Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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Puerto Vallarta Whale & Dolphin Watching Tours.
Puerto Vallarta offers many ecological wonders and adventure tours, but nothing compares to witnessing the beauty, harmony and grace of the humpback whales and wild dolphins that inhabit the Bay of Banderas. Puerto Vallarta is one of the top places in the world to view humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Each winter, you can catch a glimpse of the humpback whales as they migrate south from their arctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth in the warm, protected waters of Banderas Bay. From November to March, you can experience and learn about the massive humpback whales on several guided tours that leave every morning. Seeing these amazing mammals display grace, power and beauty through their playful behavior is one of the most amazing things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Pacific dolphins are sighted year-round and you can swim with the enchanting and gentle dolphins at the Nuevo Vallarta Dolphin Center.Puerto Vallarta Bird Watching Attractions.
With more than 300 species of birds, Puerto Vallarta offers an exceptional tourist attraction for bird watching and a true paradise for bird watchers. Tour and explore Las Marietas Islands - just off the coast of Puerto Vallarta - a bird sanctuary and one of the few places where the Blue Footed Booby nests and breeds. Sea hawks and many other birds of the oceans and estuaries inhabit or pass through these beautiful islands. [Top]Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Sport Fishing.
Puerto Vallarta offers some of the best sport fishing in the world, and anglers from around the globe try to beat last year's big catch. Spend a blissful day out on the deep blue waters of Banderas Bay and fish with an experienced captain. Join a deep sea fishing charter and cast your lines for marlin, tuna, mahi mahi, dorado, sailfish, rooster tail and red snapper. Numerous charters are available on small pangas to large trawlers with fly bridges. Bass and other freshwater fishing is also available at lakes in the Puerto Vallarta area.Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving & Snorkeling.
With beautiful coral reefs and natural attractions, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect destination for scuba diving and snorkeling adventures. Off the islands of Los Arcos, Las Marietas and Las Caletas, you can experience tropical fish, mantas, dolphins, and turtles. Explore the rock formations of Los Arcos National Marine Park's underwater caves and canyons and secluded beaches with shallows teeming with tropical fish. Discover the wildlife reserves and marine ecosystem of the Marietas Islands with its deep caverns and rugged rock architecture. Tours range from short trips to all-day excursions, and night dives can be arranged for experienced divers. [Top]Horseback Riding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
With gorgeous scenery, hillsides and valleys, Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful place for horseback riding. Take to the hills, rivers, villages and jungles by horseback, exploring the countryside with tour guides, learning the history of the area and experiencing Vallarta in a natural way. Ride a quarter horse, thoroughbred or mestizo to explore a jungle trail with orchids or catch the overspray of a waterfall. Ride alongside a picturesque river or in the verdant foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, where the panoramic views of the bay are breathtaking. In Bucerias, you can trot along the beach.Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Eco Tours.
Discover the lush green Sierra Madre Mountains in the southern part of Banderas Bay. Hike along crystal clear rivers, through canyons surrounded by exuberant vegetation and ponds where you’ll be able to swim and enjoy the scenery. Learn with guides about the wildlife and culture of this beautiful coastal region of Mexico. Other hiking tours explore the tropical forest that surrounds Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy spectacular views of the Bay and one of the most beautiful water falls in the area, all in the company of specialists that make your hike a fantastic experience. [Top]Kayaking Adventures in Puerto Vallarta.
Venture to gorgeous destinations on the Bay of Banderas on a sea kayak. Enjoy the beautiful sights and beaches while paddling along tranquil, crystal clear waters accompanied by an experienced kayak guide. Kayak tours and rentals are available for beginners and advanced kayakers.Puerto Vallarta’s Las Caletas.
Situated on Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay, Las Caletas is an exclusive tropical beach hideaway. Enjoy the most fantastic coastal scenery that Vallarta has to offer while cruising to a private cove where you will discover the wonders of the bay while kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and riding a catamaran. The underwater coves, natural reef and diverse array of brilliant sea life make this one of the finest dive sites on the Pacific coast of Mexico. The reef is home to colorful tropical fish, turtles, and mantas. On land, you can explore the surrounding forest on guided tours, relax in a hammock or have a picnic on the golden beach. [Top]Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Canopy Tours.
Exhilarating and educational, Canopy Tours are an eco-activity that guide you into Puerto Vallarta’s lush tropical rain forest and get your adrenaline flowing. Soaring along zip lines, crossing hanging bridges and rappelling to the forest floor are among Puerto Vallarta’s most exciting things to do. Speed over a river gorge on several cables, splash through streams and learn wilderness techniques while spotting exotic orchids and tropical wildlife. The tours end at a palapa bar with 80 brands of tequila and a riverside restaurant.Turtle Camp in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
From June to September, Puerto Vallarta is a breeding ground for sea turtles, and vacationers can share in the wonder of life by participating in local hotel programs to protect the turtle hatchlings in their dash to the sea. Under a starry sky, children and adults release baby turtles from buckets and applaud as the hatchlings scurry across the sand and plunge into the ocean.Photos by Mark Callanan http://www.callananphoto.com [Top]
