Puerto Vallarta is a beach city located on the southern coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco. Many travelers visit Puerto Vallarta for the beautiful all-inclusive resorts on the beach. In addition to the beautiful beaches, the city offers a wide variety of fun activities, tours and experiences. Keep reading for 13 fun and unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!
Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist destination, and for good reason, it’s such a fun place to visit. There are tons of delicious restaurants, beautiful art galleries and picture perfect beaches to enjoy. I spent a month living in Puerto Vallarta, and I never ran out of things to do.
Things to know when visiting Puerto Vallarta
- Ubers are usually less expensive than taxis.
- Taxis don’t have meters – always ask for the fare beforehand.
- Puerto Vallarta is very hilly, and the hills are steep. If you don’t have a car and don’t want to walk up the hills, book a hotel near the beach/in the center of town.
- The downtown area of the city is very walkable and you can easily move between neighborhoods.
- La Zona Romantica is the most popular neighborhood, filled with tons of bars, shops, restaurants and hotels.
- Centro and 5 de diciembre are other centrally located neighborhoods.
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1: Visit the Secluded Conchas Chinas Beach
Conchas Chinas Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the Puerto Vallarta area. This beach, or rather collection of beaches, is made up of small cove areas surrounded by rocks.
There are no umbrella/chair rentals on this beach and there are usually very few people around. Bring your own umbrella, a towel and a picnic and spend the day relaxing.
This beach is well known, but the entrances aren’t always clearly marked. Additionally, sometimes you need to walk between rocks to get from one cove to another. I recommend entering the beach near Orchid Condos. There are stairs down to the beach near the apartment building and it is an easy pickup/drop off point for Ubers.
From downtown PV, an Uber to Conchas Chinas Beach is about $4 and takes about 10 minutes.
2: Eat Dinner in a Pool Overlooking the Ocean
Mar y Vino is an Instagram/TikTok famous restaurant in the Zona Romantica. It is very unique and a fun experience while in Puerto Vallarta! In order to get a table in the pool, you’ll need to make reservations in advance.
The food at Mar y Vino is only okay, and it’s definitely expensive compared to more local restaurants. However, the service is wonderful and the experience was so much fun. This is a restaurant I’d only go to once, simply for the fun atmosphere and amazing sunset views.
Note: to get to the restaurant you need to enter through Playa Los Arcos Hotel. Put that into your maps instead of Mar Y Vino, or your GPS will send you to the wrong location.
3: Tour the 4D Art Museum in the Zona Romantica
If you enjoy art and fun interactive experiences, then this museum is for you! The 4D Art Museum is one of the most unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta. This museum is a mystical experience that involves wearing 4D glasses and viewing a variety of beautiful art pieces, all made by artist Abdallahy Antonio Velázquez.
Many of the pieces have a strong focus on advocating for human rights in Western Sahara, where the artist traveled and worked in the mid-2000s.
This museum is unlike any I’ve ever visited. You can purchase tickets at the museum or online through Viator.
4: Watch the Sunset from a Rooftop Restaurant
Puerto Vallarta is home to many restaurants with ocean views. A few of my favorite rooftops in PV for a great dinner and drinks include:
A Spanish style restaurant with a beautiful rooftop and ocean views. The food is very good (the portions are huge), and the sunset views are incredible.
La Capella, located at the Bell View Hotel, is one of the most beautiful restaurants I’ve ever been to. Situated on a large balcony overlooking the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, this is a wonderful place to enjoy a meal.
The menu is on the expensive side, but if you go for breakfast all of the menu items are very reasonably priced. This is a great place to start your day!
Check out my Instagram reel of breakfast at La Capella!
This restaurant is right out of what I would imagine the 70s or 80s to be like – in a good way! The restaurant retains much of its original charm and decor and this is a beautiful place to enjoy a sunset dinner.
While this restaurant isn’t a rooftop, they have huge windows and are known for their stunning views.
At El Panorama many drinks and dishes are prepared table side, and overall it’s a fun and unique experience. The prices are also very reasonable, especially considering the impeccable service they provide.
Note: You will want to make reservations in advance for all of the above restaurants. Especially if it’s the high season and you want to go at sunset.
5: Go for an ATV Tour in the Sierra Madre Mountains
ATV tours are a ton of fun! They’re a great way to explore a new place and get off of the main streets. Puerto Vallarta sits at the base of the Sierra Madre mountain range, and many ATV tours take you part way into the mountains.
