Bienvenido!
This is a list of my personal favorite things, none of these are paid advertisers and Vallarta Daily does not have any connections to any businesses mentioned, just services personally used and recommended.
Tell us in the comments section at the bottom of this list what your favorite things are in Vallarta!
Take a guided walking tour:
Learn Vallarta is a great option for taking walking tours in different colonies of Vallarta. Learn about the local culture and history with a great personal approach to tours. http://escaperoutevallarta.com/
Free Malecón Sculpture tour:
Every Tuesday at 9:30 am (from November 8, 2011, to April 17, 2012) Gary shows up at the Millennia Sculpture at the north end of the Malecón, just seaside of the Rosita Hotel and begins a two hour walking tour of the assorted bronze sculptures along this Vallarta beach.
Eat at a taco stand:
You must do this. We know some people fear they might get sick because culturally they have been told street food is dangerous. Personally I have lived in Mexico for 6 years and eat street food at least twice a week, and at the beginning of my life in Mexico I ate it every day, never once being sick. A taco stand is part of the culture and a must. If safety is a concern, visit taco stands that have a lot of people, that typically means it’s good and safe eating.
Take a surfing or paddle board lesson:
Enjoy a unique & authentic surfing or paddle board experience while you are on your vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! This can be done for all ages and adventure levels. The guys at Vallarta Surf Guide can help with an experience that is great for the entire family. There is nothing more fun than riding on the waves of Mother Nature.
Rent a private yacht or sailboat:
It may sound extravagant but it’s reasonably priced and you should treat yourself to something new while on a vacation, right? Explore the bay from the water, a great option is planning your yacht or sailboat excursion around sundown, the sunsets in Vallarta are amazing. http://www.vallarta-yachts.com
Walk the Cuale Island:
The Cuale Island is a favorite for tourists and locals alike, located along the Cuale River in Old Town, Puerto Vallarta. Its location is a peaceful oasis for to get some shade while enjoying the nature and culture the island offers. http://www.vallartadaily.com/cuale-island-cultural-center-must-see-visitors/
Visit Boca de Tomatlan:
Take the 30-minute bus ride, or taxi, south of the city to this little seaside village and have a great seafood meal right on the beach sand. The peaceful village is full of life and a boat can be rented to Yelapa.
Visit Yelapa:
To get to Yelapa you must take a boat from Boca de Tomatlan , Los Muertos beach or the beach just south of the Rosita Hotel. Yelapa can also be reached by mountain bike or hiking down from El Tuito, high in the mountains behind the village. There is a daily cruise boat that drops tourists off for about two hours.
Shop in Pitillal:
Pitillal is about the only part of Puerto Vallarta that has remained true to the local culture and not impacted or changed by Vallarta’s tourism industry. If you want to do some shopping at REAL Mexican prices and haggling, then this is your place. The square is always full of people, food, and entertainment. This is the closest thing to real Mexico in Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta Zoo:
The Puerto Vallarta Zoo can be a great experience for the entire family. As an American it was the first zoo I have ever visited where they encourage you to feed and touch the animals, the experience is much different than what I was accustomed to in the states. The area is peaceful with walkways through a tropical jungle settings and a new critter at every turn. http://www.zoologicodevallarta.com/zooi.html
The Puerto Vallarta Pier:
Sounds simple, walk the Puerto Vallarta Pier and take some photos. The new pier was named as one of the world’s most beautiful piers by CNN.
Rhythms of the Night:
As night falls, the secluded cove of Las Caletas is transformed into a magical paradise, the ultimate backdrop for our exclusive event, Rhythms of the Night – an amazing voyage that will transport you to a mystical and spiritual land that time forgot. http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/rhythms-of-the-night
San Sebastián del Oeste:
Looking for some real Mexican history and culture? You can find it here. Nestled high up in the Sierra Madre is a little mining town called San Sebastian. This Spanish colonial town dates back to 1605, when it was a gold and silver mining center, once housing over 4,000 people. Today, San Sebastian is a retreat, hidden from the tourists of Puerto Vallarta, and home to only about 600 citizens. Spend a day getting the feel for real Mexico in this historic community. – See more at: http://www.puertovallartatours.net/san-sebastian-tour.htm
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden:
The creation of Vallarta Botanical Gardens has provided an unprecedented opportunity for our community to share the wonder of the vast diversity of Mexico’s plant species with the world. We have assembled botanical collections in a safe environment with viewing trails and have already built the most-visited public collection of orchids in the country of Mexico.
More orchid species are found in Jalisco than in any other Mexican state. A current goal is the creation of the National Collection of Mexican Orchids, the most complete collection of Mexican orchids anywhere in the country. https://www.vbgardens.org/
Explore, Explore, Explore!
There is so much more to Puerto Vallarta then the center of town, head north to the Marina or even further to Punta Mita and Sayulita, both great day trips. If you are staying at one of the many All-Inclusive resorts, get outside of the compound and explore, explore, explore. Need more ideas or want to know how to get from Point-A to Point-B? Let our concierge help you with getting the best of Vallarta during your vacation [email protected]
