The best things to do in Puerto Vallarta split between water and land. Spend one day on a Marietas Islands catamaran cruise, one afternoon snorkeling Los Arcos, and one evening walking the Malecón. Boat Trips Club runs boat tours across Banderas Bay, from 3-hour sunset sails to 6-hour Marietas day trips, so build the trip around the water first.
Puerto Vallarta packs a coastline, a colonial old town, and a national marine park into one trip. The water is where most first-time visitors under-plan. Banderas Bay is one of the largest bays in the world, and the most memorable experiences happen on it or from it. This guide covers the water-forward itinerary first: Marietas Islands, Los Arcos, Yelapa, and a sunset cruise. It then maps the land highlights that pair naturally with a boat day, including the Malecón, Zona Romántica, and the Cuale River. Pick one water day, one town day, and one flexible day, and you will have seen the essentials without over-scheduling.
How to Plan a Water-Forward Trip to Puerto Vallarta
Most Puerto Vallarta itineraries under-schedule the water and over-schedule the town. A three-night stay gives you roughly two full days plus a half day on either side. Book the boat day first, because weather and departure slots on Banderas Bay drive the rest of the schedule. Marina Vallarta and La Cruz Marina handle most catamaran and yacht departures, while Los Peines Docks handles the larger party vessels. Save the Malecón, Zona Romántica, and Cuale River for the afternoon and evening after your boat day, when the light softens and the town is easier to walk. If your trip includes a Marietas Islands run, block a full 6 hours plus travel time to and from the marina. You can review options across the Puerto Vallarta all sailing tours lineup before locking in hotel nights, so the cruise you want fits your dates.
What to Do at the Marietas Islands
The Marietas Islands are one of the most famous destinations in the bay, and reaching them requires a boat. Marietas Islands National Park sits off the northern edge of Banderas Bay. The islands are a federally protected reserve with strict daily visitor caps set by Mexico’s environmental authority, and full background on the reserve lives on the Marietas Islands Wikipedia page. Snorkeling here shows manta rays, sea turtles, and reef fish that are harder to see closer to town. If you visit between December and March, you can also align your excursion with the peak Puerto Vallarta whale watching season when humpbacks migrate into the bay. Private luxury 6-hour charters out of La Cruz Marina include open bar, fresh food, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and kayaks.
Snorkeling at Los Arcos Marine Park
Los Arcos is a group of granite islets and sea arches inside Banderas Bay, a short boat ride south of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Los Arcos Marine Park is a federally protected snorkeling site closer to town than the Marietas. The vertical walls drop steeply, which means you can snorkel over deep water and still see reef fish, moray eels, and the occasional octopus. To prepare for water conditions and visibility, check out our dedicated Los Arcos Puerto Vallarta snorkeling guide from best things to do in Puerto Vallarta before heading out. Mxost half-day catamaran cruises from Marina Vallarta include a Los Arcos stop as part of the route. The Bay Explorer, a private 42ft yacht charter, is a 4-hour trip for up to 15 guests that includes snorkeling gear, paddleboards, snacks, and drinks.
A Sunset Catamaran Cruise on Banderas Bay
A sunset catamaran cruise is the most common evening activity for first-time visitors researching things to do in Puerto Vallarta for families. Banderas Bay faces west, which means the sun drops over open water rather than behind headlands or hotels. Boat Trips Club runs the private sunset catamaran cruise in Puerto Vallarta as a 3-hour trip for up to 24 guests, with an open bar, snacks, drinks, and paddleboards on board. A shorter version of the sunset cruise is also available for smaller groups of up to 10 guests departing from La Cruz Marina. Pair the sunset cruise with a late dinner in Zona Romántica for a full evening.
Yelapa, Punta Mita, and Day Trips Along the Coast
Yelapa is a fishing village on the south side of Banderas Bay with no road access, reachable only by boat. A Yelapa lunch trip fills a full day. The village sits at the base of a river valley with a waterfall, palapa restaurants on the beach, and no cars on the beach front. On the north side of Banderas Bay, Punta Mita is a headland with protected coves and easier snorkeling than the open water in front of the hotel zone. The Punta Mita coast catamaran cruise is a 4-hour trip out of La Cruz Marina that includes open bar, snorkeling, paddleboards, and kayaks. Either direction gives you a stronger sense of how big Banderas Bay actually is compared to the beach in front of a downtown hotel.
Land-Based Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s old town centers on the Malecón, the paved seaside promenade that anchors the downtown grid. The Malecón carries public sculpture, live music at night, and direct access to the main beach. Zona Romántica sits at its southern end, on the far side of the Cuale River. The neighborhood holds most of the city’s independent restaurants, small hotels, and gallery-adjacent shopping. The Cuale River runs a green corridor through the middle of town, with a footbridge market on the island in the middle of the river. Walk the Malecón in the late afternoon, cross the Cuale River into Zona Romántica for dinner, and end at a rooftop bar. That is the most efficient way to see the town on foot in a single evening after a full day on Banderas Bay.
