Puerto Vallarta is a beach town located on Mexico’s Pacific coast that has beautiful beaches, water sports, and a fun nightlife scene. It also has charming cobblestone streets with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. While the winter months are considered the high season for tourism, summer is also a great time to visit Puerto Vallarta. Also, flights to visit Puerto Vallarta are more affordable during the summertime, and there are less people in town which means less traffic too. The rainy season falls between June and mid-October, so visitors will likely be treated with views of some of the most spectacular lightning and thunderstorm displays they have ever seen. Also, summers have less wave action and the water is clearer so it’s a great time to go snorkeling. In addition to outdoor activities, we compiled a list of fun things to do in Puerto Vallarta during the summer. Read more below!
Go to a Rhythms of the Night Show
The Rhythms of the Night Show is one of the top tours in Puerto Vallarta that visitors love to attend. First, guests will take a boat ride across Banderas Bay to arrive at a private beach alit with candles and torches. There, guests will enjoy a delicious dinner as they watch performances that celebrate Mexico’s heritage and history. Talented dancers and live music create an impressive theatrical performance that showcases the origins of the Huichol tribes which are native to the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. The Huichol people were very connected to nature, animals, and spirits, and their ancient rituals come to life during the show in a beautiful setting that visitors will never forget.
Visit the Hidden Beach
At the Islas Marietas National Park off the shore of Puerto Vallarta, there is a hidden beach that is also known as Playa del Amor, which means the “beach of love” in English. The secluded sandy cavern is located on an island in the north part of Banderas Bay, about an hour northwest of Puerto Vallarta. To get there, you need to take a boat from Punta Mita, Nayarit. Years ago, this part of Islas Marietas National Park was completely enclosed, but was likely created as a result of artillery tests. Today, the Hidden Beach is a private oasis where vacationers can relax on a white, sandy beach and swim in crystal blue waters inside the lush, tropical island. The beach is only accessible during low tide and it’s worth a visit during your summer vacation to Puerto Vallarta.
Go on a Food Tour
Another great thing to do during the summer in Puerto Vallarta is to go on a food tour. There are hundreds of amazing restaurants in the area, and it’s impossible to try them all. To get a better idea of the best foods in the area, why not take a food tour? For example, Puerto Vallarta Food Tours offers a variety of tours that allow visitors to try some of the town’s best dishes. Their friendly and knowledgeable guides will also provide information about the history of the town along the way. Their original tour features 8 one-of-a-kind food tastings of iconic regional dishes. In addition, the walking cultural food tour was voted #4 food experience in the world by TripAdvisor in 2020 and #5 in 2019! They also have additional tours that focus on street food or visit other parts of Banderas Bay like Pitilal, Bucerias and bike/food tours.
Visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Puerto Vallarta are the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. There, they study, preserve, and display a large variety of Mexican native plants for the enjoyment of locals and visitors.The gardens are beautifully maintained, and are densely planted with a wide variety of fragrant, colorful flowers and plants. In addition, they have been a top conservation leader in Mexico for over 16 years. Guests will enjoy strolling along the garden trails, exploring conservatories, and checking out educational exhibits. If you work up an appetite, you can enjoy an authentic Mexican meal in the Hacienda del Oro Restaurant that has lovely views of the property. If you have time, head down to the freshwater stream on the property that is ideal for an afternoon dip to cool off. Make sure to bring your camera so you can take pictures of the beautiful scenery.
Eat at Casa Kimberly
If you want to enjoy an unforgettable meal with your sweetheart during your summer vacation in Puerto Vallarta, head to Casa Kimberly. The former home of actress Elizabeth Taylor and actor Richard Burton is now a boutique hotel with fine dining restaurant, La Iguana. The open air restaurant serves delicious dishes that are accompanied by stunning architecture and first class service. They often have live Mariachi bands playing during dinner hours as well. Make sure to visit the well preserved Puente Del Amor (Bridge of Love) that connected Taylor’s house with Burton’s house located across the street. It’s a romantic place that is sure to be a favorite vacation memory for couples visiting the area.
Walk the Malecon Boardwalk
No visit to Puerto Vallarta is complete without taking a stroll along the iconic Malecon Boardwalk. Walking along the Malecon is a free and fast way to really understand the essence of Puerto Vallarta. The Malecón is a 12-block, mile-long esplanade that extends from downtown Puerto Vallarta into Old Town. The beachside promenade features contemporary sculptures, shops, restaurants, bars, lounges and nightclubs. Take in all the vibrant colors, sounds, and aromas as you walk the Malecon. Stop and enjoy a meal or grab a cold drink, buy souvenirs or take memorable vacation photos. The Malecon is closed to vehicle traffic so the pedestrian friendly walkway is ideal for people watching and for appreciating great views of Banderas Bay.
Hike to Mirador de la Cruz
Next, if you want to be active during your summer vacation to Puerto Vallarta, you should try the urban hike known as the Cerro de La Cruz Mirador. Head to the Malecon boardwalk to start the hike. From there, start to walk inland for a few blocks until you reach a set of white stairs. The long Mirador’s stairs twist and turn as you climb up the hill so wear comfortable shoes as it’s a challenging workout. Once you reach the top, visitors will love the impressive 360-degree views of the city and Banderas Bay. Many people say it’s one of the best places to take amazing photos so make sure to bring your camera along.
Go Skydiving
If you want an adrenaline pumping adventure, why not try skydiving in Puerto Vallarta? Skydive Puerto Vallarta is a very safe and professional company to skydive with and they follow the USPA (United States Parachute Association) guidelines. Beginner skydivers will start with a tandem jump where they will jump out of the plane with an instructor attached to them. Also, many people have said that skydiving in Puerto Vallarta is one of the most amazing experiences to take part of in the country. From high above, the beautiful views of Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are simply out of this world.
Are you planning a visit to Puerto Vallarta during the summer? If so, bring cool clothes as the weather in Puerto Vallarta is especially warm and humid between July and October. While there are tons of outdoor activities and water sports to enjoy all year round, we hope you enjoyed our list of fun things to do in Puerto Vallarta during the summer. Let us know what you enjoyed the most and why.
About Lemuria Real Estate
Ideally situated on Puerto Vallarta’s exclusive South Shore, Lemuria Residences is a new luxury condominium complex that belongs to a Master planned community designed by the prestigious Gensler Global Architecture firm. The ecologically planned themed property includes more than 1700 acres of preserved Sierra Madre jungle with stunning views of the mountains and Banderas Bay. The outstanding onsite amenities include multiple pools, BBQ areas, restaurants, a 2000 square meter spa, Sports Club, gym, tennis courts, pickleball courts, organic herb garden, and yoga spaces. There are also freshwater rivers and private hiking trails located nearby so it’s the ideal place to invest if you want to be close to nature. Contact Lemuria Residences today to learn more about our luxury beachfront condominiums for sale in Puerto Vallarta.