Heidi BucoloPuerto Vallarta is a resort city located on the west coast of Mexico. This popular port of call on Mexican Riviera cruises has plenty of activities to choose from, guaranteeing that there’s something to do for everyone. From beaches and cultural performances to authentic eats and zip line adventures, cruisers will find plenty to keep them busy during their time ashore. If you’re planning a visit to this popular spot on the Mexican Riviera, we have put together a list of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on a cruise.
The 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on a Cruise (2025)
1. Stroll the Malecón boardwalk
The Malecon is an approximately one mile long beachside boardwalk that is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops. The Malecon is a pedestrian-only area, but you can take a taxi or Uber over and request to be dropped off at the Hotel Rosita. As you stroll this area, you will certainly want to admire all the sculptures along the way. Some of the more popular statues include the Subtle Stone Eater, In Search of Reason, the Boy on the Seahorse, and Los Arcos which marks the end of this stretch. Also, be sure to capture a classic photo in front of the Puerto Vallarta sign!
Along the Malecon, there are also street performers, local artists, and the Dance of the Flyers. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is also located right off the strip. It is worthy of a visit, even if only to admire the large crown on the top of the main tower that adorns the city skyline.
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $50-$60 per person
Best For: Those who want to leisurely shop, eat, and enjoy one of Puerto Vallarta’s top destinations
Sample Tour: Exclusive Puerto Vallarta City Tour
2. Attend Rhythms of the Night
Consistently rated as the top dinner show in Puerto Vallarta, Rhythms of the Night is not to be missed during your Mexican Riviera cruise. ALMA by Rhythms of the Night is a Cirque du Soleil type performance featuring elaborate costumes, vibrant dance, and eloquent acrobatics. This visual storytelling highlights the wonders of what happens when we as humans connect with nature, animals, and the ancestral spirits of the surrounding jungle.
The excursion includes an approximately 45 minute boat ride over to Las Caletas, a secluded hideaway with tiki torches and candles to light the way. The ticket price also includes an open bar and a gourmet buffet dinner which is quite tasty. Following dinner is the show, after which you’ll be able to enjoy a nightcap and some dancing under the stars before returning to the boat and heading back to Puerto Vallarta.
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Price Range: $150-$180 per person
Best For: Visitors of all ages who love dinner and a show
Show info and tickets: Rhythms of the Night
3. Take a foodie tour
If you are a foodie, you’ll love the tours offered by Vallarta Eats. On these tours, you will get to enjoy some authentic Mexican favorites as your guide takes you to some of the best local spots in Puerto Vallarta. The most popular tour is the Signature Taco Tour. This 3.5 hour tour will take you behind the scenes on how some of the best tacos are made, including a visit to a tortilla factory. You will get to interact with locals and also learn a bit about Mexican culture in the process. This tour is offered every day and departs at 10 and 10:30 am.
Other tours are also offered on select days of the week. The Tipsy Taco Tour gives guests the opportunity to both taste AND sip their way through the Old Town. The adults-only Tasting Vallarta progressive dinner showcases some of Puerto Vallarta’s best dining beyond its famous street foods. The company even offers custom and private food tours for groups of all sizes.
Tour Duration: 2-4 hours
Price Range: $43-$129 per person
Best For: Mexican food lovers
Vallarta Eats info: Available tours
4. Book an animal encounter
If you’ve ever wanted to get up close with a sea lion, your visit to Puerto Vallarta might be the perfect time. While waist-deep in water, you will have the opportunity to interact with these creatures while doing various activities such as kisses, flipper shakes, and funny faces. The sea lions are even trained to jump over your head as you swim up to them.
If you’d prefer, you can have a very similar experience with the beautiful Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Also in waist-deep water, you can take full advantage of your interaction to pet them or sneak a dolphin kiss. During the encounter, you will also learn ways to promote the wellbeing of these creatures. Some cruise lines and tour operators even offer dolphin swim experiences.
Tour Duration: 2-3 hours
Price Range: $65-$120 per person
Best For: Animal lovers of all ages
Sample Tour: Sea Lion Encounter and Water Park
5. Enjoy a day at Las Caletas
If you are looking for some fun in the sun during your visit to Puerto Vallarta, look no further than Las Caletas. This secluded beach hideaway is located in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Only accessible by boat, this tropical locale offers cruisers the ultimate all-inclusive experience.
We understand if you want to just relax on the beach or in a shaded hammock with a cocktail in hand, but Las Caletas offers so much more to enjoy. You can take a guided nature walk to explore the flora and fauna, enjoy a mezcal tasting, or participate in a hands-on cooking class. Use of snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards is also included. There’s even a kids adventure park and a teens adventure cove including zip lines, a hillside waterslide, and animal encounters, making Las Caletas the perfect excursion for the whole family. Of course, the adults will love the open bar and gourmet lunch!
