Mexico • Bucket List • North America

12 BEST Bucket List Experiences in Puerto Vallarta

If you want to know what the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta are, you are in the right place. With a charming small-town vibe and an oceanfront that is definitely one of Mexico’s most unique and beautiful, this vibrant city will surely take your breath away. Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful coastal city that has a lot more to offer than just beautiful scenery, sun, and margaritas.

Make sure to take advantage of all of its incredible attractions, like tasting amazing foods, exploring the historic Zona Romántica, finding fun bars all over the Malecón, miles of golden-sand beaches, a variety of water sports around Banderas Bay, and many lively nightclubs.

If you are visiting from outside of the Mexico, make sure to check out this
ultimate Mexico travel guide!

We have put together this special list of our top bucket list experiences in Puerto Vallarta that are perfect for any kind of traveler.

1. Malecon

The famous Puerto Vallarta Malecón is a mile-long boardwalk with great sculptures, artwork, lively bars, small shops, restaurants, and amazing views. There are always a lot of things to do during the day and night, like seeing a show at the Los Arcos Amphitheater at night or watching the Danza de Los Voladores during the day.

You can also buy unique, original artwork; watch for dolphins and whales; go tequila tasting; shop for souvenirs at the Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale; enjoy stunning sunsets at the beach; and view sand sculptures all around the broadwalk. Make sure to check out all of the great restaurants, street food, bars, and nightclubs that Malecón has to offer!

💤 Check out the best accommodation in Puerto Vallarta!

2. Jorullo Bridge

The Jorullo Bridge is one of the best bucket list experiences in Puerto Vallarta that you can have! This bridge is 1550 feet (470 m) long and hangs almost 500 feet (150 m) above the Cuale River. It is the longest suspension bridge accessible to vehicles in the world. This site not only benefits the local community, but it also provides breathtaking panoramic landscapes and beautiful scenery along the road.

Many tourists choose an exciting tour known as the RZR or ATV tour, which lets them discover stunning jungle landscapes, El Salto waterfall, and amazing panoramic mountaintop viewpoints all on their route to the suspension bridge. You can also choose to hike it on your own since you can easily cross the Jorullo Bridge on foot.

🛺 Book your Jorullo Bridge tour here!

3. Islas Marietas Hidden Beach

When you go to Puerto Vallarta, you definitely don’t want to miss Marieta Island Hidden Beach. This must-see spot is called Playa del Amor, which means “beach of love.” It is located just a few miles offshore and has beautiful golden-sand beaches and crystal clear water.

The Marieta Islands are a group of uninhabited islands that were created by underwater volcano eruptions. To get to the hidden beach, you will need to charter a boat or book a tour. Boat trips leave regularly from Puerto Vallarta, and the trip takes about an hour. Many tours also offer snorkeling and whale watching, which makes it a truly unforgettable excursion!

There are many tour companies that can help you get to the famous hidden beach. This may be your best option because access to the Playa del Amor is limited and your boat will need to have a special permit. If you are booking a tour, make sure to do so in advance because space is limited and you don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

🏖 Book Playa del Amor tour here!

4. Mirador De La Cruz

This hike isn’t as popular as some other attractions in the city, but we think it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta! From the top of the platform at Mirador La Cruz del Cerro, which means “The Cross on the Hill Lookout,” you can see a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the entire city. It is one of the most accessible hikes in Puerto Vallarta, as it is only 20 minutes from the famous Malecón.

Even though it’s not a long hike, some people may find it difficult because you have to climb a lot of stairs to get there, and some parts of the trail are quite steep. If you’re willing to put in a little work, it will be worth your while because the views, especially at sunset, are absolutely stunning.

5. Zona Romantica

Zona Romántica, the “romantic zone,” also called “Viejo Vallarta” or “Old Vallarta,” is one of the busiest places in Puerto Vallarta. It has narrower streets with cobblestones, lots of colorful family homes, and great restaurants, shops, and bars. If you want to experience the “real Mexico,” you should definitely visit this part of town!

The people there are so friendly and warm that you won’t want to leave, and the atmosphere of this adorable part of town will definitely put you in a romantic mood. There are also numerous smaller hotels located there that are fantastic places to stay if you want to get the full Mexican experience with beautiful surroundings.

🏨 Find your perfect hotel in Zona Romántica!

