Puerto Vallarta Attractions Things to Do to See - Cruises,
Canopy and Eco-Tours, Excursions, Fun Day Trips, Fishing,
Horseback Riding, Scuba Diving, PV Walking Tours...

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Biking | Botanical gardens | Canopy tours  | Cruises | Eco tours | Fishing and sailing | Golf
Horseback riding | Scuba diving | Things to Do Puerto Vallarta | Tropical & walking tours | Whale watching

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There are now more choices than ever of Puerto Vallarta things to do and tourist attractions for the adventurous traveler in Puerto Vallarta, including a wide and growing variety of activities and excursions, biking, canopy and eco-tours, snorkeling, fishing and scuba diving, boat cruises on Banderas Bay, horseback riding into the Sierra Madres and golf. Or perhaps some deep sea or fresh water fishing is to your liking. Check out the listings below for further information on these types of tours, adventures and excursions to know more about the best things to see and to do in Puerto Vallarta. For our own exclusively gay-owned and operated cruises and excursions, visit the Puerto Vallarta gay tours & cruises page. I do not reserve any of the following tours or excursions, so please don't inquire. And here's a cool guide for those who would like to know more about the local tropical marine life around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Most if not all of these Puerto Vallarta attractions: the tours, activities, cruises and excursions noted below can be booked either at a concierge desk in the hotel where you are staying or else from one of the many friendly beach vendors who spend their days walking the Puerto Vallarta beaches asking if you are interested in a tour or cruise. These vendors on the beach are licensed by the city and should be carrying visible ID.  Puerto Vallarta Banderas Bay Cruises Bora Bora Cruises - Tel: 224-3680 Marigalante (a replica of Columbus' Santa Maria) - Tel: 223-0309; 223-0875 Princesa Cruises - Tel: 224-4777 Sail Vallarta -Tel: 221-0096 Santa Maria - Tel: 221-2511 Sea Mi Amor Cruise - Tel: 224-111 Vallarta Adventures - Tel: 221-0657 Biking Echo Rides - Central - 382 Miramar at Iturbide.  Tel: 222-7912.  Bike rentals and tours. Friendly guides and service.  9am-2pm and 4pm-6pm.  Natura Expeditions  - North side - Maritime Terminal.  Tel: 224-0410.  Vallarta Bikes - North Side - 1442 Francisco Villa.  Tel: 293-1142  Provides professional mountain biking & hiking adventures in the Sierra Madre Mountains that surround Puerto Vallarta. "The trips are dedicated to those adventurous people that enjoy the wild outdoors and our only goal is to provide our guests with unforgettable tours and excursions." All levels and the tours include lunch, equipment, guide and transportation. vallartabikes.com Bird Watching There are over 300 species of lovely birds living in Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas. Birding Tours - With Gerardo Hernandez Vázquez, a bilingual guide specialized in Nature-oriented tourism. Further information at naturevallarta.com  Tel: 227-9750 Birding Mexico - South Side - 268-A Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 222-7407, 221-0467, Cell: 044-322-303-8788 Offering four birding tours around Puerto Vallarta: in the farmlands of the Valle de Banderas (Banderas Valley, about 100-150 sq. miles) tropical deciduous forests, the Bay marshlands, at Las Marietas Islands and in the pine & oak forests in the sierra of El Tuito. Tours include a certified specialized bilingual guide, transportation and food. Information at Bird Watching Mexico - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Botanical Gardens
Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens - Carretera a Barra de Navidad/Coastal Highway to Barra de Navidad at Km. 24
A non-profit educational research center and pleasure garden in the Sierra Madre Mountains. These lovely gardens are easily accessible, approximately 15 miles south of Puerto Vallarta on Coastal Highway #200, the Carretera a Barra de Navidad, just beyond Las Juntas y Los Veranos. Located on 20 acres of land, the botanical site features an amazing collection of 3,000 different species of plants. Located in the heart of an old growth native forest, the Lonely Planet 2009 Guide to Mexico lists this as a "Puerto Vallarta must see" and will perhaps one day be a major Puerto Vallarta attraction. The botanical gardens also has its own on-site restaurant. Established in 2005; admission is 50 pesos. Tues-Sun, 9am-6pm. Local telephone: 223-6182

