Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Puerto Vallarta. Pacific coast resort town, cobblestone streets running right down to the beach, a former fishing village that grew into an international destination almost overnight thanks to a scandalous 1960s Hollywood production, sitting on one of the largest bays anywhere in North America. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Puerto Vallarta: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the evening walk. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Bahia de Banderas
Puerto Vallarta sits on Bahia de Banderas, one of the largest bays along Mexico's Pacific coast, one of the largest bays in North America, shared with the neighbouring state of Nayarit, a genuinely enormous natural feature, this scale gives the bay a calm, sheltered character compared to more exposed stretches of Pacific coastline, good for both beach relaxation and whale watching during the migration season.
Humpback whales pass through the bay roughly December through March, worth a boat tour during this window if the timing aligns with your visit, genuinely one of the best whale-watching opportunities along Mexico's Pacific coast.
Best time December through March for whale watching
The Night of the Iguana & Puerto Vallarta's Hollywood Origins
Puerto Vallarta's international profile rose significantly after being featured in the 1964 Hollywood film The Night of the Iguana, the production, and its famously scandalous off-screen romance (between Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, who wasn't even in the film but accompanied Burton during filming), put the fishing town firmly on the map, a genuinely unusual origin story for a major international resort destination, this single production is largely credited with transforming what had been a quiet, little-known fishing village into a major international tourist destination almost overnight.
This history is worth knowing as you explore the old town's genuinely charming cobblestone streets, a real, tangible piece of mid-20th-century Hollywood glamour left a lasting mark on this specific stretch of Mexican coastline.
The Malecon
Puerto Vallarta's Malecon is a long oceanfront promenade known for displaying public sculptures and art, a popular evening stroll past a rotating collection of striking bronze and modern sculptures, a genuinely good, free way to spend an evening, several significant pieces by well-regarded Mexican sculptors line the route, worth a slow walk rather than a rushed pass-through to properly appreciate each piece.
It's worth timing this for sunset, genuinely one of the best spots in the city for watching the sun go down over the bay, restaurants and bars line much of the route too, worth combining the walk with dinner somewhere along the way.
Best time Sunset
Address The Malecon, Puerto Vallarta
Best time to visit Puerto Vallarta
November through April gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and beach time this list involves, dry season with less humidity than the rest of the year.
The wet season (roughly May through October) brings heavier, more humid conditions, still workable if you plan around afternoon rain, though the dry season is genuinely the more pleasant time to visit.
Getting around Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta's old town and Malecon are genuinely walkable. Taxis and local buses cover the wider resort area and beaches further along the bay.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Puerto Vallarta worth visiting?
- Yes, particularly for the Malecon's genuinely good public art and the old town's charming cobblestone streets, offering real character beyond the resort strip further along the bay.
- How many days do you need in Puerto Vallarta?
- Three days covers the old town, the Malecon, and a whale-watching trip (if seasonal) comfortably.
- Is Puerto Vallarta expensive?
- Moderate, generally affordable for local food and transport, resort accommodation directly on the beach runs considerably higher.
- What is Puerto Vallarta famous for?
- Sitting on Bahia de Banderas, one of the largest bays in North America, its rise to international fame after the 1964 film The Night of the Iguana, and the Malecon's public sculpture collection.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
