Experience the Night of the Iguana
8 Things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican beach resort city situated on the Pacific Ocean’s Bahía de Banderas. Its size within the state is second only to the metropolitan area of Guadalajara. Puerto Vallarta was made famous with the film The Night of the Iguana entirely produced on location in 1963.
Your dreams will come true when you visit Puerto Vallarta with its beautiful coastline and rich culture. This cruise port was once a sleepy fishing town and is now popular for its spectacular views. If you are looking to experience a truly authentic cultural destination, then this is it.
Boasting a coastline made for perfectly-framed, romantic sunsets, Puerto Vallarta continuously ranks among the world’s top tourist resorts. With palm-fringed mountains as a backdrop, a visit to this area is very appealing to anyone who loves dazzling beaches, munching on tasty dishes at trendy restaurants, browsing countless little souvenir shops, and strolling the seafront promenade offering a slew of activities. In addition to swimming and basking on sun-kissed sands, popular things to do in Puerto Vallarta include boat tours, horseback rides, diving excursions, and day trips to the surrounding countryside, where you can find archaeological sites dating back to the period long before Columbus discovered the New World.
Explore a laid back town with an eccentric vibe and an energy that is infectious. A tour of this destination’s town reveals its artistically and skillfully decorated town buildings which display its history and Mexican heritage. Here are 8 Things to do in Puerto Vallarta that will keep you interested and amazed:
1. El Malecon
There is no better way to start your day in Puerto Vallarta than taking a leisurely walk along the picturesque oceanfront Boardwalk known as El Malecon. During this time of the day, the Malecon is usually uncrowded. It’s a quiet and peaceful place in the morning but later on in the day, it is energetic, filled with the best of Mexican tunes, dances and tempting aromas of Mexican cuisine.
Taking a stroll along this mile-long boardwalk introduces one to a beautiful oceanfront lined with the water on one side and restaurants, bars, and shopping on the other. It will also lead you right into the heart of the town. You are welcome to stop at the town’s popular landmark, The Church of the Lady of Guadalupe for worship or just to behold one of the most captivating architectural masterpieces in Mexico. The church is decorated with intricate 19th century details and adorned with a lace crown which resembles Emperor Maximilian’s tiara.
From the church, more exciting attractions can be found on a sightseeing tour of Old Vallarta fondly known as Zona Romantica. Enjoy the charm of this quaint side of town with cobblestone streets and gorgeous colonial townhouses.
2. Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale
The municipal market on Isla Cuale opened in 1979 and is a shopping destination to be reckoned with. The building has well over 100 stands over two floors and many of them are oriented towards tourists. You can browse silver jewelry, leather items, wooden toys and all sorts of souvenirs on the ground floor.
Shop until you work up an appetite and then go to the second floor which contains row after row of stands containing scrumptious food. Among the many delights sold at the food stalls are endless varieties of tacos, baked onions, chicken and rice with mole, shrimp broth, and delicious aguas frescas to go with them. This is a must see…your taste buds will thank you.
3. Playa los Muertos
At the southern end of the Malecón is the most frequented beach in Puerto Vallarta. Playa los Muertos is one of Mexico’s favorite beaches for residents and people from neighbouring states who come for sea and sand.
The light waves are manageable for non-swimmers and people float by on paddleboards a few meters out. The beach is patrolled by vendors selling cold drinks and snacks but if you’re up for a sit-down meal, there are boundless choices in front of the high-rise condo blocks lining the beach.
4. Yelapa Bay
For those who wander south of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find beautiful beaches and island destinations that you can only visit by boat. Yelapa Bay and the town of Yelpa is one of these hidden locations that will intrigue you – especially if you need to get away from the city’s noise, people and the frenzy.
Yelapa is a quiet, beautiful place, bathed by the alluring Mexican Pacific Ocean – a small cove surrounded by nature and jungle. This perfect spot is a small town just 40 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, at the foot of the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains….and can only be entered by boat. If you want to rest and rejuvenate…this is the perfect place.
5. Whale Watching
During the winter in the northern hemisphere humpback whales migrate down Mexico’s pacific coast from December to February to give birth to their calves and spend a few weeks in these warmer climes before making the journey back up to Alaska.
Whale spotting is a huge tourist draw in Puerto Vallarta so you won’t have trouble arranging a tour. Some trips are led by oceanographers and marine biologists who will share interesting tidbits and will know how to conduct an expedition in a humane way. Many cruises also have microphones picking up whale song, which you can hear on the boat. Beholding this amazing experience of seeing and hearing whales breaching or a newborn calf with its mother is something you won’t soon forget.
6. Islas Marietas National Park
The Marieta Islands are a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of the state of Nayarit, Mexico – a bit north of Puerto Vallarta. Since the Mexican government protects the islands from fishing and hunting, they are a popular destination because of the abundant marine life populations. At the entrance to the bay is a pair of protected islands only visitable by boat and the Islas Marietas National Park is located here.
This National Park was set up in the late 1960s to look after their rich natural resources so it is well worth the trip; however, before commissioning a boat to visit the Park, it’s worth inquiring as to whether trips are allowed, as they’re often banned for months or years at a time to ensure the health of the islands and their reefs. Access to the islands themselves is very limited, but at low tide you may be able to bathe at the “Hidden Beach”, a spectacular collapsed sea cave.
Above the water you may see egrets, brown boobies, pelicans, frigate birds and the Galápagos blue-footed booby. If you’re snorkelling, giant damselfish, panamic sergeant majors, rainbow wrasses and Moorish idols are just some of the exotic fish you can observe in these rich waters.
7. Sierra Madre Mountains
The jungle-clad Sierra Madre mountains stretch along Mexico’s western coast and Puerto Vallarta is known as where the mountains separate the coast from inland Guadalajara. Adventure sport isn’t limited to the ocean in Puerto Vallarta – is a common jumping-off point for Sierra Madre Mountain adventures which include: hiking, zipline riding in the rainforest, rafting the river, speeding through jungle paths on an ATV or mountain biking, in order to explore hidden villages and cultural sites.
You could combine these trips with a bit of culture by taking a jeep up to remote Sierra Madre villages, touring farms and visiting a distillery making raicilla – a typical Jaliscan spirit produced from the agave plant.
8. Rhythms Of The Night
If you’re looking for a mini cirque de soleil / cultural show / dinner & theatre experience, then Rhythms of The Night will be something you’ll want to check out.
The evening starts with a sunset cruise across Banderas Bay to Las Caletas, which is a beautiful private cove. When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by a beautifully lit area with tiki torches and candles.
You’ll then be shown to your seat in the outdoor auditorium, which is surrounded by palm trees. The seats are all staggered, so even though there are people sitting in front of you, you’ll have no issues seeing the show. The show depicts various stories of the ancient Hispanic civilization and Mexican folklore. During the performance, there’s live music, dancing, contortionists, fire-twirlers and more. Following the show you’ll enjoy a large buffet dinner before returning to Puerto Vallarta by boat.
Credits – References for this article:
15 Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico)
The Crazy Tourist
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-to-do-in-puerto-vallarta-mexico/
https://www.inspirock.com//mexico/puerto-vallarta-trip-planner?
Inspirock – Inspiration to See the Planet – Mexico-Puerto Vallarta
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Vallarta
