Puerto Vallarta for families: what to do on your summer vacations

Welcome to Puerto Vallarta, one of Mexico's top beach destinations!  During the summer season, the Friendliest City in the World flourishes.  Between the Sierra Madre Mountains and Mexico's Pacific coast, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush green landscapes, fewer crowds, and great opportunities for lodging, tours, and outdoor activities.

To help you get the most out of your next trip, here is our guide to the best things to do with your family in Puerto Vallarta during the summer.

5 Fun Things for Families to Do

A great way to get to know Puerto Vallarta is to take a stroll along the Malecon, where you'll find a variety of outdoor sculptures, stores, and restaurants.  The emblematic Los Arcos Marine Park, a natural rock formation that rises from the depths of the sea south of Puerto Vallarta, is also worth a visit.  Or take a stroll through the Romantic Zone, where you'll find yourself immersed in the area's renowned cobblestone streets and lively nightlife.

But, if you're still seeking additional inspiration, here's a curated selection of five activities in Puerto Vallarta that are sure to delight the whole family. 

El Salado Estuary State Park

• 3544 Francisco M. Ascencio Blvd., North Hotel Zone
• This natural protected area is a great place to visit with children and the whole family.  Since April 2024, when it reopened, El Salado Estuary State Park has been offering free guided tours for both children and adults.  This important ecosystem in Puerto Vallarta is home to numerous species of birds, plants, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, and expert guides provide detailed information about it.

Museo Histórico Naval

• 4 Zaragoza St., Malecón, Downtown 
• Tue-Fri 9:00am-7:30pm; Sat-Sun 10:00am-2:00pm and 3:00pm-7:00pm
• This Navy-operated museum offers guided tours that delve into Mexico's maritime history, spanning from the conquest to the present day.  The permanent collection is on display across five rooms, featuring a variety of exhibits including paintings, models, photographs, documents, cartographies, scale models, and navigational instruments.

Cerro de la Cruz Lookout

• Located at the top of Cerro de la Cruz, this popular lookout is known for offering visitors a breathtaking panoramic view from the cobblestone streets and crimson rooftops of Downtown Puerto Vallarta to the shimmering waters of the Pacific Ocean.  To get there, follow the pedestrian walkways that connect to Abasolo Street until you reach Emilio Carranza Street.  Once you get there, just follow Abasolo Street to the top.

Quimixto

• The beaches of Quimixto are stunning, making them perfect for a day of relaxation and enjoying local cuisine.  The fresh seafood dishes served in the beachfront restaurants are a must-try.  Don't miss your chance to explore a hidden oasis nestled in the heart of the jungle—a refreshing waterfall just a short walk away.  Once you arrive, you can take a swim in the turquoise pools or simply take in the natural beauty of the surroundings. 

Vallarta Botanical Garden

• Km. 24 Highway 200, Puerto Vallarta to Barra de Navidad
• Tue-Sun 9:00am-6:00pm
• Admission: 300 MXN p/p 
• Spanning almost 50 hectares, this paradise is located only 30 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, en route to Barra de Navidad.  In 2022, USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards named the Vallarta Botanical Garden the third most beautiful among all botanical gardens in North America.  The botanical garden boasts an extensive collection of regionally endemic plants, exotic flowers, and trees.  It is also an important bird-watching spot, offering visitors the chance to observe the local avian life.

5 Outdoor Activities to Enjoy with Children

Sea Turtle Release

• Season: From July to November
• Puerto Vallarta becomes a refuge for sea turtles and offers a special chance to observe the moment when these animals start their trip to the sea.  Participating in sea turtle releases is a moving and educational experience that allows you to play an active role in their conservation.  For specific dates and times, please consult your hotel concierge.

ALMA by Rhythms of the Night

• Tour Operator: Vallarta Adventures
• Embark on a catamaran journey to the heart of the rainforest south of Puerto Vallarta, where the mountains meet the sea.  In the secluded cove of Las Caletas beach, an unparalleled spectacle awaits, a harmonious convergence of dance, performance, and clowning artistry, set against the backdrop of a pristine natural environment.  The experience includes a delicious gourmet buffet dinner at sunset.  According to TripAdvisor users, this is one of the best-rated experiences in Puerto Vallarta.

