Things To Do
For The Thrill-seeker: Outdoor Zip-lining and Rappelling
It takes most of the day but is well worth it! Take a boat ride to an off road vehicle up into the mountains. Then you ride a mule up to the top of a mountain where you zip-line and rappel back down! Pro-Tip: Act disinterested in the photo package at the end and after a little bit of time, circle back to negotiate a cheaper price.
For The More Relaxed Type: The Yelapa and Majahuitas Tour
Do as much, or as little as you want on this boat tour. You’ll go over to a small fishing town where you can either take a pretty easy, paved, scenic hike through the town or relax on the beach. You’ll also head over to a second private beach where you can relax, snorkel, paddle board, etc. On the boat ride back, the staff put on a fantastic, funny, ok-for-kids show that’s hard to describe but is great! Lunch and open bar included.
Free-ish Fun: Olas Altas Saturday Market
Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful town filled with fun shops, bars, restaurants, and art. It’s worth checking out. This farmers market is open on Saturday’s and is located in the heart of PV! It had plenty to offer, including some vegan fare for those like me!
Free-Ish Fun for the meanderer, window shopper, and/or art appreciator: The Malecon Boardwalk!
Walk along the beautiful coastline on the pedestrian-only stretch of Puerto Vallarta. There are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants, but the coolest part is the large sculptures that dot the boardwalk. From the Burros Bar, facing the water turn right, and amble on down until you reach the end of the boardwalk. The last scuplture you will see is a large swirling, tornado kinda thing. The walk along the boardwalk is about a mile. https://goo.gl/maps/syjWe7qDA9kvnZkH7 An alternate starting point would be at the Los Muertos Beach Pier; an artsy pier designed like a sail. That walk is slightly over a mile (1.1 miles) https://goo.gl/maps/mUZq4QZL6docFzcA6 A fun street to walk back on is C. Guadalupe Sanchez there are art galleries and cool street murals. Eventually you will end up at a historic church. From the end point of the Boardwalk stroll, just walk down the street about 3 blocks and turn right on C. Guadalupe Sanchez. https://goo.gl/maps/34HC1pr4f3h2rjMA7
Fun For the Kids, and Kids at Heart: The Marigalante Pirate Ship!
Once every day, and once every night the loud boom of cannon fire can be heard all over Puerto Vallarta, announcing the sailing of the Marigalante Pirate Ship. While on board, food, drink, and swashbuckling adventure awaits! The daytime sailing takes your to Majahuitas Beach. Breakfast, lunch, pirate show, and open bar included. The nighttime cruise sails along the coastline. Open Bar, Dinner, Pirate Show, Fireworks and Pirate Party included.
Nightlife and Daylife! The Romantic Zone (Zona Romantica)
It is a vibrant area filled with cool shops, street vendors, art galleries, restaurants, and queer-friendly bars, making it a popular spot for families, LGBTQIA+ travelers, and everyone in between. Stroll along the district’s cobblestone streets, window shop, or people watch at one of the bars or restaurants. A Few Recommendations: Cocos Kitchen: It's a charming, airy restaurant with an open air patio on the back. Really great for breakfast and/or brunch. https://www.cocoskitchenpv.net/ Fredy's Tucan: It's a happening spot only open for breakfast/brunch! Delish food and with a few vegan options including a tasty vegan chile relleno. Won't disappoint carnivores or plant lovers! But you might have to wait. https://fredystucan.com/ Los Muertos Brewing: It's a brewery and restaurant owned and operated by one of Richmond/Rosenberg's own! https://losmuertosbrewing.com/ Blondies (Multiple Locations): It is a straight friendly gay bar(s) serving up wonderful adult slushies.
Nightlife: Drag Shows and Other Performances at the Rooftop Bar of Hotel Almar
The Hotel Almar is PV’s premier LGBT Resort and each night at their rooftop bar they host various live performances. Check their website for more information.
Likely Avoid: The Hop on Hop off Tour
It is not the traditional type of hop-on-hop off that you are accustomed to in the states. It's more of a long bus tour with a few stops, and infrequent pick-ups. It can be a fun way to kill an afternoon, but there are better ways to spend your limited time, unless you really want to sit and take a bus tour. The double-decker bus takes you through town, and up the coast to a small beach town. There is a photo stop at a small roadside market as well. Pros: - Good way to see PV and some of the coast. - Relaxing, and you can sit. - It's a double decker bus so you can sit up high. Cons: - It isn't really a guided tour. There is a little commentary in the town, but not much. - It takes a while. - There isn't anywhere to 'hop off' except the small beach town up the coast. - If you hop off and explore the beach town, expect to be there for a few hours, and expect the bus to be later then expected. We did have fun walking down to the beach and having a few drinks at the beach, though.