Beautiful white sand beaches, lush jungles awaiting the adventurous, and sparkling, veil-like waterfalls: meet Mother Nature in this Jalisco destination.
Puerto Vallarta wraps around the Bahia de Banderas, or Bay of Flags. Imagine arriving in the horseshoe-shaped bay by Spanish galleon to a multitude of colorful flags flown by armies of native peoples perched on the surrounding hills. That’s exactly what Hernan Cortez did in 1524, nearly 500 years ago. Today, the shores of Puerto Vallarta are dotted with beautiful bronze sculptures, such as “Los Milenios” and the famous boy riding a seahorse (“Caballito de Mar”) instead. There sculptures are far less intimidating and just as beautiful.
If you’re wondering what to do in Puerto Vallarta that’s off the beaten path, join the locals in their weekly Old Town Art Walk in El Centro on Wednesdays in the summer. This event features some of the area’s best galleries, plus a great opportunity to get to know the artists themselves. Will you take home a piece of Vallarta to add to your décor back home?
When your belly starts to growl, stop by a beach-front palapa-style bar for a few drinks and some local seafood. Looking for something different? Dine on fusion plates with tourists and locals alike at Coexist Café, one of the most unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
Even the most intrepid cultural explorers will find it hard to resist the deep blue waters of Bahia de Banderas, so why put up a fight? Miles of golden sand are the perfect real estate for lounging beachside with cocktails that feature locally-grown mango and papaya. Snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating are available, while hiking, horseback riding, and jeep excursions up into the mountains offer gorgeous panoramas and made-for-a-selfie moments.
Speaking of epic moments, our Puerto Vallarta vacation packages were made for savvy jet-setters like you. Take this moment to get yours before they float out to sea with the tide.