Zip Lines

• Puerto Vallarta is home to some of the highest and most extensive zip lines in Mexico.  Gliders soar along these lines, offering spectacular views of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the coast of Banderas Bay.  In some cases, there is customization of your adventure with different lengths, heights and speeds.  But people who love excitement should not miss out on this thrilling outdoor activity. 

Las Caletas

• Tour Operator: Vallarta Adventures
• Las Caletas is situated approximately 19 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta and is only accessible by sea.  To enjoy this beach, which looks like something out of a dream, we recommend the tour of the same name offered by Vallarta Adventures.  The tour departs from the Puerto Vallarta marine terminal and returns to the same embarkation point.  Vallarta Adventures offers a variety of water activities and amenities as part of this tour, including an open bar and a delicious buffet lunch.

Swim with Dolphins in the Wild

• Few experiences can compare to the sublime joy of swimming with dolphins in their natural habitat, and Puerto Vallarta is home to a vast population of these intelligent creatures.  Dolphins are highly social creatures that enjoy interacting with humans.  As a result, you can feel confident that your interaction with these magnificent creatures will be both enjoyable and safe, with Puerto Vallarta's commitment to their well-being.

Where to Find the Perfect Gift to Take Home

From classic open-air markets to upscale shopping centers, Puerto Vallarta is a remarkable place to find the perfect souvenir, artwork, handicrafts, jewelry, and silverware. The city also boasts fresh produce from small, local gardens at its farmers' markets.

Where to Shop in Puerto Vallarta 

• Plaza Marina
• Art & Market Marina (only on season)
• Galerías Vallarta
• Puerto Mágico
• Plaza Península Puerto Vallarta
• La Isla Shopping Village
• Plaza Caracol
• Mucho Fiesta The Local Market & Cantina
• Art District
• Cuale River Market
• Three Hens & a Roster Producers Market (only on season)
• Olas Altas Farmers Market (only on season)

A Food Lovers Dream Come True

The city's vibrant culinary scene, which reflects the rich cultural and natural heritage of this region, makes Puerto Vallarta the second most important culinary destination in Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta is known for its vibrant culinary scene, which is showcased at the prestigious festivals that are hosted throughout the year.  A wide range of cuisines awaits, offering a magnificent opportunity to experience the creativity of talented chefs, both established and emerging.  The menu features everything from international haute cuisine to delicacies inspired by local flavors.

Use our Puerto VallartaRestaurant Directory and find your new favorite spot for a family meal, an intimate evening for two or discover what's new in the ever-dynamic restaurant offerings; from Marina Vallarta to the Romantic Zone and beyond.

How to Get to Puerto Vallarta 

Getting to Puerto Vallarta is very simple.  It is also comfortable and safe.  This is true whether you travel by air or by road.  With highly accessible domestic flight connections and a modern highway from Guadalajara—the capital of the state of Jalisco, the Friendliest City in the World eagerly awaits your arrival. 

By Air

More than 37 international destinations are accessible via direct air connections from Puerto Vallarta.  The number of flights arriving at Puerto Vallarta Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport from the United States, Canada, and Mexico is 24, 17, and 13, respectively.  These flights are operated by 18 different airlines.

International Flights

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Frontier
• Jet Blue
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• United Airlines

From Canada

• Air Canada
• Air Transat
• Flair Airlines
• Sunwing
• Swoop
• WestJet

By Road

The new Guadalajara—Puerto Vallarta highway, which opened in March 2024, offers a direct route to the beach from the Jalisco state capital, taking an average of just 2.5 hours.

The short Guadalajara—Puerto Vallarta route, as people also call it, not only optimizes travel times between both destinations but also those to the Bajío, Northwest, and Central Mexico regions.