Some of these tours include stops for a tequila tasting, lunch or drinks. The stops vary per provider, so be sure to pick one that has stops you’ll enjoy!
There are tons of ATV tours offered throughout PV. Many can be combined with other fun experiences, like ziplining.
ATV Tours in Puerto Vallarta:
- Sierra Madre ATV Adventure
- Private ATV Tour of Everything Puerto Vallarta
- ATV and RZR Jorullo Bridge
- ATV Zip Line Combo Adventure
6: Eat Your Way Through the City on a Taco Tour
I love to eat where locals eat, and a great way to find these spots is by going on a food tour! There are tons to choose from in PV and many tour guides offer a variety of tours for varying dietary preferences.
I went on a vegetarian taco tour and all of the food was delicious. I went back to each restaurant multiple times during my stay in Puerto Vallarta!
Food Tours in Puerto Vallarta:
- Signature Taco and Street Food Tour
- Downtown Puerto Vallarta Food Tour
- Breakfast Taco Tour
- Bikes and Bites: Taco Bicycle Tour
I also recommend any tours offered by Memo at Vallarta 101! I went on his Veggie Taco Tour and it was so fun.
Puerto Vallarta Cafe Recommendations
7: Take an Art Class
Puerto Vallarta is known for being a very artistic city. You’ll find tons of art galleries in the downtown area as well as beautiful murals and street art.
Some galleries offer art classes, where you can learn and practice traditional Mexican art. Many of the galleries are specifically well known for their Huichol art, which is made using colorful yarn and beads.
I took a Huichol beading class at Colectika Gallery and it was such a fun experience. Stop by the gallery to book a time – they’re very flexible.
I also took a fun rug making class at The Annex Studio and Gallery. Carolan, the studio owner, is wonderful – and she offers a variety of fun art classes at affordable prices. There are a bunch to choose from and you definitely can’t go wrong with any of them.
8: Visit the Galleries and Admire the Art
There is no shortage of beautiful art galleries in PV, with most being found in the 5 de Diciembre and Centro neighborhoods and a view dotted around the Zona Romantica. The employees in the galleries are very friendly and knowledgable, and I learned so much about Mexican art and traditions by popping in to chat with them.
My favorite gallery in all of PV is definitely Colectika. This gallery is famous for its art made by the Huichol people and it is truly stunning.
The pieces in the galleries range in price, but some of the most beautiful and affordable I’ve found are Colectika (main gallery) and its two child stores, both named Peyote People.
9: Go on an Art Walk
If you enjoy the art galleries in Puerto Vallarta and would like to learn more about them, then I highly recommend participating in the self guided Art Walk.
From late October to late June each year, the galleries in PV come together to host Art Walks on Wednesdays from 6pm-10pm. On these Wednesday evenings, the galleries stay open late for talks, tours and the occasional visiting artist.
Around 16 galleries in the Historic Center participate and visitors are encouraged to walk around, visit the galleries and chat with the artists and gallery owners.
10: Listen to Music and Eat Local Food in El Centro
In the evenings in the Centro neighborhood, in the park in front of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church, you’ll find tons of street vendors selling delicious local food.
There are tons of different foods to choose from, ranging from delicious ice cream and aguas frescas to tacos, pozole and tons of other local dishes. I enjoyed every single dish I tried – so you really can’t go wrong with any of the food stands. If you only try one, I highly recommend the pellizcadas stand. Don’t forget to get their agua fresca, too!
Some nights, there is also live music, and you’ll see locals and tourists alike dancing away. This is a very family friendly event, and you’ll see people of all ages hanging out and enjoying the food and company.
11: Take a Day Trip to a Pueblo Magico
Puerto Vallarta is located in a central location to visit a few of Mexico’s Pueblos Magicos, or Magic Towns. Magic Towns are those that have been given recognition by the Mexican government for their long running traditions and beauty.
Often, these towns are quite small and retain their historical charm. In some, such as San Sebastian del Oeste, it’s really like stepping back in time.
From Puerto Vallarta, there are a few Pueblos Magicos that are easily reachable as a day trip: Sayulita (1 hour), San Sebastián del Oeste (1.5 hours), Mascota (2 hours) and Compostela (2.5 hours).
Personally, I recommend both Sayulita and San Sebastián del Oeste for day trips since they are under 1.5 hours away (each way), therefore giving you more time to explore. You can drive on your own, take the public bus, or book a guided tour.
If you don’t have a car, and don’t want to go on a tour, you can also Uber to and from Sayulita for around $30 each way. If you’re traveling with a group of 2 or more, this is a great option.
