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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Overview

Overview

No longer the well-kept secret of the artists, writers and Hollywood stars who first "discovered" it in the 1960s, "PV" (as it is affectionately known) still retains the essence of the quaint fishing village it once was. Here is Viejo Vallarta, the quaint Old Town, An enticing mix of red-tiled buildings, cobbled streets, chic shops and bustling open markets. Here are Mismaloya Beach, Gringo Gulch and Conchas Chinas, the Beverly Hills of Vallarta. Nearby: the rugged canyons and luxuriant jungles of the Sierra Madre. Sample shore excursions: Countryside on horseback, Dolphin encounter; Town, Country & Tequila; Sea Lion Encounter; Eco-safari Off-road Adventure; Canopy Adventure.


Mexico/Panama Canal - Puerto Vallarta

Shore Excursions

Shore Excursions


 


A Taste of Mexico & Puerto Vallarta Sights



Duration: Approximately 4½ Hours
Price : $$

   

Have you always wanted to know the secret ingredients of your favorite Mexican dish? Here’s your chance to find out. With hundreds of places to eat in Puerto Vallarta, there is something to satisfy everyone’s taste, as the chef creates dishes from every culture imaginable. So, come spice up your cooking skills! Board a motor coach that will whisk you away to the center of Puerto Val... more info




ATV & Village Adventure



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $$

 

Get ready for some real adventure as you are about to be a road warrior. You will depart from the pier to a hacienda where you will be given a detailed safety orientation and issued a mandatory helmet and goggles for your tour by All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Following your guide, take off convoy-style, driving through the back roads. There is no better way to explore Mexico’s countryside an... more info




Canopy Adventure



Duration: Approximately 5 Hours
Price : $$$

   

Enjoy a truly thrilling ecological experience that offers you the unique opportunity to glide through the treetops on a network of cables suspended high above the jungle trails in Puerto Vallarta’s tropical forest. On this spectacular eco-adventure tour, you will experience what can only be described as a breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful and complex biological communities on... more info




Catamaran, Beach & Snorkel



Duration: Approximately 7 Hours
Price : $$

   

Relax aboard a motorized catamaran as you cruise south of Puerto Vallarta following the spectacular tropical coastline of Banderas Bay. Your journey takes you past some of the most picturesque scenery in Vallarta, where dolphins and humpback whales are often sighted during the winter months. Your first stop will be at Colomitos beach, an unspoiled area of natural beauty on the southern coast of Ba... more info




Countryside on Horseback



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $$

 

Discover the Mexican countryside the way it was meant to be discovered, on horseback! After a short drive, you will arrive at a hacienda where your guide will conduct a short orientation, then match each rider with a horse that suits his or her ability. Riding along the Mascota River, you will pass through quaint little villages, viewing local scenery and vegetation including mangos, bananas, and ... more info




Discover Scuba



Duration: Approximately 6½ - 7 Hours
Price : $$$

   

Take advantage of this Learn-to-Dive PADI Scuba program that offers the unique opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the underwater world in the easiest, safest and most fun way possible. Take a one-hour boat ride to Las Caletas, where you will learn the basics of scuba diving with a theory session and a confined water practice before heading to the ocean for a dive at the reefs of Las Calet... more info




Dolphin Encounter



Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Price : $$$

   

This interactive program allows non-swimmers and swimmers alike to learn more about the Pacific Bottlenose dolphin. Standing waist-deep in the water, you will be introduced to the beautiful dolphins in a hands-on close encounter lasting approximately 15-20 minutes. They are as curious about you as you are about them, and you can take full advantage of this unique opportunity to pet them gently. Du... more info




Dolphin Trainer for a Day



Duration: Approximately 6 Hours
Price : $$$$

 

Discover the ultimate dolphin adventure by spending an exciting day working beside a dolphin trainers for a full six hours. This program will help you gain an insight into and understanding of the basic skills needed to care for and train dolphins through practical hands-on experience, while being an active member of a team of marine mammal experts. You will be in close contact with the dolphin... more info




Eco-Safari Off-Road Adventure



Duration: Approximately 7 - 7½ Hours
Price : $$$

     

See the real Mexico and pristine wilderness areas in an open-air, all-terrain vehicle. You will be driven through clear mountain streams that have cut towering canyons deep into the rugged sierras, and on into the lush jungle where your knowledgeable guide shows you the strange life and color that exists beneath the canopy. See 19th-century villages and hear of the age-old culture they cherish and... more info




Golf at Flamingos Golf Course



Duration: Approximately 5½ Hours
Price : $$$$

 

Flamingos Golf Course was designed by Percy Clifford, the renowned golf course architect of English descent. Clifford has worked extensively in Mexico where, over the years, he built several of the best courses in the country. Flamingos opened in 1978 and was the first golf course in Puerto Vallarta. It is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation and boasts more than 1,800 palm trees. The course un... more info




Hidden Beaches by Sea & Horseback



Duration: Approximately 6 - 6½ Hours
Price : $$$

   

This is ultimate way to discover traditional fishing villages and the spectacular beaches of Quimixto and Pizota on Puerto Vallarta’s pristine southern shores. Join this eco-adventure aboard a comfortable, all-weather, inflatable speed boat. The outstanding scenery will mesmerize you as you leave civilization behind and the tropical jungle dips toward the ocean below. The lush forest provide... more info




Jeep Safari & Beach Adventure



Duration: Approximately 5 Hours
Price : $$

   

This exciting half day excursion begins with a short walk to pick up your vehicle. You will receive a short orientation and safety instructions; then, let the good times roll as you board your 4-person, open-air, manual transmission (stick-shift) Jeep. You will depart caravan-style to explore the scenic countryside of Puerto Vallarta. Your experienced guide will lead you up into the Sierra Madre M... more info




Las Caletas Hideaway



Duration: Approximately 6½ - 7 Hours
Price : $$$

   

A launch will take you one hour each way across the bay to Las Caletas--the former hideaway of movie director John Huston. This idyllic, private paradise of small beaches is yours for the day. There is kayaking and snorkeling for all abilities with qualified instructors and all equipment included. Take a nature walk or learn how to make a seafood paella before you enjoy a buffet lunch and open ... more info




Mexican Fiesta, Town & Dinner



Duration: Approximately 5 - 5½ Hours
Price : $$

   

Drive to Puerto Vallarta’s beautiful downtown area for a guided tour of its highlights. Passing through the charming downtown area, you will see the famous waterfront Malecon, the ever-popular statues and the beautiful Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral. Enjoy free time for some shopping, then return to your motor coach and head to Hacienda Doña Engracia. This picturesque ranch will host a ... more info




Mini 4x4 Expedition



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $$

 

Get ready to be a real road warrior for a day. You will depart from the pier for a 25-minute ride to a hacienda, where you will be given a detailed safety orientation and issued mandatory goggles and helmet for your mini-4-wheel-drive ride. Following your guide, take off in convoy style, driving through the dusty countryside of Mexico. There is no better way to explore Mexico’s countrysid... more info




Off-Road Bicycle Adventure



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $

   

Explore the essence of Mexico on a 21-speed, full suspension mountain bike at a pace set to match your riding ability. Riders of all ages and abilities will enjoy a ride in the countryside, through rustic towns, see an abundance of wildlife and even a local cemetery. You will be introduced to the diverse vegetation and scenery as well as some of the local wildlife. During your ride, the group will... more info




Outdoor Challenge



Duration: Approximately 6 Hours
Price : $$$

   

Experience the thrill of discovering the flora and fauna in the jungles of the Sierra Madre on this Outdoor Challenge. Designed for maximum adventure, the Outdoor Challenge takes place in an area of pristine, unspoiled forest where scenic beauty and rich ecological habitats create a true tropical paradise. This active excursion brings out the kid in you! The adventure begins with a panga boat ride... more info




Puerto Vallarta Discovery



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $

 

Drive northeast of Puerto Vallarta to the town of El Pitillal. This truly local village is where most of the workers in the area live. Passing the beautiful church and Main Square, you will stop at a small replica non-working tequila factory, where you can taste test various tequilas. Watch a Huichol Indian in full costume make the fine beaded works of art for which they are known. Pass through... more info




Puerto Vallarta Highlights



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $

 

Ride along the main highway to the Old Town, then pass through the cobblestone streets of the city with a stop at City Hall and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Near Gringo Gulch, you'll see from a distance the homes of Elizabeth Taylor and the late Richard Burton. Admire the elegant residential area of Conchas Chinas and some upscale hotels. At the south end of town, a photo stop will be m... more info




Rhythms of the Night



Duration: Approximately 4½ Hours
Price : $$

   

Rhythms of the Night is an amazing journey that will transport you to a spiritual land that time forgot. Take a scenic sunset cruise across Banderas Bay to the isolated cove of Las Caletas, where flickering torches and swaying palms set the mood for a mesmerizing performance that will leave you breathless. Here you will find the Rhythms of the Night folklore show--a magical paradise that feels lik... more info