Canopy Tours
Call these groups below for further information on canopy tours-excursions:
Canopy Adventure - Tel: 297-1212
El Eden - Tel: 222-2516
Canopy Tours Los Veranos - South Side - Francisca Rodriguez.  Tel: 223-0504 and 223-0649
Office is located across Francisca Rodriguez street from the main Pemex gasoline station on the South Side. Around $79 USD per person but some 15% cheaper if you book on-line. Leaves on the hour from 9am-1pm, approximately 4-5 hours total. Reported to me by several clients and beach-vendors as the best tour of the bunch; recommended. Website at Los Verano Tours Puerto Vallarta
Vallarta Adventures - Tour includes light snacks, bottled water and round-trip transportation from their offices in the Marina or Nuevo Vallarta to their canopy reserve in the Sierra Madre mountains. $79 for adults, $55 for children.  Tel: 297-1212

Dolphin Tours
Not only can you swim with the dolphins up in the facility in Nuevo Vallarta, but you can also learn something about dolphins through the research program.
Vallarta Adventures - Tel: 297-1212, ext. 3

Eco Tours - Get out into Nature and revitalize yourself!
Ecotours of Mexico - South Side - 243 Ignacio Vallarta - Tel: 223-3130 and 222-6606 and North Side - Proa S/N Local 20, Marina del rey Marina Vallarta - Tel: 209-2195
Offering environmental friendly adventures for people who want to learn about Nature and are concerned about conservation: scuba diving and snorkeling at the wildlife sanctuary of the Marietas Islands; whale watching (December to March); sea kayaking; sea turtle releases (July-early Dec); hiking the rivers and exotic areas in the Sierra Madre mountains; and bird watching of the nearly 300 species living in the Puerto Vallarta area. Since 1991. Info: www.ecotoursvallarta.com
Open Air Expeditions - Central - 339 Guerrero.  Tel: 222-3310
Offering ecological, sport and adventure tours in the Vallarta area (photo at left thanks to Open Air), aimed at a blend of eco-tourism, nature appreciation, scientific research and environmental education. Trips include: coastal and mountain bird watching tours; hiking in the Sierra Madre mountains; scuba diving at Majahuitas, the Marietas Islands, Los Arcos and El Morro; kayaking and snorkeling at Punta de Mita; visits to turtle nesting camps of Banderas Bay to release turtle hatchlings in the summer (August to October); and humpback whale and dolphin watching during the winter months. Operated by Oceanologists and certified as Eco Tour Operators.  Info: www.vallartawhales.com
Vallarta Adventures - Marina - Edificio Marina Golf Local 13-C, Calle Mástil.  Tel: 297-1212, 221-2111
A long time and well-known leading provider of Puerto Vallarta tours, excursions and things to do. Among these are boat trips eco-tours to Las Marietas Islands, swim with the dolphins, air excursions to the mining town of San Sebastian, scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing trips, whale watching during the winter months Nov-March, 4-wheel drive tours into the Sierra Madre foothills and the popular Rhythms of the Night dinner and show at Las Caletas beach resort area.
Wildlife Connection - North Side - 140 Francia, Dept 7, Col Versailles.  Tel: 225-3621
Dedicated to the study and conservation of dolphins and whales. Apart of their research activities and educational efforts, specialized tours are organized by the folks at the Puerto Vallarta Wildlife Connection to offer the general public an opportunity to experience a close contact with nature and its wild animals, whales, dolphins, turtles and bird watching. Led by Biologist Ma. Eugenia Rodríguez (Maru) and wildlife photographer Eduardo Lugo, who have been acting with eco-tours and whale watching guides since 1995.

