Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful and popular place for vacationers to visit. It has beautiful beaches, charming hotels, delicious restaurants, and many must-see attractions. But there is so much more to this city than meets the eye! Here are some of my favorite spots in Puerto Vallarta that you need to check out if you ever find yourself here:
Sayulita
Sayulita is a small town in the state of Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta. It is known for its beaches and surf culture.
It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the sun, but there are plenty of restaurants and bars if you’re looking for something more active. And thanks to its large expat community (including many retirees from Canada), there’s also plenty of English spoken around town!
Cruise Ship Terminal
The Cruise Ship Terminal is located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, just south of Old Town. This popular tourist attraction offers a variety of souvenirs and great photo opportunities for visitors.
The terminal allows cruisers to disembark from their cruise liner onto land in style and comfort. There are many gates where passengers can depart from their vessel, depending on its size and location within the port area (this will determine how long they have to wait). Those who do not have a flight scheduled after their vacation may choose to remain onboard until it is time for them to leave again (or whenever they feel like disembarking), but most people choose to go ashore when they get back into port so that they can explore what Puerto Vallarta has to offer beyond its tourism attractions!
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a port city on the Pacific coast of Mexico. It is a popular tourist destination and known for its beaches and nightlife. Mazatlán also attracts cruise ships to its harbor, which is one of the busiest in Mexico.
Marietas Islands
The Marietas Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The islands are a popular tourist destination and are protected as part of Reserva Natural Las Marietas.
- The Marietas Islands are home to many different species of birds, reptiles and plants that you can see during your visit.
- There is also an underwater park at the island where you can snorkel or scuba dive to see all kinds of marine life including octopus, lobsters and rays!
- The best way to get to this amazing spot is by boat from Playa Los Muertos beach in Marina Vallarta (just east from Cabo Corrientes).
Marigalante Pirate Ship
If you’re looking for a way to see the bay and get an air-conditioned tour of Puerto Vallarta, look no further than Marigalante Pirate Ship. Located just north of the downtown area on Paseo de la Marina, this attraction is a replica Spanish Galleon that offers 40-minute tours of the bay. There’s also food and drink available on board as well as souvenirs in its gift shop. If you’d like to have some privacy during your visit, there are rooms where you can rent out for private events or parties. The ship has a capacity of 200 people at any given time so it’s not too big but big enough for everyone who wants to go on it!
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
The Vallarta Botanical Gardens are located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta and offer a great opportunity to escape the bustle of city life. These gardens are open every day from 8am to 6pm, so you can visit them at any time of day or night. Admission is free, so it’s really worth making time for this attraction if you’re in PV for more than a couple days.
The botanical gardens have many different areas containing over 1,000 species of plants from all over Mexico and South America as well as some rare species from Asia and Africa. The park features tropical trees like palm trees as well as cactus plants that grow up to 10 meters high! It also includes an arboretum where visitors can learn more about various types of flora while they walk through paths lined with colorful bushes and flowers along the way (see photos).
Los Arcos Amphitheatre
There is no better way to spend an evening than sitting in the amphitheatre with your friends, watching the sun set over the ocean. Located in Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town, Los Arcos Amphitheatre is a popular place for locals and tourists alike. The large stone structure features permanent seating for more than 1,000 people, who come here regularly to enjoy an evening show.
Each month there are different shows that take place at the amphitheatre (check out their website for details on when these events will be held). They range from classical concerts featuring local musicians playing on string instruments or piano duets; ballet performances with internationally renowned dancers; to jazz bands performing classic American hits.
Conclusion
There are so many wonderful things to do in Puerto Vallarta. You can go on a boat tour to see some of the islands and beaches around Puerto Vallarta. You can also visit Casablanca Beach, which is located about 20 minutes from downtown PV. There are great restaurants and bars at this resort-style beach, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing lessons and kite boarding lessons by the instructors at Casablanca Surf School. Another fun thing to do is take a cruise ship tour from Sayulita (about 1 hour south of PV) or Cabo San Lucas (about 2 hours south), both of which are very popular tourist destinations for cruises leaving from Los Angeles or San Diego during spring break season!
We hope you enjoyed our list of fun things to do in Puerto Vallarta. The city has so much to offer and we would love to hear about your favorite spots! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly.