Puerto Vallarta for Soccer Fans: Five Must-See Summer Experiences

If you arrived in Puerto Vallarta to experience the excitement of the Grand Soccer Fiesta, then you made the best decision of your trip. While the host cities watch the tournament from the stands, Vallarta experiences it from the shores of the Pacific, with a range of experiences that go far beyond the 90 minutes of a match.

Beaches accessible only by boat, glass-bottomed viewing platforms suspended over the jungle, protected marine parks, and a signature dinner by the sea that could be the culinary hallmark of your life. Here are the five experiences you shouldn't miss this summer in Puerto Vallarta.

Colomitos

The Smallest Beach in México

This small cove, located south of Puerto Vallarta, is considered one of the destination's hidden gems. With a length of just 30 meters, Colomitos is the smallest beach in Mexico. Easy access is only possible by sea: by water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán, a five-minute journey; or by traversing a 1.5-kilometer trail through the jungle to the ocean.

The turquoise waters, with their sandy bottom, provide the perfect setting for observing a variety of colorful fish, including the spotted boxfish and the blue-gray angelfish, without the need for binoculars or other optical aids.

The rocky shores are home to vibrant tropical fish, and the best time to go snorkeling is in the early morning. Colomitos is the perfect place to swim, snorkel, or simply relax and watch the Mexican Pacific lapping at a beach that seems to want to remain undiscovered. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and respect the environment—that's the only rule.

Jorullo Point

The Glass-Bottomed Lookout Overlooking the Sierra Madre

You will experience a complete change in perspective after just 25 minutes from El Centro. Jorullo Point is the only glass-bottomed observation deck in Puerto Vallarta. It is located in the heart of the Sierra Madre, and its suspended platform offers 360-degree panoramic views of canyons, the Cuale river, and subtropical vegetation.

The sensation of standing on the glass and seeing the jungle right beneath your feet is hard to put into words, and it's something that you have to experience for yourself to truly understand. The Jorullo Bridge, which is considered the world's longest vehicular suspension bridge at 470 meters, is also located within the same area. You can get there by walking along the trails of this eco-tourism park, by ATV, or by RZR. The choice depends on your preferred level of adrenaline. Book your next adventure tour in Puerto Vallarta at River Park Puerto Vallarta.

Premier Gastronomic Journey by Paco Ruano

Haute Cuisine With the Spirit of a MICHELIN star

The evening's journey begins at the marina and culminates in a candlelit amphitheater nestled within the verdant embrace of the jungle. Jalisco chef Paco Ruano, whose restaurant Alcalde earned a MICHELIN Star and ranks among Mexico's Top 5, makes his debut in the bay with a signature menu inspired by the flavors of the Mexican Pacific. The experience, called the Premier Gastronomic Journey, happens in a hidden cove between Yelapa and Quimixto, and you can only get there by boat. This very site was once home to the legendary Irish American filmmaker John Huston.

This experience is unique not only by virtue of the technique, but also because of the memories it fosters. Mr. Ruano started his career in Puerto Vallarta, learning from Chef Thierry Blouet at Café des Artistes. Those flavors (including raicilla from Cabo Corrientes, tuba from the Malecón boardwalk, the freshness of local seafood, fresh coconut, and summer mangoes) now return, transformed, in every course of the menu.

After dinner, the tour continues to the amphitheater for a performance of ALMA by Rhythms of the Night, a Vallarta Adventures show featuring set design by Oscar winner Mr. Eugenio Caballero. The show features more than 30 artists, acrobats, dancers, and musicians from around the world.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya

Puerto Vallarta’s Natural Aquarium

Just a ten-minute boat ride from Mismaloya Beach, the Pacific Ocean is home to a protected marine sanctuary that is also considered Puerto Vallarta's natural aquarium. The Arcos de Mismaloya are a group of granite formations that are part of Los Arcos Marine Park. This park was created in 1984 to protect one of the richest ecosystems in Banderas Bay.

The landscape is surprisingly lush beneath the surface. The waters are home to a variety of species, including pufferfish, octopus, eels, moray eels, parrotfish, angelfish, stingrays, clownfish, lobsters, anemones, and sea turtles. Various seabirds, including the blue-legged booby, a species found in only a few places in the world, nest on the rock formations above. Tours depart from Mismaloya or the Los Muertos pier and include snorkeling gear and a guide. Certified divers can take advantage of local PADI-certified operators, who offer dives in search of manta rays, octopuses, and sea turtles.

Vibra Jalisco Puerto Vallarta Fan Zone

The Heart of the Soccer Fiesta Beats in Vallarta

While the four previous destinations represent nature and cuisine, the North Hotel Zone embodies something different this season: collective celebration. The Government of Jalisco inaugurated the 31,000-square-meter Vibra Jalisco Puerto Vallarta Fan Zone venue on June 14. It sits on 300 meters of beachfront next to the Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and offers free admission and a capacity for up to 10,000 people.

The pièce de résistance is the Domósfera sphere. The structure is a geodesic dome, measuring 27 meters in diameter and 14 meters in height. It is the first of its kind in Latin America and the third largest of its kind in the world. It is also equipped with audiovisual technology for immersive experiences for all ages.

50 soccer matches will be broadcast at the Puerto Vallarta Fan Zone, which has high-definition screens with surround sound and a food court with more than 40 food and beverage options representing Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco. There are also four bars offering mixology and live performances. The music lineup includes toll free live concerts through July 19, featuring mariachi, DJs, and pop acts such as Ximena Sariñana, and more.

Puerto Vallarta doesn't need to host the Grand Soccer Fiesta to be at the heart of the celebration. Jalisco’s premier beach destination has it all: the Pacific Ocean, the mountains, haute cuisine, and now a fan zone that transforms the Camarones beachfront into the best place to watch a game.

The question isn't whether it's worth visiting; it's which of these five Puerto Vallarta experiences you'll start with.