Tour Duration: 7 hours
Price Range: $130-$160 per person
Best For: Families looking for an all-inclusive experience that offers something for everyone
Tour info: Las Caletas tickets
6. Soar on a zip line adventure
If you’ve got a thirst for adventure, set off on one of the most thrilling and popular activities in Puerto Vallarta — zip lining. During this canopy adventure, you’ll start off on a short zip line to practice and get a feel for how zip lining works. Then, move up to one of 10 more adventurous lines and feel the wind in your face as you soar over tropical vegetation and even a river. The adventure park includes a racing line called Tom and Jerry, where you can reach speeds of up to 55 miles per hour as you try to beat a friend or family member to the bottom.
This adventure in the Sierra Madre mountains doesn’t end with the zip lines, either. You’ll also be able wander along trails through the woods and along the river, enjoying the various plants and animals along the way. The tour linked below also includes a stop at a restaurant by the river, where you’ll be able to grab a drink and bite to eat, as well as take a walk by the riverbank.
Tour Duration: 5 hours
Price: $140 per person
Best For: Thrill-seekers
Sample Tour: Canopy Adventure
7. Go whale watching
Depending what time of year you visit Puerto Vallarta, a whale watching tour can be a very popular excursion. If this is something you want to do, we highly recommend booking a small boat tour. A small speedboat is the perfect vessel to get you up close and personal with these creatures. These tours will take you to strategic locations in Banderas Bay, where you will be able to observe these sea mammals in their natural habitat. Further, you will learn all about them from marine biologists. Have your cameras ready to capture the whales swimming and breaching from this perfect sea-level vantage point.
Tour Duration: 3-4 hours
Price Range: $105-$135 per person
Best For: Animal and ocean lovers
Sample Tour: Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching
8. Get back to nature with the Marietas Islands Eco Adventure
Marietas Islands are a small group of uninhabited islands located just off the coast of Mexico. They have been classified as a National Wildlife Preserve and are a popular tourist attraction due to the abundance of marine life. An excursion to this teeming ecosystem will allow you to see the numerous birds, marine mammals, and fish that call this area home. Be on the lookout for manta rays, sea turtles, tropical fish, bottlenose dolphins, and blue-footed booby birds. During the winter months, you might even see some humpback whales.
You can explore the rocky shoreline, reefs, and archways while snorkeling or kayaking. Be on the lookout for the Stone Arch, Deadman’s Cave, and Hidden Beach.
Tour Duration: 5-7 hours
Price Range: $100-$140 per person
Best For: Those who love swimming and marine life
Sample Tour: Marietas Island Snorkel
9. Take a horseback ride
If you would rather stay on dry land, horseback riding is another one of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on a cruise. Most cruise lines will offer a variety of excursions like horseback riding coupled with other activities, or a sunset horseback ride. You can set off by horse on a journey through the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains with panoramic views of the countryside and other natural wonders. This excursion makes for a romantic evening for couples or a fun-filled family adventure. No experience is necessary, but these tours will certainly create lasting memories.
Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $100-$120 per person
Best For: Adventure seekers and/or animal lovers
Sample Tour: Horseback, River Swim and Tequila Tasting
10. Set sail into the sunset
If your cruise has a late day stop in Puerto Vallarta, you should consider booking a sunset sail excursion. You can hop onboard a luxurious sailing vessel for a photo-worthy cruise through Banderas Bay at sunset. Enjoy music, light snacks, an open bar, and picturesque vistas as you sail into the sunset. You can choose to participate in the sailing adventure with the crew showing you the ropes, or just simply sit back and enjoy the ride. There’s no better way to toast to the end of a perfect visit to Puerto Vallarta than on a sunset cruise.
Tour Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Price Range: $75-$100 per person
Best For: Those looking for a relaxing and picturesque way to end the day
Tour info: Sunset sailing on Banderas Bay
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Puerto Vallarta walkable from the cruise port?
The Puerto Vallarta cruise port is located about three miles from downtown — about an hour’s walk. It’s doable, but we recommend taking a taxi or Uber if you want to explore the city’s downtown area. The same goes for the Malecon boardwalk — it’s best to take a shuttle or taxi rather than walking from the cruise terminal.
How long do cruise ships stay in Puerto Vallarta?
Cruise ships typically stay in Puerto Vallarta for 9-10 hours. This provides plenty of time for a long shore excursion, or a few shorter tours with time for shopping for the perfect souvenir.
Is is safe to walk around downtown Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is a very popular town for tourists, and is actually considered one of the safest cities in Mexico. Downtown, along with other highly-visited areas for tourists, are considered the safest places to be thanks to a big focus on tourism and a strong presence of local authorities.
Can you use U.S. dollars in Puerto Vallarta?
While Mexican pesos are the official currency of Mexico, U.S. dollars are widely accepted in touristy areas like Puerto Vallarta.
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