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The Best Things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Located in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most bohemian and colorful tourist destinations in Mexico. If you are looking for a family vacation in a peaceful place, with warm local people and the essence of the magical Mexican towns, then Vallarta is the perfect option for you.

Known for its beautiful sunsets, this destination is a Mexican gem with an extensive list of activities to discover. From exploring unknown lands to admiring the fascinating marine life, Puerto Vallarta has great excursions to offer. One unmissable activity is sailing through Bahía Banderas, where you can contemplate the glorious colors of the sunset and feel the magic of Vallarta on a cruise along the coast of the Pacific Ocean.

Another activity not to be missed in Vallarta is sailing to the Marietas Islands to explore this protected area. Exploring the volcanic Marietas Islands’ beauty, made famous by the oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, is an unforgettable experience. You can swim in crystal-clear waters, snorkel, and discover the marine life of the area.

Puerto Vallarta is also an excellent destination for those seeking thrilling adventures and extreme outdoor activities. Despite being a relatively peaceful area, Vallarta offers a wide variety of extreme outdoor activities to get your adrenaline pumping. You can explore the skies through zip lines or ride an all-terrain ATV on the Sierra Madre Mountain trails.

One of the most valued activities in Puerto Vallarta is swimming with dolphins. This experience brings you closer to the most playful marine mammals in nature, where you will learn about them and their ecosystem.

If you are ready to live some great adventures? Here are some of the best activities in Vallarta carefully selected by Amstar experts:

Recommended excursions

Marietas Eco Discovery

Get inspired on a tour of the Marietas Islands' nationally-protected ecosystem and its secrets ready to be discovered off Puerto Vallarta's coast. You can snorkel and kayak as you go offshore in a luxury catamaran, and even take in some whale watching from December to March, during humpback whale season.

Marietas-Eco-Discovery

Rhythms of the Night

Cruise down Banderas Bay at twilight and head to a private cove to watch Puerto Vallarta’s most extraordinary spectacle — Rhythms of the Night. As the stars begin to shine, enjoy a buffet dinner and a brilliant show featuring dance and music that transcends Mexico’s many cultures. This evening is magic waiting to happen.

Rhythms of the Night dinner and show

ATVs Rio Cuale

Discover Cabo San Lucas by land and by water. Amazing geological formations, rich sea life, incredible cultural wonders, and an enviable tropical environment are some of the reasons to visit. Come see where the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California intertwine, and experience iconic landmarks inside the city on this getaway.

ATVS Rio Cuale

Outdoor Adventure

Experience a day to truly get your heart racing, your blood pumping, and your imagination running wild! This Outdoor Adventure Tour in Puerto Vallarta will take you to the area's beaches, waterfalls, and mountains — and soar over the jungle from a height of 250 feet on one of Mexico’s longest and highest zip lines.

Outdoor activities in Puerto Vallarta: Slipping down a slide

More Activities in Vallarta

Los Veranos Private Snorkel Los Veranos Snorkeling
Los Veranos Snorkeling
Jump into a high-speed speedboat!
Tropical tour around Puerto Vallarta downtown Tropical Tour
Tropical Tour
Discover the colonial charm of Downtown Vallarta!
Pirate-Land Pirate Land
Pirate Land
Argh! Enjoy a pirate show