Top Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta in 2026

Surrounded by the towering Sierra Madre mountains, the white edges of beaches and the sparkling depths of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a tropical destination of contrasts and beauty.

Top & Best

These are what we consider the best/top options in, and around, Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta, Something For Everyone!

Puerto Vallarta, Something For Everyone!

Downtown Puerto Vallarta When you hear the name “Puerto Vallarta” what images come to your…

Top Puerto Vallarta Options

Top Puerto Vallarta Options

The Best Options in Puerto Vallarta Here’s what we consider the best or top options…

Top 10 Tours In Puerto Vallarta

Top 10 Tours In Puerto Vallarta

Top 10 Puerto Vallarta Tours Our top 10 tour & activities list is: Summary Introduction…

Flea Market stands

Cuale River Island, A Downtown Puerto Vallarta…

Cuale River Island Video Tour Features & Amenities Summary Right in the heart of Puerto…

Top 10 Beaches In Puerto Vallarta (With…

Top 10 Beaches In Puerto Vallarta (With…

Summary Introduction One of the main reasons we choose to go to Puerto Vallarta are…

Attractions, Activities And Sightseeing In Puerto Vallarta

Attractions, Activities And Sightseeing In Puerto Vallarta

When you land Puerto Vallarta, you immediately notice you are somewhere new, the warm humid air,…

Top 10 Things To Do With Kids…

Top 10 Things To Do With Kids…

Summary Introduction If you travel to new and interesting places, like any good parent, you’ll take…

Beaches, Landmarks & Things To See in Puerto Vallarta

Here’s a list of city landmarks and sightseeing options, most of them in Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area.
Unveiling The Fishermen Statue June…

Unveiling The Fishermen Statue June…

Event recording and presentation by Jim Demetro of The Fishermen, June 1, 2018. Bienvenidos todos,…

El Pulpito And Las Pilitas,…

El Pulpito And Las Pilitas,…

Las Pilitas and El Púlpito, Los Muertos Beach – Las Amapas Beach, Puerto Vallarta Summary…

Puerto Vallarta Letters

The Puerto Vallarta Sign (Puerto…

Puerto Vallarta Sign and The Boy on the Seahorse by Rafael Zamarripa (1976) Malecon Vallarta…

Triton And Siren (1990) Carlos…

Triton And Siren (1990) Carlos…

Triton and Siren by Carlos Espino (1990) Summary Introduction A well-known, classical style sculpture on…

The Boy On The Seahorse…

The Boy On The Seahorse…

Seahorse Statue (original one) at Las Pilitas, Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta Everybody knows the…

Sculptures & Statues On The…

Sculptures & Statues On The…

Statues/sculptures on Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon Summary Puerto Vallarta is not only a tourist destination that can…

Nightlife In Puerto Vallarta

Nightlife In Puerto Vallarta

When it comes to nightlife, Vallarta does it “con gusto” Whether you enjoy a margarita…

day trips (beaches, towns & more)

Wonderful coastal towns, beaches, colonial towns to visit, lots of fun things to do near Puerto Vallarta. Some need to travel a bit and might require a trip that lasts a whole day, or a bit longer, to make it enjoyable.
Caballo Beach (El Caballo) Cabo…

Caballo Beach (El Caballo) Cabo…

Caballo Beach, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico Features and Amenities Summary Introduction Caballo Beach (El Caballo),…

Chacala, A Hidden Paradise

Chacala, A Hidden Paradise

Introduction Chacala is a beach town in the state of Nayarit some 8 miles from…

Colomitos Beach, WAS A Small…

Colomitos Beach, WAS A Small…

I NO LONGER RECOMMEND VISITING THIS CABO CORRIENTES BEACH (THE NEIGHBORING MUNICIPALITY – NOT PUERTO…

Partial view of Destiladeras Beach Nayarit Mexico

Destiladeras Beach In Nayarit, Find…

Features & amenities Introduction Destiladeras Beach Panorama You’ll find Destiladeras Beach west of La Cruz de…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

Summary Features & Amenities Introduction An exotic and popular attraction located in the south zone, upriver…

El Tuito, A Town With…

El Tuito, A Town With…

El Tuito, main square, Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico Features & amenities El Tuito details More…

La Caleta, The Best Surfing…

La Caleta, The Best Surfing…

La Caleta, Nayarit, Mexico Introduction You can find La Caleta just north (some 2 miles)…

Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta in 2026

Puerto Vallarta shines year-round, but for optimal weather, visit from November to April during the dry season. Expect warm temps (75-85°F) and minimal rain. Summer (May-Oct) brings lower crowds and prices but higher humidity and hurricane risks. In 2026, aim for the Vallarta Pride Festival in May for vibrant events or whale-watching season (Dec-Mar).

Enjoying Puerto Vallarta (Food+Drinks, Sports, Culture & Shopping)

A more general list of things to do in Puerto Vallarta, includes food, Mexican culture, and sports activities.
Art Galleries In Puerto Vallarta

Art Galleries In Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has established itself as a vibrant center of art creation, exhibition, and promotion. The…

Flea Market stands

Cuale River Island, A Downtown…

Cuale River Island Video Tour Features & Amenities Summary Right in the heart of Puerto…

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea…

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea…

Cuale River Municipal Market (Flea Market) Features & amenities Flea Market details Schedule Introduction Those…

Culture And Arts In Puerto…

Culture And Arts In Puerto…

Puerto Vallarta not only offers you a beautiful and enjoyable vacation with an endless array of…

Handicrafts And Folk Art, Huichol…

Handicrafts And Folk Art, Huichol…

Local handicrafts and folk art of the region include sandals and huaraches, made with leather…

Jewelries In Puerto Vallarta

Jewelries In Puerto Vallarta

All sterling silver in Mexico is marked with a small stamp .925. Items sold on the beach…

Ecotourism & Nature

Puerto Vallarta’s extraordinarily lush and biodiverse natural setting enhances its charm and makes it the delightful vacation destination it is.
Birdwatching In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Birdwatching In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Summary Passerina ciris One of the most profitable ecotourism activities in the United States and Canada is…

Canopy River Tour in Puerto Vallarta

Canopy Tours In Puerto Vallarta

Canopy Tours in Vallarta Canopy tours in Puerto Vallarta are a truly thrilling ecological experience that offers you the…

Crocodiles And Crocodile Sanctuaries In…

Crocodiles And Crocodile Sanctuaries In…

River Crocodile Estero El Salado Puerto Vallarta Watching the daily news and seeing how we…

Ecotourism & Nature

Ecotourism & Nature

Fun down-to-earth things to do Without its extraordinarily lush and biodiverse natural setting, Puerto Vallarta…

Ecotourism In Puerto Vallarta

Ecotourism In Puerto Vallarta

Ecotourism in Puerto Vallarta In a world in which communing with nature increasingly means a…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

El Eden, A Piece Of…

Summary Features & Amenities Introduction An exotic and popular attraction located in the south zone, upriver…

Humpback Whales, The Giants Of…

Humpback Whales, The Giants Of…

Puerto Vallarta Humpback Whales Text & Photos: Eduardo Lugo from Homes & Living These gentle…

There are many unique and wonderful things to do in, and near, Puerto Vallarta. Here is our list of all the fun things to enjoy in the area, you’ll surely find many options for your specific taste and by reviewing this section you make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

From the simple cobblestone streets in the downtown area to sophisticated amenities provided at Grand Tourism hotels, Puerto Vallarta is always a great beach destination choice.

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Puerto Vallarta offers each guest their own unique and ideal vacation mix of not only relaxation and wonder, but also tranquility and action.

If you’d like to arrive by sea, the Banderas Bay area boasts a number of modern and sophisticated Marinas, and for those who like golf, Vallarta has eight championship golf courses.

You can also feel assured by the knowledge that the city also offers top-level hospitals, no ugly surprises here.

No matter your particular preferences or indulgences, there’s a part of Puerto Vallarta that’s just right for you and your personal vacation.


Lo de Marcos, Nayarit: A Quiet Beach Town Guide

Lo de Marcos, Nayarit: A Quiet Beach Town Guide

Visit Lo de Marcos Nayarit: what the beach is like, things to do, where to eat and stay, and how to get there from Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta A Birdwatching Paradise

Puerto Vallarta A Birdwatching Paradise

Birdwatching (birding) in Puerto Vallarta is a popular ecotourism activity with a growing number of followers, there are 100s of species to find in the area.
Puerto Vallarta Letters

The Puerto Vallarta Sign (Puerto Vallarta Letters) On The Malecon

In 2016 these letters that spell out Puerto Vallarta were placed flanking the Seahorse statue on the Malecon, created by Carlos Terres with Manuel Lepe designs
La Cruz De Huanacaxtle Beach, A Lesser Known Family Option

La Cruz De Huanacaxtle Beach, A Lesser Known Family Option

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle beach is one of the two most popular beaches in the northern town of La Cruz. Popular with families and locals too.
Ecotourism In Puerto Vallarta

Ecotourism In Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is not only blessed with beaches and sun, the Sierra Madre Mountains and the lush jungles that surround it, that tumble into the tropical sea make it a wonderland of life and biodiversity
Crown Of The Parish Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe (1965/2009) José Ramírez/Carlos Terrés

Crown Of The Parish Of Our Lady Of Guadalupe (1965/2009) José Ramírez/Carlos Terrés

Original concrete crown by José Esteban Ramírez Guareño was placed on top of the Puerto Vallarta Church/Parish in 1965, read more about the new one from 2009.
El Pulpito And Las Pilitas, Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta

El Pulpito And Las Pilitas, Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta

El Púlpito and Las Pilitas (the Pulpit and the Small Baptismal Fonts) are two rock formations on the South end of the Los Muertos Beach.
The Boy On The Seahorse (1976) Francisco Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda

The Boy On The Seahorse (1976) Francisco Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda

The Boy on the Seahorse (The Seahorse Statue) sculpted in 1960 by Francisco Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda placed in 1976 on Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon/Boardwalk
Puerto Vallarta Parasailing

Puerto Vallarta Parasailing

Puerto Vallarta has parasailing and other watersports available in the many beaches along the Bahia de Banderas. The most popular spot is at Los Muertos Beach. WaveRunners, banana boats, and parasail are available.

Surrounded by the towering Sierra Madre mountains, the white edges of beaches and the sparkling depths of the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a tropical destination of contrasts and beauty.

FAQs

What are the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta?

The top beaches include Playa Los Muertos for vibrant nightlife, Playa Conchas Chinas for seclusion, and Playa Camarones for a local vibe. All offer stunning Pacific views.

Is Puerto Vallarta good for families?

Yes, with family-friendly activities like boat tours, the Cuale River Island park, and dolphin encounters. Avoid peak party seasons for a calmer experience.

What tours should I book in 2026?

<p>Top tours include snorkeling at Los Arcos, zip-lining in the Sierra Madre, and sunset cruises. Book in advance for the best rates and availability.

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