Puerto Vallarta
๐ŸŒด Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco ยท Mexico

Adventure Meets
Puerto Vallarta

Where lush jungle mountains tumble into Banderas Bay, humpback whales breach offshore, and colonial cobblestone streets meet pristine beaches.

๐Ÿ‹ Humpback Whales๐ŸŒฟ Jungle Hikesโ›ต Bay Sailing๐Ÿคฟ Snorkeling๐ŸŽญ Malecรณn Culture
76โ€“84ยฐF
Water Temp
Novโ€“Mar
Whale Season
Banderas Bay
Mexico's Largest Bay
30+
Jungle Hiking Trails
320+
Days of Sun per Year

The Pearl of the Pacific

Puerto Vallarta sits on the shores of Banderas Bay โ€” Mexico's largest bay โ€” cradled by the Sierra Madre mountains on one side and the warm Pacific on the other. The result is one of Mexico's most scenic and diverse adventure destinations.

From November through March, the bay becomes a nursery for humpback whales. Mothers and calves fill the waters just offshore, breaching and tail-slapping in full view.

Beyond the whales, the Sierra Madre jungle offers world-class hiking, zip-lining, river swimming, and waterfall expeditions.

๐Ÿ‹
Humpback Whales
Novโ€“Mar whale nursery in Banderas Bay
๐ŸŒฟ
Sierra Madre Jungle
Zip lines, waterfalls & jungle hikes
๐Ÿ–๏ธ
Hidden Beaches
Accessible only by boat or jungle trail
๐ŸŽญ
Arts & Culture
Vibrant Malecรณn & Old Town galleries
Puerto Vallarta
Banderas Bay
Mexico's largest bay โ€” 1,300 sq km
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Adventures in Puerto Vallarta

Handpicked experiences for every type of adventurer.

๐Ÿ‹
Best SellerEasy
Humpback Whale Watching
โฑ 4 hrs๐Ÿ‘ฅ Max 14๐Ÿ“… Novโ€“Mar
Board a small zodiac into Banderas Bay where humpback mothers and calves play. Marine biologist guide included.
๐Ÿ”ญ Binoculars๐Ÿšค Zodiacโ˜• Snacks
๐ŸŒฟ
PopularModerate
Jungle Zip-Line & Waterfall
โฑ Full Day๐Ÿ‘ฅ Max 12๐ŸŒฟ Sierra Madre
Eight zip lines through the jungle canopy, a rappel down a waterfall, river swimming, and a traditional Mexican lunch.
๐Ÿช‚ Harness๐Ÿฑ Lunch๐ŸšŒ Transport
โ›ต
Fan FavoriteEasy
Marietas Islands Sail
โฑ Full Day๐Ÿ‘ฅ Max 16๐Ÿ๏ธ Islands
Sail to the protected Marietas Islands โ€” home of the famous Hidden Beach โ€” and snorkel the marine reserve.
๐Ÿคฟ Gear๐Ÿน Open bar๐Ÿฑ Lunch
๐Ÿ„
NewActive
SUP & Mangroves
โฑ 3 hrs๐Ÿ‘ฅ Max 8๐ŸŒฟ + ๐ŸŒŠ
Paddleboard through serene mangrove lagoons spotting birds and marine life, then head to open bay for sunrise paddle.
๐Ÿ„ SUP board๐Ÿฆบ Life vestโ˜• Coffee
๐Ÿ›๏ธ
CulturalEasy
Old Town & Malecรณn Art Walk
โฑ 3 hrs๐Ÿ‘ฅ Max 10๐Ÿ™๏ธ Evening
Explore cobblestone streets, taste mezcal and street food, visit working artist studios, and walk the Malecรณn at sunset.
๐Ÿฅƒ Mezcal tasting๐ŸŒฎ Street food๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐ŸŽจ Guide
๐Ÿคฟ
PopularEasy
Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary Snorkel
โฑ Half Day๐Ÿ‘ฅ Max 10๐ŸŒŠ Marine Reserve
Snorkel the protected waters of Los Arcos โ€” dramatic rock outcroppings teeming with tropical fish, moray eels, and sea turtles.
๐Ÿคฟ Full gear๐Ÿšค Panga๐Ÿฅค Drinks

Wildlife in Puerto Vallarta

๐Ÿ‹
Humpback Whales
Novโ€“Mar
๐Ÿฌ
Spinner Dolphins
Year-round
๐Ÿฆ…
Frigatebirds
Very Common
๐Ÿข
Olive Ridley Turtles
Common
๐Ÿฆˆ
Whale Sharks
Seasonal
๐Ÿฆœ
Jungle Parrots
Very Common
๐ŸŠ
Crocodiles
Estuary area
๐ŸŸ
Manta Rays
Common
Plan Your Trip

Best Time to Visit Puerto Vallarta

Jan
Great
Feb
Great
Mar
Peak
Apr
Peak
May
Great
Jun
Good
Jul
Good
Aug
Good
Sep
Good
Oct
Great
Nov
Peak
Dec
Peak
Peak
Great
Good

Vallarta shines November through April โ€” whale season aligns with the dry season for ideal adventure conditions.

How to Reach Puerto Vallarta

โœˆ๏ธ
Licenciado Gustavo Dรญaz Ordaz Airport (PVR)
Direct flights from LAX, DFW, ORD & SEA. ~3 hour flight from most US hubs.
๐ŸšŒ
Airport Transfers
15-minute shuttle into the hotel zone and Old Town. Sol Seekers arranges private pickup.
๐Ÿ›ณ๏ธ
Cruise Port
Major Pacific cruise destination. We offer exclusive shore excursions for cruise guests.

Tips From Our Puerto Vallarta Guides

๐Ÿ‹
Go small boat for whales
A small zodiac gets much closer to whales than large tour boats. Sol Seekers uses rigid inflatables with max 14 guests.
๐ŸŒฟ
Book jungle tours in the morning
Morning temperatures are cooler, wildlife is more active, and the light for photos is spectacular.
๐Ÿ–๏ธ
Playa las รnimas by boat
Some of the most beautiful beaches south of Vallarta are only accessible by water taxi.
๐ŸŒฎ
Eat on Calle Basilio Badillo
The 'Restaurant Row' of Zona Romรกntica โ€” incredible variety from street tacos to upscale Mexican fusion.
๐ŸฆŸ
Pack for the jungle
Long sleeves, bug spray, and closed-toe shoes are essential for jungle hikes.
๐ŸŒŠ
Marietas permit required
The Marietas Islands require a permit โ€” our tours handle this automatically.
10yrs
In Vallarta
100%
Bilingual Guides
Max 16
Per Group
5โ˜…
Avg Review
$0
Hidden Fees

Ready to Explore Puerto Vallarta?

Whale season fills up months in advance โ€” don't miss out.