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  • Writer's pictureJacqlyne Mba-Jonas

Puerto Vallarta Itinerary - Tours and Activities

Updated: Mar 16

Puerto Vallarta is a beach resort city in the state of Jalisco. It is a popular tourist destination with a more authentic Mexican feel than Cancun. It is well known for its abundant beaches, marine life, watersports and nightlife.


Disclaimer

Part of the job of a travel agent is to save clients time and money. I looked through hundreds of tours and picked out the best tours to book in various categories that are both the best in quality and price.


Prices listed below are subject to change. Rates are typically discounted for larger groups and children, so use the links provided to see the exact cost for your specific scenario and book what is of interest to you.

Full-Day Puerto Vallarta City Highlights Tour

See the highlights of Puerto Vallarta on a full-day tour that explores downtown, Los Arcos, and Mismaloya Beach. With an expert guide to lead the way, you’ll stroll the Malecón, see gorgeous coastal scenery, and visit a tequila distillery for a tour and tasting. This Puerto Vallarta tour is a great choice for first-time visitors, and it includes pickup and drop-off at local hotels.'


Duration

6 hours

Availability

Everyday at 10am

Price

  • $29 per person without lunch

  • $46 per person with lunch

Alternative


Full-Day San Sebastian del Oeste Tour

Visit the historic mining town of San Sebastian del Oeste on a full-day, small-group tour from Puerto Vallarta that explores local food, architecture, and culture. Taste tequila at a distillery and sample coffee in an organic coffee factory, stroll through the cobblestone streets of the center, then enjoy a traditional Mexican lunch at a local restaurant. This 6-hour tour includes pickup and drop-off at hotels in Puerto Vallarta, as well as a buffet lunch and guided walking tour, and it’s limited to 15 people for more personal service.


Duration

7 hours

Availability

Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am

Price

$59 per person

Alternative


VIP Nightclub Tour

Party like a professional in the cosmopolitan clubs of Puerto Vallarta on a VIP nightclub tour. Slink past the velvet ropes of three of the city’s most exclusive bars and clubs and immerse yourself in the vibrant and vivacious atmosphere with a lively local guide. Dance to prominent Mexican DJs; sip cocktails at reserved private tables; and unwind with an evening of completely unlimited drinks.


Duration

4 hours

Availability

Everyday at 10pm

Price

$90 per person

Alternative

Shaded Hot Spring, Massage and Mex Grill

Catch a breath of mountain air and come and experience the hot springs of Nuevo Ixtlan. In this full day adventure, explore the natural beauty of the surrounding areas that just a few visitors ever get to discover. You'll be picked up from a convenient location and taken to a local market to buy fresh ingredients for a delicious Mexican BBQ at the hot springs. Travel through the beautiful nature passing by small villages along the way to see some of the hidden beauty and stories that these places hold. Then spend time swimming through the clear, medicinal waters of the thermal springs, where you can explore around and enjoy some Mexican BBQ grill and relax. Visit the beautiful Town of Bucerias to wrap up your day with a well deserved relaxing massage as you enjoy a beach front view. This really is the perfect way to escape the city and be at one with nature for a day. Roundtrip transportation included.


Duration

8 hours

Availability

Monday – Saturday at 8am

Price

$115 per person


Cruise and Candlelight Dinner Show

Immerse yourself in the magical mysticism of Las Caletas by night with an enchanting evening excursion from Puerta Vallarta. Watch the sun sink into the shimmering sea as you sail to a secluded beach surrounded by rugged rock formations. Dine upon a gourmet 3-course meal by candlelight before watching the renowned Rhythms of the Night show, a stunning spectacle that promises to transport viewers to a spiritual land that time forgot.


Duration

5 hours

Availability

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 5:30pm

Price

  • $139 per person without open bar

  • $149 per person with open bar

Alternative


Marietas Islands Snorkel & Hidden Beach

Only 116 people a day are permitted to get into the hidden beach, so come experience this treasure while you can. On your way to the beach, the Ameca river provides great views and is the perfect spot to find some dolphins having breakfast. The ocean provides great wildlife life dolphins, turtles, mantarays and whales. When you arrive on the island, you'll get to snorkel and swim on the beach.


Duration

4 - 6 hours

Availability

Wednesday - Sunday at 9am

Price

$99 per person plus a dock fee and hidden beach entrance fee of $28 paid on arrival

Alternative

Beginners Scuba Course

Start your undersea adventures in Puerto Vallarta with a beginners scuba course. Learn the basics of diving in the waters of Las Caletas, home to intricate reefs, sunken caves and ample sea life, including magestic manta rays. Your trip includes instruction from a PADI certified divemaster, as well as lunch.


