5-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Puerto Vallarta

• Day 1: Start your day at El Malecon boardwalk overlooking the bay. Take a stroll and enjoy the colorful sculptures and street performances. After visiting Los Muertos Beach, head to Pancho's Takos for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, explore the Historic Center and visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe. End your day with a mesmerizing sunset at La Isla Shopping Village.
• Day 2: Start early and head to Marietas Islands for snorkeling and paddleboarding. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the stunning beach before heading back to the mainland. During the late afternoon, head to the Botanical Gardens and take a guided tour. Have dinner at The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar while enjoying the stunning view of the city.
• Day 3: Begin your day with a visit to the Vallarta Zoo where you can get up close and personal with over 1000 animals. After lunch at Joe Jack's Fish Shack, head to Los Arcos National Marine Park for some more snorkeling and kayaking. End your day at El Anclote Beach where you can enjoy dinner at Tuna Blanca by Café des Artistes.
• Day 4: Early in the morning, head to one of the many zip line parks such as Vallarta Adventures or Canopy River for an adrenaline filled adventure. After lunch, relax and enjoy the stunning beach of Bucerias. In the evening, head to Le Kliff for dinner and enjoy the stunning cliffside view of the ocean.
• Day 5: Start your day with a visit to the Dolphin Discovery Puerto Vallarta and have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. In the afternoon, take a sailboat trip to Las Caletas Beach to enjoy water activities, such as snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking. End your trip with a delicious dinner at Café des Artistes.

Time and Cost Estimates

• El Malecon Boardwalk - 2 hours - Free
• Los Muertos Beach - 2 hours - Free
• Pancho's Takos - 1 hour - $
• Historic Center - 2 hours - Free
• Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe - 1 hour - Free
• La Isla Shopping Village - 2 hours - $$
• Marietas Islands - 6 hours - $$$
• Botanical Gardens - 3 hours - $$
• The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar - 2 hours - $$
• Vallarta Zoo - 3 hours - $$
• Joe Jack's Fish Shack - 1 hour - $
• Los Arcos National Marine Park - 5 hours - $$
• El Anclote Beach - 3 hours - $$$
• Zip Line - 4 hours - $$$
• Bucerias Beach - 4 hours - Free
• Le Kliff - 2 hours - $$$
• Dolphin Discovery Puerto Vallarta - 3 hours - $$$
• Las Caletas Beach - 6 hours - $$$
• Café des Artistes - 2 hours - $$$

Total Estimated Cost: $$$$

Transportation

Transportation options include taxi, Uber, and public buses. Taxis and Uber are convenient for point-to-point trips and can be hailed on the street or through the app. Public buses are less expensive but can be crowded during peak hours. Many destinations are in walking distance from each other.

Links to Key Attractions and Restaurants

• Pancho's Takos
• The Iguana Restaurant & Tequila Bar
• Joe Jack's Fish Shack
• Tuna Blanca by Café des Artistes
• Canopy River
• Le Kliff

Tips

If you want to add more time to your trip, consider visiting other nearby towns such as Sayulita or San Pancho. If you want to shorten your trip, consider combining some of the activities or only visiting some of the destinations.