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Puerto Vallarta Excursions

Puerto Vallarta is a tourist town, and there's lots to do. The cruise lines have put together over 70 tours, excursions and adventures for your day in Puerto Vallarta. If you've been craving to swim with a dolphin, Puerto Vallarta is your own personal Mecca.

Most of the cruise ships visiting Puerto Vallarta will dock at the Cruise Terminal pier in Marina Vallarta. However, when too many ships arrive on the same day, the late-comers will drop anchor just outside the mouth of the harbor, and you will come into port via ship's tender.

If you have taken any of the tours listed below, we'd like your feedback on your experience. Please click on the link of the tour you took, and then click the "Write a Review of This Tour" link and tell us what you experienced.

Beach, Snorkel & Sailing

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description
Beach Club Fiesta	5 hours	Why not have the best of both worlds: take a sightseeing and shopping tour of beautiful Puerto Vallarta, then throw off your cares and relax at one of Puerto Vallarta's famous all-inclusive resorts.
Exclusive Resort Getaway	5 hours	Get a day pass to one of Puerto Vallarta's famous all-inclusive resorts. Hang out at the beach or pool, or go kayaking or boogie boarding...or do nothing at all.
Puerto Vallarta Beach Break/ All Inclusive Resort and Beach Getaway/ Puerto Vallarta Beach Escape	5 hours	Enjoy a day of sun and fun at one of Puerto Vallarta's finest resorts. You'll have time to relax at the beach or pool, and then enjoy a lunch with Mexican and international favorites. And don't forget--there's an open bar all day.
Las Caletas Beach Hideaway	6½ to 7 hours	Once the tropical home of director John Huston, Las Caletas can be yours for the day. Accessible only by boat, this is a true beach hideaway.
Eco Island Escape	7 hours	Spend a day away from it all on your own private island paradise. On a reservoir island lake, you can fish, do some birding, kayak, take a motorboat ride, or just relax in a hammock listening to the silence, punctuated by exotic birdsong. Lunch and open bar included. Participation is very limited.
America's Cup Challenge/ America's Cup Sailing Regatta	3 hours	Want to have an absolutely exhilarating experience? Take the America's Cup Challenge, where you get to help sail an actual America's Cup racing yacht through the beautiful waters of Banderas Bay.
Sailing Banderas Bay/ Sailing Adventure	5½ to 6 hours	Imagine the wind rushing through your hair, as the only things you hear are the flapping of the sails and the barking of a wild dolphin. That's what sailing on Banderas Bay is like. Want to come along? Oh yeah, swimming, snorkeling, lunch and an open bar are also included.
Puerto Vallarta Sunset Sail	3¼ hours	What's the best way to cap off your day in Puerto Vallarta? Try this sunset sail! Enjoy a glass or two of wine and a light meal as you pass by the moonlit town glowing in the distance. Relax as the stars smile down on you. This just sounds too romantic.
Deluxe Sunset Sail	2½ hours	Relax as the day slowly fades, and the night softens the edges of the world. Take this romantic journey on Banderas Bay, featuring hearty appetizers and cheeses with an open bar.
Sunset Pirate Party Boat	4 to 4½ hours	Be transformed from the modern day back to the days of the legendary Mexican pirates. A great dinner and an open bar are only two of this excursion's attractions. A great time is just waiting for you.
Pirate Ship Adventure/ Pirate Ship Snorkel & Sail Adventure	6¼ hours	Board your pirate ship for a day of adventure! You'll sail Banderas Bay in a replica of Columbus' Santa Maria, enjoy swimming and snorkeling at a secluded beach, and a swashbuckling pirate show. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.
Wild Dolphins & Snorkeling/ Marietas Islands Eco Discovery Tour/ Whales, Dolphins and Snorkeling Rated:	7 to 7½ hours	Learn first-hand about the sea life of Banderas Bay as you snorkel and kayak in the rocky caverns and archways of the Marietas Islands. You'll also spend the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful secluded sandy beach.
Whales, Wild Dolphins & Snorkel	6½ hours	Sail the deep blue waters of Banderas Bay, as you head for the Marietas Islands for some kayaking and snorkeling. Wild dolphin encounters are common here, and you may also meet up with the whales that winter in Puerto Vallarta. You'll also spend the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful secluded sandy beach.
Sea Lion Snorkel at Las Caletas	6½ to 7 hours	What could be better than spending a day at Las Caletas, with its secluded beauty and wide range of activities? Why, snorkeling with wild sea lions, of course! This tour is great fun for the kids, and the kid in you.
Sea Safari - Hidden Beaches & Snorkel	5 hours	This is a magical journey to two beaches rarely seen by most tourists coming to Puerto Vallarta. You will visit Yelapa and Pizota, two hidden jewels which are accessible only by sea. You'll see a fantastic waterfall, swim and snorkel or kayak in the pristine waters, and experience the tiny settlement of Pizota, where time seems to stop and relaxation begins. Lunch and beverages are included.
Yelapa & Majahuitas Snorkel	6¾ to 7 hours	Enjoy a day of unique encounters full of unforgettable experiences. You will visit both Yelapa and Majahuitas, two beaches accessible only by sea. You'll enjoy a day of swimming, kayaking and snorkeling in pristine waters, or you can just kick back and take it all in. Includes both lunch and open bar on board the catamaran.
Yelapa Beach & Snorkel Adventure	8 hours	Explore the hidden jewels of Majahuitas and Yelapa from your 68-foot sailing yacht. This excursion is perfect for people who want to experience some of the best snorkeling in the Puerto Vallarta area. Lunch and open bar on board the boat are included.

