Puerto Vallarta, with all its fame and notoriety, is one of those places where it seems that there are only about a handful of things to do. You swim, play on the beach, eat great food, drink cocktails at happy hour, and relax. As dreamy as those all sound, don't they all get a bit too boring at some point? Say you only have a day to spend in Puerto Vallarta, if you do all of these and still have some time, what will you do for the rest of the day? What is there to so do in Puerto Vallarta?
Many people seem to forget that, beyond the resorts, hotels, and spas in this coastal town, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most naturally beautiful cities in Mexico. The place is beaming with botanical bliss and earthy delight, from the calm waters to the lush greeneries. One place that's really a natural wonder is the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. When you go here, expect to see some of the rarest species of flowers, blooming against the sunny Central American weather. You can also lost in an oasis of lush greeneries, making for a great silent escape from the hustles and bustle of the city.
Source: Vallarta Botanical Gardens
Climb Up To Cerro de la Cruz
Don't think that the only way to exercise in Puerto Vallarta is to get into the water sports on the various beaches here! You can also hike up to Cerro de la Cruz. One of the highest peaks in the city, it's a half-hour climb from the base, making you sweat and pump your adrenaline along the way. And once you get here, you're offered a stunning view of the coastal city with the fresh wind brushing against your face. It's one of the best rewards for a strenuous climb here in Puerto Vallarta!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Go On A Canopy Tour
Up for some more adrenaline-pumping fun? Head over to Los Veranos Canopy Tours! They'll take you on an exciting adventure to the jungles of Puerto Vallarta. Though there are many other canopy tours offered in the city, Los Veranos Canopy Tours is arguably the best among them. Part of what they'll have to do is to zipline across valleys and forests, get to know exotic animals like snakes, marmosets, and the like, as well as experience
happy hour with some tequila shots in the middle of a jungle! Exciting doesn't even begin to describe what you'll go through with them!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
See The Turtles in Nuevo Vallarta
Speaking of animals, there's one that you could see and also hold in Nuevo Vallarta: a turtle! In one of the famous seaside
areas of the city, various turtle conservation projects have set up shop in Nuevo Vallarta. And among what they do is to teach the public all about the sea turtles. At the beaches here, you get to see them waddle, swim, and examine how this endangered species survives. Some companies would even let you release newly-hatched baby sea turtles into the sea. It's an experience you wouldn't want to miss while you're here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Go Snorkeling And See The Sea
You probably miss the turtle you released in Nuevo Vallarta, don't you? What if you can actually meet him/her again? All you have to do is go snorkeling! After all, Puerto Vallarta is famous for its shorelines, right? They're the perfect starting points for an underwater adventure! Here in this coastal city, there are a ton of places you can get some snorkeling done. As already mentioned, the beaches in Neuvo Vallarta, are perfect for this activity. As is Los Arcos, stunning rock formations in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Though you'll need a ferry as
public transport to get there!
Source: Flickr.com/ Andrew Milligan sumo
Gaze At The Stars
Even though you may only have 24 hours to spend in Puerto Vallarta, there's no guarantee that a good portion of that would be during the day, right? But even if that's the case, there's still one thing you can do to create memories in this famous city: go stargazing! Since Puerto Vallarta is a coastal city, and it's not that urban a town as well, the skies here aren't drowned from city lights. Even more so from the ports by the sea or the highest peaks in the nearby mountains. You might even find some nighttime ferries that can take you farther into the waters to really see the stars twink and shine at their brightest!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Whatever you may think of Puerto Vallarta, this city can still surprise you in more ways than one! Most especially when it comes to finding something to do when you only have a day, more or less, to spend here!
