Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Beautiful beaches, lush jungles, sparkling waterfalls… with so much on offer for all ages, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s top family vacation destinations. Especially during the summer months, when lower prices and fewer tourists make this city by the sea the perfect playground for families.
If you are looking to explore on your own, the city’s downtown area is a great place to begin, and taking in the sights on foot is the best way to see some of the marvelous things Puerto Vallarta has to offer, from historical churches and museums to modern shops and art galleries.
Along the Malecón, a considerably more than one mile long boardwalk that stretches from Hidalgo Park at the north end to Los Muertos Beach at the south end, you will find enough things to see and do to keep everyone fascinated for (at least) a day. Strolling along the promenade, one passes numerous whimsical sculptures and tons of restaurants with plenty of window seats to watch the passerby’s and enjoy the views. In the evenings and on the weekends, the stretch that runs through downtown comes alive with musicians, artists, and local vendors selling all types of food, merchandise and fun souvenirs for kids.
The Isla Rio Cuale, reached by the stairs that lead down from either bridge over the river, is a charming spot; its natural beauty, cultural offerings, shops and restaurants make it one of the most visited places in town. As you wander along, you’ll find vendor stands and tiny shops overflowing with all kinds of colorful Mexican crafts. It is also home to several excellent restaurants where you can relax over a drink or lunch while listening to the water rush over the rocks and, if you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the iguana that live in the trees that shade the river.
What’s more fun than spending a day at the beach with the entire family? The Puerto Vallarta area offers 26 miles of beautiful beaches along picturesque Banderas Bay, set on the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Kids can enjoy playing on the sand, building sand castles, playing ball, or throwing frisbees, or simply enjoy the clear waters of the ocean. Numerous other activities are also available, including jet skiing and parasailing.
At Vallarta Botanical Garden, hundreds of collections of native tropical plants such as orchids, anthuriums, agaves as well as colorful flowering trees are to be found on meandering jungle pathways. Explore the Orchid Conservatory to learn the story about the native vanilla orchid, cacao (the chocolate plant), and coffee. Swimming amongst the giant boulders in the crystalline spring-fed river within the garden ground is an unforgettable experience. See a real Mexican country kitchen where handmade tortillas are prepared in the traditional way to be served to you in the Garden’s famous Hacienda de Oro Restaurant. A day’s worth of activities for just $200 pesos entrance fee, your best vacation value.
If you are looking for a guided tour, there are many sightseeing excursions and cultural tours to choose from. Here are the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board’s top activities for families to enjoy:
Canopy Tours: A favorite with both parents and children, canopy tours are an exciting way to see and learn about the varied tropical flora and fauna of the rain forest surrounding Puerto Vallarta. The adrenaline mounts as one rides from treetop to treetop, hovering over the canopy of the lush vegetation of the Sierra Madre Mountains. The scenery and bird life is spectacular from this truly privileged vantage point.
A Day at a Traditional Mexican Ranch: An educational experience for the entire family, learning about life on a traditional Mexican ranch will make for a memorable vacation. The small town environment allows for interacting with the locals as well as an immersion into their local customs and traditions. Some ranches also offer tours on horseback, by motorbike or hikes through surrounding ecosystems. Guests also have the opportunity to savor some of the Mexican delicacies prepared at the ranch, where meals are often cooked in traditional Mexican kitchens.
Horseback Riding: Exploring the lush vegetation on the jungle and mountain trails around Puerto Vallarta on horseback is a fun adventure for the entire family. Various ranches around town offer horseback riding tours. Typical routes take riders along rivers, waterfalls, canyons and picturesque mountaintop villages that offer spectacular views of the bay and the town of Puerto Vallarta below. Refreshing waterfalls allow for a well-deserved break where riders can go for a swim under cool cascades. Horseback rides are not recommended for children under 10 years of age.
Swimming with Dolphins in the Wild: Visit with dolphins in their natural environment and participate in a research project that helps understand and protect dolphins. Interact with a Bottle-nose pod with professional biologists who will share their knowledge on this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Go on a treasure hunt with Pirates: Puerto Vallarta’s Pirate Ship is an all-day cruise featuring an exciting pirate show with acrobatics, sword fighting and cannons blasting. Activities for the whole family include dancing, games, contests, water sports like kayaking, banana boats, snorkeling, beach volleyball and buried treasure hunts.
Mexican Fiestas: An introduction to popular Mexican culture for the entire family, Mexican fiestas are held weekly in various hotels and restaurants with fun-filled activities for everyone including dancing, games and competitions accompanied by extensive buffets of traditional Mexican food and drink.
In short, if you are looking for the perfect summer getaway, Puerto Vallarta has something for everyone in your family to enjoy.