Puerto Vallarta
A beautiful Mexican resort city
Where?
Puerto Vallarta is a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is known for its beaches, water sports and nightlife scene. Its cobblestone center is home to the ornate Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, boutique shops and a range of restaurants and bars. El Malecón is a beachside promenade with contemporary sculptures, as well as bars, lounges and nightclubs. There are lots of hotels in the city.
What to see and do
There is plenty to keep you busy in this town. If you are only in Puerto Vallarta for a day or so, here are a few “must do” things to do, and places to visit:
Relax on the beach - Playa Las Gemeles is not too crowded, and has clear water you can snorkel in, and some shady trees. Adventure Park Las Animas Beach is another popular destination. It has a snorkel beach , zip lines, and hiking trails. There is a charge for this destination.
Go to a tequila tasting - Tequila is well-known in this area of Mexico. There are several distilleries close by, including Finca 18, Summers Ranch, Baston Del Rey, Noble Corazon, and Tequila Don Tado. Restaurants and bars and stores also offer tastings. We went to Chile Tequila. There are 3 locations in Puerto Vallarta. They produce small batch blue agave tequila, and boy, is it good!
Malecon Boardwalk - This pedestrian-only boardwalk spans 12 blocks and is peppered with oceanfront eateries, tequila bars, and vendors selling street food—sip on a margarita as you take in the stunning ocean views. Also, check out the vendors selling regional handicrafts and traditional sweets. Travelers come from all over for the art exhibitions and buzzing nightlife. During your stroll along the ocean, you’ll come across impressive bronze sculptures and street performers like the acrobatic spectacle of Voladores de Papantla. Hit the boardwalk early for a spectacular sunrise and snap a photo with the vibrant block-lettered sign of Puerto Vallarta as a holiday keepsake. – Tripadvisor
Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe - a beautiful church, with stunning architecture. Have a look inside and enjoy its solemn beauty.
Los Arcos National Marine Park - located in Banderas Bay, these distinctive rock formations and nearby beaches are perfect for sightseeing, boating, snorkeling and sunbathing. The iconic granite arches can be seen from cruise ships and downtown. They are best experienced by booking a tour by boat.
Photo from https://www.vallarta-adventures.com/en/blog/the-beautiful-natural-features-of-los-arcos-in-puerto
Day of the Dead Puerto Vallarta
From Google: In 2025, Puerto Vallarta celebrated Day of the Dead with events from October 31 to November 2, including the Isla de los Muertos Festival on Cuale River Island on November 1, the Day of the Dead Parade on November 2, and various other festivals and city-wide celebrations like the Recuérdame Festival. These celebrations included altars (ofrendas), decorated skeletons (catrinas), and themed events at resorts and across the city. The decorations were still up on the Malecon, when we visited.
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