Unique Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta
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Puerto Vallarta is a coastal resort town on the Pacific Ocean. It is a popular Mexican cruise port with many great places to explore.
Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta: (Jump To)
Walk and Shop the Malecon
Running for 11 miles along the beaches and coastline the Malecon passes countless shopping and dining choices.
The main portion begins at the street Calle Treinta y Uno de Octubre and ends at Plaza de Armas. This section is paved and landscaped. On the ocean-adjacent walk, you’ll stroll past numerous sculptures, and if you’re lucky some very impressive sandcastles.
If you extend past the plaza the path becomes more unique and rustic. After crossing a bridge the trail begins to follow the line where resorts end and the public beach begins. This is a perfect place to take a leisurely beach sunset stroll. For the most part, the trail ends at Playa Los Muertos pier.
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Located a short bus or Uber ride outside of the city is the 64-acre Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Less than twenty years old, the gardens are still a work in progress. The main building houses numerous greenhouses and a cafe serving up traditional Mexican dishes.
Unique to the gardens is a hillside vanilla bean crop. It’s a rare chance to see the bean in its pre-cupcake flavoring form. To get to the vanilla plants you have to take a short hilly hike with rope bridges.
We were also able to take a hike on the Jaguar Trail through the lush forest and down to the River los Horcones. At times it’s a steep and primitive trail, but a great way to experience the arboretum.
Bring bug spray and wear long pants. The mosquitos are vicious.
Cuale Island Shopping
Cuale Island, a long thin island in the center of Rio Cuale, is home to a daily flea market. Accessible via rope bridges from numerous starting points, visitors will find shop after shop of tightly packed souvenir stands. The stands range from cheap and tacky to artisan craftwork.
Beautiful Banyan trees fill the island and give the shopping walk some much-needed shade. The island is an easy walk from the beach and is a great place to walk when you need a break from getting a tan.
At the end of the island is a small statue memorializing John Huston who is credited with jump-starting the tourism industry after selecting the location for his 1964 film The Night of the Iguana.
Mirador Cerro de La Cruz
At the top of Puerto Vallarta, a multi-level concrete tower gives those willing to make the climb some outstanding panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
Getting up there is not an easy task, but if you’re feeling guilty after all those bottomless tortilla chips, you’ll burn them off getting up there. From the Malecon take the street Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez five steep blocks until you reach a stone staircase.
The staircase follows a now-defunct funicular railway path that used to make the trip up much easier. Eventually, you’ll reach the top and be able to climb the viewing tower to take in a view that makes the hard climb seem worth the sweat.
Playa Los Muertos
The beach, that’s why we're here after all. Playa Los Muertos is a large expansive sunny beach with plenty of room to spread out and find your spot.
My favorite part about this beach is the proximity to dining and drinking. You’re never more than a 5-minute walk away from another drink or a quick and tasty snack.
Despite the creepy name, translating to Dead Man’s Beach, the beach can be as lively as you want it to be. It’s just as easy to find a private corner.
For more Mexico check out our Trip to Cabo San Lucas.
