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LOCAL FAVORITES & HIDDEN GEMS

Discover Authentic Puerto Vallarta

Botanical Gardens

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden is a 26-hectare natural sanctuary that celebrates Mexico’s biodiversity. Surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains, it offers an ecological, educational, and deeply sensory experience, ideal for artists, nature lovers, and conscious travelers.

Key Features:

  • Excellent Location: Just 30 minutes south of Puerto Vallarta, at km 24 on the road to Barra de Navidad, in the heart of the rainforest.
  • Size and Biodiversity: Over 26 hectares with trails, rivers, waterfalls, and themed gardens.

It houses:

  • Orchids, bromeliads, agaves, cacti, magnolias, oaks, and wild palms
  • Exotic birds, butterflies, iguanas, and endemic fauna

Themed gardens:

  • Native orchid garden
  • Cactus and succulent garden
  • Medicinal plant garden
  • Hummingbird garden

Hacienda de Oro Restaurant:

Traditional Mexican cuisine with local ingredients, live music, and spectacular valley views

Museum and botanical shop:

Educational and conservation spaces with handcrafted products and specialized books

International recognition:

Chosen as the third most impressive garden in North America by USA Today

Butterfly Sanctuary

The Butterfly Sanctuary, also known as the Magic Garden Butterfly Garden, is an ecological oasis in Puerto Vallarta where you can walk among native butterflies, learn about their life cycle, and reconnect with nature in a magical and educational setting.

Key Features:

  • Excellent Location: Located at Rancho Madre Tierra, about 25 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, surrounded by tropical rainforest and tranquility.
  • Native Butterfly Sanctuary: Home to dozens of local species that fly freely within a mesh-covered garden filled with tropical plants, flowers, and fruit trees.

Educational Experience:

  • Observe the complete life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly
  • Passionate guides explain the ecological role of butterflies and their relationship to local biodiversity
  • Butterfly Release: Participate in symbolic ceremonies where newly emerged butterflies are released—an emotional and spiritual experience

Active Conservation:
The sanctuary works on habitat restoration, environmental education and collaboration with nature reserves to protect endangered species.

Sea Turtle Release

Releasing sea turtles in Puerto Vallarta is a magical, educational, and deeply moving experience that connects visitors with environmental conservation and the ocean’s natural life cycle.

Sea Turtle Release Features:

  • Release Season: July to December, especially between August and November, when hatchlings emerge from their nests and are ready to reach the sea.
  • Protected Species: Primarily olive ridley sea turtles, although leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles are also observed.

Participating Turtle Camps and Hotels:

  • Boca de Tomates Camp
  • Mayto Camp
  • Marriott Hotel, Velas Vallarta, CasaMagna, and other resorts with conservation programs

Guided Experience:

  • Educational introduction to the turtle life cycle
  • Direct participation in the release of hatchlings at sunset
  • Family-friendly, safe activity supervised by biologists and volunteers

Free or Donation-Based Access:
Some programs are open to the public, while others require reservations or voluntary contributions to support conservation.

Eco Tours

Eco-tours in Puerto Vallarta offer profound and sustainable experiences that connect visitors with the region’s biodiversity, local culture, and most breathtaking landscapes. They are ideal for those seeking adventure, environmental awareness, and natural beauty.

Diverse Ecosystems:

  • Los Arcos National Marine Park: snorkeling and diving among tropical fish and rock formations
  • Marietas Islands: birdwatching, snorkeling, and a visit to Lover’s Beach
  • Macaw and exotic bird sanctuaries: such as La Desembocada and El Tuito
  • Sea turtle camps: participate in hatchling releases

Sustainable Activities:

  • Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, zip-lining, and rappelling
  • Humpback whale watching (December to March)
  • Visits to Huichol communities and cultural experiences

Certified Operators:
Companies like Ecotours Vallarta offer expert guides, eco-friendly transportation, and responsible practices

Environmental Education:
Many tours include talks on conservation, flora and fauna, and sustainable practices

Miradores

The viewpoints of Puerto Vallarta offer some of the most spectacular views of Banderas Bay, combining nature, architecture, and excitement. They are ideal for photography, contemplation, and connecting with the urban and jungle landscape.

