The Most Unique Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta [Updated May 2024]
During our stay in Puerto Vallarta, we took a lot of time to explore unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta. On most trips, Urmi and I prefer to seek out hiking and/or scuba diving opportunities. Since we already spent most of 2022 on hiking excursions, we switched it up for this trip to find other activities.
This post isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list of things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Rather, it is a list of activities that would have unique experiences in Puerto Vallarta. So for example, while other blogs may recommend you go shopping, we believe that wouldn’t provide an experience that is unique to Puerto Vallarta. On the other hand, while scuba diving is prevalent in many parts of the world, the experience is unique to every single dive site!
A special highlight of this trip was the migration of humpback whales through the region during the winter months. As you may guess, the water is much colder for scuba divers during the winter. But the spectacle on the surface is amazing! We did a special whale watching tour to take advantage.
Of course, we would be remiss if we excluded information on the vibrant nightlife scene. Urmi and I do enjoy exploring nightlife when we travel, and like to share what we learn with our amazing readers!
The Most Unique Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta
Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta: Water Sports
Scuba Diving
As a serious scuba diver, I enthusiastically seek out scuba diving experiences wherever and whenever I can find a dive shop. Puerto Vallarta has many dive shops, most going to only a few dive sites.
I usually vet dive shops to find out if the shop is going to a site suited primarily for beginner scuba divers. Don’t get me wrong–I was a beginner once too! The reason is that beginner-friendly sites tend to have dozens (if not hundreds) of divers at the same site, every single day. Depending on the location, this can mean damaged reefs, sandy waters, and nonexistent marine life. Even if the underwater sites aren’t damaged, it usually results in an unenjoyable dive for me, because the water has too many divers in it. (I always say that if I want to be around that many people, I’ll just hang out in Manhattan!)
Unfortunately, the dive shops going to advanced sites were booked solid. I was lucky to get a spot on a wreck dive at Princesa. The visibility was horrible–maybe 20 feet max–and even with my dive light, I got lost toward the end of the dive.
After Princesa, we dived Los Arcos, a common beginner’s site for dive shops in Puerto Vallarta. Because we had left earlier in the morning than most other shops, the site was not yet too crowded. The dive guide showed us a cool area filled with eagle rays! I enjoyed this dive site a bit more.
Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta: Overall Thoughts
Ultimately, Puerto Vallarta isn’t exactly a world-renowned dive site, and based on my personal experience, I think their reputation (or lack thereof) is justified. I would rate the diving a 3/10. Nevertheless, I am glad I took a day to go enjoy the diving. I also do believe that some of the other dive sites may have more to offer, especially as you travel farther away from the shore. I’ll have to try again on another trip!
Whale Watching Tours (winter only)
Having seen a humpback whale underwater during a dive in Gorgona, Colombia in July 2019, I am eternally optimistic I’ll find another one in the water during a dive! However, that didn’t happen during this trip to Puerto Vallarta 😉 Researching for my scuba trip, I heard it was the right season for humpback whales to migrate through the region.
Urmi and I found a whale watching tour and got lucky enough to get this picture! Needless to say, the experience is far greater than the picture itself. We’d highly recommend checking out a whale watching tour if you’re in Puerto Vallarta during the winter months.
Sunset Cruise
Another great option for those who want to exploit the beautiful water is a sunset cruise! We took the cruise offered by Journey Vallarta Tours. They did an outstanding job!
We found a mix of families with kids, adult families, couples, solo travelers, and groups of friends. Everyone–adults and kids–had a great time.
Music included popular American songs and reggaeton. The music volume was at a good level to dance, while still being able to have conversations with others.
The ticket included an open bar. Our bartender did a great job during the trip!
Insider Info: I’ve been on a lot of sunset cruises, and this one definitely moved faster than any other I’ve ever sailed on. If you usually get seasick, take some pills in advance! Even if not, be aware that most people struggled to stand up at some points due to the speed of the boat.
Other Water Sports
Urmi and I didn’t have an opportunity to try any other water sports, but there is no shortage of these! Here’s a short list of other water sports you can find in Puerto Vallarta:
- Snorkeling
- Jet Skiing
- Parasailing
- Sportfishing
That being said, if water sports are high on your priority list, these are all great things to do in Belize as well!
