Things to see and do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
updated May 2023
Accommodations
The first thing you need is to find accommodations. There are a few different hotel zones.
There are some nice hotels in the marina area. This peaceful area has good restaurants but is far from the town and beaches. However, it is closer to the airport, saving you time and taxi fares going back and forth. In addition, there is a bus to go into town. A good hotel here is Flamingo Marina.
If the object of your visit to Puerto Vallarta is to spend time at the beach, you will want a hotel that is close by. A nice but inexpensive hotel in this area is the Los Arcos. However, there are also hotels in the town which are cheaper than those on the beach.
The big chain hotels are located along the highway between these zones.
Whichever hotel you choose, make sure you get one with a pool. The humidity in Puerto Vallarta can be brutal, and you will appreciate a pool, even if your hotel is near the beach.
Church our Lady of Guadalupe
This church is in the town centre and is worth a short visit. This is Puerto Vallarta’s most famous building; you will see it on countless postcards. It is the tallest building in the old town centre. It is relatively new compared to most churches in Mexico. Construction was piecemeal and began in 1917 and was not completed until 1987. The large crown on top of the church was destroyed in an earthquake in 1995 and has since been replaced with a replica.
Old Town
Walk around the centre of the old town (el Centro). The cobblestone streets are very picturesque.
The Lighthouse
This place is mostly unknown to tourists. There is no longer light in it. Therefore, it is not worth visiting except for the exceptional view of the town and the bay from the top (an uphill climb). The photo at the top of this page was taken from this location. Ask for directions and a map of the town to see this and all the other places mentioned in this post. You can get one at the tourist visitor’s centre near the church.
My Thatched Hut Travel Tip
The visitor’s centre also has an excellent list of all the buses that compare the name on the front of the bus to the list of destinations. So, if you plan to use the bus, you should get this paper. It will tell you which bus to take to the marina, the bus station, the botanical gardens, and many others.
Malecon
The Malecon is a paved sidewalk along the coast. There are always interesting things to see here. It can be quite hot during the day. Most activity is in the early evening.
Playa los Muertos
This is a good beach close to many hotels. Playa los Muertos means “Beach of the Dead” in English, but I didn’t see any dead people there.
Estero el Salido
This is an excellent place if you like nature and want to see a mangrove forest and its many birds and animals. Take the boat tour, and you will probably see crocodiles and many species of birds. After the boat trip, you can look for more birds, lizards and other critters. You might see the scarce Rufous-backed Robin (thrush) here if you are lucky. The fee goes toward preserving this gem surrounded by hotels and shopping centres.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden is out of town, and you will need to take a bus to get here, but it is worth the trip. You can see many native plants; it is also a great place to see hummingbirds.
Isla Cuale and Rivera del Rio
The Rivera del Rio is a small river that cuts through the town to the coast, with an island in the centre. Walk along the Malecon until you come to the bridge that crosses it. Both sides of the river are packed with tiny shops selling souvenirs. Walk up one side from the coast for a couple of blocks and return on the other side.
Adventure
You can go para-sailing on the bay. This involves being attached to a parachute and towed around the bay by a boat. I tried this, and it is great fun. At the end of your time, the men in the boat will reel you in like a fish on a line. Don’t worry about the line braking; if this happens, you will drift down to the water, and the boat will pick you up.
You can also arrange trips to go scuba diving, fishing and other tours. Most hotels can arrange one of these trips for you.
Puerto Vallarta is an excellent place for a vacation. Enjoy.