10 Best Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta

Sayulita, Mexico, is a small fishing town on the Pacific coast. Only an hour northwest of Puerto Vallarta, it makes for an easy day trip for some sun and surf. It’s also a surfer’s paradise, with scuba diving and whale watching available too. December through April makes it possible to see magnificent humpback whales.

If you’ve had enough beach time in Puerto Vallarta and are looking for something different, Sayulita also has great options for shopping. Pick up accessories, handbags and unique locally made crafts like yarn-painted skulls to commemorate your trip. After shopping, settle in for some good beachside eats and cocktails.

Islas Marietas is known for its beauty and diverse wildlife. In fact, it’s home to more than 400 species of plants and animals. The volcanic remnants that make up this small island chain are divided into 2 islets, Redonda Island and Larga Island, and a trail of large rocks. This national park, conveniently located just off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, makes a fun and scenic day trip.

Snorkelling around the coral reefs of Marietas Islands is the big draw for resort-based tourists looking to escape for a day. Besides schools of colourful fish, snorkellers may also see sea turtles or dolphins pass through the preserved area. To get there, you’ll need to charter a tour company or a boat.

Visiting San Sebastián del Oeste is like stepping back in time. The town is characterised by 19th-century cut-stone buildings and lovingly restored haciendas. About an hour and a half east of Puerto Vallarta, it makes a perfect day trip away from the city.

Consider visiting San Sebastián during one of its famous festivals peppered throughout the year. Fiesta for the Virgin of the Rosary in October and fiesta for San Sebastián in October are some of the most popular. Other notable things to do? Take a chocolate workshop and visit a nature preserve or botanic garden. This charming town has a lot to offer.

Talpa de Allende and Mascota are 2 adjacent towns in the Sierra Madre mountains of Jalisco. The drive alone from Puerto Vallarta is a treat as you see peaks and valleys come into view along the way. Both towns are designated ‘Magical Towns’ for their preservation of historic architecture and traditions.

What will you see in Talpa and Mascota? Picture cobble-stoned streets, colonial churches and ancient ruins in towns surrounded by lush pine and oak forests. There are several tour companies that will take groups of tourists here. But, if you want more time to explore the shops and restaurants and stop for photos, consider hiring a private guide.

Get a taste of the local flavour on a day trip to Yelapa, a small fishing town south of Puerto Vallarta. Quaint beachside cafes offer delicious bites for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re feeling brave and really want to taste the local wares order some raicilla, a local moonshine made from the maguey plant. Or buy a slice of freshly made pie from the vendors who sell along the beach.

Once well-fed, you’ll be ready for an approximately 30-minute walk through town to the gorgeous 150-ft (46 metres) village waterfall. Visitors to Yelapa also enjoy horseback riding along the coast and paragliding above the Bay of Banderas.

Puerto Vallarta’s Jorullo Bridge is one of the best and most unique day trips from the popular tourist city. The suspension bridge is 470 metres long, crossing the Cuale River nearly 150 metres in the air.

You can enjoy the bridge and its view in several ways. Of course, you can walk across, you can rent ATVs and drive across, or you can even take a zipline beside it. When you’re finished and you’ve recovered from the adrenaline, stop by the restaurant on site of the ATV rental business for a bite before returning to Puerto Vallarta, which is only a short 8 km trip away.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is a bucket list-worthy day trip from Puerto Vallarta. Located nearby in the Bay of Banderas, you’ll need to charter a boat or join a boat tour to reach it. Los Arcos translates to ‘the arches’, and that’s exactly what you’ll see: 2 large granite arches jutting out of the ocean.

A big draw of Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the unreal scuba and snorkelling experience. The protected marine park is surrounded by a coral reef teeming with colourful ocean life. There are also caves and tunnels to explore while swimming around the warm, clear waters. Whether you’re admiring the arches from the comfort of the boat or the water, it’s a truly magical experience.

A walking tour of El Tuito is a great way to spend the day away from the resorts of Puerto Vallarta. This charming town is small and effortlessly beautiful. You can spend a day shopping and trying local cuisine like pork rinds, a breakfast delicacy. Pro tip: Visit on Sunday to experience the town square’s transformation into a lively public market.

Break out your camera. There are a lot of lovingly preserved buildings in El Tuito worthy of your holiday album, like the 200-year-old Church of El Tuito. Head to City Hall to see another neat building with old photos and maps on display.