Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta locals and visitors alike strut their stuff on El Malecon, the city ’s iconic boardwalk overlooking the Bay of Banderas. It’s the place for sunsets strolls, rollerblading, ice creams and admiring the many public street sculptures that adorn the boardwalk.

You’ll see sculptures of dolphins, loving couples, a seahorse, angel and various abstract works. The malecon also takes in the color and vibrancy of the local fish market and the graceful arches known as Los Arcos that make up the city’s public amphitheater for outdoor entertainment.

Beautiful Banderas Bay - or Bahia de Banderas - is just one of the reasons why Puerto Vallarta is such a highly sought-after beach resort destination.

The Pacific Ocean bay is Mexico’s largest, lapping the two Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Its long beautiful coastline runs for 42 miles (68 km), 25 (40) of them in Puerto Vallarta.

Banderas Bay is the number-one location for sports and eco adventures on the water, from parasailing and surfing to yachting from the port’s ritzy marina.

Whale-watching in these waters is also popular, especially December to April when the whales come here to calve.

Get out on the water of Banderas Bay in a sea-kayak, or cruise to one of the many islands dotting the bay.

One of the most popular snorkeling destinations in the Bay of Banderas is Los Arcos. The protected marine park has all manner of treats in store for avid snorkelers and divers.

There are islands to visit, reefs to dive, tunnels to swim through and caves to explore, providing plenty of the arches and grottoes that give the park its name.

The marine life is stupendously varied, from clownfish to rays, octopus and lobsters and angelfish.

Organize a day cruise for relaxing at sea and peerless diving and snorkeling in the caves of Los Arcos.

One of the major attractions in Puerto Vallarta, Marina Vallarta is a self-contained stretch of boardwalk, white sand and retail outlets that has become so well-known for its beauty and success that it was a model for its sister cities of Cabo, Mazatlan, Ixtapa and Cancun. Easily identifiable by its large, 450-slip marina and lush 18-hole golf course, Marina Vallarta’s main attraction is its beautiful promenade, whereupon you’ll find numerous boutique beachfront shops and restaurants, including a lighthouse that makes for great viewing of the bay.

Puerto Vallarta’s Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe was built over the course of several decades in the first half of the 20th century.

Built in rustic pink stone, to a neo-baroque design, one of the prettiest details is the crown that tops the church bell tower.

The liveliest time to visit the church is December 1 to 12, when crowds celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with street processions, festive food and mariachi music.

The festival coincides with the anniversary of the founding of Puerto Vallarta, so locals have even more reason to celebrate.

The Beach of the Dead - or Playa de los Muertos - may not sound like the most promising place for a day by the sand, but for an authentic and truly lively Puerto Vallarta beach experience, it can’t be beat.

The gay-friendly stretch of sand fronts a pier and moored excursion boats, and is lined with bars and cafes. Locals and families also love this beach, and the diversity of the crowd is part of its appeal.

The swimming can be good at Los Muertos, and out of the water the ambiance, beach volleyball and people-watching will keep you entertained.

There’s no denying that one of the major draws to the resort town of Puerto Vallarta is the weather. And warm, beach-going weather also means great golfing weather, perfectly suited for a day at the Vista Vallarta Golf Club. Designed by famous golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf, the Vista Vallarta Golf Club is routinely selected as not only one of Mexico’s best courses, but one of the most beautiful settings for a game of 18 holes in the world. Surrounded by tropical mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it’s hard to find anything not to like about this pinnacle of golf resorts.

A luxurious and spacious hotel and resort zone, Nuevo Vallarta lies at the center of beautiful Banderas Bay—a long, sandy stretch of beach and cool Pacific water known for its small fishing villages. Born from the tourist boom that was Puerto Vallarta in the 1970s, Nuevo Vallarta was built to offer all that the traveler could want: luxury hotels, fine dining, boutique shopping and some fabulous water sport attractions. The Marieta Islands preserve lies just a few miles offshore, and the water here is home to countless species of fish and larger marine life including the elusive sea turtles. Whale-watching is another seasonal event and one that shouldn’t be missed, much like a visit to this pristine part of Puerto Vallarta.