feet. After the lines, you swim in natural pools, taste tequila, and explore the animal sanctuary before returning to town. The whole day takes about half your schedule.Is it for me?Choose this if you want the full zipline experience without renting a car or figuring out how to reach the jungle — the transport from town, the trained guides, and the riverside setting afterward mean you show up and the day unfolds on schedule.
Puerto Vallarta: Zipline Canopy Tour & Tequila TastingYou zip across 11 lines over Puerto Vallarta's jungle and river, swim in the water below, eat lunch at the park, and taste tequila with your guide. Transport from your hotel is included, as are showers and lockers. The whole day runs about five to six hours from pickup to drop-off.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the adrenaline of ziplining without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing — the fixed schedule and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is handled.
Puerto Vallarta Sunset Cruise: 48-foot Yacht with Open BarA 3-hour sunset cruise on a 48-foot luxury yacht in Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay includes premium open bar, chef-prepared appetizers, and passes Los Arcos Marine Park, the Malecón, and the Conchas Chinas coastline. The boat carries small groups and couples; minimum age is 18. WiFi and a restroom are on board.Is it for me?English-language commentary is standard on this cruise, and the pace is built for relaxation rather than rapid-fire narration—if you want to soak in the sunset without constant talking, this format delivers that. The open bar and appetizers mean you're never managing logistics during the sail, which suits anyone marking a date night or celebration without the stress of coordinating food and drinks yourself.
Puerto Vallarta: Canopy Zip-lines & Mule Ride SierraYou get suited up in full safety gear, ride a mule into the Sierra, then fly through eleven zip-lines up to 660 feet above the forest with ocean views. The fastest line hits 90 kilometers per hour; the last one ends in a river swim. Guides brief you on safety and wildlife, stay with you throughout, and the day wraps with pool access and complimentary tequila tasting before return to town.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline and the view without arranging transport from town or figuring out the gear yourself — the guides handle the safety briefing and stay with you the whole way, which is what makes flying 660 feet above the forest feel manageable even if you've never done it before.
Marietas Islands snorkeling tour from Punta de Mita: Hidden BeachA guided snorkeling tour from Punta de Mita to the Marietas Islands, where you swim in Hidden Beach—a natural crater formed by volcanic erosion and unique in the world for sitting below the ocean surface. The boat includes a crew and park ranger; snorkeling gear, life jackets, water and soda are provided. Tours run 3.5 hours with a guide in English or Spanish, and children from age 9 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you're based in Punta de Mita and want a guided boat departure to Hidden Beach and the reefs—you'll snorkel from the boat rather than kayak or swim on your own.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour: Kayak, Snorkel, EatA half-day snorkeling and kayaking tour from Puerto Vallarta takes you by boat to the Marietas Islands in Banderas Bay, where you swim the reefs, paddle a kayak around the islands, and explore Playa Nopalera before returning to the boat for lunch and an open bar. The tour includes breakfast before departure, snorkeling gear, and a guide in English or Spanish; children from age 3 are welcome, and the whole experience runs about 7 to 8 hours from check-in to return.Is it for me?The tour departs from Puerto Vallarta's Maritime Terminal with no car needed — check in at 8:10 am and board by 9:00 am — so it works whether you're staying in town, at a resort nearby, or without wheels. Breakfast and lunch are both on the boat, which means you're not hunting for food between activities or paying restaurant prices; the open bar and music on the return make the ride back as much a part of the day as the snorkeling itself.
Punta Mita Zipline Tour: 10 Lines & Suspension BridgeYou zip across ten lines through the Punta Mita canopy, cross a suspension bridge high above the jungle, and take in views of Banderas Bay and the surrounding mountains. The tour includes a double safety line system, professional bilingual guides, round-trip hotel transport, and a tequila tasting at the end. Cameras aren't allowed during the activity, but photos are available for purchase afterward.Is it for me?Book this if you want the adrenaline of a full canopy course without arranging your own transport or worrying about whether the safety setup is legit — the bilingual guides and double-line system mean you can focus on the ride instead of the logistics.
Snorkeling Marietas Islands Private Boat Hidden BeachA private snorkeling tour departing from Punta Mita that takes you by boat to the Marietas Islands, where you swim through a natural tunnel to access Playa Escondida, spend time on the hidden beach, then snorkel at Playa Nopalera with a certified guide. The boat ride takes 15 to 20 minutes depending on sea conditions; the full experience lasts about three hours and includes snorkel equipment, a lifevest, water and a container to keep your phone dry while your guide photographs the day.Is it for me?This tour works best if you're comfortable swimming and want to reach a beach most visitors never see—the private boat and certified guide mean you're not navigating the tunnel or the snorkel sites on your own, and the three-hour timeframe keeps the day manageable without feeling rushed.
Snorkeling Marietas Islands & Majahuitas Beach Tour with BBQA full-day snorkeling and kayaking tour from Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands National Park, followed by paddleboarding and a BBQ buffet on Majahuitas Beach. Bilingual guides lead water activities around the volcanic archipelago, where dolphins and whales appear in season; the return includes an open bar, breakfast on board and free time on the beach. Seven hours total, life jackets mandatory, children welcome from age 4.Is it for me?Choose the Puerto Vallarta check-in if you're staying in the city center, or the Nuevo Vallarta check-in if your hotel is north along the coast — both reach the same islands and beach, so pick the one closer to where you wake up. The seven-hour span lets you move between snorkeling, paddleboarding and rest without rushing any of them, which is what makes a full day of water activities plus a meal on sand actually feel like a day instead of a checklist.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour with Playa Escondida EntryThis snorkeling tour departs from Puerto Mágico near Puerto Vallarta and takes you to the Marietas Islands for a full day of swimming, snorkeling and kayaking, with guaranteed entry to Playa Escondida. The package includes all water equipment, a professional guide in English or Spanish, breakfast, a meal, and an open bar. Children are welcome from age 10, and the tour runs Tuesday through Sunday.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water with a group and don't want to arrange your own boat, guide or equipment—everything is set up and waiting when you arrive. The guaranteed Playa Escondida entry is what separates this from other island snorkeling tours in the area.
