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Puerto Vallarta is a popular Mexican beach resort that rivals the ever-popular Cancun with its gorgeous golden sands, impeccable ocean views, and charming traditional architecture. There’s a host of popular attractions, beaches, and scenic spots to enjoy in this area of Jalisco.Â
However, if you prefer to wander off the beaten path on your travels, you might be looking for travel tips that focus on the city’s lesser-known attractions and unique things to do. Here are 24 hidden gems in Puerto Vallarta to add to your sightseeing itinerary.
1. TierraLuna Gardens
- Address: Carretera a Barra de Navidad Km. 7.5 48390 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: tierralunagardens.com
- Opening Hours: 7 am – 10.30 pm daily
TierraLuna Gardens are perched on the rugged mountainside and offer incredible views of the Sierra Madre jungle. Wander through lush botanical gardens featuring exotic plant species, and enjoy shopping and gourmet cuisine at the on-site boutiques and restaurants. There’s also a charming family carousel that the kids are bound to love.
2. Los Arcos Amphitheater
Los Arcos Amphitheater can be found on the renowned Malecon boardwalk that lies along the oceanfront of Centro and the Romantic Zone. It’s a set of four stone arches that are regularly used for live music and theater performances, and they also serve as a beautiful backdrop for the sunset over Banderas Bay.
A stroll down the Malecon is easily one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, just be sure you add in a stop at Los Arcos.
3. Naval History Museum
- Address: C. Zaragoza 4, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: visit-vallarta.com/discover/landmarks/naval-history-museum
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday
The Naval History Museum resides in a colonial-style building that was once the Port Authority Office, the Navy Hospital, and then the Navy HQ. It now houses a permanent collection of documents, maps, paintings, photos, and scale models to showcase the fascinating history of the Mexican Navy.
4. Nuevo Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit
Nuevo Vallarta, recently renamed Nuevo Nayarit, is a sophisticated resort town that lies just over the Jalisco border in Nayarit. You can drive there or take a water taxi from Los Muertos Beach in downtown Puerto Vallarta.
There are many luxurious all-inclusive resorts here — many of which offer day passes so you can use their swimming pools, spa facilities, golf courses, and private beaches. Venture further along Riviera Nayarit to find more beautiful golden-sand beaches and charming towns and villages, such as Bucerias, La Cruz Huanacaxtle, Punta de Mita, and Sayulita.
5. Cuale Archaeological Museum
- Address: Isla de los Niños del RĂo Cuale s/n Centro, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: mexicoescultura.com/recinto/55857/en/cuale-museum.html
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Tuesday to Saturday / 9 am – 5 pm Sunday
This small but jam-packed museum boasts a huge range of artifacts dating from between 400 BC and 1200 CE. Included in the displays are pre-Columbian figurines, treasures from Aztatlán and Purépecha cultures, and crafts from the indigenous Huichol tribe.
6. Jorullo Bridge
Jorullo Bridge is Latin America’s longest suspension bridge, and it stretches across the Cuale River and a large section of tropical jungle. Its walkway is constructed from wooden planks; you can feel the bridge gently bounce beneath your feet as you walk across it.
A fun way to explore this area is to take an ATV tour along the cobblestone road that leads to the bridge. You can reach Jorullo Bridge by car in 40 minutes, but be sure to drop by Mirador Cerro de la Cruz on the way for incredible views.
7. Splash Water Park
- Address: Tepic – Puerto Vallarta, Jacarandas, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit
- Website: splashvallarta.com
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily
Splash Water Park is a fantastic day out for families. There are several pools, water slides, and lazy rivers to enjoy, as well as a zipline, a playground, an aquarium, and sports courts. There are also opportunities to meet dolphins, sea lions, and sharks.
8. Sayulita Cemetery
- Address: 63728 Sayulita, Nayarit
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily
Cementerio de Sayulita is a small, beautiful resting place that lies on a hillside next to Playa de los Muertos (the beach of the dead). It’s a unique, serene cemetery with colorful, ornate graves.
9. ‘El Buzo’
The Nayarit town of Bucarias was once renowned for its divers who would search for pearls on the ocean floor, often without scuba equipment. ‘El Buzo’ (‘The Diver’) is a bronze sculpture dedicated to the town’s history. It’s based on the image of RamĂłn Barraza, who dived for oysters and pearls in the area for 40 years.
10. El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary
- Address: BucerĂas Carretera Puerto Vallarta-Tepic BucerĂas, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit
- Website: santuariodecocodriloselcora.com
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Sunday
This animal sanctuary specializes in the conservation of crocodiles in its expanse of mangroves. Many other animals are protected and rehabilitated here, including turtles, boars, squirrels, and macaws. For the best experience, book a private tour to see the crocodiles with a knowledgeable guide — it’s worth every peso!
11. Versalles
Versalles is an up-and-coming neighborhood that lies between Marina Vallarta and Centro and is where you can find a great mix of trendy restaurants and boutiques that aren’t too touristy. If you want a taste of local life and a break from the bustle of the Romantic Zone and Centro, spend a few hours exploring Versalles.
12. Costalegre
Costalegre (Coast of Joy) is a stretch of Pacific coastline that runs from the southern end of Puerto Vallarta down towards Manzanillo. There are quaint fishing villages, luxurious resorts, hidden beaches and coves, and exceptional viewing points along the way. If you’ll be renting a car and fancy a day trip out of the city, hit the open road of the Coast of Joy and see where you end up.