A Note on Colomitos and Las Animas
Two south-shore beaches, Colomitos and Las Animas, are worth adding if you want a second boat day. Both are only reachable by boat and both are commonly worked into a private charter route out of Marina Vallarta or Los Peines Docks. If a private charter for a celebration or gathering is on your list, exploring Puerto Vallarta party catamarans and yachts provides spacious deck layouts, sound systems, and dedicated crew service for flexible coastal itineraries and searching for best things to do in Puerto Vallarta.
A Sample Puerto Vallarta Itinerary
The table below maps the itinerary that most Boat Trips Club guests end up with after the first planning session. Adjust the sunset cruise or Marietas day around your flight times, not the other way around.
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| Day 1 | Marietas Islands catamaran cruise (6 hours) | Pool or beach downtime | Zona Romántica dinner |
| Day 2 | Malecón walk and breakfast | Los Arcos snorkeling on a private half-day charter | Private Sunset Catamaran Cruise (3 hours) |
| Day 3 | Yelapa boat lunch or Punta Mita coast cruise (4 hours) | Cuale River market | Rooftop bar and farewell dinner |
Things to Do at Puerto Vallarta Beyond the Boat
Once the boat days are booked, the shore-side calendar is easier to fill. Cooking classes in Zona Romántica cover Jalisco-region food. Tequila and raicilla tastings run in small storefronts along Basilio Badillo. A short taxi north takes you to Nuevo Vallarta for spa days. A longer taxi north or a boat transfer up to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle puts you close to Punta Mita for a second water day. Combine any two of these with a Malecón evening and the trip fills itself.
Book a Boat Tour in Puerto Vallarta
The Bay Explorer, a private 42ft yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta, is a solid first pick if you want one boat day that covers Los Arcos and the near-town coast in a half-day format. The vessel carries up to 15 guests, runs 4 hours, and includes snacks, drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, a sound system, and a professional captain and crew.
Chat with us on WhatsApp. Message Boat Trips Club at +1 888-832-4893 with questions or to lock in your dates.
Making the Most of Your Puerto Vallarta Trip
Puerto Vallarta rewards travelers who put the water at the center of the plan. Book the boat day first, then fit the Malecón, Zona Romántica, and Cuale River around it. Between the Marietas Islands, Los Arcos, Yelapa, and Punta Mita, Banderas Bay offers enough variety to fill a week without repeating an itinerary. You can reach out directly through the Puerto Vallarta boat charters hub if you want personalized help matching boat capacity and cruise routes to your group’s preferences.
Final Conclusion on Exploring Banderas Bay
Balancing open-water adventures with vibrant onshore culture creates a complete itinerary for any traveler visiting Banderas Bay. Whether you spend your mornings snorkeling alongside marine wildlife at Los Arcos or your evenings wandering the lively Malecón, starting with a charter from the Puerto Vallarta sailing adventures fleet ensures you experience the very best things to do in Puerto Vallarta from the water before unwinding on land.
Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta
What are the top things to do in Puerto Vallarta for first-time visitors?
The top things to do in Puerto Vallarta for first-time visitors are a Marietas Islands catamaran cruise, snorkeling at Los Arcos, a sunset cruise on Banderas Bay, and an evening walk along the Malecón into Zona Romántica.
Are the Marietas Islands worth visiting?
Yes. The Marietas Islands are a federally protected national park with strict daily visitor caps. Snorkeling shows manta rays, sea turtles, and reef fish that are harder to see closer to town, and the trip runs 6 hours from La Cruz Marina.
What is the best boat tour in Puerto Vallarta for a first trip?
For a first-time visitor with a group of up to 15 guests, The Bay Explorer private 42ft yacht charter is a strong default. The boat runs 4 hours out of Marina Vallarta and includes snorkeling gear, paddleboards, snacks, and drinks.
How long is the sunset catamaran cruise in Puerto Vallarta?
The Private Sunset Catamaran Cruise runs 3 hours for up to 24 guests, with an open bar, snacks, drinks, and paddleboards on board. A smaller version of the sunset cruise also runs 3 hours for up to 10 guests, departing from La Cruz Marina.
Where do boat tours in Puerto Vallarta depart from?
Boat Trips Club tours depart from three points on Banderas Bay: Marina Vallarta, La Cruz Marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, and Los Peines Docks. Marina Vallarta handles most yacht charters. La Cruz Marina handles Marietas and Punta Mita trips. Los Peines Docks handles the larger party catamarans.
Can you do things to do at Puerto Vallarta without a rental car?
Yes. The Malecón, Zona Romántica, and Cuale River are all walkable from most downtown hotels. Marina Vallarta and Los Peines Docks are short, inexpensive taxi rides. La Cruz Marina is farther north, so plan an earlier departure on Marietas or Punta Mita mornings.