Biking

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Off Road Bicycle Adventure	4 hours	Explore the essence of Mexico as you ride a 21-speed, full suspension mountain bike through rustic towns, mango and banana plantations and small rural villages.

Canopy

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Canopy Adventure/ Jungle Canopy Adventure	4½ to 5 hours	Set high in the tropical forest of the Sierra Madre mountains, this canopy will satisfy your thirst for exhilaration. The course has 14 observation platforms, 11 horizontal traverses, a Tarzan swing and a surprise ending--a 70 foot rappel to the forest floor. Thrilling!
Extreme Canopy/ Outdoor Adventure Experience/ Outdoor Challenge	6 to 6½ hours	If you thought boot camp was no big deal, this adventure was made for you. Hike through the tropical forest, ride mules, rappel through waterfalls and soar on the zip lines.

City Tours

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description
Walking Tour of Puerto Vallarta	4 hours	This is an invigorating walking tour of charming Puerto Vallarta. You'll see the former home of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the Malecon with its array of statuary and sculptures, the cathedral and other sites. You'll also have plenty of time for some serious shopping.
Puerto Vallarta City & Coastal Drive	4 hours	Get your bearings of Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area. This guided tour takes you south into the city, and a drive along the beautiful coast ends with lunch and a walking tour of Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta City Sights	3½ hours	Explore the city of Puerto Vallarta and the beautiful coastline south of town on this fun walking tour. Then put on your power shopping shoes for some serious time in Puerto Vallarta's trendy Olas Atlas neighborhood.
Puerto Vallarta City Tour	4¼ hours	This is an orientation tour through beautiful Puerto Vallarta. You'll see the colorful main square, the trendy arts district of Olas Atlas and the beautiful seascapes during your drive south to Mismaloya Beach. Lunch is included.
Puerto Vallarta Discovery Tour	4 hours	This excursion begins with a visit to a local village, then stops at a tequila factory for a tour and sampling, makes a visit to the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta, proceeds south for some beautiful seascapes of the bay, and ends at a tile factory.
Puerto Vallarta Overview	4 hours	Experience Puerto Vallarta up close and personal. You'll stop off in the downtown area to view the city's beautiful cathedral, and after a complimentary margarita, beer or soft drink you'll have time to do some serious shopping.
Tequila Factories & Old Town Tour	5 hours	If tequila is your drink of choice, you've found your own personal El Dorado. You'll visit both modern and traditional tequila factories, and do some sampling along the way. And you'll take a free shuttle for your shopping experience in the downtown area.
Mexican Fiesta & the City of Puerto Vallarta	5 hours	Your culinary education cannot be considered complete without a first-hand knowledge of tequila making. This excursion fills the bill, includes lunch and a short walking tour of Puerto Vallarta.
Town, Country & Tequila	4½ hours	Witness the charms of both traditional and new Mexico on this half-day excursion. After visiting a rural village, you'll spend some time at a tequila factory for a tour and sampling. Then your off for a walking tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta City, Hacienda, Tequila & Tiles/ Tequila, Tiles & Shopping	5 hours	Combine a visit to a Mexican decorative tile factory, a walking tour of downtown Puerto Vallarta and a stopover at a rural tequila factory, and what have you got? A great day of touring in Puerto Vallarta, of course!
Mismaloya City Tour Rated:	4 hours	The spectacular coastline of Banderas Bay is but one of the pleasures of Puerto Vallarta. This tour takes you through the city of Puerto Vallarta and along that coastline to Mismaloya, where John Huston's Night of the Iguana was filmed.