Fishing & Sailing Etc.
The Bay of Banderas, with depths varying up to two miles in some places, provides some pretty good deep sea fishing and has become a major attraction to the PV area. There are dozens of companies in Puerto Vallarta that offer private charters for fishing in the Bay or out in the open Pacific Ocean. There is also fresh water fishing at lakes in the region. Depending on the season, look forward to catching Sailfish, Blue, Black or Striped Marlin, Swordfish, Dorado, Sierra Mackerel, Roosterfish, Wahoo, or Yellowfin Tuna. Note: We ask our friends and clients to be extra mindful that over the years the Puerto Vallarta Banderas Bay etc has been fished intensively, so perhaps you don't need to take as much catch as before.
Bass Fishing - Tel: 222-4159.
Charter Dreams - Tel: 221-0690 and 221-2522. Private sailing, fishing and cruising charters around Puerto Vallarta.
Charter Fishing in Puerto Vallarta - Tel: 221-5402 or cellular at 044-322-227-2158. Deep sea fishing and more, a fun site with interesting info and photos.  info: vallartafish.8m.com
Fantasia Maritima - Tel: 221-0116
Magical Moments Charters - Tel: 044-322-160-1342. Sailing trips and fishing charters aboard the 30' Newport sailing sloop M&M and the Laniack 36' M&M II, includes snorkel and fish gear, tortas, fruits, chips, snacks and beer/water/soda. Email captain Carlos carlosmm47@hotmail.com
Mr. Marlin Sport Fishing Center -  Hosted by billfish tournament champion Captain Juan Moll, operating since 1957. A very useful website with seasonal fishing information, maps of the Bay area, fishing calendar, photo galleries. info: mrmarlin.com  Tel: 221-0809.
Natura Expeditions -  Horseback riding, sailing cruise and bass fishing.  info: vivatours-vallarta.com  Tel: 224-0410 and 224-8026.
The Puerto Vallarta Fishing Company  - Tel: 222-1863.
Puerto Vallarta International Sail Fish and Marlin Tournament - Tel: 223-1665 and 221-5434. The tournament is scheduled each year around November 11-15. Information: fishvallarta.com
Puerto Vallarta Sailing/Fishing Unlimited -  Fishing, sailing, whale watching. Tel: 221-0920 and 209-0005. Info: travelvallarta.com
PV Fishing and Sailing - Local company with over 25 years of Puerto Vallarta sport fishing legacy. They have over 10 different fishing boats from the 24' Mako to a 46' Hatteras. For sailing you can rent and enjoy among others: the 38' Victress, Italian designed 46' and 55' Azimuts, the 42' Fountain Pajot, a 52.5' Tinuviel and the 60' Isis. A selection of Puerto Vallarta tours as well. Contact Gonzalo Casillas, manager, Tel: 120-1877, 145-8514, Toll Free: 1-877-899-7467. Info: pvfishingandsailing.com and Email: info@pvfishingandsailing.com

Golf
Marina Vallarta Golf Club- Marina - 430 Paseo de la Marina.  Tel: 221-0073
Designed by American architect Joe Finger, with the beach on one side and Banderas Bay and the Marina on the other. An 18-hole par 71 course opened in 1989, it is located in the Marina and so it's close to most of the major hotels.  Tel: 221-0073.
Flamingos Golf and Country Club - This 18-hole par 72 public course in Nuevo Vallarta, approximately 9-10 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, also has a club house with pro shop, snack bar and several tennis courts.  Tel: 01-329-296-5006.
Four Seasons Hotel Golf Course - Federal Highway 200, Punta Mita, Nayarit, some 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta's airport. A Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole par 72 course, plus one truly unique hole: a 194-yard par-3, located on a natural island in the ocean (Golfers are transported to the island in an amphibian cart). Opened in September 1999.  58 kilometres/36 miles to downtown Vallarta.  Tel: 329-291-6000.
Vista Vallarta Golf Club  - 653 Circuito Universidad.  Tel: 290-0030
Opened in 2001 with two 18 hole courses at par 72. About 15-20 minutes inland from Marina Vallarta in the higher elevations of the Sierra Madres so there are grassy hillsides, dense forests of palm and ficas trees, several natural creeks and arroyos. Full club house, restaurant and bar. Member hotels include Marriot Casa Magna, Velas Vallarta, Sol Melia, Grand Velas and the Westin. Two signature courses with designs by Jack Nicklaus (7057 yards, par-72) and Tom Weiskopf (6976 yards, par-72).

Horseback Riding
Backcountry Tours - Tel: 222-0386
Rancho Capomo - Bilingual guide and daily rides from 9am to 3pm for three hours.  Tel: 225-0450.
Rancho el Charro - The ranch is located in the rural village of Playa Grande, on the banks of the Pitillal river at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains. Small groups for 3, 5 or 8 hours (photo at left) with bilingual guides, horses for all levels, children welcome. Horse rides go to the Pitillal river waterfalls. Visit the Rancho el Charro website for further information on Puerto Vallarta horseback riding tours. You can contact Pamela Aguirre, Tel: 224-0114 or cellular: 044-322-294-1689.
Rancho Manolo - From Mismaloya to El Eden, includes visits to sites of "Predator" and "Buccaneer" movies. Tel: 228-0018.
Rancho Ojo de Agua - Since 1983, with 3-5 hour rides from the ranch to a reserve in the Sierra Madre mountains.  Tel: 224-0607, 224-8240.
Natura Expeditions - Horseback riding, sailing cruise and bass fishing.  Tel: 224-0410 and 224-8003.

Mexican Fiestas
Traditional Mexican fiestas are offered on a regular basis by two of the major local hotels, the Hotel Krystal, Tel: 224-0202 and the Sheraton Buganvillias, Tel: 223-0404. Please call for further details.

Private Home Tours - International Friendship Club (IFC)
Take a tour through some of Puerto Vallarta's and Banderas Bay's most beautiful homes and villas. Sponsored by the International Fellowship Club (IFC), the donation goes to the various Vallarta charities outlined above. There are now several different tours: For the South Shore Home Tour meet at Restaurant Hacienda, 388 Lazaro Cardenas at Aguacate street, one block east of Farmacia Guadalajara, Weds (homes only) and Thurs (homes and botanical gardens). Bus departure at 10:30am, returns at 2pm. Tickets on sale from 8:30am. $35 US or 350 pesos. For the North Shore Home Tour meet at La Paz Restaurant, Marina Vallarta, one block past Ameri-med Hospital, Tues only. Bus departure at 10am, returns at 3pm. Tickets on sale from 8:30 am. $55 US or 550 pesos and includes lunch. Tours run from November 15 through April 12. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a camera. I have received good reports. Tel: 222-5466.

Scuba Diving Services
The dive sites for these diving service providers below generally include: Los Arcos Underwater National Park, with depths of 25-60 feet; Majahuitas beach and its caverns; the Marietas Islands ecological sanctuary with its bird populations and many lava tubes and cave formations; El Chimo on the far southern bay shore with its giant manta rays and interesting underwater terrain; El Morro some 30 miles out from Puerto Vallarta in the Pacific Ocean to see the underwater pinnacles and caves as well as the whale sharks, rays, jacks, sailfish and mantas.
Chico's Dive Shop - Central - 772 Paseo Diaz Ordaz.  Tel: 222-1895, 222-1875, 222-1897.
Puerto Vallarta's well known scuba diving operator since 1968. With scuba/snorkeling tours to Los Arcos, Majahuitas Cove on Wed-Fri, 10am-4pm
Guided tours aboard catamarans or speed boats.  Daily, 8am-10pm.
Ocean Quest Dive Center - South Side - 230 Lazaro Cardenas.  Tel: 223-4103 and cell: 044-322-135-7884.
Scuba diving and snorkeling tours to the Marietas islands, El Morro, Los Arcos, Majahuitas. PDAI courses. Only small groups with a max of 6 divers, with two PDI pros on every trip.  Info: diving-mexico.com
Pacific Scuba - North Side - 2486 Ave. Francisco Medina Ascencio. Tel: 209-0364.
Daily trips to all local dive and snorkeling sites, with top of the line gear; lunch and drinks included. Charter trips available. PADI certifications. Founder of the Beach and Bay Underwater Clean Up. "We meet all safety requirements and educational standards including environmentally aware diving."  Info: pacificscuba.com.mx
Vallarta Adventures - Marina - Tel: 297-1212.
PADI-certified scuba instruction and dive trips to Las Marietas Islands, Las Caletas, Los Arcos at night, Corbetena, and the world class site at El Morro with it mantas, large schooling fish, turtles and dolphins.  Info: vallarta-adventures.com

Tropical Tours
Harris Tours  - Tel: 223-2972
Sierra Madre Tours  - Tel: 221-1136
ATV Adventure Tours  - Tel: 298-0261
Vallarta Adventures  - Tel: 221-0657

Walking Tours
Walking is an excellent way to get to know a place by taking in its sights and sounds, discovering its real charms. It's also free and a good way to raise your spirits with a little exercise. Check out this Virtual Vallarta page for Puerto Vallarta walking tours which are outlined for Downtown, South Side/Olas Altas, and the Marina areas of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Water Park
Aquaventuras Park - Coastal Highway Km. 155, at the entrance to Nuevo Vallarta.
With 10 water slides. Entrance fee for the Water Park is $18 USD per adult, $14 USD for children age 4-11 years old. There is also a dolphin swim adventure for daily, 10am, 11:15am, 2pm, 3pm for $99 per person.  Water park, Tues-Sun, from 10am-6pm.
Mayan Water Park - Marina - Paseo de La Marina Sur.   Tel: 221-1500, 221-1628.
Water slides, kids play area and swimming pools with pool-side restaurant and bar. Lifeguards on duty. Across the street from the Mayan Palace hotel.

