16 Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a city in Mexico surrounded by beach resorts. Puerto Vallarta is on the Pacific Ocean’s Banderas Bay in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It lies on Mexico’s western coast, and the boundary is by the Sierra Madre mountains. The city has numerous tourist attractions that show the natural beauty, creativity, and cultures of Puerto Vallarta, such as beaches, resorts, museums, restaurants, and bars. Breathtaking attractions make Puerto Vallarta one of the best tourist destinations in Mexico.

There are approximately 4 million tourists annually in Puerto Vallarta, making it one of the best destinations for solo, couple, family, friends, group, and corporate travels. Another reason for the significant number of tourists yearly is the cost of living in Puerto Vallarta. There are plenty of investment choices in Puerto Vallarta, such as apartments, condominiums, lots, or houses.

There are numerous historical places in Puerto Vallarta, including the Puerto Vallarta Naval Historical Museum, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Rio Cuale Museum. Tours are available for solo, family, couple, or groups to explore and discover these historical places in Puerto Vallarta. In addition, the travel is not complete without experiencing the well-known activities or events and exploring the famous attractions and beaches in Puerto Vallarta. Some notable activities in Puerto Vallarta are walking tours, food tours, and water activities. Tourists have plenty of choices of activities to try to discover the culture and practices of Puerto Vallarta. On the other hand, the three well-known attractions in Puerto Vallarta showcase the Mexican vibe of Puerto Vallarta, such as Puerto Vallarta Malecon, Marietas Islands, and Los Muertos Beach. The lively ambiance of Puerto Vallarta and the people’s hospitality are reasons tourists come back to enjoy all the experiences Puerto Vallarta offers. Furthermore, April to June is the time when Puerto Vallarta is best to visit because these months have great and pleasant weather.

There are three ways to get to Puerto Vallarta: by riding a plane, cruise ship, or bus. Transportation in Puerto Vallarta includes taxis, buses, Uber, and car rentals. The cheapest transit option is the bus. Moreover, the cost of visiting and living in Puerto Vallarta is low. It is one of the advantages of living and touring in Puerto Vallarta. The total expenses for living and visiting Puerto Vallarta depend on an individual’s lifestyle. In addition, the first thing to do before visiting Puerto Vallarta is to search and learn about the places, cultures, and practices. Knowing some basic Spanish greetings is essential as a sign of respect.

Listed below are the 16 Things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

• Explore the city by walking:There are self-guided walk tours in Puerto Vallarta. The well-known places in Puerto Vallarta to do the walking tours are Malecon, Cuela River Island, and Romantic Zone. 
• Consider Joining a Food Tour: Puerto Vallarta has various foods to try during food tours. Guided tours are available to book to enjoy the different cuisines in Puerto Vallarta. 
• Sunset Viewing: Beaches in Puerto Vallarta are the ideal place to witness the sunset during golden hours. 
• Check out Rhythms of the Night: Rhythms of the Night is a party that glorifies the spiritual connection to the animals and nature in Puerto Vallarta. Alma is a performance and one of the highlights in Rhythms of the Night. 
• Relax on the beaches of Puerto Vallarta: Puerto Vallarta has plenty of beaches, including Los Muertos Beach, Las Glorias Beach, Tranquilla Beach, Yelapa, and Las Caletas Beach. 
• Join a Late-night Tour: Traveling to Puerto Vallarta is incomplete without experiencing the different life there at night. There are bars, clubs, and night tours in Puerto Vallarta.
• Mountain Biking Adventure: Puerto Vallarta has mountains in the Sierra Madre that are ideal for Mountain Biking and even trekking. Biking in Puerto Vallarta is safe. There are numerous trails in Puerto Vallarta for Mountain Biking, including Rio Pitillal Path, Rancho Las Vegas, Río Cuale y Cañón, Las Carmelitas, Los Llanitos, and Pozas Huchichila. 
• Try their Fresh Seafood: Puerto Vallarta is known as one of the places with plenty of seafood, as fresh waters surround it. Some restaurants offer different cuisines and specialties in Puerto Vallarta.
• Visit the Old Town: The Old Town in Puerto Vallarta is well-known for its cobbled streets and the different colors of houses visible once climbing the hill. The places to visit in Old Town are the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Romantic Zone, Rio River, and Mirador Cerro de La Cruz. 
• Try Scuba Diving: Scuba diving is one of the well-known activities in Puerto Vallarta. There are four best scuba diving places in Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos National Park, Majahuitas, Conchas Chinas, and Las Marietas Islands. 
• Visit Churches: Going to churches in Puerto Vallarta is ideal if visiting Puerto Vallarta. Churches in Puerto Vallarta have breathtaking architecture and structure, especially store history. 
• Visit Art Galleries and Museums: One of the ideal activities at night in Puerto Vallarta is going to art galleries and museums. 
• Check out the Markets: Puerto Vallarta has various stalls and stores for food, clothes, and souvenirs. Puerto Vallarta has a market called the Municipal Market of Colonia Emiliano Zapata. 
• Experience Hiking: Hiking and trekking in Puerto Vallarta have become well-known and one of the best activities. There are different kinds of a hike in Puerto Vallarta, including Urban Hike, Garden Hike, Beach Hike, Jungle hikes, and River Hike.
• Explore the City at Night: Going to bars, clubs, and night entertainment, such as drag shows, are some choices to spend and enjoy the night in Puerto Vallarta. 
• Visit Islands: Puerto Vallarta has plenty of islands, including the Islas Marietas, that are hidden and inhabited.

