Located on the coast of Mexico's Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is a resort town full of restaurants, boutique shops, and water sports. The downtown district is full of cobblestones, ornate churches, and contemporary sculptures.
Mirador de la Cruz del Cerro
Located on Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez Street, the Mirador de la Cruz is a beautiful lookout in Puerto Vallarta. The view of the Bay of Banderas is spectacular and the 360deg view of the city and the Pacific Ocean is breathtaking. The views are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
The hike to the top of the Mirador takes about twenty minutes. You will need to have sturdy shoes for the trek and water. If you're not in good physical shape, you may not be able to make it to the top. However, the views are worth the effort.
Aside from the views, the lookout is a great place for nature lovers and photographers. It is the perfect location for jogging and aerobics. If you want to catch the sunrise or sunset, it's best to go there early.
If you plan on spending the day at the lookout, it's a good idea to bring along snacks and a bottle of water. You'll want to bring bug spray as well.
The Mirador de la Cruz in Puerto Vallarta is a popular attraction for tourists. It's a free activity and it's easy to get to if you know the streets. If you do not want to spend money on a taxi, you can walk the twenty to forty-minutes up the hill. You can also take a cable car to reach the top.
Papantla Pole Flyers
Papantla Pole Flyers are a fascinating ritual from a Pre-Columbian Mexico. It is said that the flyers are a means of asking the gods for rain, and a way to avert a drought. These flying men, also known as voladores, are a part of a 900-year old ritual performed by the Totonaca tribe.
This ancient ritual is practiced in many communities in central Mexico. A group of voladores climb a pole and spin upside down until they land on the ground. They then perform a traditional dance. The costumes are decorated with hand needlework, beadwork, and a lot of symbolism.
The Flyers of Papantla are a unique and fascinating attraction in Puerto Vallarta. They are the best-known performers in the town, and they are a must-see. These performers wear colorful garb and perform a stunning aerial show. They make thirteen revolutions around a pole while descending. The number thirteen is symbolic, because it represents the 52 weeks of the year.
The flyers are accompanied by a master spinner who plays music from the top of the pole. The other dancers dance in a circular fashion while wearing traditional garb. They also have a white shirt, which symbolizes the purity of human spirit. The colors of the ribbons on their cone hat are symbolic of the rainbow.
Butterfly sanctuary
Located just down the street from Walmart and next to a disc golf course, this Butterfly sanctuary in Puerto Vallarta offers a unique experience. In addition to the numerous varieties of butterflies, you can also stroll around a magical garden adorned with colorful exotic flowers.
Aside from being the home of more than 3,000 free-roaming butterflies, the Butterfly Sanctuary in Puerto Vallarta also offers tours, educational demonstrations, and a cool greenhouse filled with local plants. The facility is open seven days a week, from 6 am to 6 pm.
The main attraction of the Butterfly Sanctuary is the chance to observe butterflies at close range. It's not uncommon to see as many as three thousand butterflies flying around at once. You can also take a self-guided tour. The tour includes a photo opportunity.
The main reason people visit the facility is to catch a glimpse of the elusive Monarch butterfly. These are some of the rarest and most sought after insects in the world. Aside from their fluttering abilities, they also store a chemical in their milkweed leafy plant to give them a powerful defense against predators.
The facility also provides green leafy food plants for caterpillars, so they aren't as vulnerable to predators. You can even release a newborn butterfly, a truly novel experience.
Rhythms of the Night performance
Rhythms of the Night is one of the most popular nighttime activities in Puerto Vallarta. Aside from being a super impressive show, it is also a great time for you and your group to have some fun.
Rhythms of the Night takes place in an outdoor amphitheater on Las Caletas Island. This is a great day trip from Puerto Vallarta. The island is home to a private beach where you can relax and soak up the sun. The boat ride to the island is about an hour. The trip will cost you around $300 pesos.
Unlike other nighttime tours, Rhythms of the Night is a truly immersive experience. The ambiance is reminiscent of a Cirque du Soleil performance, with music, dance and acrobatics. This show is perfect for couples or a large group of friends. It will leave you with a new appreciation of the wonders of the Mexican culture.
The Rhythms of the Night experience includes an open bar on the cruise. It is an all-inclusive event. A buffet dinner is also included. It is recommended that you arrive at the marina at least 45 minutes before the tour begins. You should also bring a hand fan and bug spray.
Islas Marietas
Located just off the coast of Mexico, the Islas Marietas are a group of small islands. The Mexican government protects them as part of the national park. They are home to hundreds of seabirds and marine life. The most famous bird of the islands is the blue footed boobie. They are only found in a few places in the world.
The Islas Marietas are located in the Bay of Banderas. They were formed by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. The resulting beaches are filled with lush greenery and provide a beautiful backdrop for photos.
The best time to visit the Islas Marietas is during the winter months. The humpback whales give birth during this season. The waters are clear and the visibility is great. You will also be able to see dolphins and other marine life.
The island is composed of dozens of rocky outcroppings. The beach is covered by a cavern roof that floods it with sunlight.
The waters of the Marietas are home to many types of coral and reef fish. You can take a guided tour of the island to see these amazing sea creatures. You may also get the chance to see a sea turtle.
Canopy tour
Taking a canopy tour in Puerto Vallarta is one of the best ways to get your adrenaline pumping while exploring the beauty of the area. There are many different options to choose from, and each has its own unique set of attractions.
Canopy tours can range from half a mile to more than six miles in length, with some of them reaching speeds of more than 100 km/h. For thrill-seekers, the Original Canopy, River Puerto Vallarta Tour is the way to go. It includes the most popular zipline in the city, along with other fun and adventure activities.
There are also more extreme options, including a zip line that reaches 328 feet above the ground. The Monster Zip, however, isn't exactly a walk in the park.
The eco-friendly option includes 14 fast moving rides and slides, including a water slide. The tour also includes a kayak, which makes it a great family activity.
For those of you looking to spend a day in the wild, there is the Private ATV Adventure, which includes a tour of the jungle, meeting squirrel monkeys, and more. The ride itself is beautiful, and the scenery is quite impressive.
In addition, there is the Los Veranos Canopy Tour, which is the largest canopy tour in the world. It has the highest number of zip lines, and offers spectacular views of the Mexican jungle.
Hotels and resorts
Whether you are looking for a romantic retreat or a family vacation, Puerto Vallarta has a wide selection of hotels and resorts. These properties are all equipped with top-notch accommodations and exceptional family amenities.
The most luxurious hotels and resorts in Puerto Vallarta include the Hotel Mousai, Villa Mercedes Petit, and Garza Blanca Preserve. Each has a rooftop infinity pool, expansive terraces, and sweeping views of the bay. The suites also have chic, modern furniture and rockstar-level sex appeal.
The all-inclusive accommodations at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta offer authentic Latin American flavors. The rooms are decorated with plum colors and marble floors. The hotel also offers kayaking, a traditional thatch-roofed palapa, and massages. The property is LGBTQ-friendly and the owners' grandmother once owned the place.
The Marriott Marriott Resort is situated right on the Marina Beach and features an infinity pool. The resort also offers 270 tequilas and a sea turtle hatchery. Its spa offers a hydrotherapy circuit. In addition, the resort has a sea turtle release program. It also has a kids' club and a teens' club. The property has a private beach and is located within the Marina Vallarta Golf Club.
The all-inclusive accommodations at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa include two free-form infinity pools, hammocks, and full kitchens in each suite. The property is also near the Botanical Gardens and Los Arcos Park.