I loved Sayulita and ended up spending a long weekend there. Stay tuned for many Sayulita guides coming soon!
Guided tours:
- Private Tour to Sayulita and San Pancho
- Full-Day Sayulita and San Pancho
- Private San Sebastian del Oeste Tour
- Full-Day San Sebastian del Oeste Tour
San Sebastian Note
I didn’t love San Sebastian del Oeste. Part of the reason was because I went on a bad tour. The other reason was that on the day I went, 90% of shops and restaurants in the town were closed. Our guide said he didn’t know why this was the case, and it wasn’t a holiday or weekend.
The reason I’m including San Sebastian del Oeste is because so many people I’ve spoken to say that they love it. For many, it’s a highlight of their trip to PV and I don’t want my one not-so-great experience to deter you from going.
You should keep in mind, however, that the drive there is very windy (I got bus sick – but that often happens to me), and many of the stores and restaurants may be closed.
12: Have a Picnic on the Beach
Grab a picnic blanket or some towels and head down to the beach to enjoy a picnic. Going at sunset with some drinks and snacks is such a fun way to spend the evening.
You can enter the beach at multiple locations along the malecon, so head on down and grab a spot. If you prefer to have a proper table for your picnic, you can also rent tables, chairs and umbrellas on Los Muertos Beach in the Zona Romantica.
13: Walk Along the Malecon and Admire the Sculptures
Along the Malecon you’ll notice a variety of sculptures. Start in the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood at the beginning of the Malecon, and walk all the way to the Zona Romantica admiring the beautiful and unique sculptures along the way.
You can also take a guided sculpture tour for an in depth explanation and information on the sculptures and their significance. This free tour takes place every Tuesday and is hosted by Galeria Pacifico. No reservations are required, just meet at the Millennium Sculpture in front of Hotel Rosita at 9:30am. For more information, click here.
The Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta
When picking a hotel in Puerto Vallarta there are a few factors to consider. The first is location. The Downtown area (5 de Diciembre, El Centro, and Zona Romantica) have the most going on. There are tons of shops, restaurants and things to do. It’s also a very walkable area. If location is the most important, pick one of these three neighborhoods, with a focus on El Centro and the Zona Romantica.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive option, the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) will be your best bet. This area is about 15 minutes by car to downtown, and will usually cost less than $5 USD in an Uber. In this area there isn’t as much going on, but these hotels often have private beaches and great service.
Hotels in Downtown PV:
- Joint Coworking Hotel and Cowork ($$)
- Tres Marias Luxury Suites ($$)
- BellView Hotel Boutique ($$$)
- Buenaventura Grand Hotel ($$$) all inclusive
- Hotel Luxury Patio Azul ($$) Conchas Chinas – near downtown
Resorts in the Hotel Zone:
- Hotel Mio Vallarta ($$) adult only
- The Westin Resort & Spa ($$$)
- Dreams Vallarta ($$$$) all inclusive
- Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta ($$$$) all inclusive
Puerto Vallarta FAQ
- How many days should I stay in Puerto Vallarta?
- At least 3 full days. But I would recommend 5-7 for a first trip.
- Is Puerto Vallarta swimmable?
- Yes! There are many beautiful beaches where you can swim.
- Can you brush your teeth with the water in Puerto Vallarta?
- Yes. But drink bottled water or water that is filtered specifically for drinking.
- Do they speak English in Puerto Vallarta?
- Most people in the tourism industry in PV speak English. Many menus at popular restaurants are in English and you’ll have no problem getting around the city with little to no Spanish.
- Do you tip waiters in Puerto Vallarta?
- Yes. 15-20% is the norm.
- What is the best currency to use in Puerto Vallarta?
- You can often pay with USD – but I highly recommend getting the local currency, Mexican Pesos.
Related Posts
So there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this guide to fun and unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta. PV is such a fun city – and one that is definitely worth the trip. It’s a great destination for vacations and digital nomad life.
If you have any questions, or anything to add to this post, let me know in the comments. Be sure you’re also following us on Instagram for tons of tips, guides and travel inspiration, @twosistersabroad.
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♡Kate
Note: This guide unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
I LOVE the idea of a taco tour and an art class. So many great things to do.
I love Mexico! And it’s been a few years since I’ve been to Puerto Vallarta. Would love to do that taco tour especially.
Great tips – we’ve been a few time and couldn’t find any recommendations that weren’t the usual ones.