Puerto Vallarta is a famous tourist and holiday destination across the globe. Puerto Vallarta is famed for its breathtaking beaches, islands, naval life, and resorts. The well-known sights in Puerto Vallarta that attract numerous tourists yearly are Malecon, Marietas Island, Los Muertos Beach, Conchas Chinas Beach, Mismaloya Beach, and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The natural beauty and the life in Puerto Vallarta are one of the reasons tourists recognize it. Puerto Vallarta is a good option for relaxation and corporate and group travel. The average number of tourists per year in Puerto Vallarta is around 4 million. In addition, Puerto Vallarta is alluring to those who want to purchase a second home or for investment, such as apartments, condominiums, lots, or houses. The location of Puerto Vallarta is the best place for vacation and investment. The location of Puerto Vallarta is best because of the beaches, weather, and gastronomy. Even after the pandemic, the real estate in Puerto Vallarta is still in good condition.

The historical places in Puerto Vallarta are part of tourist destinations because of their construction and history, making them worth visiting. There are available tours that take tourists to the historical sites in Puerto Vallarta. One of the well-known Puerto Vallarta Historical Places is the Puerto Vallarta Naval Historical Museum, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Rio Cuale Museum. Puerto Vallarta Naval Historical Museum is a marine infirmary in the past. It is in a colonial style, and there are five rooms full of artworks such as paintings, galleries, recorded history, and even maps. There is stuff regarding the historical evolution of Puerto Vallarta. The museum is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. The admission fee is around $45 for adults, and $35 for kids, students, and teachers. For kids 6-year-old below and retirees, the admission fee is free. On the other hand, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is in the middle of the town square. Touring the church is worth it, as it has breathtaking architecture. Its structure is neoclassical, and the crown above the building represents the baroque style. Every year there is a festival to celebrate the first apparition of Guadalupe by Juan Diego. The celebration is every 12th of December. Furthermore, Rio Cuale Museum is in the middle of the romantic zone and downtown Puerto Vallarta. It is rich in the history of Mexico and the Purepecha. Purepecha or Purépecha is an ethnic group in the northwestern region of Michoacán, Mexico. Rio Cuale Museum is by the National Institute of anthropology and history. The galleries feature art, ceramics, haunting, and grave tools found in Mexico’s Jalisco, Matachen, Nayarit, and Michoacan. Visiting the museum gives knowledge regarding the practices of the ethnic groups that lived in the region during the pre-Hispanic period. There is no admission fee, and it is open from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10 am to 7 pm. 

