Puerto Vallarta - Activities

Not only will the beautiful beaches and spectacular back drop of Banderas Bay capture your heart, but there are also countless activities and adventures that await you. From land and sea adventures to the enchantment of experiencing local history and culture, the choices seem endless.

Beautiful Beaches

The stunning beaches and quaint coves will have you never wanting to leave. Stretching along Banderas Bay there are countless sandy beaches and perfect waterfronts, ranging from action packed to romantically deserted. Kick off your sandals at Playa Mismaloya, Playa Los Muertos, Playas Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta or one of the many beaches found on the way up to Punta de Mita. Organized boat excursions are a great way to discover a beach side tropical paradise or that special secluded spot you'll find at Las Animas, Yelapa, Caletas, Quimixto or Majahuitas. 

Watersports

All of your favorite water sports may be found in Puerto Vallarta from snorkeling and scuba diving to beach volleyball and windsurfing, to name a few. Try water-skiing on the calm bay waters, set your own course for adventure on a wave runner or try your hand at sailing. Sea kayaking allows you to get away from it all and soak up the sun. 

Sailing / Yachting

Sailors can join in the weekly regattas held in beautiful Banderas Bay. As well as Marina Vallarta, this town also sports another Marina located just north of the airport in Nuevo Vallarta. If you've left your boat at home, you can charter a beautiful yacht for great days of snorkeling and swimming at remote beaches. It's a great way to see the dolphins, whales, mantarays and sea turtles that call these waters home. Enjoy a variety of options such as open bar and delicious meals as the winds guide you to undiscovered paradises. Dinner and party cruises are also great options for making some unforgettable vacation memories at sea. 

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

The warm clear waters off Puerto Vallarta are great for scuba diving and snorkeling. Visit a fascinating array of sea life in the calm waters of one of the world's second largest bay, the amazing Bay of Banderas. The coral system that makes up the Marietas Islands Wildlife Reserve creates a great spot for both diving and snorkeling. See a huge variety of tropical fish, mantas, turtles and in the winter months, the spectacular gray whales. The coral formations have formed a series of tunnels drop-offs and caves. The islands with their abundance of deserted beaches are also a renowned bird sanctuary. 

[Dive Vacations El Morro is a world-class dive site located on the edge of Banderas Bay. These waters are home to a great variety of marine life including mantas, turtles, dolphins and large schools of fish. Divers can explore the many caves, tunnels and drop offs.

Los Arcos is a National Marine Park popular for night dives. This is when divers can see an abundance of lobster, octopus, moray eels, turtles and a variety of tropical fish that only come out at night.]

Golf

The beautiful scenery and rolling hills of Puerto Vallarta create the perfect conditions for stunning, challenging Golf courses. More and more great golf clubs are opening here all the time! Created by the renowned designer Joe Finger, Club de Golf Marina Vallarta is unforgettable as it winds its way through the tropical flora. Ponds, lagoons and lakes are scattered throughout providing golfers with some colorful spectators including white herons, sand cranes and ducks. It is an 18-hole, par 72 dream just minutes from the center of town. 

The VistaVallarta Club de Golf invites you to enjoy the ultimate golf experience, world-class signature golf courses designed by golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. The Nicklaus course combines a array of challenges and panoramic views of Puerto Vallarta and the Banderas Bay. The Weiskopf course is carved out of the jungle and plays through towering palms and across ravines. 

Just north of the airport is the scenic Club de Golf Los Flamingos, another 18-hole, par 71 course. The Punta de Mita Golf Club, located at the Four Seasons resort, is a Jack Nicklaus design built along the Pacific coast that offers both a challenging game of golf and a spectacular view. 

Eco-Adventures

Eco-tourism is a popular choice with the breathtaking Sierra Madre Mountains as a backdrop and the region's overwhelmingly abundant tropical flora and fauna right on the shores of the spectacular Banderas Bay. From June through December ask your hotel concierge about participating in the unforgettable Turtle Release Program. The eggs of this wondrous sea creature are gathered and protected from predators. When the baby turtles hatch, you can help release them back into the wild. Dolphin encounters, from lively shows to swimming right with these incredible mammals is truly a memorable experience. A couple of establishments in Puerto Vallarta offer these aquatic encounters with some of nature's most playful, friendly creatures. Don't miss it! 

In the winter months, going on a whale-watching excursion is a must. The amazing, gentle gray humpback whales return every year seeking shelter in the bay to give birth to their calves. Boat trips can bring you close enough to look them in the eye, or get showered by the spray from their blowhole.

Some of the other fun options include jeep and jungle tours, mountain biking or horseback riding through the diverse and beautiful scenery.