Top 5 Puerto Vallarta Sightseeing Tours: See the Best of Vallarta

Planning a trip down to Puerto Vallarta and wanting to actually soak up the atmosphere? It can be tough choosing what’s actually worthwhile. Lucky for you, I have taken many a Vallarta vacation so can help. These top 5 sightseeing jaunts offer something really special, with memories for what could be a lifetime ahead if you so wish.

1. A Stroll along the Malecón

So, what is better than strolling the Malecón? The Malecón, a super cool seaside promenade, is just teeming with life, actually. You know, it is one of the places that Vallarta is genuinely famous for and for good reason. Walk along the broad paved path, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by sculptures, street performers, and just amazing views of Banderas Bay. You will pass little shops selling colorful trinkets.

Now, if you start your stroll as the sun dips lower, the ambiance kind of becomes, well, magical. The lights twinkle, the ocean breeze feels nice on your skin, and street performers become just incredibly interesting to watch, almost hypnotic even. Snag a churro, maybe, from a vendor (pro-tip: ask for the ones freshly fried) and just enjoy the parade of local culture right before you. It’s pretty great.

2. Exploring the Historic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Then, there is the iconic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I mean, this spot, with its majestic crown atop the steeple, it’s an unforgettable Vallarta landmark, arguably the most well known. The Church has a story, and that it stands so pretty is, very, a bit, too, remarkable really. Taking the time to check this old church is just a must.

Walking inside is something of another story altogether, actually. You can marvel at the intricate details in design, and it shows the artistic skill that dates way back. It just gives you the opportunity to feel how people saw faith way back when. Light streams in like the Heavens smiling down when the sunlight hits all those surfaces and all.

3. A Taste of Paradise at Playa Los Muertos

Then, we get to a beloved stretch of sand known, perhaps somewhat ominously, as Playa Los Muertos, and you can find it in the heart of Old Town. This is not your typical beach, in that it offers up a combination of laid-back charm and excitement; the best of the two! Its shores, are usually teeming with vendors hawking goods (some pretty good actually), families enjoying the day, and visitors kicking back with a cold drink in hand, enjoying some of the very best that Mexico has to offer, for real.

For many, what you do here is relax, like your life depends on it! You should absolutely consider renting a lounge chair, ordering some fish tacos from a seaside shack (or asking for it!), and doing a whole lot of nothing else. So too, if you’re just feeling more exploratory, Playa Los Muertos has several restaurants; the perfect backdrop for just about anything that could happen, right?

4. Find Adventure on a Banderas Bay Whale Watching Tour

Now, here is something seasonal yet unforgettable: Whale watching in Banderas Bay. Every winter, these majestic creatures grace Vallarta’s waters during the migration from I do not know where. Taking a boat tour to get an actual look at them is something that will actually bring joy to one’s eyes; you get close but respectfully so.

I can vouch for how absolutely majestic it is. Just get this: These animals are really large and will appear near you; what you are doing is kind of feeling the size of the amazing thing. Remember to bring your camera so you can, basically, show others! These excursions generally incorporate learning a lot about humpback whales; it just adds another layer of wonder.

5. Journey Through the Vallarta Botanical Garden

A lot more inland than the beaches lies the Vallarta Botanical Garden, a nature place that highlights the lush biodiversity inherent to the region; it’s arguably like walking right into some fantasy forest, really! Explore, just at your speed, tropical flowers and unique wildlife and then all kinds of winding trails that reveal different things all of the time.

You, you see, get away from Puerto Vallarta; the gardens act as some tranquil spot in Mexico. So bring some comfy shoes to ensure your day here is fantastic and perhaps bring someone too for photos amid all the flora! There are lots of spots along the grounds for photographs too.