Puerto Vallarta belongs to the best tourist destinations in Mexico. The beaches, resorts, and marine life are the top reasons Puerto Vallarta is popular. For first-time tourists, most of their struggle is choosing the activity they want to do because there are many things to enjoy in Puerto Vallarta. Some popular activities to do in Puerto Vallarta are walking tours, food tours, and water activities. Malecon, Romantic Zone, and Cuela River Island are the best walking spots in Puerto Vallarta. They have their unique sides that are surely enjoyable. Malecon is a seaside where sunset and beaches are freely sighted. Aside from that, there are sculptures displayed around Malecon. Malecon is the best spot to jog and exercise. In addition, the Romantic Zone has red-roofed houses known as the historical building in Puerto Vallarta. While on Cuale River Island, there are parks and markets. Fresh water and vegetation are the surroundings of the Cuela River Island. After walking to these spots, restaurants are available to enjoy the food in Puerto Vallarta. On the other hand, joining food tours in Puerto Vallarta is incredibly enjoyable because there are 7 to 12 dishes to try on every tour. A food tour offers a different experience by tasting the specialties and delicacies in Puerto Vallarta. Aside from eating, tourists are able to learn the history and traditional foods in Puerto Vallarta. Each tour costs from $43 to $99, depending on the number of dishes to taste and the operators. Furthermore, scuba diving is a must-try in Puerto Vallarta since beaches and islands surround it. Scuba diving offers close encounters with marine life and sea creatures. The cost of scuba diving ranges from $90 to $150.

The three popular attractions in Puerto Vallarta are Puerto Vallarta Malecon, Marietas Islands, and Los Muertos Beach. The colorful and alive ambiance of Puerto Vallarta Malecon is what it makes one of the tourist spots. The sculptures displayed in Malecon, shops, and restaurants allure the tourist. It is a perfect place to jog and watch the sunset and street performers. The sunset and the sea are visible in Malecon. On the other hand, Marietas Island is a hidden beach in Puerto Vallarta. The only way to reach Marietas Island is by boat. The activities available on Marietas Island are paddleboarding, kayaking, and snorkeling. Marietas Island is famous for day tours and bird watching. The clear water, white sand, and being inside the lush and tropical island make the hidden beach one of the popular attractions in Puerto Vallarta. Moreover, Los Muertos Beach is on the south of downtown Malecon and the Cuale River. Los Muertos Beach is the most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta. The popularity of Los Muertos Beach is because of its full-of-life ambiance, culture, and a great place to drink while watching the sea and sunset.

Puerto Vallarta celebrates events yearly with a colorful culture and practices. Some popular events in Puerto Vallarta are Sea Turtle Releasing, Centenary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Day of the Dead, Whale Watching, Art & Market Marina Vallarta, and Sculpture Tour in Malecon. June to December are the months when sea turtles are released. Sea turtles start to hatch their eggs during summer. The volunteer workers and biologists release the nests of the hatched eggs from beaches to campsites. The public is encouraged to watch the sea turtle released to know about them and to watch babies released into the sea. The event offers appreciation for the environment and supports endangered species. The release is usually nearly evening, so sea turtles have more time to swim into the ocean’s depth and keep out of sight from predators. In addition, the Centenary of Our Lady of Guadalupe is every December 12 to commemorate the first apparition of Guadalupe to Juan Diego. The crusade starts downtown and ends in the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Day of the Dead is celebrated every November 1 at midnight. The celebration of the festival lasts for a week. There are folkloric ballets, mariachis, and skeleton mask contests. Furthermore, Whale Watching season is from December to March, when humpbacks are close to the coast of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. Additionally, the Art & Market Marina Vallarta is from October to May. The event is every Thursday. Various foods, local items, and live music performances are enjoyable from 6 pm to 10 pm. Marina Vallarta is on the northern edge of Puerto Vallarta. In addition, Malecon has a Sculpture Tour every Thursday. It is an event to give history and details about the artists and sculptors behind the artworks around the Malecon. The Puerto Vallarta Events are the reason for millions of tourists every year.

