Puerto Vallarta

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Puerto Vallarta - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. ChocoMuseo

    ChocoMuseo is a museum where visitors not only learn all about the history and nature of chocolate but also find out how to work with it and create different cocoa-based products and dishes. You can book workshops on how to prepare the Mexican national dish of mole, make chocolate truffles, or let your children experiment with a mini chocolate workshop. 

    Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez 128, Mexico
    322-223–4052

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 2. El Malecón

    Zona Romántica | Promenade

    If you have visited Puerto Vallarta before, maybe you remember that its malecón used to have cars between the boardwalk and the shops and nightclubs. But in 2012 Puerto Vallarta's beloved walkway underwent a huge renovation that closed it to traffic and transformed it into a highly enjoyable (and quiet) pedestrian walkway. The scene now takes in runners, skaters, and bicyclists, as well as traditional bronze sculptures. There is talk of reopening it to cars to cater to local businesses negatively affected by the loss of traffic, but for now you can enjoy it as a lovely pedestrian promenade.

    Paseo Diaz Ordaz, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
    View Tours and Activities
  • 3. La Tovara

    Turtles sunning themselves on logs, crocodiles masquerading as logs, water-loving birds, and exotic orchids make the maze of green-brown canals that is La Tovara—an out-of-town must for nature lovers. Launches putter along these waterways from El Conchal Bridge, at the outskirts of San Blas, about a three-hour drive from Marina Vallarta, or from the nearby village of Matanchén. After cruising along for about 45 minutes—during which you'll have taken way too many photos of the mangrove roots that protrude from the water and the turtles—you arrive at the spring-fed freshwater pools for which the area is named. You can hang out at the restaurant overlooking the pool or play Tarzan and Jane on the rope swing. Most folks take the optional trip to a crocodile farm on the way back, stretching a two-hour tour into three hours.

    Carretera Las Islitas s/n, 63744, Mexico

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $8
  • 4. Playa Borrego

    You can walk or ride a bike to long, lovely Playa Borrego, 1 km (½ mile) south of town. Rent a surfboard at Stoners' or Mar y Sol restaurant to attack the year-round (but sporadic) shore or jetty breaks here, or stroll down to the southern end to admire the lovely, palm-fringed estuary. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: walking; sunset; solitude.

    Mexico
  • 5. Playa Los Muertos

    Zona Romántica

    PV's original happening beach has nice bay views, and as action central, it's definitely the area's most engaging beach. Facing Vallarta's South Side (south of the Río Cuale), this flat beach hugs the Zona Romántica and runs about 1½ km (1 mile) south to a rocky point called El Púlpito. The steps (more than 100) at Calle Púlpito lead to a lookout with a great view of the beach and the bay. Joggers cruise the cement boardwalk early morning and after sunset; vendors stalk the beach nonstop, hawking kites, jewelry, and serapes as well as hair-braiding and alfresco massage. Bar-restaurants run the length of the beach; the bright blue umbrellas at the south end belong to Blue Chairs resort, the hub of PV's effervescent gay scene. The surf ranges from mild to choppy with an undertow; the small waves crunching the shore usually discourage mindless paddling. There are lifeguards on the beach, but the service isn't consistent. The Los Muertos Pier underwent a recent face-lift and it's now one of PV's main landmarks and a prime spot for romantic night walks. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing.

    48399, Mexico
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  • 6. Playa Mayto

    Costalegre

    If you have to choose just one beach in all of Costalegre, this is the one. Difficult to reach, the unspoiled beauty of the place makes the adventure well worth it. The long wide beach invites peaceful walks. Swimming might be risky here, though. Camping under the stars is highly recommended. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: solitude; sunset; walking.

    48400, Mexico
  • 7. Playa Palmares

    In 2014 Playa Palmares became the first beach in the area to get the coveted international Blue Flag certification. This certification is an eco-award designed for beaches, marinas, and boating tourism operators; recipients of the Blue Flag comply with a series of stringent environmental, accessibility, and safety requirements. Palmares is connected to Punta Negra, but its waves are smaller, which makes it a better fit for families. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming.

    Carretera 200, Mexico
  • 8. Vallarta Botanical Gardens

    Since its opening in 2005, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens has become a landmark of Puerto Vallarta and with good reason. The place is spectacular, set in the middle of the Sierra Madre mountains, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. In its 64 acres of land you will find extraordinary biodiversity, a vanilla plantation, hiking trails, plant conservatories, a scenic restaurant, and even a river of crystal clear waters. Plan to spend at least two hours here; you can easily spend a whole day. You can buy a tour, or explore on your own by foot or bicycle. A small shop sells plants, souvenirs, and arts and crafts.

    Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Km 24, Mexico
    322-223--6182

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: 300 MXN, Closed Mon. Apr.–Nov.
  • 9. Basilica de Talpa

    On the large plaza, the Basilica de Talpa is the main show in town. The twin-spire limestone temple is Gothic with neoclassical elements. After visiting the royally clad Virgin in her side chapel, stroll around the surrounding square. Shops and stalls sell sweets, miniature icons of the Virgin in every possible presentation, T-shirts, and other souvenirs. Chicle (gum) is harvested in the area, and you'll find small keepsakes in the shapes of shoes, flowers, and animals made of the (nonsticky) raw material.

    Morelos s/n, Mexico
  • 10. Bucerías Beach

    Riviera Nayarit

    The stretch of sand right in front of downtown Bucerías is not as appealing as what you'll find if you just walk about 200 meters south. The shore break can get a bit sketchy when there's a swell, so you might just want to walk toward Nuevo Vallarta before planting your beach umbrella. Amenities: parking (free); food and drink; water sports. Best for: walking; windsurfing; sunset. 

    Mexico
  • 11. Campamento Tortuguero Mayto

    Mayto’s Turtle Camp is a yearslong, well-run project from Universidad de Guadalajara that patrols the beaches of the area in search of turtle nests and their eggs in order to save them from poachers. They constantly receive groups of students from schools in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, and other cities. With some luck you might get to see the release of baby turtles into the sea.

    Playón de Mayto, 48400, Mexico
    322-232–7727
  • 12. Casa Museo de Doña Conchita

    You're welcome any time at the Casa Museo de Doña Conchita. The affable owner shows visitors photos of her venerable family—which she traces back six generations. See banknotes from the mining days, bloomers, shirts made by hand by the lady for her many children, and other memorabilia. If you speak Spanish, ask Doña Conchita to tell you about the ghosts that haunt her house, which is right on the square between the basketball court and la presidencia, or town hall.

    Paso del Norte 2, 46990, Mexico
    322-297–2860

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: $1
  • 13. Cerro de la Cruz

    The countryside just outside town is ideal for hikes and drives. From Mascota's plaza you can walk up Calle Morelos out of town to Cerro de la Cruz. The hike to the summit takes about a half hour and rewards with great valley views.

    Mexico
  • 14. Cerro de San Basilio

    For a bird's-eye view of the town and coast, hike or drive up Calle Juárez, the main drag, to Cerro de San Basilio. You can also take Road 74 out of town, turn right at the fork and then right at Calle del Panteon, which is the only road you'll find before reaching the river.

    Mexico
  • 15. Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

    The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is dedicated to the patron saint of Mexico and of Puerto Vallarta. The holy mother's image, by Ignacio Ramírez, is the centerpiece of the cathedral's slender marble altarpiece. The brick bell tower is topped by a lacy-looking crown that replicates the one worn by Carlota, short-lived empress of Mexico. The wrought-iron crown toppled during an earthquake that shook this area of the Pacific Coast in 1995 but was soon replaced with a fiberglass version, supported, as was the original, by a squadron of stone angels. This was replaced with a newer and larger rendition in 2009.

    Calle Hidalgo 370, 48330, Mexico
    322-223--1226
    View Tours and Activities
  • 16. Contaduría

    Cannons protect the ruined contaduría, built during colonial times when San Blas was New Spain's first official port.

    Cerro de San Basilio, 63740, Mexico
  • 17. Costa Careyes Polo Club

    Since its opening in 1990, the Costa Careyes Polo Club has received players from all over the world. For $500 you can play in one of their two regulation-size fields with greens fees and horse rental included.

    Carretera Manzanillo–Puerto Vallarta, 48892, Mexico
    315-351--0320
  • 18. Cuale Waterfall

    South of Puerto Vallarta

    This small waterfall can be reached on foot or you can take a horseback ride for about 150--400 MXN ($8–$20) depending on how well you haggle. You can enter the waterfall from the lower road for free or buy a drink and snack at the restaurant on top of the hill. You can also take a swim in the cold waters below the falls, which are refreshing in summer but quite cold in the winter season.

    Mexico
  • 19. El Edén

    South of Puerto Vallarta

    From Mismaloya there is a trail following the river deep into the jungle and up through the mountains; it's about 4 km (2½ miles) long and it leads to a beautiful waterfall and natural pool known as El Edén. The trek can be a bit arduous for kids, but the nature around is impressive. There is a restaurant and an ecopark on-site.

    Mexico
  • 20. El Malecón

    El Malecón of Puerto Vallarta is its flagship attraction. The construction started in 1936 and it went through a complete renovation in 2011. Now, it’s closed to traffic and pedestrians can stroll for almost 1 km (½ mile) through a gorgeous palm-filled promenade. The walk starts at the Rosita Hotel and continues to the amphitheater across the main square. On your way, enjoy the 10 sculptures and the Voladores de Papantla (ancient Mesoamerican tradition involving bungee-jump-like "flying people").

    Paseo Díaz Ordaz, 48300, Mexico

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