Cooking

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Mexican Cooking Lessons & City Highlights	4 hours	This fun excursion includes both a tour of picturesque downtown Puerto Vallarta and a cooking lesson at a gourmet Mexican restaurant--a truly delicious experience!
Mexican Cooking Experience	4 hours	Learn to cook up a storm the Mexican way! In this Mexican cooking class you and your teammates will whip up a number of authentic Mexican dishes and appetizers. Can you say Ole?

Cultural Tours

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Colonial San Sebastian/ Colonial Treasures: The Village Of San Sebastian	5 to 7 hours	Take a flight back to the 17th century on this magical excursion. You'll visit the once-thriving silver mining town of San Sebastian, a UNESCO designated site and a living museum untouched by time.
Guadalajara City Highlights & Tequila	6½ hours	Guadalajara is Mexico's most historical and second largest city. This full-day excursion combines the majesty of Guadalajara's colonial past with some of the country's best shopping.

Dance

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Rhythms of the Night	4½ to 5 hours	This mythical dance program will thrill and enchant you as you dine under the stars on a torch-lit beach.

Diving

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Certified Two Tank Dive/ Puerto Vallarta Certified Dive	6½ to 7½ hours	The good weather and a diversity of marine life make Banderas Bay a great place to do some diving. You'll take two dives on this fun day in the water. Lunch is included.
Discover Scuba	6½ to 7 hours	If you've ever had an interest in scuba diving, this excursion gives you the introduction to the sport that you've been looking for.

Dolphins

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description
Dolphin Adventure	3 hours	This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 15-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.
Dolphin Encounter	2½ to 3 hours	This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 15-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.
Royal Dolphin Encounter & Aquaventuras Park	3 hours	This journey into the world of dolphins begins with a two-hour run of Aquaventuras Park Vallarta, and ends with your 15-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.
Kid's Dolphin Encounter/Dolphin Kids	2½ to 3 hours	This is a dolphin encounter experience tailor-made for your kids. They will have a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a family of dolphins.
Dolphin Swim Express	2½ hours	Get a jump on your day with this early-morning tour. This fun adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the 4 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.
Swim with the Dolphins	3 hours	This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.
Royal Dolphin Swim	5 hours	This exciting adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with two dolphins. You will ride on their dorsal fins and get a "foot push" into the air. Then you've got time to explore the park, with its dolphin and sea lion shows and children's area.
Royal Dolphin Swim & Sea Life Park	3 hours	This exciting adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with two dolphins. You will ride on their dorsal fins and get a "foot push" into the air. Then you've got time to explore the park, with its dolphin and sea lion shows and children's area.
Royal Dolphin Swim & Aquaventuras Park	5 hours	This exciting adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with two dolphins. You will ride on their dorsal fins and get a "foot push" into the air. Then you've got time to explore the park, with its dolphin and sea lion shows and children's area.
Dolphin Swim & Water Park	5 hours	This fun adventure at Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin. Then you've got time to explore the park, with its dolphin and sea lion shows and children's area.
Dolphin Swim Experience	5 to 6 hours	This fun adventure at the Aquaventuras Park Vallarta gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin.
Dolphin Swim Experience	3½ hours	This fun adventure at Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin. Includes lunch.
Dolphin Signature Swim	3½ hours	This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 4 other members of your group a 45-minute in-water experience interacting with a dolphin. Lunch is included.
Dolphin Trainer for a Day	6 to 7 hours	This great adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you a several hour in- and out of-water experience interacting with dolphins and sea lions.
Sea Lion Encounter/ Sea Lion Adventure	2½ to 3 hours	This fun adventure at the Dolphin Adventure Center gives you and the 7 other members of your group a 30-minute in-water experience interacting with sea lions.
Dolphin Spectator	2½ hours	This tour provides you with the option to participate as an observer at any of the Dolphin Swim tours offered by NCL.
Aquaventuras Park Vallarta/ Aquaventuras Park Admission & Transfer	5 hours	This tour provides you with transfer to the Aquaventuras Park Vallarta, admission to the park, and transfer back to your ship.