6. Sayulita Town

A small fishing town with only about 5,000 residents, is a beautiful, picture-perfect village that is located less than an hour away from Puerto Vallarta. Sayulita is called Pueblo Mágico (the Magic Town) by the government of Mexico because it has amazing culture, history, natural beauty, and a unique boho charm. With its world-class beaches, this small, beautiful, laid-back, colorful town is known as a surfing city.

If you’re wondering how to get to Sayulita, there are many options available, but the best ones are to take a bus, Uber, or rent a car! Also, you can walk around the whole town in 20–30 minutes.

🏄 Find fun things to do in Sayulita!

🚗 Compare car rental prices in Puerto Vallarta!

7. Release a baby turtle

Unfortunately, this isn’t a year-round attraction; you can only experience it from June to December, when turtles are nesting. One of the best places to see baby turtles is Campamento Tortuguero Boca de Tomates. The hatching season starts in July, and the area is remote, so you’ll have to take a short hike to get to the turtle camp. You get to set your own baby turtle free, but before you do, the volunteers will teach you everything you need to know about turtles. You’ll name your turtle and make a wish for it before releasing it.

It is one of the best bucket list experiences in Puerto Vallarta, and you shouldn’t miss it if you’re there during the nesting season. The event is free, but donations would be very helpful.

🐢 Check the availability and book your baby turtle adventure!

8. Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The Parroquia de Nuestra Seora de Guadalupe, also called the Iglesia de Nuestra Seora de Guadalupe, is a famous place of worship for Catholics in Puerto Vallarta. It is one of the city’s most well-known landmarks and a symbol of Puerto Vallarta. There are always a lot of events going on around the church, as well as vendors selling food, beverages, and souvenirs.

Anyone searching for an incredible spiritual experience complemented by gorgeous architecture should add Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe to their list of bucket list experiences in Puerto Vallarta!

9. Isla Cuale

Isla Cuale, or Cuale Island, is a small, picturesque island situated within Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town and is definitely one of our top best things to do in Puerto Vallarta! Isla Cuale is a must-see part of town with amazing swinging bridges, famous stairs that look great in pictures, cute little shops with friendly people, art sculptures, and a couple of adorable restaurants. It is much quieter than the rest of town, and you can even hear the nearby river flowing by as you walk around. You can also buy much cheaper souvenirs there if you want to bring something back from your trip.

10. Palo Maria Waterfall

If you love nature and waterfalls, the Palo Maria waterfall is definitely one of the top things to do in Puerto Vallarta. This beautiful hidden gem is a short, 40-minute trail with amazing views of the jungle. It may not be the best trail for inexperienced hikers, though, because there are many rock formations, trees to climb under, and slippery creek rocks.

You get to see beautiful waterfalls and can even jump off cliffs and swim with fish. If you want to be more adventurous, you can pass the first waterfall, as there are so many more on the way that are less crowded and more peaceful.

🌊 You can also book this adventure with a local tour guide here.

11. Mismaloya & Los Arcos

This beautiful beach, which is only 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, is an absolute must-see. This former fishing village is now a remote cove surrounded by jungle and known for its great outdoor restaurants. Mismaloya is also a wonderful place for people who love snorkeling because it is full of amazing manta rays, turtles, and other incredible fish. It also has a lot of water sports, like paddle boarding, scuba diving, and boat tours.

If you wish to see it at a less busy period, avoid weekends, as the beach will be completely filled.

12. Playa Las Gemelas

One of Puerto Vallarta’s best kept secrets, Playa Las Gemalas is located approximately 10 minutes from the Old Town. This is one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta if you want to get away from places that are too crowded and relax in a calm and peaceful natural setting. It is one of the most beautiful beaches, with turquoise, crystal clear water, golden sand, and a calm atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy the beauty of Mexico.

If you’re wondering how to get to Playa Las Gemalas, there are many options available, but the best ones are to take a cab, Uber or a bus!

More ideas?

Puerto Vallarta is truly an amazing city and you should consider this destination when planning your trip to Mexico. The architecture is so stunningly gorgeous, the food is absolutely delicious, and the people are so extremely friendly and hospitable that you will not want to leave this wonderful town!

If you know of any great places that we should include in our bucket list experiences in Puerto Vallarta, please feel free to let us know in the comments below.

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Last updated: August 2022

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