Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay

The full Banderas Bay catchment — Puerto Vallarta's Centro and Romantic Zone, Marina Vallarta, the Marietas Islands UNESCO Biosphere, Yelapa, Sayulita on the Riviera Nayarit, the Sierra Madre tequila country, Los Arcos National Marine Park, and the day trips reachable from any Vallarta resort. Old-Mexico Pacific charm, one of Mexico's best food scenes, and humpback whale watching December through April. Ten guides live now, with weekly additions for restaurants, neighborhoods, and audience-specific itineraries.

Iconic Vallarta
Live No. 1 El Malecón The 12-block oceanfront boardwalk in downtown Puerto Vallarta — public bronze sculptures, sand artists, palapa cocktail stands, and the most-photographed sunset in Mexico's Pacific coast. Live No. 2 The Romantic Zone Puerto Vallarta's original neighborhood, south of the Cuale River — cobblestone streets, art galleries, the city's densest food scene, and the iconic Los Muertos Beach and Pier. Live No. 3 Vallarta Food Scene & Restaurants 300+ restaurants in walking distance of downtown — world-class tacos al pastor, fresh Pacific seafood, regional birria, and a fine-dining scene worth multiple evenings off the resort.
Marine Day Trips
Live No. 4 Marietas Islands & Hidden Beach A volcanic UNESCO Biosphere Reserve archipelago 22 km off Vallarta's coast, with a 100-meter sandy beach hidden inside a crater. The most photographed beach in Mexico, capped at 116 visitors per day. Live No. 5 Yelapa Beach Day Trip The boat-only fishing village on the southern shore of Banderas Bay — 45-minute panga from Vallarta, palapa lunches, a 30-meter waterfall, and the slowest-paced day trip available. Live No. 6 Los Arcos Marine Park The federally protected granite islets 8 km south of Vallarta — deep clear water, healthy reef, and the densest fish population of any accessible snorkel spot near the city. Half-day trip from Mismaloya.
Beaches & Coast
Live No. 7 Puerto Vallarta Beaches Ranked The 100-km horseshoe of Banderas Bay contains dozens of beaches. Honest ranking — Las Gemelas, Las Animas, Yelapa, Los Muertos, Mismaloya, Sayulita, Camarones, and the rest.
Wildlife & Adventure
Live No. 8 Banderas Bay Whale Watching Mid-December through late March: 350-500 humpback whales migrate to Banderas Bay. February and March deliver multi-whale breaching, mother-calf pairs, and singing males. 95%+ sighting rates at peak.
Cultural & Day Trips
Live No. 9 Sierra Madre & Tequila Country The Sierra Madre Occidental rises directly from Banderas Bay's eastern shore — colonial mountain towns, working raicilla and tequila distilleries, and rural Mexican cuisine 90 minutes inland. Live No. 10 Sayulita Day Trip A Pacific surf town 45 km north of Vallarta in the Riviera Nayarit — Pueblo Mágico, beginner surf capital of the Mexican Pacific, walkable cobblestone center with a low-key bohemian energy.
Coming Soon

More guides rolling out — Bucerías and the Riviera Nayarit beaches, Punta Mita day trips, the Mismaloya/Boca de Tomatlán southern bay loop, Tequila town day trip from Vallarta, San Pancho artist colony, plus restaurant deep-dives for Centro and Marina Vallarta, neighborhood guides, and audience-specific itineraries.

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One Vallarta property in the Vacation Club Promo portfolio — Krystal Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, walking distance to Marina Vallarta and a 10-minute taxi from El Malecón. Promotional packages from $435.

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Ready to book a stay?

The Vacation Club Promo blog covers destinations and tips. The resorts page covers the actual all-inclusive packages — under $500 for 5–7 nights at couples and family resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean.

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