Puerto Vallarta: the family vacation for all ages
When generations of a family come together for a vacation, it’s all about the right destination. One that has something for everyone in the family.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico offers vacationers and their families the opportunity to enjoy time together but also experience the destination in their own way. Ranging from kid-friendly water sports and a wide range of eco-adventures in the Sierra Madre Mountains to pre-Hispanic spa treatments there are plenty of activities that can be fine-tuned to the needs of each member of the group or for the entire family to enjoy.
Here are some popular suggestions for young and old:
Bonding time with grandpa and grandma
Take a stroll down the Malecón to enjoy the arts and crafts markets and free outdoor entertainment. Concerts, mimes, and the flying dancers of Papantla, can be a fun and educational experience.
Visit the newly opened Vallarta Theatre, and see a performance of Fandango, a dance presentation of Mexico’s many cultures, or visit the Naval Museum, the Pre-Hispanic Museum or the Botanical Gardens to explore more of Mexico’s history.
On Thursday and Sunday nights at the main town square, right across from the Malecón, when the Municipal Band plays live and local families congregate for an open air, old-fashioned town hall dance.
Quality time with the whole family
With more than 10 international airlines arriving on a daily basis, family members can reunite no matter where they are coming from.
Depending on the season, visitors can schedule a cooking class at El Arrayan Restaurant to learn how to make their favorite tacos. Take a day trip to Las Caletas, a secluded beach hideaway that’s only accessible by sea, where they can go snorkeling with sea lions, scuba diving or kayaking and explore the area on a guided nature walk.
Kids and adults alike can also enjoy a visit to the “El Quelele” lagoon, a wildlife preserve featuring the American Crocodile. Families can take a canal tour through the lagoon’s mangroves and get close to the birds, crocodiles, and other native species. At the University of Guadalajara’s Crocodile and Reptile Research Center visitors have the opportunity to hold crocodile hatchlings as well as learn more about the American crocodile species from expert biologists.
Kids and adults alike can enjoy swimming with Pacific Bottlenose dolphins at Vallarta Adventures‘ saltwater lagoon. There are numerous programs available for non-swimmers as well and for those who’d like to spend half a day alongside with professional trainers to learn about training marine mammals.
From December to April is the time of year to take a boat ride in the Bay of Banderas to watch the Humpback whales play in the calm waters of the bay as they migrate to the area to find a mate and breed. As many as 300 whales have been sighted during one season.
For an outdoor adventure, exploring the back roads of Puerto Vallarta on an ATV (all terrain vehicle) will prove a fun-filled experience. The tour takes riders to the rural countryside and along dirt roads and through rivers.
Or for adventure close to the hotel, aid in the release of newborn sea turtles on the beaches. Ridley sea turtles make their way back to the shores of Puerto Vallarta every year, from July to December, in their ancient annual cycle of reproduction. Numerous hotels in Puerto Vallarta run a marine turtle conservation and protection program with the help of a professional marine biologist where the eggs are incubated in their nests to best preserve natural conditions.
Romantic moments
Take an afternoon stroll along the beautiful white sand beaches and enjoy the view from El Faro Lighthouse Bar in Marina Vallarta. Rekindle the romance over dinner at one of Puerto Vallarta’s internationally acclaimed restaurants and dance the night away at one of the many nightclubs along the Malecón. Numerous spas offer romantic couples spa treatments.
I’m a big kid now
All-inclusive resorts such as the Meliá Puerto Vallarta, Dreams, or Velas Vallarta provide the entire family with ways to enjoy all their amenities without grownups having to be around all the time. Groups of younger kids can enjoy the kid pools, get a drink or let their imagination go in a safe environment.
These resorts make kids feel welcome with themed Kids Clubs complete with kid friendly activities and staff. Some other resorts offering such packages are along with other popular Puerto Vallarta hotels including Holiday Inn, Crown Paradise Club, Fiesta Americana, Barcelo la Jolla de Mismaloya, NH Krystal Vallarta, Westin Resort Spa Puerto Vallarta and CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.
Vallarta for teens
Rent a bike and ride through the streets of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Take a moment out at one of the many restaurants on the beach, which are perfect for a refreshing drink in coconut shells, people watching and getting Henna tattoos. More adventurous teens may enjoy mountain biking, tropical rainforest hikes, canopy tours, and several other adrenaline-filled ways to see and learn about the varied tropical flora and fauna of the Sierra Madre Mountains as they zip from tree to tree.
Teens staying for a longer period of time can also take advantage of volunteer tourism opportunities in surrounding villages or taking Spanish classes in one of the many schools.
For more information visit Puerto Vallarta tourism.
More Puerto Vallarta Resources:
- Pick up a copy of the Hidden Puerto Vallarta travel guide!
- Check out this Tango Diva’s experience south of beautiful Puerto Vallarta.
- If you know that this is the place for you, try Cheapostay to find luxury hotels, like the Villa Vera with a 15% discount online!
