The sun-soaked Mexican seashore city of Puerto Vallarta calls out to out of doors fans with its palm-fringed coves, thrilling wildlife-watching alternatives and delightfully walkable downtown. Prime that off with buzz-worthy delicacies, a great deal of public artwork and Mexico’s most accessible and relaxed LGBTIQ+ scene and it is simple to see why this is without doubt one of the nation’s hottest seashore locations.
Whether or not you come for the sunshine, the journey actions or the tradition, listed below are a number of the finest issues to do in your subsequent go to to Vallarta.
1. Bask on the southern seashores
Vallarta’s southern seashores hug a spectacular stretch of jade-green shoreline, dotted with secluded coves, making this a perfect spot to get away from massive metropolis life. One among a number of pretty coastal hamlets, Yelapa has fantastic sandy seashores and jungle trails resulting in quiet hillside B&Bs and a cascading waterfall. It is an excellent various to the busy seashores on the town.
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Planning Tip: Most guests attain the coves round Puerto Vallarta through water taxis departing from Playa de los Muertos pier. Companies run each hour or so from 8am to 6pm.
2. Uncover the hidden charms of the Islas Marietas
The key is out about this nationwide marine park’s hidden seashore – Playa Escondida, which seems unexpectedly, hidden inside a collapsed sinkhole – however these uninhabited islands additionally present a number of the finest wildlife-watching on the bay. Sea turtles, rays and dolphins are simply noticed within the Marietas’ clear waters, whereas on land you’ll see quite a lot of tropical fowl species, together with the charismatic blue-footed booby.
Planning Tip: To go to on a snorkeling, diving or kayaking tour, contact tour operator Vallarta Adventures and take a look at their many choices.
3. Watch child turtles make for the surf at Sayulita and San Pancho
Should you’ve by no means participated in a sea turtle launch, you must positively join the fun of watching tiny hatchlings scurrying into the ocean for the primary time. Vallarta Adventures runs non-public excursions to the close by seashore cities of Sayulita and San Pancho when the turtles are nesting, providing the possibility to take a seat on egg-laying and chaperone hatchlings on their method to the surf, a very timeless expertise that may mesmerize youngsters and captivate adults.
Planning Tip: August to December is the primary hatching season for olive ridley turtles – the most typical species within the waters round Puerto Vallarta.
4. Discover an underwater world at Playa Majahuitas
Snorkelers rave concerning the clear, marine-life-rich waters at Playa Majahuitas, one in every of Vallarta’s finest seashores. Visibility is superb on this small protected cove, which teems with parrotfish and angelfish, and its tranquil golden sands make for an excellent escape from downtown. Eagle rays, stingrays and turtles are sometimes noticed right here, and there is a seashore membership and restaurant that always hosts dwell music occasions.
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Planning Tip: You probably have your individual snorkeling gear, water taxis departing from Playa de los Muertos pier can drop you on the seashore; if not, quite a few tour operators can package you out with the whole lot you want and ferry you to and from the cove.
5. Fall in love with the Zona Romántica
Often known as Previous City, Zona Romántica is the middle of the motion in Puerto Vallarta. There’s by no means a uninteresting second on this convivial neighborhood, full of pulsating bars and discos and stalls promoting extremely addictive avenue meals. It is also the setting for downtown’s finest seashore, Playa de los Muertos. One other large draw for vacationers is the hopping LGBTIQ+ scene, with a great deal of enjoyable, gay-friendly locations to sleep, drink and socialize.
Planning Tip: For LGBTIQ+ ideas and listings, go to the web sites of Homosexual Information Vallarta and GayPV.
6. Escape to San Sebastián del Oeste
For a change of surroundings from the coast, lease a automotive and head for the cool climes of San Sebastián del Oeste, a centuries-old mining city perched 1480m (4855ft) above sea degree. Half the enjoyable is getting right here, as you make stops alongside a winding mountain street for freshly made pastries and sips of raicilla (a mezcal-like agave drink). For an in a single day cease, some intriguing former silver-mining haciendas supply rooms for the evening.
7. Take an agave spirits tasting tour
You’ve heard of tequila for positive, however have you ever tried lesser-known distilled agave drinks equivalent to sotol, bacanora or raicilla? A boozy ‘Spirits of Mexico’ session with the specialists at Vallarta Tequila Tastings will can help you do exactly that, as guides clarify the right way to detect the refined variations between half a dozen completely different agave drinks produced round Mexico.
Planning Tip: You probably have your individual wheels, you’ll discover small distilleries alongside the street from Puerto Vallarta to the mountain village of San Sebastián del Oeste, and extra about 50km south of Puerto Vallarta within the small city of El Tuito.
8. Take in the inexperienced areas of Vallarta Botanical Gardens
For a botanical backyard expertise like no different, head for the tropical highlands of the Sierra Madre mountains and wander the Jardín Botánico de Vallarta (Vallarta Botanical Gardens), dwelling to one in every of Mexico’s most intensive orchid collections and a tropical jungle’s value of native vegetation and birds. After a peaceable stroll by way of the grounds, cap off the go to with a refreshing dip within the boulder-strewn river that winds across the gardens.
9. Dive in Los Arcos Nationwide Marine Park
Famend for its iconic arched rock formations and deep waters which are alive with marine critters, Los Arcos is much and away the preferred snorkeling and diving vacation spot in Puerto Vallarta. A must-see for scuba fans is Satan’s Canyon, the place you’ll be able to hover above an abyss that drops an astonishing 550m (1800ft).
Planning Tip: Get to Los Arcos early to beat the noon parade of tour boats; Banderas Scuba Republic is one in every of a number of operators who can get you right here.
10. Surf the bay’s northern coast
Best surf circumstances on the scenic peninsula of Punta de Mita lure newbie and intermediate surfers with the promise of lengthy, rideable waves. Quite a few surf retailers supply courses and board leases across the centrally situated seashores of Playa El Anclote and Pungent’s. Skilled boarders choose to paddle out to the tougher breaks at El Faro, La Lancha and Punta Burros.
11. Go whale-watching
Should you’re visiting throughout the winter months, don’t miss out on the possibility to identify 30-ton humpback whales creating almighty splashes as they leap out of the ocean off Puerto Vallarta. Tour firm Ecotours Vallarta runs four-hour whale-watching expeditions aboard boats geared up with hydrophones – underwater microphones that may allow you to eavesdrop on the whales’ mesmerizing mating calls.
Planning Tip: December to March is the height whale-watching season, coinciding with the whales’ annual migration.
12. Take a coastal hike
Ranging from Boca de Tomatlán, a fishing village 16km (10 miles) south of Vallarta, a scenic mountaineering path traces the coast to a string of quiet, jungle-backed coves, some with shady seafood palapas (low-key cafes in thatched huts). You may prolong the hike as far west as Playa Quimixto when you’re up for an extended sizzling stroll.
Planning Tip: Buses to Boca de Tomatlán depart from the Zona Romántica on the nook of Constitución and Basilio Badillo.
13. Discover Vallarta’s meals scene
Vallarta’s fabulous foodie scene can have you licking your chops with each mouthful. In addition to ubiquitous avenue stalls slinging delectable fish and birria (goat) tacos, town is chock-full of eating places serving recent seafood, conventional Mexican staples and modern worldwide fare. A sundown supper of grilled fish is without doubt one of the definitive eating experiences in Puerto Vallarta.
Planning Tip: For the last word gourmand smorgasbord, Vallarta Eats runs themed food-focused excursions, together with a well-liked taco crawl.
14. Uncover artwork and crafts on the streets
Artwork is all over the place in Vallarta. Bigger-than-life bronze sculptures dot the downtown esplanade, whereas lovely sea-themed murals add colour and character to the colourful metropolis middle. The Centro can be identified for its distinctive artwork galleries and craft shops – locations equivalent to Galería de Ollas and Peyote Individuals – the place you should purchase distinctive ceramics and surreal and psychedelic bead and yarn artwork.
15. Take pleasure in a soothing Isla Cuale river stroll
Whereas exploring downtown, linger for some time on Isla Río Cuale, a traffic-free sandbar lined with shady rubber bushes, riverside eating places and stalls hawking the whole lot from colourful Huichol crafts to touristy knick-knacks. On the island’s east finish, search for the tiled Iguana Bridge and cross over to the upscale neighborhood of Gringo Gulch to roam the previous stomping grounds of Hollywood celebrities.
