The sun-soaked Mexican seaside city of Puerto Vallarta calls out to outside lovers with its palm-fringed coves, thrilling wildlife-watching alternatives and delightfully walkable downtown. High that off with buzz-worthy delicacies, a great deal of public artwork and Mexico's most accessible and relaxed LGBTIQ+ scene and it's simple to see why this is likely one of the nation's hottest seaside locations.
Whether or not you come for the sunshine, the journey actions or the tradition, listed here are a number of the greatest 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. Considered one of a number of pretty coastal hamlets, Yelapa has effective sandy seashores and jungle trails resulting in quiet hillside B&Bs and a cascading waterfall. It's an incredible different to the busy seashores on the town.
Planning tip: Most guests attain the coves round Puerto Vallarta by way of water taxis departing from Playa de los Muertos pier. Providers 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 seaside – Playa Escondida, which seems unexpectedly, hidden inside a collapsed sinkhole – however these uninhabited islands additionally present a number of the greatest 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 chicken 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
If you happen to've by no means participated in a sea turtle launch, you need to undoubtedly join the fun of watching tiny hatchlings scurrying into the ocean for the primary time. Vallarta Adventures runs personal excursions to the close by seaside 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 technique to the surf, a really timeless expertise that may mesmerize children and captivate adults.
Planning tip: August to December is the principle 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 in regards to the clear, marine-life-rich waters at Playa Majahuitas, one among Vallarta's greatest seashores. Visibility is superb on this small protected cove, which teems with parrotfish and angelfish, and its tranquil golden sands make for an incredible escape from downtown. Eagle rays, stingrays and turtles are sometimes noticed right here, and there's a seaside membership and restaurant that usually hosts reside music occasions.
Planning tip: When you’ve got your individual snorkeling gear, water taxis departing from Playa de los Muertos pier can drop you on the seaside; 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
Also called Outdated 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 road meals. It's additionally the setting for downtown's greatest seaside, Playa de los Muertos. One other big 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+ suggestions 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, hire a automotive and head for the cool climes of San Sebastián del Oeste, a centuries-old mining city perched 1480m (4855ft) above sea stage. Half the enjoyable is getting right here, as you make stops alongside a winding mountain highway 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 provide rooms for the evening.
7. Take an agave spirits tasting tour
You've heard of tequila for certain, however have you ever tried lesser-known distilled agave drinks reminiscent of sotol, bacanora or raicilla? A boozy 'Spirits of Mexico' session with the specialists at Vallarta Tequila Tastings will will let you do exactly that, as guides clarify the right way to detect the refined variations between half a dozen totally different agave drinks produced round Mexico.
Planning tip: When you’ve got your individual wheels, you'll discover small distilleries alongside the highway 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. Absorb 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 hike the Jardín Botánico de Vallarta (Vallarta Botanical Gardens), residence to one among Mexico's most in depth orchid collections and a tropical jungle's price of native crops and birds. After a peaceable stroll by 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 might be 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 lovers is Satan's Canyon, the place you possibly can 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 among a number of operators who can get you right here.
10. Surf the bay's northern coast
Excellent surf situations on the scenic peninsula of Punta de Mita lure novices and intermediate surfers with the promise of lengthy, rideable waves. Quite a few surf outlets provide lessons and board leases across the centrally situated seashores of Playa El Anclote and Smelly's. Skilled boarders choose to paddle out to the tougher breaks at El Faro, La Lancha and Punta Burros.
11. Go whale watching
If you happen to're visiting through 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 outfitted 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 mountain climbing 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 lengthen the hike as far west as Playa Quimixto for those who're up for an extended scorching 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 may have you licking your chops with each mouthful. In addition to ubiquitous road stalls slinging delectable fish and birria (goat) tacos, town is chock-full of eating places serving contemporary seafood, conventional Mexican staples and progressive worldwide fare. A sundown supper of grilled fish is likely 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 preferred 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 coloration and character to the colourful metropolis middle. The Centro can also be recognized for its distinctive artwork galleries and craft shops – locations reminiscent of Galería de Ollas and Peyote Folks – the place you should purchase distinctive ceramics and surreal and psychedelic bead and yarn artwork.
15. Get pleasure from 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 outdated stomping grounds of Hollywood celebrities.