Whale Watching
Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Forum - The Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching Forum is a privately funded, ecological group that promotes public awareness, education and responsible whale watching activities in and around Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. The 2009-2010 official whale watching season ran from Dec 8, 2009-March 23, 2010, so I suspect the 2010-2011 whale watching season will once again run from approximately Dec 8, 2010-March 23, 2011 or thereabouts. The group distributes 100% of its profits to like-minded environmental organizations who are in the business of protecting the Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) and other sea creatures and marine mammals worldwide.

Other Tourist Attractions - Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

Art Walk Old Town/Downtown 2009-2010
The ever-popular Old Town Art Walk this year has 16 participating Puerto Vallarta art galleries which host complimentary cocktail receptions and expositions on Wednesday nights from 6pm-10pm during the high season winter months starting October 28, 2009 until May 26, 2010. People wander from gallery to gallery in search of art, conversation and the perfect glass of wine, certainly a good way to meet some Puerto Vallarta artists and make new friends. Galleries participating this year are Art Gallery Millan, Corsica Galeria de Arte I and II, Emociones Art Gallery, Galeria Arte Latinoamericano, Galeria Corona, Galeria des Artistes, Galeria de Ollas, Galeria Omar Alonso, Galeria Uno, Galeria Vallarta, Galeria 8 y mas, Galeria Uno, Galeria Whitlow, Pacifico Gallery, Sergio Bustamante, and The Loft Galeria. Look for a map at your hotel or in participating galleries. Primary information here for the Puerto Vallarta Art Walk. Another excellent local source for general information on Puerto Vallarta Art Galleries.

Puerto Vallarta Festival Gourmet  -  November 11-21, 2010
The annual Puerto Vallarta Festival Gourmet in November features the culinary talents of local chefs of Puerto Vallarta and Nayarit state, as well as some guest chefs from internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels. Highlights of the Festival include cooking classes, cheese seminars, Tequila Madness Night and the exceptional Gourmet Brunch at Café des Artistes. Participating restaurants include Bianco, Bogart's, De Santos, La Palapa, Porto Bello, the River Cafe and some fifteen others. Tel: 290-2247

Puerto Vallarta Film Festival  -  December 2-6, 2009
At the Vallarta International Film Festival the event brings together filmmakers of divergent styles and subjects who face remarkably similar obstacles to the production and distribution of their films. At its core, the Festival hopes to create a forum where these films and filmmakers can come together and share their art, ideas and cultures. An annual event. Tel: 297-1605 and 297-1947

Santa Barbara Theater - South Side - 351 Olas Altas
Now closed, alas. Was a cabaret style venue, with seating capacity of 90.

Walking Art Tour of the Malecon
Galeria Pacifico sponsors a Public Sculpture Walking Tour that starts at 9:30am every Tuesday at the Millennium sculpture near the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecon. You might be able to meet some of the sculptors of the statues and hear them speak about their work along the mile long malecon. Galeria Pacifico owner Gary Thompson acts as your guide and talks about the present local art scene. The Art Walk every Tuesday, 9:30am-11:30am, Nov 17, 2009 to April 13, 2010. Free, no reservation. For further information call the Puerto Vallarta Pacifico Gallery, Tel: 222-1982

For more travel tips and ideas on places to go and things to do and see, check out Yahoo Travel Things to do Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I'd recommend or consider such things as: the gay cruise; the Marietas Islands or whale watching with Oscar Frey; a day trip getaway to Yelapa or Sayulita village; a Mexican Folklore and Tequila Tour; going sightseeing downtown in walking tour of the Cathedral and the malecon with its many fine sculptures and statues, lovely ambience, and nearby restaurants, local art galleries and stores full of fashionable items and handicrafts.

If you come during the winter months the International Friendship Club home tours are every Weds and Thurs, November to April; in early to mid-November there's the Puerto Vallarta Day of the Dead celebrations Nov 1-2, the annual Puerto Vallarta Arts Festival, the Sailfish Tournament Nov 12-16, the International Film Festival of the Americas, and the Festival Gourmet Nov 11-21; in early December, don't miss the celebrations of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec 1-12; in March, you can check out the Mexican and Iberoamerican Film Festival, which presents more than 40 films.