Puerto Vallarta Tours and Activities

Jogging in Paradise: Not only is Puerto Vallarta a great destination for enjoying beaches, nightlife and art, it’s also the perfect place to enjoy exercising! Both early in the morning and late in the afternoon, it’s quite common to see people running along the Malecon, whether on their own, as couples, in groups or with pets.

El Tuito: Small-town Charm Just an Hour Away: With the advent of spectacular restaurants such as Le Kliff and outdoor activities such as those offered at Canopy Tours Los Veranos and the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens, an increasing number of visitors and locals are stretching their boundaries and exploring all the wonders our South Shore has to offer.

39 Vallarta Essentials: You cannot visit Paris, no matter how brief a stay, and miss the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre, or spend any time in San Francisco without succumbing to the temptation of crossing its majestic Golden Gate Bridge. Each popular world destination has its very own list of must-see/must-do items and Puerto Vallarta is no exception.

Hot Spot: El Pitillal Plaza: Thanks to modern conveniences, most of us today can tootle along major supermarket aisles and shopping centers finding just about every item we could possibly require on a day-to-day basis. This was not always the case, however, as exemplified today by the small-town charm of Pitillal Plaza.

The Huichol Universe Slide Show: For our recently-published article on the fascinating world of the Huichol, we were thrilled to feature contributing photographer Jay Ailworth's compelling images. To further enhance your experience, we feature the music of the Maxa-Keta Huichol Duet. (Sound Slide Show)

Hot Spot: Olas Altas: Bustling with activity day and night, this trendy street has such a formidable draw that many tourists and locals actually refer to the entire neighborhood by its name. Saunter about and you will be delighted to have scheduled ample time to discover its many restaurants, gift stores, outdoor cafés and nightclubs.

The Huichol Universe: They are easily spotted at diverse shops around town, painstakingly attaching multi-colored beads to hand-carved wooden sculptures depicting a variety of fantastic creatures.

Best New Ultimate Tour: Tequila Tour: Tequila is more than just a liquor – it’s a destination! And now you can discover the soul of Mexico and its national drink with a trip to this classic town, designated a “Pueblo Mágico,” or “Magical Town,” nationally.

Best New Boating Guide: Vallarta Nautica: Designed to make the cruising lifestyle a lot more fun and interesting on Banderas Bay, since being featured in the Seven Seas Cruising Association’s Commodore’s Newsletter, “Vallarta nautica” is being sought by folks the world over who want to get their hands on this helpful annual glossy!

Best New Use for an Old Building: Maritime Museum: When in downtown Puerto Vallarta, you can visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, stroll the Malecon and enjoy a beautiful sunset. And now you also can visit the Maritime Museum, which is sponsored by the Mexican Navy and opened its doors to the public last year.

Best New Excuse to Walk Around Puerto Vallarta: Malecon Extension: Long a destination in itself, the Malecon meanders along the edge of Banderas Bay. And now it’s possible to stroll this “boardwalk” from the historic Hotel Rosita at the north end of town past the Los Muertos pier and farther south – all without having to shake sand out of shoes.

Best Place to Develop a Green Thumb: Botanical Gardens: Historically, a garden was not only an escape from the enclosed interiors of impersonal construction, but also a way of creating an Eden by including Mother Nature in the embracing environment. Bob Price of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens focuses on “bringing native Mexican plants into safe contact with us so we can see them face to face.”

Head to the Mountains!: If you are new to Banderas Bay or on a short-term vacation, chances are that you will want to remain fairly close to your home or hotel, as you will find a plethora of things to do in Puerto Vallarta and its immediate surroundings.

Hot Spot: Pulpito Street: A funky South Side block with a bohemian feel stretching, for the sake of argument, from landmark beachfront restaurants El Dorado and La Palapa to happening Olas Altas and Picnic restaurant 21 stairs above it, this place to see and be seen offers a bit of everything.