Addie Mannan Photography / Stocksy United
Come to Puerto Vallarta (or just 'Vallarta' to many) to laze on the dazzling sandy beaches, browse in the quirky shops, nosh in the stylish restaurants and wander the picturesque central streets and enticing malecón (boardwalk).
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Attractions
Must-see attractions
Jardín Botánico de Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta
For a change of scenery from the beach, head for the tropical highlands of the Sierra Madre mountains and wander the well-curated Jardín Botánico de…
Yelapa
Puerto Vallarta
Home to a small fishing community, the picturesque beach of Yelapa hugs an emerald coastline backed by jungle-shrouded mountains. The remote coastal…
Playa Palmares
Puerto Vallarta
Graced with golden sands and serene aqua-green shallows, Playa Palmares is one sweet strip of coastline. Hugging an undeveloped shore about 6km (4 miles)…
Mismaloya
Puerto Vallarta
Mismaloya, the location for the 1964 film The Night of the Iguana, is about 12km south of Puerto Vallarta: you can still see the dilapidated Iguana sign…
Playa Conchas Chinas
Puerto Vallarta
Around 3km south of downtown is the beautiful condo enclave of Playa Conchas Chinas. It's a tiny cove favored by families for the shallow and sheltered…
Boca de Tomatlán
Puerto Vallarta
Boca de Tomatlán is a seaside village that’s less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta and a good place to munch ceviche tostadas on the beach. You can get…
Museo del Cuale
Puerto Vallarta
On Isla Río Cuale, this museum has a small but very well-presented collection of pre-Hispanic ceramics by the Chupícuaro culture (400 BCE–200 CE), plus…
Isla Río Cuale
Puerto Vallarta
A trip to Vallarta wouldn't be complete without lingering on Isla Río Cuale, a sand island that appeared in the river mouth in the 1920s and was then…
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Attractions
Top picks from our travel experts
Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta Eats
Puerto Vallarta
Local bilingual guides run seven different terrific food- and drink-related tours about town. The mid-morning and evening taco tours take you on…
Vallarta Adventures
Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta’s largest tour company has numerous agencies and hotels selling its excursions. The dizzying array of options includes seasonal whale-watching,…
Ecotours de México
Puerto Vallarta
Run by enthusiastic naturalists, this outfit offers whale-watching expeditions, guided hiking and bird-watching, a dolphin-watching and snorkeling combo…
Boca de Tomatlán
Puerto Vallarta
Boca de Tomatlán is a seaside village that’s less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta and a good place to munch ceviche tostadas on the beach. You can get…
Galería de Ollas
Puerto Vallarta
If you don't have time to travel all the way to the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, don't miss a visit to this gallery that showcases the exquisite,…
Peyote People
Puerto Vallarta
Sells Huichol beadwork and yarn art of excellent quality, jewelry, Day of the Dead crafts and wood carvings from the southern state of Oaxaca. Money spent…
Yelapa
Puerto Vallarta
Home to a small fishing community, the picturesque beach of Yelapa hugs an emerald coastline backed by jungle-shrouded mountains. The remote coastal…
Banderas Scuba Republic
Puerto Vallarta
Maintains a high degree of professionalism with its small-group excursions to a dozen or so diving sites in the bay. Patient instructors and all manner of…
The best free things to do in Puerto Vallarta, from art walks to beach days
Curated by
John Hecht
La Bodeguita del Medio
Puerto Vallarta
The walls are scrawled with handwritten poetics and inanities in several languages, the bar is blessed with fine rums and tequilas, and the staff pour a…
Isla Río Cuale
Puerto Vallarta
A trip to Vallarta wouldn't be complete without lingering on Isla Río Cuale, a sand island that appeared in the river mouth in the 1920s and was then…
Los Arcos Amphitheater
Puerto Vallarta
This outdoor amphitheater, a Vallarta landmark, is backed by Los Arcos, a row of arches that has become a symbol of the city. It's regularly used as an…
Playa de Quimixto
Puerto Vallarta
This beach, just beyond Las Ánimas, has a waterfall accessible by a half-hour hike or by hiring a horse (M$300) on the beach to take you up.
Boca de Tomatlán
Puerto Vallarta
Boca de Tomatlán is a seaside village that’s less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta and a good place to munch ceviche tostadas on the beach. You can get…
Playa de las Ánimas
Puerto Vallarta
Playa de las Ánimas is a long, sandy beach with a small fishing village and some palapa (thatched-roof) restaurants offering fresh seafood. It's also a…
Galería de Ollas
Puerto Vallarta
If you don't have time to travel all the way to the village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, don't miss a visit to this gallery that showcases the exquisite,…
Playa de los Muertos
Puerto Vallarta
Despite its name, Playa de los Muertos (Beach of the Dead) is a lively beach which is handy for downtown. At the southern end of the beach, a stretch of…
Peyote People
Puerto Vallarta
Sells Huichol beadwork and yarn art of excellent quality, jewelry, Day of the Dead crafts and wood carvings from the southern state of Oaxaca. Money spent…
Galería Alpacora
Puerto Vallarta
For delicate, brightly painted wooden figures of animals and mythical beasts from Oaxaca, fine ceramics from Chihuahua, skeletal figurines, hand-woven…
Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Day Trips
From snorkeling in jungle-backed coves, to unwinding in the Sierra Madre mountains and exploring uninhabited islands, Puerto Vallarta offers amazing day trips
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Transportation
Getting around Puerto Vallarta has never been easier with its eminently walkable downtown, convenient ride-hailing service and efficient bus network.
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Free Things to Do
A lovely strip of palm trees, hotels and blond sand, Puerto Vallarta is the pride of Mexico's Pacific Coast. Here's how to enjoy Puerto Vallarta for free.
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Traveling with Kids
With great beaches, cultural experiences and outdoors adventures, Puerto Vallarta is a brilliant place to travel with kids.
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Plan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from Puerto Vallarta
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Family Travel
9 things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids: have the best family trip to Mexico's Pacific Coast
Jun 24, 2022 • 6 min read
With great beaches, cultural experiences and outdoors adventures, Puerto Vallarta is a brilliant place to travel with kids.
Beaches
When to visit Puerto Vallarta for whale-watching, diving and festivals galore
Mar 25, 2022 • 7 min read
Budget Travel
The best free things to do in Puerto Vallarta, from art walks to beach days
Mar 10, 2022 • 7 min read
Beaches
Beach boho vibes without the crowds: why we love Mexico's Central Pacific Coast
Nov 23, 2021 • 5 min read
Activities
Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta
Aug 17, 2021 • 6 min read
Beaches
How to get around in Puerto Vallarta
Aug 12, 2021 • 5 min read
Beaches
Top 6 beaches in Puerto Vallarta
May 13, 2021 • 5 min read
Tips & Advice
Top 5 day trips from Puerto Vallarta
Apr 1, 2021 • 5 min read
History
Journey into Jalisco – Mexico’s heartland
Jan 6, 2021 • 5 min read
Tips & Advice
How to make the most out of a week in Jalisco, Mexico
Jan 6, 2021 • 5 min read
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