Sea Lion Encounter



Duration: Approximately 3 Hours
Price : $$$

 

Sea lions are lovable rascals--comical, mischievous, playful and very friendly! Fast, agile and adorable, sea lions are fascinating to be around. It is certain that their inclination to engage in play and include humans in their games is what makes sea lion encounters so exhilarating, and you are sure to cherish this encounter for a long time to come. This is a fun way to really get acquainted wit... more info




Sierra Madre Hiking Adventure



Duration: Approximately 4 Hours
Price : $

 

Take this exciting expedition through the Sierra Madre Mountains. The hills encircling Puerto Vallarta are cloaked in tropical deciduous forest, alive with color and abounding in wildlife. Your hike begins at a beautiful hacienda, and within minutes of starting out, you will be amazed by the diversity and scenery. A knowledgeable eco-guide, well-versed in the flora and fauna of the region, can ans... more info




Swim with the Dolphins



Duration: Approximately 3 - 3½ Hours
Price : $$$$

   

This dolphin adventure is a magnificent experience that you will cherish for a lifetime. As one of the few dolphin educational centers in the world, the staff believe that through interactive programs, a deeper understanding of dolphins and their environment will result, and in doing so, promote worldwide conservation of these incredibly intelligent creatures. Dolphin swim groups are kept small... more info




Town, Country & Tequila



Duration: Approximately 5 Hours
Price : $

 

This half-day excursion combines the charm of both old and new Mexico. Boarding an air-conditioned motor coach, you'll begin your tour in the area known as Marina Vallarta. A stop will be made in one of the small villages to see a local church. Next, you will visit Hacienda Doqa Engracia, one of the finest tequila factories in the area. On the site, there is also a working ranch where Arabian hors... more info




Two if by Sea: Yelapa & Majahuitas



Duration: Approximately 7 Hours
Price : $$

   

Relax on board a modern catamaran as you cruise south of Puerto Vallarta, following the spectacular tropical coastline of Banderas Bay. Your journey takes you past some of the most picturesque scenery in Vallarta, where dolphins and humpback whales are often sighted during the winter months. Wade in the water from the catamaran to the tranquil beach of Majahuitas, an unspoiled area of natural beau... more info




Two-Tank Certified Dive



Duration: Approximately 6 - 6½ Hours
Price : $$$

   

This Puerto Vallarta boat dive allows you to experience two of the best sites, ranging from reefs to dramatic walls that provide habitat for a variety of tropical and subtropical fish. An occasional turtle or manta ray may also be encountered. The choice of sites depends on the prevailing weather and sea conditions. Lunch and domestic drinks will be served after the second dive. Non-alcoholic beve... more info




Whales, Wild Dolphins & Snorkeling



Duration: Approximately 6½ Hours
Price : $$

   

This tour offers a wonderful opportunity to combine sun and fun while discovering the real wonders of nature that the bay has to offer. The Bay of Banderas is one of the few bays in the world to offer a sanctuary for such a great profusion of nature and sea life. A top-of-the-line motorized catamaran carries you out to the shelter of the Marietas Islands whose waters offer an ideal ecosystem for a... more info




Wild Dolphins & Snorkeling



Duration: Approximately 6½ - 7 Hours
Price : $$

   

This tour offers a wonderful opportunity to combine sun and fun while discovering the real wonders of nature that the bay has to offer. The Bay of Banderas is one of the few bays in the world to offer a sanctuary for such a great profusion of nature and sea life. A top-of-the-line motorized catamaran carries you out to the shelter of the Marietas Islands whose waters offer an ideal ecosystem for a... more info





Weather

Weather

Temperatures shown are Fahrenheit
Month Temp Avg Temp High Temp Low Rainfall
Jan 58.5 76.6 50.0 0.76
Feb 61.1 79.5 51.5 0.17
Mar 65.1 84.2 54.9 0.13
Apr 69.8 87.7 58.6 0.26
May 72.5 89.3 61.9 0.96
Jun 71.7 86.2 63.1 7.85
Jul 69.2 81.7 61.9 11.05
Aug 68.1 80.9 61.8 9.02
Sep 67.7 80.6 61.7 6.52
Oct 65.7 80.4 59.1 2.18
Nov 62.0 79.0 54.6 0.64
Dec 59.2 76.9 51.3 0.27

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