Puerto Vallarta is famous because of its calming and attractive beaches. Going to the beach is the top choice for those who want to go on holiday. Puerto Vallarta Beaches are at various points across the bay. The packed beaches in Puerto Vallarta are Los Muertos, Las Glorias, and Yelapa. Los Muertos is the top-visited beach in Puerto Vallarta. It is situated in the Romantic zone and near Malecon. Los Muertos Beach is popular because of its full-of-life surrounding, culture, and great place to drink while watching the sea and sunset. It is known as the Deadmen’s Beach because the site has a cemetery. Some activities available in Los Muertos Beach are jet skiing, windsurfing, paddleboard, parasailing, and banana boats. On the other hand, Las Glorias Beach is situated 3.6 kilometers from downtown Puerto Vallarta. It has hotels and resorts by the beach, despite being less crowded than the others. Las Glorias Beach is ideal for swimming, and hotels are available on the beaches. The crowd is all over Las Glorias Beach every peak season. The sand in Las Glorias Beach is golden, and the water is clear. Furthermore, Yelapa Beach is in Jalisco, Mexico. The beach is known for its golden sand and crystalline water. Yelapa is only accessible by boat. 

Before touring Puerto Vallarta, it is necessary to know and learn some information and get familiar with the place. Puerto Vallarta, or PV, is situated in Jalisco, west of the Mexican coast and right in the center of Banderas Bay. Puerto Vallarta is 1300 square meters and has 530,000 residents in 2021. There are five regions in Puerto Vallarta, including Central Vallarta. Emiliano Zapata, East Vallarta, Amapas and Conchas Chinas. Puerto Vallarta is rich in history, culture, arts, and practices. The people in Puerto Vallarta are known for their cuisines, being hospitable and calm. They are popular for their excellence in terms of arts. They focus on visual arts, theater, music, food, and events, creating a regional culture. Spanish is the main language spoken in Puerto Vallarta, but most people speak English, especially those who work in tourist spots. It is respectful to learn some of their basic Spanish greetings, such as “hola” for hello, “adios” for goodbye, and “gracias” for thanking. In addition, Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest places in Mexico for tourists. Puerto Vallarta is known and often featured as one of the friendliest cities worldwide. Most of the dangers in Puerto Vallarta involve swimming and food safety. It is advisable not to swim alone. Surfing is not allowed during rain or thunderstorms. Wear pants and proper hiking gear, and bring insect repellents if going to hike. Furthermore, there are new guidelines provided by the Tourism Board in Puerto Vallarta. Accommodations, diners, beaches, malls, spas, gyms, Malecon, travel operators, and natural attractions must follow the regulated safety measures and the volume limit. The guidelines to follow are: wearing masks, sanitation of hotels, showering before and after visiting the beach, social distancing, no groups of more than eight people, no sharing of objects, and sanitizing the item before using. For airports and maritime terminals, hygiene, and safety standard must strictly follow. Public places such as museums, cinemas, malls, and tour providers must follow the safety protocols. These safety protocols include restaurants, bars, and clubs must operate at 100% with hours according to license. Casino and parking spaces have to operate at 100% of their capacity, and the stores or businesses must have a capacity of no more than 100% up to 1,000 on surfaces greater than 4,000-meter square. For event places, 150 people are allowed indoors, and 300 people if outdoors. A vaccination card is required for entry into the United States for any non-US citizen individuals or resident. A positive passenger is required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. A form needs to be filled up to speed up the arrival at the airport of Puerto Vallarta. The negative result of the PCR test must be provided before entering casinos, bars, clubs, or concerts. 

Puerto Vallarta has numerous landmarks, including the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Púlpito and Pilitas (Pulpit and Baptismal Font), Playa Conchas Chinas, Malecon, Mercado Isle Cuale, and Mercado Municuipak Cuale, Plaza de Armas and Cuale Archeological Museum. In addition, some of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta are Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, Flamingo Vallarta Hotel & Marina, and Playa Los Arcos Hotel Beach Resort & Spa. These hotels are one of the best value hotels in Puerto Vallarta. These hotels range from $15 to $220 per night. The price depends on the hotel. The ratings for these hotels range from 4-stars to 4.5-stars for location, cleanliness, value, and service. Taxis, buses, Uber, and car rentals are available around Puerto Vallarta. A bus in Puerto Vallarta is the cheapest option. The bus fare for a one-way bus starts from $0.49. The taxi fare in Puerto Vallarta is by zone and not by a meter. The fare for a taxi ranges from $2.10 to $3.70 if around the town of Puerto Vallarta. The fare starts from $20 from the airport. In addition, car rentals are available in Puerto Vallarta, but expect that the expenses are high.

