1. Go whale watching.
Thanks to its depth and warm waters, Banderas Bay is a haven for humpback whales during the winter. From December until March, the whales stay in the bay to breed and give birth before migrating to polar waters in the summer.
2. Take a canopy tour.
Bordering Puerto Vallarta on one side is Banderas Bay. On the other side are the Sierra Madre mountains. There’s no better way to see these mountains and their jungle vegetation than by whizzing overhead on zip lines.
3. Visit the Botanical Gardens.
The 20-acre gardens are home to over 3,000 species of plants.
4. Take a stroll on the Malecon.
The social center of town, the Malecon is a downtown seawall promenade. It’s a great place for looking at public sculptures and paintings, watching performances, buying snacks, seeing fireworks, or just people-watching. Try to go on a weekend evening.
5. Go to Las Caletas, day or night.
Las Caletas is a private beach and cove owned by Vallarta Adventures, who offer tours such as a beach getaway, snorkeling with sea lions, and nighttime performances there.
6. Visit Yelapa by boat.
This tiny village on the southern side of the bay is the perfect place to go if you’re looking to get away from it all.
7. Watch the sunset at Cuates y Cuetes.
Put your feet in the sand and enjoy some snacks or a bucket of beer at this beach restaurant.
8. Have a spa day.
There are countless spas in PV, offering just about any treatment you can think of.
9. Release a baby turtle.
A number of beachfront hotels conduct turtle releases at dusk from July through December. The newly-hatched baby turtles instinctively make their way down the beach and into the water.
10. Go deep-sea fishing.
The waters of Banderas Bay and beyond are home to many species, such as tuna, marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi, wahoo, grouper, and snapper.
11. Eat!
One of the best things about Puerto Vallarta has to be the food. See our featured restaurants page for suggestions.
12. Have an after-dinner mojito.
Hands-down, the best mojito in town is at La Bodeguita, a Cuban establishment on the Malecon with great ocean views. While you sip your drink, enjoy the live Cuban salsa band, or join in the dancing.
13. Dance the night away.
Puerto Vallarta’s clubs really get going around midnight. Most, like Glam, Mandala, and Punto V, are located along the Malecon.
14. Go on an Art Walk.
Every Wednesday evening, sixteen participating art galleries downtown host an event where you can meet gallery owners and artists and enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers.
15. Participate in rooftop sunset yoga.
Enjoy the views of the ocean, the mountains, and downtown from the roof of davannyoga’s studio.
16. Golf at the Four Seasons.
The Four Seasons in Punta de Mita has two courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Pacifico course includes an optional 19th hole that is the only green located on a natural island in Mexico.
17. Go shopping!
Vallarta is chock-full of little boutiques selling unique goods. See our featured stores page for ideas.
18. Take Salsa dancing lessons.
There are great places in PV to go Salsa dancing. Get your Salsa dancing lessons at Marazul every Friday form 8:00 to 9:00 PM. Once you have your moves down, you can also visit la Bodeguita del Medio for a dancing session.
19. Take a Spanish class at the PEACE Language School and help a non-for-profit.
