What to do in Puerto Vallarta with Family (2024)
This guide to what to do in Puerto Vallarta with family will explain the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta for all ages.
Puerto Vallarta Mexico is one of my favorite family travel destinations. I’ve visited multiple times with my family and its always the perfect mix of sunshine, relaxation, and activities.
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful beach destination on the Pacific coast of Mexico along the Sierra Madre mountains and Bay of Banderas. It’s a short flight from the United States and is a popular destination for vacations and expats.
Puerto Vallarta has a lush jungle, sandy beaches, and a cultural downtown within miles of each other, making it the perfect place for a variety of tours and activities.
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Top 3 Puerto Vallarta Activities for Families
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✅ Snorkeling and sightseeing from a private boat
✅ Beach lunch and swimming
✅ Private luxury sailboat
✅ Plan a personalized itinerary based on your family
Best Family-Friendly Ocean Activities in Puerto Vallarta
1. Charter a Boat
The absolute best way to explore the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Vallarta is on it on a private boat charter. If you look into the ocean in PV, you are guaranteed to see many packed tour boats with hundreds of people on them.
A private boat charter is great for family travel because you can adjust the activities and timeline based on your individual needs.
Boat charters will typically visit private beaches, snorkeling locations, scenic areas, or whatever else you are interested in.
If you’re lucky you may see sea turtles, whales, or dolphins from your boat. During whale watching season, there is a high chance of spotting humpback whales near shore.
2. Pirate Ship Tour
One of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids is a Pirate Ship boat tour. The ship is a replica of replica of Columbus’s Santa Maria and the crew is all dressed up as pirates.
The tour begins with a ride to a private beach, where you can swim, snorkel, or play in the sand. Then, return on board for a lunch and more sailing.
This tour is great for kids that like pirates and families that enjoy spending time on the water.
3. Snorkeling Tour
In addition, another great thing to do in Puerto Vallarta with the ocean is getting in it to snorkel. Take a snorkeling tour from Puerto Vallarta to see the amazing ocean life including colorful fish, small sharks, and sea turtles.
This small group tour is a great option that visits the best snorkeling locations in Banderas bay and a private beach.
4. Sunset Cruise with Dinner & a Show
One of the favorite family friendly activities in Puerto Vallarta is a sunset cruise. This night cruise and show is the number one rated dinner show in Puerto Vallarta.
One of the co-creators of Cirque Du Soleil wrote and directed the performance, and it is sure to captivate people of all ages.
The tour also includes sunset viewing from the boat, a gourmet dinner, and an open bar option. If you are celebrating a special occasion on your vacation, this is a must-do activity.
5. Horseback Riding on the Beach
The best way to see the ocean in Puerto Vallarta without being directly on it is by riding horses along the beach. Fun fact about me, I rode horses competitively growing up and was a bit of a “horse girl”.
Now, I jump on any opportunity to ride horses in scenic locations. Horseback riding on the beach is the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation with the sounds and views of the waves crashing next to you.
This tour is also great for all ages and experience levels, so it’s perfect for the whole family. After the tour, you’ll even be treated to a tequila tasting.
Best Puerto Vallarta Jungle Activities with Kids
6. Ziplining Tour
Both jungle tours in Puerto Vallarta are adrenaline-filled adventure activities. The first activity I recommend is this ziplining tour.
This jungle canopy tour includes 10 ziplines, one of which is the longest in the area. You will be provided with all the equipment and a safety briefing then set off to zipline through the jungle.
What I like about this zipline tour more than others in the area is that you can see the jungle and ocean from the lines.
7. ATV Tour
Another great Puerto Vallarta jungle activity in this ATV tour. This four-hour tour winds through rivers, small villages, and the Sierra Madre mountains.
If you have never done an ATV tour before, Puerto Vallarta is the best place to try it. While this is an adrenaline activity, you can control how crazy you go, which I like!
While this is a great family activity, it is not suitable for kids under 6 so plan to do this with older kids or adults.
8. Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens in Puerto Vallarta are not your average, boring gardens. They are perched in the Sierra Madre mountains and include hiking trails, tropical gardens, and a river.
Some of the best exhibits are the orchid conservatory, cactus house, and vanilla plantation.
The gardens are accessible for strollers, making this a great thing to do in Puerto Vallarta with young kids.
Save your kid’s energy and patience with these skip-the-line tickets
The Best Things to Do in Downtown Puerto Vallarta
9. Malecon & Downtown
Downtown Puerto Vallarta centers around the Malecon, a vibrant boardwalk with shops, restaurants, and street vendors. This Malecon, tequila, and coffee tour is a great way to explore the city center.
The primary reason to take this tour is to see downtown and learn about it from a local. As a bonus, you will do a tequila tasting at a local distillery and a coffee tasting with local beans.
10. Food Tour
My favorite way to learn about the culture of a city is through the local cuisine. This three-hour, 7-stop food tour will introduce you to the most popular foods of the area while also learning local history and customs. Be sure to come hungry because all the small bites will easily be enough for lunch or dinner.
Puerto Vallarta Family Friendly Resorts
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
This Marriott delivers above and beyond for its price point. Located within walking distance of the Marina, the Marriot is a great option for families looking for affordable luxury.
The newly renovated pool area features stunning poolside cabanas, a swim up bar, and a relaxing tropical atmosphere.
The pool and beachside day beds can be rented for those seeking a special experience. Otherwise, guests can park themselves in a pool chair and soak up a day of sun and relaxation.
The property has 6 restaurants and a coffee shop offering a range of food options including seafood, Japanese, a sports bar and traditional Mexican. There is also a fitness center and spa for guests to enjoy.
Delta Riviera Nayarit
The Delta by Marriott is a relaxing all-inclusive resort in the fishing town of Riviera Nayarit. The resort is situated in the jungle and has three pools, three restaurants and a water park on property. The resort also has exclusive access to a beach club.
This is a great option for families that plan to spend time relaxing by the pool or beach. The water park will keep kids entertained for days.
The Delta Riviera Nayarit is a great, affordable, all inclusive resort option if you are looking for a very relaxing vacation. I wrote all about my experience staying at the Delta if you are interested.
Summary of Puerto Vallarta Things to Do with Family
Overall, there are so many great things to do in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Whether you spend every day laying out by the pool with a cocktail in your hand or pack each day with activities, you are guaranteed to have a great vacation because it’s a great destination.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I recommend choosing one activity from each category for the best, well-rounded, Puerto Vallarta family vacation. If I had to do that, I would choose the food tour, private boat excursion, and ziplining.
Choose which activities sound the best to you and fit your budget and interests!
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