Puerto Vallarta is a vibrant, sunny city set on the shores of Mexico’s coastline. It’s well known for its amazing beaches, bustling nightlife, and luxurious resorts, drawing in tourists from all over the country.
It also has numerous attractions and activities that are perfect for families planning to unwind and have an unforgettable vacation, especially with accommodations like Hilton Vallarta Riviera available. One of these attractions is Malecon, a long walkway along the coast. This place treats you to breathtaking views of Banderas Bay and mountains. You’ll see popular restaurants, beautiful beaches, and interesting street performances too.
Another famous place you’ll want to tour is the historic district, Zona Romantica. It features historic buildings with red-tile roofs and cobblestone streets. While exploring the district, you’ll be greeted by purple bougainvillea arching over streets.
The city even boasts family-friendly resorts that will keep your family entertained. You can check out this guide to feel inspired on the best all-inclusive family resorts in Puerto Vallarta.
As you plan your family getaway, consider adding some of these top things to do in Puerto Vallarta to your itinerary.
- Ride Aboard A Pirate Ship
Puerto Vallarta offers a unique cruising experience that allows families to ride aboard a real-life Spanish galleon ship and enjoy pirate-themed activities.
On board the ship, you can watch swordplay and acrobat shows and engage in fun activities, like face painting and treasure hunting, which the little ones will definitely love.
You can choose either a night or day tour or both. Most tours will allow you to cruise Banderas Bay and even visit Majahuitas Island where you can do fun activities, such as snorkeling, beach volleyball, and kayaking.
- Bask In The Sun At Mismaloya Beach
As mentioned earlier, Puerto Vallarta is famous for its pristine beaches. Popular among adults and kids, the Mismaloya Beach is one of the premier beach destinations in the city. It’s found in the southern part of Puerto Vallarta, spanning about 1,000 feet.
At this beach, kids will have a lot of fun building sandcastles or taking dips in the cool waters. Older kids who are up for some adventures will want to try all sorts of water-based activities, including stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, sailing, jet skiing, and scuba diving.
- Hang Out At Aquaventuras Park
Aside from having fun in the water and sun, you can take your family to the Aquaventuras Park. This outdoor attraction is located northwest of Puerto Vallarta and is known for its big pools, thrill rides, and animal attractions that kids of all ages will be delighted to see. It features 10 large water slides, a lazy river, and a pirate ship and offers wall climbing as well.
However, the highlight is the gentle dolphins. The water park’s program, Dolphin Encounter, comes with 40 minutes of swimming with the dolphins, a meal, and tickets to live dolphin and sea lion shows. Participating in this program will be one of many unforgettable moments during your holiday in the city.
- Join A Whale Watching Tour
Puerto Vallarta is considered one of the best places to see humpback whales and other marine animals in their natural habitat. Discovering whales will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the whole family.
Most whale watching tours have live commentary on whale ecology and provide buffet-style lunch and an open bar. Other than whales, you can expect to see bottlenose dolphins and orcas during your excursion. And if you’re lucky enough, you might spot some newborn whales.
- Check Out ChocoMuseo
Exploring ChocoMuseo will be another wonderful experience. At this museum, your family can learn all about chocolates and manufacturing, participate in workshops, and buy sweet treats.
You can enroll your kids in a fun workshop where they can make their own chocolate. You can also choose from several workshop packages, like preparing filled chocolates and flavored ganache. After the workshop, your family can rest and relish various treats from the on-site café and store.
- Enjoy The Great Outdoors At Las Animas Adventure Park
A popular adventure park, Las Animas is a wondrous place where your family can enjoy the great outdoors. You can indulge in activities, such as rock climbing, swinging on ropes, climbing through a cobweb of rope, walking on suspension bridges, and ziplining.
You can splash around here too since the park offers water-based activities that include snorkeling and sailing. What’s more, you can watch marine animals, such as manta rays and dolphins.
Takeaway
With its many beautiful attractions and exciting activities, Puerto Vallarta is an ideal family destination. You’ll discover a lot of wonders that will make you want to come back again with your favorite people, such as gorgeous beaches, water parks, and marine animals. So, be sure to include the city on your list of places to visit.
