By far the most popular activity in Puerto Vallarta is spending time on the town’s beautiful beaches. There are several beaches in town, ranging from small secluded beaches set in picturesque coves, to the large and exciting beaches of the so called “hotel zone” a favorite of tourists. The more populated beaches will have far more amenities; such as parasailing trips, jet ski rentals, beach volleyball courts, and nearby bars and restaurants. The smaller less populated beaches will not have as many of these amenities, and it may be advisable to bring a picnic with you to the beach if you do not wish to leave for lunch.
Popular beaches in Puerto Vallarta include Nuevo Vallarta, the ‘Hotel Zone”, Mismayola (where Night of The Iguana was filmed), and Los Muertos, so named because of the battle fought over a hundred years ago between gold and silver smuggler and the natives.
Another activity in Puerto Vallarta that is extremely popular and somewhat unique to the area is whale watching. Available beginning in late November and going through the end of March, whale watching excursions are offered by many companies in Puerto Vallarta. Every winter, large groups of humpback whales journey to the waters off the coast of Puerto Vallarta to mate, give birth, and nurse their calves. This provides for a wonderful opportunity to witness these magnificent and massive animals in their natural habitat. If you are visiting Puerto Vallarta during the winter months, a whale watching expedition is an opportunity not to be missed. Because of the popularity of the whale watching excursions, making reservations in advance is highly recommended.
Aside from wonderful beaches and whale watching, Puerto Vallarta offers wide range of other activities. The town is home to several world class golf courses, two of which have played host to PGA and Senior PGA events. The scuba diving and snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta is some of the best in Mexico, and diving trips can easily be arranged in town. Puerto Vallarta is also home to excellent collections of native Huichol art as well as a great deal of contemporary Mexican art. No matter where your interests lie, you will have no trouble finding a plenty of fun and exciting Puerto Vallarta Activities.