Did I miss any? Leave a comment below!
Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta: Nightlife
Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife scene doesn’t have the size or liveliness boasted by other popular Mexican cities. However, there are many bars and restaurants worth highlighting! Below are the bars that we visited; we used this resource from Goats on the Road for other options, if our taste isn’t quite up your alley 🥂
Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta’s La Malecón
Terrazzo House Music
Terrazzo House Music plays (you guessed it) house music! The drinks, including bottles, were inexpensive. The venue serves food as well. The music wasn’t too loud, leading to an environment more conducive to talking rather than dancing. We were there at about 10 pm; it’s possible that later at night the music gets louder for a more dance-oriented scene.
Señor Frogs
A well-known spot for anyone who’s been to Mexico’s tourist destinations! While of course a touristy venue, we chose to spend our New Year’s Eve party here and the venue did not disappoint. The downstairs has a restaurant area (kids allowed), while the upstairs is their club section (no kids allowed).
Bottles for New Year’s Eve were inexpensive. Urmi and I are not normally the types to get bottle service, but it made financial sense for us to do it in light of their prices. (Having a reserved table on a crowded night turned out to be a great decision.)
Of course, Señor Frogs is a tourist-oriented venue, which may not be what many folks want.
Insider Tip: Check the menu’s fine print regarding your drink size before you order, if not getting a bottle. The amount of alcohol is the same; only the mixer amount changes!
Murphy’s
Murphy’s is your standard Irish pub. They had a decent selection of scotch and tequila, all reasonably priced. Food is served as well. A live rock band performs on weekends. The bar was quite crowded on Friday night, but when we dropped by again on Sunday (New Year’s Day), the bar was quiet.
El Colibri
El Colibri is a cocktail bar. I dropped by with some Mexican domestic tourists I met at the resort and tasted a number of tequilas presented to us by the bartender. I found that the bartender was knowledgeable, and like other bars, the prices were very reasonable! There was a DJ playing on Sunday night, with music at a level that was still conducive to talking.
I’d highly recommend checking out El Colibri!
Bar Morelos Mezcaleria
We stepped into this venue briefly on December 30 to get some information on their New Year’s Eve packages. This was far and away the most expensive option, requiring several hundred dollars on top of our alcohol purchases to reserve a table. Bar Morelos had 2 floors and probably the best music of the venues we explored (mostly house music).
Be aware, this is the type of venue that will pat you down before allowing you to enter the bar. They also enforce a dress code.
Late Night Food
Of course, no late night of drinking is complete without finding some food. We found 2 pizza shops, Pizza Metro and Como Pizza. Only Pizza Metro had vegetarian options, so we ended up eating there and found the pizza to be good.
Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone
As you’re probably guessing, the Hotel Zone is primarily filled with hotels. But there was one notable venue we kept driving by…
Monkey Business
Since we were staying at Melia Puerto Vallarta, in order to get to La Malecón, we had to drive by a restaurant called Monkey Business. We did this several times for our first few days on the trip, and curiosity finally got the better of us!
Monkey Business is very clearly a tourist-oriented establishment. They have a large menu with food (including a reasonable selection of vegetarian options), and of course, they serve drinks as well. Hookah is available if that suits your interest. The music is loud and the venue definitely has a party atmosphere (by restaurant standards). Live music and karaoke happen every night, and there was even a conga line the second time we went.
I’m not normally one for tourist-oriented venues, but Monkey Business won me over! I wouldn’t describe it as an essential part of a Puerto Vallarta trip, but if you’re curious, definitely give it a try.
Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone
My experience in the Romantic Zone was only brief, as I walked through following my scuba trip. This zone is the area’s primary LGBT-focused neighborhood, and sure enough, LGBT-themed bars and restaurants abound.
I didn’t have a chance to go visit any of the venues in this area, however it was clear from the amount of traffic I saw on Google Maps every night that this was probably the most lively neighborhood when it comes to nightlife.
Final Thoughts on Things To Do in Puerto Vallarta
If you’re vacationing in Puerto Vallarta, there’s no doubt you’ll want to check out activities outside of your resort. I’ve highlighted some of the amazing, unique experiences we tried.
Have you been to Puerto Vallarta? What do you think are some unique things to do in Puerto Vallarta that I missed? Leave a comment below!