The ideal season to tour Puerto Vallarta is within April and June because the climate is nice and enjoyable. In addition, the room rates throughout these periods are inexpensive. Raining is unusual and less loaded within these months compared to winter. Visit Puerto Vallarta from December to March if desired to witness the humpbacks.

Listed below are the methods to get to Puerto Vallarta. 

1. Airplane: Ride a plane to Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport or PVR. From the airport, ride a transit going to Marina. Marina is near Hotel Zone, Malecon, and Zona Romantica. 
2. Cruise ship: Alternative choice on How to go to Puerto Vallarta is by riding a cruise ship. Marina Vallarta Maritime Terminal holds three fully packed ferries.
3. Bus: From Guadalajara, get on a bus going to Puerto Vallarta. The duration of the journey is 5 hours.

There are plenty of transits accessible around Puerto Vallarta. Transportation in Puerto Vallarta includes taxis, buses, Uber, and car rentals. Riding a bus is the cheapest option. The bus fare for a one-way bus ranges from $0.49. The taxi fare in Puerto Vallarta is by location and not by meter. The taxi fare ranges from $2.10 to $3.70 if around the town of Puerto Vallarta. The fare starts from $20 from the airport. In addition, car rentals are accessible in Puerto Vallarta, but expect that the expenses are high. Reserving an Uber in Puerto Vallarta should be requested up to 30 days ahead.

The climate is dry and less hot, starting December to April. Humid and stormy starting June to October. Winter in Puerto Vallarta is commonly hot. On the contrary, at times, the weather is chill and breezy. Starting December to mid-April, the temperature reaches 13 degrees Celsius, then 10 degrees Celsius from January to February. Puerto Vallarta has a probability of experiencing storms around August to October. The Puerto Vallarta Climate is tropical, and it is normally hot throughout the whole year.

The money needed to travel per head to Puerto Vallarta is $76. The standard cost for food goods for one day is $24, and transportation usually costs $13. The standard cost of hotels in Puerto Vallarta is approximately $84. The standard cost of an individual for one week in Puerto Vallarta is $524. The total expenses for touring Puerto Vallarta for a week reach a standard of $1,058 for a couple. The tour costs from the US to Puerto Vallarta, good for one week, range from $3,000 to $14,000. It includes the roundtrip flight, accommodation, transit, taxes, and fees.

Being a well-known tourist destination in Mexico, there were about 5 million travelers in Puerto Vallarta in 2019, and it reduced by 50% in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Tourism is one of the important economic sectors of Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta influences the visitors by learning about their culture, history, arts, practices, and foods. One of the reasons for touring is to relax and explore the nice places on the globe. Puerto Vallarta is one of the best tourist spots to relax because of the numerous beaches, resorts, and hotels that serve luxury experiences to tourists. The people of Puerto Vallarta are humble, hospitable, and warm. Puerto Vallarta is known and often featured as one of the friendliest cities worldwide. Puerto Vallarta promotes an all-embracing community that welcomes all individuals, especially for LGBTQ+ community. Puerto Vallarta is an LGBTQ+-friendly community.

No, it is not expensive to stay in Puerto Vallarta. The expenses in Puerto Vallarta still depend on the way of life of an individual, but overall, the Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta is low. The estimated monthly expenses in Puerto Vallarta for an individual without rent is $524. For couples, the estimated monthly expenses are around $2500. While for a family of four, $1,877. The basic expenses in Puerto Vallarta are rent, food, water, gas, and internet. Renting an apartment in Puerto Vallarta ranges from $300 to $500 monthly. The estimated cost for electricity, gas, and water is $30. For the internet, the estimated expense is $25. The transportation cost is $15 for one monthly ticket. In contrast, restaurants cost $50 per dinner.