ToDo in Puerto Vallarta, MX
Please enjoy this list of activities and recommendations for places to eat.
Activities
Mirrador la cruz del cerro: The steep hike up the many steps is worth it for the view. Located right in town, it's an easy activity to hit up.
Isla Quale: Starting from the malecon, this island walk under shady trees is beautiful. Great place to souvenir shop or just enjoy the walk all the way to the art center at the end of the island.
Church of Guadalupe: This iconic church is a must see attraction. The town square in front always has great feed and options for activities. During the month of December, this place is booming!
Mercado Emiliano Zapata: Traditional market featuring lots of fresh fruits, dairy products, small restaurant. Great place to try some awesome food and everything is farm raised and fresh.
Punto muerto: Starting from the malecon, head south along the beach. This short walk up some stars offers a nice view of the ocean. You can keep going a little longer down the other side for some more beach
Garza Blanca river hike with waterfall: This is a short hike along the river to a small waterfall. Best to go October, November, December before things start to dry up.
Boca de tomatlan hike: This is a beautiful hike that takes about 2.5 to 3 hours to playa las animas. From here a small boat can be rented to return to where you started from or all the way to Puerto Vallarta. Should be about 2000 peso for a private boat.
Yelapa: Take a boat from boca de tomatlan to here. Great places to eat, nice beach and a good place to do a little hiking from. You can hike to a waterfall up the river from here.
RV, Waterfall, High Bridge, etc.: Canopy river park is good place to go RV ing. They have several different packages available, best is with a plunge in the waterfall and crossing the high bridge.
Sayulita: About an hour by car, this small surfer village is a great place for a daytrip. Get a feel for life in a small beach town by expolring, surfing, and trying the fun bars and restaurants this place has to offer.
Mascota: This town is a day trip as well. Up in the mountains, it is a great place to cool down a bit. Experience a different pace of life in the quiet mountain village.
Playa Escondida: Getting to this island with an amazing hidden beach will take an all day sailing trip from Marina Vallarta but it's worth it. If you go over winter, you may also see some whales on your way there and get to snorkel around the island.
Playa de bucerias: It's the closest good beach to Puerto Vallarta. It features a long sandy beach with a relatively shallow descend so the waves aren't strong. Very family friendly.
Rythm of the night Great evening adventure! You will take a boat to a beautiful location and watch a show and have dinner. Last time I went the food was great and the performance was super fun!
DayPass Most resorts, hotels, and spas offer an all inclusive day pass! Great way to experience it for just one day without having to commit to staying there your whole trip.
Places to eat
Cafe des Artistes Very upscale restaurant with superb food and atmosphere. Named one of the best restaurants in the entire country. Get ready for a big bill but worth it.
Sonora Prime Fantastic steak house. Some of the finest meats I ever head, especially the brisket! Expensive but great if you need a break from traditional Mexican food.
La Leche Unique atmosphere with good food and drinks. They mix the conctails right by your table and the lighting turns disco every 10 minutes.
La Palapa Restaurant Great place to dine right by the beach. Large food menu and excellent tequila list!
La Langosta Loca Unique atmosphere right by the beach. The food is good for the prices, good margaritas if you go with a Don julio aneo.
La Bodeguita del Medio Vallarta Great Cuban restaurant with salsa nights! Get the mojito with high end rum and try the traditional cuban dishes like picadillo and ropa vieja.
Casa Tradicional Cocina Mexicana Good place for some non sea food traditional Mexican dishes. Molcajete is always a good option. Good margaritas as well.
Abulon, Antojeria del Mar Excellent selection of sea food and traditional Mexican dishes turned high end. Fantastic value for your dollar.
Vegetarian Option, Planeta Vegetariano Cheap and good for you!
Dulce and Amargo Great lunch place on a budget. Traditional Mexican dishes on order but I would try what ever the menu of the day is.
Restaurante Dianita Very traditional hole in the wall lunch place. The food is great, get and agua fresca to complete the experience.
Cha Great place to have breakfast and brunch.
Flamboyan Fun atmosphere and great selection of breakfast and brunch food.
Tacos by the church, Iglesia de la Santa Cruz On Aguacate street they have great steamed meat tacos. I like de mixto, bit of everything. There is also a churro stand that people seem to like. On Lazaro Cardenas street they have more traditional street tacos. I like the last booth farthest from the church and get el pastor tacos.