[ad_1]
Puerto Vallarta is a destination that has been welcoming travellers for many years, and it’s one of the top places to visit in Mexico. There are numerous fun things to do in Puerto Vallarta — it has something for everyone.
Whether you’re a backpacker on a budget, a digital nomad in Mexico looking to spend a month, a couple wanting a week-long vacation, or an expat looking to settle down, you’ll find activities in Puerto Vallarta to keep you busy.
The city is split up into neighbourhoods (zones), with the endless things to do in Puerto Vallarta spread out along Banderas Bay and beyond. In reality, it doesn’t really matter which part of the city you stay in, as getting around is easy.
You will, however, want to choose your zone carefully based on the vibe you’re after and the budget you have.
Puerto Vallarta Neighbourhoods & Zones
Here’s a quick rundown of the zones in Puerto Vallarta starting at the airport and going south:
- Marina – more upscale than the hotel zone, with the Marriott Hotel, Westin & more.
- Hotel Zone – just a few minute’s drive from the airport, this area has many hotels, restaurants, malls, a Walmart & Sams Club.
- Centro (Old PV) – smaller homes, residential area, the Malecon (oceanfront promenade) runs along here, many restaurants and bars. This area is on the north side of the River Cuale and offers affordable accommodation.
- Centro (Romantic Zone) – located on the south side of the River Cuale, you’ll find numerous bars, cafes, restaurants and Playa Los Muertos Beach. This is a popular area with a large LGBTQ community. The accommodation ranges from budget to top end.
- Conchas Chinas – meaning “Chinese Shells” based on the seashells found here, this is a more affluent/posh area of Puerto Vallarta with gated communities and high-end condos.
Learn more about where to stay in Puerto Vallarta with our accommodation and neighbourhood guide. And, for a complete rundown on travelling to the city of PV, check out our detailed guide here.
Best Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta
After travelling around Puerto Vallarta extensively and having many incredible experiences, I’ve narrowed down the 21 best things to do in this beautiful Mexican beach town.
1. Walk…Everywhere!
I have to put walking as #1 on the list of things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Exploring on foot is the best way to get a feel for the city, and most areas of PV are reachable by walking.
Mexico is already one of the cheapest countries to travel to, but when you can do things for free, like walking and sightseeing, you can save even more money.
This is a great way to see what the vendors are selling, to people watch, and get a lay of the land. You never know what you’ll stumble across when discovering the city on foot — just make sure to wear good shoes as the sidewalks and roads are very uneven.
Note: the best time to travel to Mexico if you want to walk around cities would be in the winter months, or in the shoulder season. Otherwise, it can be unbearably hot and you’ll most likely want to be at the beach all day.
2. Join a Food Tour
Did you know that Mexico’s cuisine has made the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO? This award hasn’t been granted to any other national food group.
Mexican food is so much more than tacos and quesadillas and the best way to learn more about the tasty cuisine is to join a tour. This is a must-do in Puerto Vallarta for foodies.
We’ve done food tours all around the world, and our favourite ones are in Mexico.
In Puerto Vallarta, check out Vallarta Food Tours. This company offers a mix of culture, walking, and food tours, making it a great way to learn about the city of PV while simultaneously feasting and working off the calories.
There are a few foodie tours on offer with Vallarta Food Tours, but we went on the “Original Downtown Tour“, which took us through the center of PV on both sides of the river. We ate numerous dishes and tried some drinks as well. You can also join their evening taco tour.
We highly recommend this tour. Click here to learn more and check out the video we made:
3. See Rhythms Of The Night (one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta)
If you’re looking for a mini Cirque de Soleil-type cultural show and dinner experience, then Rhythms of The Night will be something you won’t want to miss.
We saw this performance and although we’re not big fans of large group tours, this show was spectacular and worth every penny. This is one of the top tours in Puerto Vallarta.
The evening starts with a sunset cruise (including an open bar) across Banderas Bay to Las Caletas, which is a beautiful private cove. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a beautifully lit area with tiki torches and candles.
You’ll then be shown to your seat in the outdoor auditorium, which is surrounded by palm trees. The seats are all staggered, so even though there are people sitting in front of you, you’ll have no issues seeing the show.
The show depicts various stories of the ancient Hispanic civilization and Mexican folklore. During the performance, there’s live music, dancing, contortionists, fire twirlers, and more.
Following the show, you’ll enjoy a large buffet dinner before returning to Puerto Vallarta by boat.
If you’re wondering what to do in Puerto Vallarta at night, this is it. Don’t miss this show. Click here to learn more about the tour and to book tickets.
⇒ See Also: Things To Do in Mazatlan – 21 Experiences You Don’t Want to Miss
4. Watch Sunset
There’s just something about the sunsets on the Pacific Coast, and in particular, Puerto Vallarta. Some of the best sunsets we’ve ever seen have been from here. Grab a drink and enjoy the show.
Great viewing places include anywhere along the Malecon, up the hill behind the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or from El Barracuda — the sunsets we experienced at this beach bar were top-notch.
Once the sun goes down, the party starts in PV — there are so many bars and clubs, the nightlife in Puerto Vallarta is legendary. Enjoy the sunset, it’s one of the best free things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
*Note: Puerto Escondido is another epic Pacific Coast destination for sunsets in Mexico. If you have a chance, try to visit there as well.
5. Relax on Playa las Gemelas
Surprisingly, just about 20 minutes drive south of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find beaches that look like they should be Cancun or Playa del Carmen rather than the Pacific. I think this is one of the best beaches in Mexico.
Playa las Gemelas has turquoise water and whitish sand. When we visited, there were quite a few waves, but no riptides or undertows, and the waves were fun to swim in.
Other visitors have experienced completely calm water here, so it really just depends on the weather and the time of year.
There are just 2 condominium complexes on the beach and nothing else…not even any toilets. Bring a cooler filled with beer, water, and snacks, and spend the day.
The walk to the beach is fairly steep and down some uneven steps, but it’s worth it when you see the view.
To reach here, you’ll want to park at Condominios Girasol Sur (in front, alongside the road). There is no actual parking for the beach, so you’ll need to find some on the street, or in the few roadside spots in front of Girasol Sur Condos.
Alternatively, you can take a local bus and get dropped off here. This is by far my favourite beach in Puerto Vallarta. Don’t miss it.
Playa las Gemelas Beach Address: Carr. Costera a Barra de Navidad 2354, Sur, 48390 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. Click here for directions.
6. Join a Booze Tour (with a side of food)
For those of you who like to drink tequila – it’s Mexico, who doesn’t?! – this tour is for you.
During our recent trip to Puerto Vallarta, we joined the highly-rated Mex-ology tour and enjoyed a late afternoon of Mezcal, Tequila, Raicilla, craft beer, Kahlua coffee, and other handcrafted cocktails.
To go along with the booze, you’ll get some tasty food to help soak up the alcohol.
The dishes aren’t snacks, but rather, full portions of fish tacos, meat tacos, seafood “enchiladas”, onion rings, crickets (yes, crickets!), and delectable desserts.
Not only will you be having fun, and feeling a bit tipsy by the end of it, but you’ll learn a lot about the traditions and creation of these alcoholic beverages.
We had a great day with our guide. So much fun in fact, that she took us out for some late-night shenanigans where the expats and locals like to hangout.
Click here to learn more about the Mex-ology Tequila, Tacos & Cocktails Tour, it’s one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta.