Puerto Vallarta is a picturesque, vibrant resort city situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. It is well-known for its rich and traditional Mexican charm blended with modern tourism-focused luxury. Puerto Vallarta offers beautiful beaches, framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay. You can also walk down the city’s cobblestone streets, and along the coastline to fully experience its charm.

Puerto Vallarta neighbourhoods to check out:

• The Malecón – This mile-long pedestrian boardwalk is a staple of the city. Bustling along the downtown waterfront, it is filled with picture-worthy statues, street performers and food vendors, all along beautiful ocean views.

• El Centro (Downtown) – This is the most historic neighbourhood of the city, featuring traditional cobblestone streets, red-tiled roofs, and one of the most well-known city landmarks, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe).

• Zona Romántica (Old Town) – It’s right there in the name, really. This seafront zone, located south of the Cuale River, is the trendy place to be, particularly for nightlife. Bustling bars, shops and a wide variety of restaurants make it one of the best neighbourhoods to stay in, particularly for a longer vacation.
• Marina Vallarta – Located north of Downtown, it is considered, by far, the most sophisticated area of the city. Resort-style atmosphere, yacht marina and golf clubs are but a few upscale features this district has to offer.

Outside of the usual sightseeing activities, Puerto Vallarta has an abundance of experiences on offer, to name a few.

Top attractions and things to do in Puerto Vallarta:

• Snorkelling and Scuba Diving – take a boat ride to giant granite rock formations within Los Arcos National Marine Park, to see colourful Mexican sea life within this protected sanctuary, whether you’re snorkelling, diving, kayaking or paddleboarding.
• Beach relaxation – Check out the most famous beach in the heart of the town, called Playa de los Muertos.
• Whale watching – A chance to see humpback whales between the months of December and March.
• Coastal towns – Visit Yelapa and/or Majahuitas by water taxi, to enjoy the more laid-back vibe of these coastal towns.
• Ziplines and ATVs – Head into the jungle for an adrenaline-filled, fun day of crossing river beds or zooming across canyons and canopies.
• Sunset cruise – For a romantic spark, you can sail to a private, candlelit beach cove at Las Caletas, where you’ll enjoy a buffet dinner with outdoor entertainment.
• Hiking – Climb up to Hill of the Cross Viewpoint for a 360-degree panoramic view of the bay below.

All of those activities got you hungry? Don’t leave Puerto Vallarta without trying its local Ceviche Vallarta – featuring minced or ground fish, mixed with lime juice, carrots, cilantro and onions, all served atop a tostada. Another noteworthy seafood dish is Pescado Zarandeado and Embarazado, and for those looking for something meaty, there are Birria Tacos, Tacos al Pastor, and Pozole. Down it with Tubas (fermented palm tree sap drink) or Raicilla (the region’s traditional agave spirit).

If you’re like me and don’t exactly have that much time in the city, you can combine some of the activities for an all-around excursion, especially as part of a cruise vacation, including all of your favourite things. In my case, Culture, Tequila and Food.

As part of a ‘Mexican cooking class experience’ cruise shore excursion, which started off with the Puerto Vallarta city tour, I had the pleasure of visiting a nearby all-inclusive resort nestled in the middle of the Sierra Madre Mountains, called La Dulce Vista. Outside of the villas you can rent and stay in, the resort also offers tours and experiences such as horseback riding, hot springs, river tubing, and an activity which I signed up for, a cooking class with tequila tasting.

The amazingly talented and friendly staff teach you to create some of the local dishes, surrounded by stunning views all around, and unlimited margaritas flowing. I had an opportunity to prepare, using fresh ingredients, a molcajete Mexican salsa – a chunky, roasted salsa prepared in a volcanic stone mortar, made from charred tomatoes, hot peppers and garlic, with a squeeze of lime juice. I also got to make guacamole and chicken enchiladas.

Following this delicious, hands-on experience, we continued with mezcal and tequila tasting, all of it of La Dulce Vista’s own production! They tasted so good, I couldn’t help myself and bought a few mini bottles to bring home with me from their shop.

After all this, you get an opportunity to avail of the resort’s amenities such as the swimming pool, hot tubs, gardens and the leisure furniture. All of this makes this excursion perfectly rounded – blending the Mexican culture and the relaxation in a Puerto Vallarta’s signature style!

Have you had the chance to explore the wonderful beauty of Puerto Vallarta? I’d love to hear which exciting activities you would recommend or can’t wait to experience! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!