The Top things you Must See and Do in Puerto Vallarta

The beautiful resort town of Puerto Vallarta is located in Jalisco state on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist destination renowned for its beautiful beaches, reminiscent nightlife, water sports and lots more. Mexico is a country where the North meets the South and the melting pot of American cultures spanning decades. It is the third Country in the North American hemisphere from top to bottom. The shared land border with the United States makes it easy for tourists to access Mexico with their vehicles, thereby avoiding unnecessary expenses on purchasing plane tickets worth thousands of dollars.

Amazing Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Below is a list of the fun things to do when you touch down in Puerto Vallarta:

1. Puerto Vallarta’s El Malecon Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a good way to take in the scenery of Puerto Vallarta’s ocean front. There are many side attractions on this beautiful walkway, stores, bars, disco clubs, eateries, dots the walkway. The last time we were here during the day there were all sorts of vendors selling things like fresh oysters, cold coconuts, and fresh fish! Night time is an amazing time to be on the boardwalk, performers are always on hand to provide tourists with Latin performances.

Boardwalk

2. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Christian enthusiasts will be marveled by the beautiful structure of the Church Our Lady of Guadalupe. The rich history embedded within the halls of the Church is quite extraordinary.  Although the interior doesn’t quite compare to European models, it sure strikes an accord with the senses of its visitors. Most tourists visit here because its doors are open to them to visit and reflect on the rich history of Mexico.

Church of our lady of Guadalupe

3. Zona Romantica

Tourists who have visited Zona Romantica advise potential tourists to visit in the evening. The reason why is, Zona Romantica’s beauty practically comes alive at night. It is strewn with Bars, Restaurants, Shops, Cafes, and eateries.  Its close proximity to Malecon Beach makes it an ideal location for lovers to hone in on and rekindle the ember of their relationships.

Zona Romantica

4. Act II Entertainment Stages

This theater complex in an imposing structure in the Romantic zone, and it is the only one of its kind in Banderas Bay. Original works of art are usually presented in a 180 seater theater known as the main stage.

Tourists are in for a thrill of their life when they attend the shows conducted within the theater complex. Comedy shows, music performances, movie recreations, the theatrical depiction of popular characters and a host of others all culminate into a perfect evening for attending tourists.

Act 2 Entertainment Stages

5. South Shore Private Sightseeing in Puerto Vallarta

Tourists can enjoy a tour of the Puerto Vallarta’s amazing shores on a hired private boat. The captain of the boat is usually bilingual and offers tourists expert tips on the waters the boat is navigating.

As the boat travels south, tourists are treated to amazing photographic scenery, this is in lead up to the true gem of the Pacific, which is pristine water for snorkeling. The boat trip itself is so comfortable that you forget that you are offshore, you feel so pampered and catered for that you would you were a child again.

South Shore private sightseeing tour

6. Snorkeling Tour

Beaches and waterfront locations are usually famous for Snorkeling. What most tourists look out for when they are on tour is a cool spot to take a plunge into and let go of the hustle and bustle of city life. Puerto Vallarta offers tourists a good snorkeling location at Los Arcos.

Tourists can take a boat tour that lasts approximately 3 hours to this underwater marine reserve. Professional and amateur snorkelers are treated to a depth of 3-30 feet/visibility.  The reef is rich in viable aquatic life with a variety of fishes on display. The fish species tourists are likely to encounter are the puffer fish, cornet fish, damsels, parrot fish, and angelfish.

Snorkelling Tours

7. Yelapa Tour

Yelapa village is located on the South Coast of the bay and visitors can tour this location during the day. While making your way to Yelapa, you can stop and Snorkel at Majahuitas.

Yelapa provides tourists with a unique environment to relax on hand-woven beach chairs, enjoy a couple of beers or cold drinks, and get a tan off the sun shining down from the beautiful blue skies.

Yelapa Village

8. Marina Vallarta

Romance usually comes to a climax when two lovebirds walk side by side, taking in the beautiful scenery around them. Marina Vallarta is an ideal location for walking, tourists come face to face with the beautiful scenery, you get to observe the cruise ships as they come and go. Also, you can catch a glimpse of other romantic couples striding together hand in hand and reminisce about your own couple goals. Tourists who are single can also visit this location for killer shots for their travel diary and blogs.

Marina Vallarta

9. Plaza des las Armas

Plaza des las Armas is one of Puerto Vallarta’s iconic landmark. This beautiful location houses the iconic Iglesia de Guadalupe. Tourists who have visited here have attested to the influence the location has on their well-being. Tourists are treated to festivals, parades, shows and an exhilarating nightlife. The location is an ideal melting pot for tourist seeking to get a whiff of Mexican culture and rich history.

Plaza de las Armas

10. El Centro

Tourists looking to indulge in the beautiful scenery can take a stroll on the half-mile El Centro boardwalk. The boardwalk provides tourists with a place to sit and soak in the beautiful scenery. Night time is usually the best time to tour El Centro. The boardwalk is lined with restaurants, bars, shops and cool spots to hang with friends.

El Centro

11. Galleria Dante

Art lovers and enthusiasts can visit the Galleria Dante located in Calle Basilio Badillo. The art gallery houses some of the finest contemporary and classical sculptures of Mexican extraction. Tourists can visit the Gallery for the sole purpose of purchasing artworks as collector’s items or they can visit for window shopping and picture making.

Galleria Dante

12. Vallarta Art walk

Tourists can spend their evenings sampling the artworks on display. Tourists visiting this gallery have the opportunity of bonding with artists on a personal level.  The galleries also offer tourists drinks, so you can basically walk, drink and observe as you tour Vallarta’s finest.

Vallarta Art Walk

13. The Museo Naval. Puerto Vallarta

The Museo Naval or Navy Museum is located along the Malecon. This Museum was set up to showcase the rich naval history of Mexico. Tourists are treated to a welcome at the entrance as museum curators of military background serve up rich coffee. Also if you’re looking to get away from the sun of Malecon, you can also step in and fill your eyes with the rich exhibits on display. The museum isn’t too crowded with tourists, so if you’re keen on observing art in a quiet environment, then this is an ideal location for you.

Museo Naval

14. Majolica Antica

If you’re a collector of art or you are someone looking to buy gift items for close friends back home, then you can step into Majolica Antica. It is located in Basilio Badillo.  The shop provides tourists with a wide range of Mexican pottery. The works of art are neatly stacked on shelves for display to tourists and buyers.

15. Playa las Gamelas

Playa las Gamelas is an ideal location for swimming. The location is easily accessible by bus or taxi. The waters are crystal clear and the beach sand is white. If you came along with a fishing rod, then you are in luck as the location is ideal for light fishing. There is a lifeguard on hand to see to the safety of tourists and there is also a great restaurant at the Girasol condominiums where you can always walk in to grab something to eat.

Playa Las Gamelas

16. Isla Cuale

Isla Cuale is a place to escape to from the urban jungle of Puerto Vallarta. The Island is located on River Cuale. Visitors looking to escape the sun, shop, enjoy the cool breeze and eat at the same time can enjoy this on Isla Cuale. The markets on the Island are less crowded than the other locations in Puerto Vallarta.

Isla Cuale Shopping

17. Playa des Los Muertos

Tourists obsessed with tales of pirates should visit Deadmen’s Beach. Legend has it that the beach is famed for its Pirate raids on villages located close to the beach. The beach is a short stretch and tourists can get to watch parachute rides, surfers, beachgoers, boogie boarders and host of other things. Restaurants and shops are also present on the beach.

Playa de Las Muertos

18. Los Arcos

Los Arcos is home to the National Park, the park offers tourists a great location for bird sightings and rock formation observation. Los Arcos is also an ideal location for Snorkelling. The waters here are crystal clear and provide snorkelers a vivid view of the reef below.

Los Arcos National Park

19. Whale watching cruise in Puerto Vallarta

Tourists who love close up shots of wild marine life can come along with their cameras to observe the Humpback Whales, the season to sight these magnificent creatures is usually between November and April. On the cruise, tourists are always treated to great food and drinks while they are out on the bay.

Whale watching

20. Puerto Vallarta Sunset Cruise and Candlelight Dinner Show

This is a perfect way to end your vacation. The highlight of the cruise includes a sunset cruise over the bay of Banderas and a candlelit dinner in an open bar. The cruise is usually full of onboard entertainment provided by the crew. Passengers are treated to good music and premium service by the crew members. The dinner show includes performances by native performers showcasing the rich culture of Mexico through dance on a candlelit shoreline.

Candle light dinner cruise

21. Scuba Diving is great in Puerto Vallarta. The waters here have not been over fished like many of the Mexican destination, so there are a lot of big fish. Also very close to the main island there are small islands where there is a pretty good current, creating nutrient rich waters that a lot of fish love. To get to the good spots, you have to hire a dive charter as the water is murky close to the mainland due to the runoff from the mountains. There are a lot of sketchy companies out there, so I would confirm that they are padi certified before I dive with them.

Scuba Diving

22. ATV Tours are a blast and very well priced at this tourist destination. There are tours going through lush jungles to secret waterfalls and through hidden streams. There are a few quality providers in the city and there are brochures everywhere for this type of tour.

ATV Tours

23. Deep Sea Fishing, as I said before, there are large fish in Puerto Vallarta. If you love to fish hop on a group charter here. They go out every day and are a ton of fun. The pricing for this type of day trip is less expensive than many other popular travel destinations. The last time I joined one of these fishing expeditions they even cooked the fish we caught for us! They also made fresh ceviche right on the boat! If you choose to endulge you can bring your own alcohol onboard.

Deep sea Fishing

24. Murieta Island is an absolute natural spectacle. If you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must put this on your list of things to do. There are many companies that can take you out here or you can just rent a boat for the day! The snorkelling around the island is amazing and the waters are super clear. When you arrive there is an opening that you swim to to get to the hidden beach. Once you get there enjoy the beauty that this place provides and take lots of pictures! Drone pictures are also amazing here as there are very few places like this on the planet!

Murieta Island

25. El Eden waterfalls and restaurant is another must do when you get here! Around 30 mins from the main town, this place was worth the trek! To get there you travel through a beautiful jungle until you get to the restaurant. Enter the restaurant area you are greeted with a waterfall that you can slide down into a pool. We saw fish climbing the waterfall while we were there which was super cool! After swimming we enjoyed a massive seafood feast for only $40 US!

El Eden waterfalls and restaurant

Summary

Puerto Vallarta is a tourist paradise with a rich ocean, lush forest and high end resorts! You can take a cruise, go snorkelling, go Island shopping, and visit the naval museum and a ton of other things.

One certain thing is that the memories you are going to derive from touring Puerto Vallarta will leave you aspiring for another visit.

You can get more information on the blog at adventugo.com/blog or have a custom itinerary made at adventugo.com/travel-plans/.

Follow Adventugo on Facebook and instagram!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventugoinc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adventugo/