13. Mar y Vino Rooftop Pool Restaurant
- Address: Manuel M. Dieguez 106, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: en.maryvino.com
- Opening Hours: 8 am – 11 pm daily
Mar y Vino (Sea and Wine) is a quirky restaurant with some of its tables set up in an outdoor swimming pool on a rooftop terrace. Sip margaritas and eat delicious seafood while dipping your toes in the pool and watching the sunset.
14. ‘La Rotonda del Mar’
‘La Rotonda del Mar’ (The Rotunda by the Sea) is a series of eight unusual bronze throne sculptures topped with impressionistic sea creatures. It’s a surreal installation on the otherwise idyllic Malecon boardwalk and makes a great photo opportunity.
15. Iguana Bridge
Iguana Bridge connects River Cuale Island with an exclusive neighborhood known as Gringo Gulch where many big-name Hollywood stars have escaped on peaceful vacations over the years. The bridge gets its name from its green tiles which give it an iguana-like appearance.
16. Lazaro Cardenas Park
- Address: Pino Suárez, 48380, Venustiano Carranza y, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: www.tileparkpv.com
Lazaro Cardenas Park is a small public park in the Romantic Zone that has recently been revamped into a colorful oasis with the help of Natasha Moraga’s vibrant mosaic designs. There are stories, messages, secrets, and hidden meanings scattered all over the park’s beautifully decorated walls, benches, and planters.
Zona Romantica is one of the top attractions in Puerto Vallarta but be sure to stop by the park while you’re exploring the neighborhood.
17. Taco Bike Food Tour
One of the best ways to sample authentic Mexican street food in Puerto Vallarta is to take a Taco Bike Food Tour. The 4.5-mile route passes through the likes of Old Town, Malecon, and Muertos Pier, with enough stops along the way for you to try seven regional dishes washed down with local craft beer.
18. Alternative Walking Adventures
Puerto Vallarta Walking Adventures provides walking tours with a difference, and they’re perfect for travelers who want to enjoy a workout as they see the sights.Â
The Waterfall & Jungle Hike follows a tropical trail incorporating river crossings and natural swimming pools. The Boca to Las Animas Hike sets out from the pretty beach village of Boca de Tomatlan and winds through the jungle to Las Animas where you can give parasailing or horseback riding a try.
19. Café de Altura La Quinta Mary Coffee Tasting
- Address: Gral Aguirre 110, San Sebastián del Oeste Centro, 46990 San Sebastián del Oeste, Jal., Mexico
- Website: facebook.com/cafe.laquinta.5grcion
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm Monday to Saturday / 10 am – 6 pm Sunday
San Sebastian Del Oeste is a beautiful village nestled high in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The altitude up here creates the perfect environment for Altura coffee trees to thrive.
You can taste the finished product when you visit Café de Altura on La Quinta Mari farm. Ask for their secret coffee recipe which blends cinnamon, chocolate, and sugar with the ground coffee.
20. El Pitillal
Puerto Vallarta is a highly touristic city, and it can be tricky to experience authentic Mexican culture here. One of the lesser-known ways to get a taste of real life in Mexico is to take a trip out to the working-class neighborhood of El Pitillal. You’ll find authentic tamales, gorditas, and pastries here, plus many bars, eateries, and stores where you can converse with locals.
21. Rancho Verano Distileria de Tequila
- Address: Juntas y Veranos Av. Coapinole 115, Centro, 48400 Jalisco
- Website: ranchoverano.com.mx
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
Rancho Verano is one of the best places in Puerto Vallarta to do a tequila tasting. You’ll learn about the production process before sampling a range of products made by this family-owned distillery.
22. Luxury Yacht Tours
Marina Vallarta is where some of the world’s most expensive and luxurious yachts can be seen moored up, and if you want a taste of the high life consider booking a luxury yacht boat ride. It’s also one of the best areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta.
Several boat tour companies operate here, and you can either join a public tour or, if you’re feeling flush, charter a private yacht for a few hours. Many tours stop off at islands and beach towns along the coastline, such as Islas Marietas Islands, Yelapa, Mismaloya, and The National Marine Park. Some tours also include watersports like kayaking, snorkeling, and fishing.
23. El Eden
- Address: Clemente Orozco S/N-Int. 7, Zona Hotelera, Las Glorias, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: canopyeleden.mx
- Opening Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily
El Eden is the jungle paradise where the renowned Arnold Schwarzenegger film ‘Predator’ was filmed in the 80s. Walk and zipline through the canopies that surround the Mismaloya River, and take a dip in the area’s natural waterfalls and rock pools.
24. Jardin Magico Butterfly Sanctuary
- Address: C. Golondrina 60, Campo Verde, 48290 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Website: jardinmagico.mx
- Opening Hours: 10 am – 3 pm daily
One of the best ways to see some of Mexico’s immensely diverse flora and fauna is by visiting Jardin Magico’s Butterfly Sanctuary. There’s a huge array of butterfly species here and you’ll learn a great deal about the conservation work that takes place to protect native wildlife.
Which Puerto Vallarta Hidden Gems Will You Discover?
No matter if you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta for the first time or you’re a regular in this tropical town, there are plenty of fascinating hidden gems to discover. Which of these secret sites will you check out on your vacation?
