Puerto Vallarta Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Puerto Vallarta tours, Mexico’s charming Pacific resort on Banderas Bay: snorkelling at the dramatic Los Arcos sea arches, full-day boat trips to the hidden beach of the Marietas Islands, ATV and RZR rides over the Jorullo Bridge, sunset and bioluminescence cruises, ziplining through the Sierra Madre, tequila tastings and whale watching in winter. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Mexico trip.
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Explore Puerto Vallarta by interest
Whatever brings you to Puerto Vallarta — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Los Arcos snorkeling
Sea arches and reefs.
ExploreMarietas Islands
Hidden Beach paradise.
ExploreATV & RZR
Sierra Madre off-road.
ExploreSunset cruises
Bay sails and shows.
ExploreZiplining
Jungle canopy thrills.
ExploreWhale watching
Winter humpbacks.
ExploreTequila tasting
Mexico’s spirit.
ExploreSayulita & Yelapa
Bohemian beach towns.
ExploreTop attractions in Puerto Vallarta
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Marietas Islands
Hidden Beach.
Los Arcos
Sea arches and reefs.
Jorullo Bridge
Sierra Madre ATV.
Banderas Bay
Sunset cruises.
Sierra Madre Ziplines
Canopy adventure.
Tequila Country
Tastings and agave.
Hidden Beach
Playa del Amor.
Humpback Whales
Winter watching.
Puerto Vallarta in 1 day
- 1Los Arcos snorkel
- 2Beach time
- 3Malecón stroll
- 4Sunset cruise
Puerto Vallarta in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Los Arcos & sunset
- 2Day 2: Marietas Islands
- 3Hidden Beach
- 4Snorkel and kayak
Puerto Vallarta in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Los Arcos & sunset
- 2Day 2: Marietas Islands
- 3Day 3: ATV or Sayulita
- 4Sea, adventure & culture
Puerto Vallarta with kids
- 1Los Arcos snorkel
- 2Marietas Islands
- 3Dolphin swim
- 4Beach time
Full day awayMarietas Islands
Hidden Beach.
In the bay awayLos Arcos
Snorkel sea arches.
Mountains awaySierra Madre ATV
Jorullo Bridge ride.
1 hr awaySayulita
Bohemian surf town.
Banderas Bay awaySunset Cruise
Bay sails and shows.
Dec–Mar awayWhale Watching
Winter humpbacks.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Puerto Vallarta visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
November to April is the dry season, with warm, sunny days and calm seas — the prime time for the beaches, islands and whale watching.
High season (Nov–Apr)
Warm, dry and sunny, ideal for the Marietas Islands, snorkelling and cruises; the busiest and priciest season.
Whale season (Dec–Mar)
Humpback whales fill Banderas Bay in winter, making December to March prime for whale watching.
Green season (Jul–Oct)
Hot and humid with afternoon storms, lush and quieter with lower prices; the sea is warm and the hills are green.
Hurricane months
August to October can bring the odd tropical storm; rain is usually brief, but check forecasts for boat tours.
For the Marietas
Calm dry-season seas (November–April) are best for boat trips to the Marietas Islands.
One day
Los Arcos snorkelling and a sunset cruise.
Two days
Add a Marietas Islands hidden-beach trip.
Three days
The sweet spot: sea, ATV adventure and Sayulita.
Four to five days
Add Yelapa, San Sebastián and whale watching.
Beach base
Puerto Vallarta is a relaxed base for Banderas Bay and the Riviera Nayarit.
Travelling with kids
Mix snorkelling, dolphins and beaches.
On foot
The Malecón boardwalk, the Zona Romántica and Old Town are pleasant and walkable, full of shops, galleries and restaurants.
Tours & transfers
Boat tours, ATV rides and day trips include transport and pickup, the easiest way to reach the islands and mountains.
Taxis & apps
Taxis and ride-hailing are affordable for getting around the bay; agree taxi fares before you ride.
Water taxis
Water taxis reach south-shore beaches like Yelapa and Las Caletas that have no road access.
Local buses
Cheap local buses run along the bay to Nuevo Vallarta, Sayulita and the beaches.
From the airport
Puerto Vallarta’s airport is about 15–30 minutes from most hotels by transfer or taxi.
Mexican pesos
Mexico uses the peso; cards are widely accepted in town, but carry some pesos for taxis, beach vendors and tips.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Use reef-safe sunscreen for snorkelling at Los Arcos and the Marietas to protect the marine parks.
Book the Marietas early
Marietas Islands access is limited and Hidden Beach permits are capped, so book well ahead, especially in high season.
Whale-watching season
For whales, visit December to March and choose a responsible operator that keeps a respectful distance.
Tip your guides
Tipping guides, crew and drivers is customary and appreciated for good service.
Pre-book in high season
Boat tours and cruises sell out November–April — book ahead.
Marietas Islands
Limited-access island tours sell out — book ahead.
Los Arcos snorkelling
Popular bay tours fill up — reserve early.
Sunset cruises
Rhythms of the Night and sunset sails are in demand — pre-book.
Whale watching
Winter whale tours fill up — book ahead.
ATV & ziplines
Adventure tours have limited spots — reserve early.
High season
November–April is busy — plan ahead.
Los Arcos snorkelling
Around €40–80 for a Los Arcos snorkelling trip.
Marietas Islands
About €80–140 for a Marietas Islands day tour.
ATV & RZR
Roughly €70–130 for an ATV or RZR adventure.
Sunset cruise
Around €50–110 for a sunset or Rhythms of the Night cruise.
Whale watching
About €50–90 for a winter whale-watching tour.
How to save
Join group boat tours, travel in the green season, and book combos.
Puerto Vallarta through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Beaches, islands, whales.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal; book ahead.
- Best for
- Warm, fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great value.
- Best for
- Lush, low prices.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot; afternoon storms.
- Best for
- Green, quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Rains easing.