Main viewpoints and their features:

1. Cerro de la Cruz Viewpoint

  • Location: At the top of the historic center, accessible from Abasolo Street.
  • Features:
    – 360° panoramic view of the city, the ocean, and the mountains.
    – Steep but safe staircase with benches for resting.
    – Ideal for watching the sunrise or sunset.
  • Why visit: It is the most famous and photogenic viewpoint, perfect for capturing the essence of Vallarta.

2. Matamoros Street Lighthouse Viewpoint

  • Location: In the center, near the Malecón and the Plaza de Armas.
  • Features:
    – Elevated view of the sea and the old town.
    – Easy access from the Malecón.
  • Why visit: It’s centrally located, easily accessible, and offers a historical perspective of the port.

3. Paseo del Aguacate (Avocado Walk)

  • Location: In the hills behind the Romantic Zone.
  • Features:
    – Scenic trail through tropical vegetation.
    – Partial views of the sea and the city.
  • Why visit: Ideal for leisurely walks and nature photography.

4. Cuale River Pedestrian Bridge Lookout

  • Location: Over the Cuale River, connecting downtown with the Romantic Zone.
  • Features:
    – Views of the river, vegetation, and colonial architecture.
    – A place for both passing through and contemplation.
  • Why visit: It’s an urban lookout that connects history and nature.

Art Walk

The Puerto Vallarta Art Walk is a weekly celebration of local and international art, where galleries in the Historic Center open their doors every Wednesday evening. It’s a vibrant, free, and deeply inspiring cultural experience.

Art Walk Features:

  • 2024–2025 Season: Held every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., from October 30, 2024, to June 25, 2025.
  • Participating Galleries: Includes spaces like Galería Colectika, Galería de Ollas, Galería Pacifico, and more, each with unique offerings of Mexican, Latin American, and contemporary art.
  • Rotating Exhibitions: Painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and indigenous art. Many galleries present new collections each week.
  • Festive and Welcoming Atmosphere: Some galleries offer complimentary wine, live music, and the opportunity to chat directly with the artists.
  • Free and pedestrian tour: The galleries are located close to each other, allowing you to explore several in a single night walking through the streets of the Historic Center.

Los Arcos

The Arches of the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta are a cultural and architectural icon that blends history, art, and ocean views. They are the symbolic heart of the historic center and a meeting point for locals and visitors alike.

Features of the Arches of the Malecón:

  • Central and scenic location: They are located on the Aquiles Serdán Esplanade, directly facing the ocean, between the Plaza de Armas and the Naval Museum, at the southern end of the Malecón.
  • Colonial architecture: They are four large stone arches brought from a hacienda near Guadalajara. Their design evokes the viceregal aesthetic and serves as a backdrop for cultural events.
  • Open-air amphitheater: The esplanade in front of the arches functions as an urban theater, hosting free dance, music, theater, and festival performances throughout the year.
  • Ocean views: From the arches, you can contemplate Banderas Bay, especially at sunset, when the sky is painted with warm colors and the sea reflects the golden light.
  • Accessibility and vibrant atmosphere: Surrounded by sculptures, street artists, craft stalls and restaurants, they are part of the most emblematic promenade in Puerto Vallarta.

Isla Marietas

The Marietas Islands are a natural treasure off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, famous for their biodiversity, volcanic beauty, and the iconic Lover’s Beach (Playa del Amor). Visiting this National Park is a unique experience for nature lovers, snorkelers, and photographers.

Key Features of the Marietas Islands:

  • Protected Location: Located in the state of Nayarit, about 30 minutes by boat from Punta de Mita or 1 hour from Puerto Vallarta. They are part of a National Park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
  • Volcanic Formation: The islands consist of two main islands (Isla Redonda and Isla Larga), islets, and rocky shoals, with caves, cliffs, and natural tunnels.
  • Lover’s Beach (Hidden Beach): A hidden beach inside a collapsed cave, accessible only by swimming through a tunnel. It is the visual icon of the Marietas.
  • Marine Biodiversity:
    – Coral reefs ideal for diving and snorkeling
    – Humpback whales (in season), dolphins, manta rays
    – Birds such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans
  • Regulated Access: To protect the ecosystem, access is limited and requires a conservation bracelet. Only certain authorized tours can enter Lover’s Beach.