Things to do in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, planned before you land.
A real town on a huge bay, with jungle behind it and whales in front of it. The tours go out on the water, up the river or down the coast by boat.
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What to do in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta sits on Banderas Bay, one of the largest bays in the Pacific, with the Sierra Madre rising straight behind the old town. The Malecon and the Romantic Zone are the walk; the beaches south of town, Yelapa and the Marietas Islands are reached by boat; the jungle canopy tours and the tequila country are inland. Whales fill the bay from December to March. Tours collect from the hotel zone, the marina, Nuevo Vallarta and the old town.
01
Marietas Islands and the hidden beach
A boat across the bay to the protected islands, with snorkeling and, when permits allow, the swim into the collapsed-cave beach. Limited daily entry; book ahead.
02
Whale watching, December to March
Humpbacks breed in Banderas Bay every winter and the sightings are close and reliable. Small boats with a naturalist leave from the marina and Nuevo Vallarta.
03
Yelapa and the south-shore beaches by boat
Down the coast past Mismaloya to beaches with no road: Las Animas, Quimixto and the waterfall village of Yelapa. Day cruises or the public water taxi from Los Muertos pier.
04
Zip lines and the jungle canopy
Long zip lines over the river canyons in the Sierra Madre south and east of town, with rappelling and river swims on the longer tours. Half day with pickup.
05
Old town food and tequila
Tacos in the Romantic Zone, the Malecon at dusk and a tasting of raicilla, the local agave spirit. Or a day to the tequila and raicilla distilleries in the hills.
06
Sayulita and San Pancho
The surf towns 45 minutes north on the Riviera Nayarit: a surf lesson, the market streets and a slower afternoon on the beach.
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Top-rated in Puerto Vallarta right now
Live from Viator, ranked by traveler rating. Prices are per person, from the lowest option, as of the last refresh; the listing has today's.
Surf lessons in Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit
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Why book through Viator
Book the Puerto Vallarta tours before you fly, without locking yourself in.
Viator lists tours and excursions from local operators in Puerto Vallarta with live availability, verified reviews and 24/7 support. We send you there because it is the simplest way to compare, and it earns us a commission that does not change your price.
- Free cancellation on most experiences
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start on most listings for a full refund. Plans change; the booking can.
- Reserve now, pay later
- Many experiences let you hold a spot now and pay closer to the date, so you can lock in the popular day without paying before the flight is booked.
- Reviews from people who went
- Ratings and reviews come from travelers who booked that exact tour. Read the recent ones before you choose.
- Compare before you land
- The hotel tour desk sells what it has left that morning. Booking ahead means you pick the operator, the time and the pickup, with the price in front of you.
Cancellation and payment terms are set per listing and shown on Viator before you book. Check them for the tour you pick.
Good to know
- Pickup zones run an hour north to south
- Nuevo Vallarta and Punta de Mita are across the state line in Nayarit and 30 to 60 minutes from the old town. Pickups from the north are earlier; say exactly which resort when you book.
- The bay is calm, the ocean is not
- Inside Banderas Bay the water is swimmable almost everywhere; north of Punta de Mita it is surf. Pick tours by what you want to be in.
Before you go
The old town, the beaches and the walks, before you book anything.
Questions before you book
Can I swim at the Marietas hidden beach?
Only with a permit, on days the park allows it, and the number of swimmers is capped. Tours that include the hidden beach say so and sell out; the islands are worth the trip even without it.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for tours?
Yes. The old town, the Malecon and the boat trips are well used by visitors year-round. Normal care with phones and bags, and ride apps or registered taxis at night.
How do I book these tours?
Each "See tours" button opens Viator's listings for that experience in Puerto Vallarta, with live prices, dates, reviews and the cancellation terms. You book and pay there. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through those links; it does not change what you pay.
Can your agents book tours over the phone?
Our agents book flights. Call to price the flight to Puerto Vallarta; book the tours on Viator once your dates are fixed.
Where to stay: Puerto Vallarta hotels by area and all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit
More trips in the region: Mexico and Central America Flights by Phone
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