Duration

7 hours

Availability

Monday - Saturday at 8am

Price

$179 per person plus a dock fee of $1.50 paid at check-in

Alternative


Dolphin World

Come have a vacation of a lifetime at Dolphin World! Choose between:

  • Sea Lion Discovery: Learn all about sea lions and watch them show off amazing tricks.

  • Dolphin Encounter: Perfect for those who can’t swim, you will have an amazing interactive encounter with dolphins.

  • Dolphin Swim: Interact, swim and have a ride with one dolphin.

  • Royal Dolphin Swim: Interact, swim and have a ride with two dolphins.

Other than interacting with dolphins there are several other activities to choose from with complementary admission to Aquaventuras Park. Swim tickets include lunch and a soft drink, Zip lining, Wall Climb Challenge, and Sea Lion Show.


Duration

At your leisure

Availability

Tuesday – Sunday at 11am, 12:30pm and 2:30pm

Price

  • Sea Lion Discovery: $59 per person

  • Dolphin Encounter: $99 per person

  • Dolphin Swim: $129 per person

  • Royal Dolphin Swim: $159 per person

Alternative

Dolphins in the Wild - $80 per person


All Inclusive Whale Watching

This specialized excursion is designed to capture the magical moment when you have an encounter with the beautiful dolphins and the majestic humpback whales in Banderas Bay. The essence of this Tour is to observe marine life and enjoy beautiful moments when you can calmly contemplate whales and dolphins while playing, jumping and enjoying their natural habitat. Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages provided.


Duration

4.5 hours

Availability

Everyday at 8:30am and 12:30pm

Price

$66 per person plus a dock fee of $1.50 paid at check-in

Parasailing

Get an unparalleled bird’s eye view of Puerto Vallarta. Come experience Vallarta from the Air! The best view in the city, guaranteed! For your convenience, your taxi to the parasailing location will be covered!



Duration

10 mins

Availability

Tuesday – Sunday at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm

Price

$65 per person


Jet Ski Safari

Adventure-seeking travelers will love this jet skiing safari in Puerto Vallarta. Ride your own jet ski but benefit from the assistance of a guide. You'll be shown how to use the vehicle properly before you jet off. Look out for dolphins, manta rays, and turtles and admire the beautiful views along the way. Even go snorkeling if you like.



Duration

2 hours

Availability

Everyday at 9am and 11:15am

Price

$145 per person plus a dock fee of $1.50 paid at check-in

Alternative


Sierra Madre ATV Adventure

Drive an ATV through the Sierra Madre Mountains on a half-day adventure from Puerto Vallarta. You’ll splash through jungle rivers, pass quaint villages, and get a glimpse of the real Jalisco, far from crowded resorts. Spend the day exploring the Puerto Vallarta countryside, with both morning and afternoon departures available.


Duration

3.5 hours

Availability

Monday - Saturday at 9am and 2pm

Price

  • $75 per person for a Double ATV

  • $102 per person for a Single ATV

Alternative

Canopy Zipline

Soar over the treetop canopy during a zipline tour in Puerto Vallarta. Designed with adventure seekers in mind, this tour guides you through 11 different ziplines that vary in length, speed, and scenery, to give you the best birds-eye views of the sprawling rainforest. You’ll also get to enjoy tequila tasting. Roundtrip transportation included.


Duration

4 hours

Availability

Everyday at 8:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm

Price

$35 per person

Alternative


Horseback Riding Tour in Sierra Madre

Experience the natural beauty of the Sierra Madre on a horseback riding tour from Puerto Vallarta—a great choice for nature lovers and first-time visitors. Enjoy the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation as you travel through the countryside with ease and go on horseback to a cascading waterfall in the jungle. Your tour includes lunch, domestic open bar, and round-trip transportation.


Duration

5 hours

Availability

Everyday at 8:50am

Price

$82 per person


Tandem Jump Skydive + Photos and Video

Jump in a tandem jump! A harness will connect you to a professional tandem teacher, who is highly qualified to take you to this incredible experience in the beautiful Puerto Vallarta. To prepare, you will take a class where you will learn the jump sequence, safety measures and the process to follow during the jump. Once you are ready, board a plane, take off and fly over the beautiful Puerto Vallarta and jump off the plane from approximately 10,000 feet!


Duration

4 hours

Availability

Everyday at 8:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm

Price

$449 per person


Tequila Tour

Come have a great day with certified guides. Visit the best artisan distilleries so that they can experience the process of making tequila in a spectacular way. We have unlimited tastings during the guided tours. Round trip transportation is also included.


Duration

5 hours

Availability

Everyday, pickup between 7am – 10am depending on resort location

Price

$42 per person

Alterative