Day trip · Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Puerto Vallarta
Malecón strolls, Old Town and the bay's biggest nightlife
Puerto Vallarta is the big city on Banderas Bay, just across the state line in Jalisco. It mixes a lively oceanfront boardwalk, a historic downtown with cobblestone streets, the cafés and galleries of the Zona Romántica (Old Town) and green mountains rising behind it all.
Things to do
- Walk the Malecón boardwalk, ideally late afternoon, to see the public sculptures and the sunset
- Visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its crown-topped tower
- Cross the Río Cuale to Isla Cuale's craft market
- Explore the Zona Romántica: galleries, boutiques, Los Muertos Beach and the pier
- Eat your way along Basilio Badillo street and the downtown taco stands
- Take a boat to Los Arcos for snorkeling, or a sunset sail
- Go zip-lining or on a jungle tour in the hills south of town
- Browse the municipal market for souvenirs and local snacks
Nightlife
This is the bay's nightlife capital. The Malecón stays busy in the evening with street performers and food vendors, and the Zona Romántica has a dense, walkable mix of rooftop bars, live music, dance clubs and a well-known LGBTQ+ scene. Things build slowly: dinner around 7–8 PM, bars filling up after 10.
Where it is
Visit Puerto Vallarta with Julio
Private day trip with hotel pickup, at your pace. Tell Julio your dates and group size.
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Travel times are approximate and depend on traffic and stops. Seasonal activities vary by year.