Eco Tours

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description
Tropical Jungle Paradise Tour	4½ to 5 hours	Head south of Puerto Vallarta to a tropical jungle outpost aptly named "El Eden." You'll see the movie set for the Arnold Schwarzenegger film Predator. Explore the dense vegetation, take a swim in a natural pool, and enjoy a lunch and drinks. It's a primal jungle out there.
Whale Photo Safari/ Exclusive Whale Photo Safari	4 hours	Become a modern-day Ahab in search of the whales of Banderas Bay! You'll get up close and personal...a fantastic way to see these wondrous sea creatures. This is a seasonal tour, running from December through March.
Whale Watching Adventure/ Half Day Whale Watching Tour	3½ hours	Sail Banderas Bay in search of wild whales. You'll get up close and personal...a fantastic way to see these wondrous sea creatures. This is a seasonal tour, running from December through March.

Golf

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
El Tigre Golf & Country Club	5 to 6 hours	A Robert von Hagge course. 18 holes, 7,239 yards, par 72. Lunch is on your own.
Flamingos Golf Course	5 hours	A Percy Clifford course. 18 holes, 6,853 yards, par 72

Hiking

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Expert Hiking Tour/ Sierra Madre Hiking Expedition Rated:	4 hours	Enjoy a day hiking in the tropical rain forest of the Sierra Madre mountains. Encounter exotic flora and fauna as you make your way to a mineral-rich hot springs, where you can take a dip.
Sierra Madre Nature Expedition/ Unimog Off-Road Adventure	7 to 8 hours	This is an expedition into the Sierra Madre mountains, where you'll spend about an hour hiking through pristine wilderness areas. A buffet-style barbecue lunch is served on a secluded beach, where you may have a chance to take an afternoon dip in the ocean.

Horseback Riding

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Countryside Horseback Ride/ Sierra Madre Horseback Ride	4 to 4½ hours	Take a ride deep into the Sierra Madre mountains, traversing shallow riverbeds and passing through small villages and banana and mango plantations. You can even take your horse for a swim in the crystal clear waters of a river. Lunch is included.
Sunset Horseback Ride & Barbeque	3½ to 4½ hours	This excursion features a one hour ride in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Includes a dinner and lasso and dance show performed by local youngsters.

Motorsports

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description
4X4 Tropical Safari/ Eco Safari Off-Road Adventure	7 hours	You and your Mercedes Benz Unimog off-road vehicle will be driven through clear mountain streams and through the lush jungle to explore the flora and fauna that lives beneath the tropical jungle canopy. You'll see 19th century villages and learn about the local culture. Includes a meal.
ATV Adventure/ ATV Off-Road Adventure/ ATV Adventure & Village Tour	4 hours	Get down and dirty in your 4 wheel drive ATV. You'll skirt the shores of Banderas Bay, crossing streams and make your way through the dusty foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Includes lunch.
Jeep Safari & Beach Adventure	5 to 5½ hours	Join three of your friends and tool around Puerto Vallarta and the Sierra Madre mountains in your open-air, manual transmission Wrangler Jeep.
Mini 4X4 Expedition/ Mini Jeep Adventure/ Rhino 4X4 Off Road Expedition	4 hours	Hop aboard your Yamaha Rhino 4X4 Mini-Jeep and go off-road across the beautiful (but dusty) foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. This is a fun way to spend your day in Puerto Vallarta.
Extreme Amphibian Adventure	3 hours	Explore the open fields, sandy riverbeds and splash and float through the creeks of the Sierra Madre foothills in your ATV.

Scenic Tours

Tour Name	Time	Brief Description	Offered By¹
Countryside Adventure	4 hours	See two sides of Puerto Vallarta that few tourists ever see. You'll travel to the small farming village of Ixtapa and visit the charming village of Las Palmas. Then it's time for some serious shopping in downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Important Information

Notes on the above cruise excursions:

The information on the cruise excursions listed above was developed from publicly available sources.
The cruise lines may elect to add to, change, delete or otherwise alter the itineraries of the excursions above;
The cruise lines may restrict the number of passengers allowed to go on any particular excursion.
The cruise lines may impose other restrictions on any particular excursion, including height, weight, minimum age, etc.; make sure to check with them to determine if there are such restrictions.
There may be seasonal limitations on certain excursions or tours, such as whale watching. Be sure to check with your cruise line to determine if the tour in which you're interested is available when you're on your cruise.

Why buy a tour through the cruise lines?

They have selected tour operator partners who are safe, reliable, licensed and insured.
They offer a wide selection of tours, purchasing convenience and can provide expert advice on the most appropriate tour for you.
They offer a one price, no surprises policy, with no hidden fees.
They will be happy to credit your onboard account if you've already booked an excursion and there is a change in itinerary of the ship.
They will wait for you if your tour is late.

Footnotes

Carnival

Royal Caribbean

Celebrity Cruises

Princess Cruises

Holland America

NCL