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Family-Friendly Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta
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items Easy escapes from PV that offer a mix of culture, food, and fun — whether you’re traveling with kids or sneaking in a grown-up day.
Sections
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Sayulita & San Pancho | Coastal Vibes & Colorful Chaos
La Cruz & Riviera Nayarit | Coastal Culture & Markets
Excursion Planning
Countryside Experiences
Wildlife & Nature Experiences
Adventure & Entertainment Tours
Sayulita & San Pancho | Coastal Vibes & Colorful Chaos
From surf towns to artisan markets, these spots are full of personality — sometimes charming, sometimes chaotic, always memorable.
Sayulita has a vibe — artisan kombucha, barefoot expats charging $200 for yoga, and at least one guy blessing surfboards. It’s not totally my scene, but it’s still fun for a kid-free brunch, people-watching, and chaotic color. 👉🏼 Want a taste of Sa... 📸 See our post: @the_wandering_wongs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DF4Va-dOqqG/?img_index=1
Sayulita: Hipster Paradise or Hamster Nest?
Just over an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is a vibrant surf town that combines beach life with small-town charm. Getting there is easy and affordable — we hopped on the public bus outside Walmart. At 50 pesos each, it was a comfortable (an...
Sayulita | Surf, Sun & Family Fun
We headed up to San Pancho on a school-free day and were reminded why this little town keeps pulling us back. Just five miles north of Sayulita, San Pancho feels like a quieter, more grounded version of what Sayulita used to be years ago. The beach h...
San Pancho: A Laid-Back Beach Day Away from the Crowds
La Cruz & Riviera Nayarit | Coastal Culture & Markets
Exploring the vibrant marina towns north of PV — think fishing villages, artisan markets, and fresh seafood by the water.
Strolling the marina’s fish market in La Cruz, enjoying a oceanside seafood lunch. 🌟 Places like La Cruz show the local rhythm: fresh catch, friendly faces, and family time without the tourist rush. 👉🏼 Want a guided version? The Hector Kitchens Fi...https://www.instagram.com/p/DKqxhozAy28/?img_index=1
Hector Kitchens Fish Market Tour: A Culinary Adventure in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Excursion Planning
Ideas for family-friendly outings around PV, from jungle adventures to coastal escapes.
As newcomers, we quickly made a list of day trips we couldn’t wait to try: fishing, snorkeling, visiting the zoo, and ziplining on a canopy tour. Puerto Vallarta makes it easy for families to plan adventures that balance fun with accessibility. This ... https://www.instagram.com/p/CU_cZiDgbo8/?img_index=1
Planning Our First Puerto Vallarta Excursions
Countryside Experiences
Day trips that take you beyond the city to discover farms, ranches, and authentic cultural traditions.
Just outside Puerto Vallarta, families can experience a slice of rural Mexico at Las Cazuelas Ranch. A guided countryside drive led us to an unforgettable breakfast of Menudo, Machaca, and Chilaquiles — complete with warm tortillas and fresh flavors....
Family Ranch Visit & Traditional Breakfast
Wildlife & Nature Experiences
Excursions where kids can connect with nature and experience wildlife conservation firsthand.
At Campamento Tortuguero Boca de Tomates, families can take part in an unforgettable conservation effort: releasing baby sea turtles into the ocean. The camp is non-profit, free to join (with reservations), and donations go directly toward protecting... https://www.instagram.com/p/CVMe39WAFpg/?img_index=3
Sea Turtle Release at Boca de Tomates
No jaguars, ocelots, or monkeys this time — but plenty of butterflies, birds, and a refreshing dip in the river. It had been a while since our last “excursion,” so an afternoon at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens was the perfect reset. Located just pas...
Exploring Vallarta Botanical Gardens
It’s wild that it took us over a year of living here to finally visit El Edén — especially since we’ll pick rivers and waterfalls over the beach any day. But today we made it out, and now I totally get why it’s such a popular spot. The drive was easy... https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck7IE9IusLS/?img_index=1
Puerto Vallarta: RZR Viking El Eden
Adventure & Entertainment Tours
Interactive excursions that combine shows, activities, and fun for all ages.
For Justin’s 10th birthday, we went on the Pirate Ship Vallarta adventure — and his words said it all: “This is the best birthday ever.” The pirates worked nonstop to make sure every guest was having fun. Their characters were hilarious, the show was... https://www.instagram.com/p/CVUajlcA-JI/?img_index=3
Pirate Ship Vallarta | Justin’s 10th Birthday Adventure
Theme Parks & Animal Encounters
Outings big and small that became highlights of our family’s time in Mexico.
Getting there wasn’t easy — what should have been a 15-minute drive turned into an hour due to a military blockade. Authorities were searching the area after a violent incident two days earlier, and traffic toward Nayarit was at a standstill. We stil... https://www.instagram.com/p/CVowuCSAaNP/?img_index=3
Aquaventuras Park | Dolphins, Lazy River & Waterslides
Zoos are familiar to most of us — but the Vallarta Zoo in Mismaloya is something entirely different. Instead of “Do Not Feed the Animals” signs, you’re encouraged to feed them! With your entrance ticket, you receive small bags of healthy treats like ...
Vallarta Zoo | A Family Adventure in Mismaloya
Fishing, Wildlife & Ocean Adventures
From whale watching to family fishing charters, these outings bring you up close with the marine life and natural beauty of Banderas Bay.
We left early for Mismaloya, a seaside town whose name comes from the Nahuatl word Michmaloyan, meaning “the place where you can catch fish with your hands.” It’s a small cove fringed with jungle and a perfect sandy beach, where pelicans act like dog... View our adventure here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CWPPdjegyfn/?img_index=3
Fishing in Mismaloya | Sunrise, Sailfish & Fresh-Cooked Lunch
Whale season in Puerto Vallarta runs from December to March, when humpbacks migrate from Alaska to the warm waters of Banderas Bay to mate and raise their young. We lucked out with a spectacular show — humpbacks breaching again and again, dolphins da...
Whale Watching in Banderas Bay
If you want to go fishing in Puerto Vallarta, Adrian Peña from REEL Adventures in Mismaloya is hands-down the best person to go with. We’ve gone out with him multiple times now and he’s consistently knowledgeable, patient, safe, and just genuinely go...
Fishing with Adrian Peña | REEL Adventures in Mismaloya
Worldschool Adventures & Family Moments
Family days that blend travel, play, and discovery — proof that the world itself is the best classroom.
Just a short trip up the Río Cuale from downtown Puerto Vallarta lies the small town of Paso Ancho — home to El Rio BBQ, a laid-back riverside spot with a panoramic palapa, sandy beach, and live music. Today’s soundtrack was The B34ST mx, and they we...
A Day at El Rio BBQ in Paso Ancho
Yelapa
A hidden village at the edge of Banderas Bay — reachable only by boat and known for its waterfalls, golden beaches, and peaceful rhythm of life.
Oh, Yelapa. No government. No police. No cars. No roads. Just pure, unfiltered freedom. ❤️🇲🇽 Tucked along the southern coast of Banderas Bay, Yelapa can only be reached by boat — which is part of what makes it so magical. You catch a panga (water t...
A Day in Yelapa | 100% Freedom
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClfVPeROtzL/?img_index=1 Yelapa is always one of our favorite escapes from Puerto Vallarta. It feels like stepping into a simpler world: no cars, no police, no government, just a tiny oceanfront community surrounded by jungle. Once you hop off the boat, the whole vibe slows...
Yelapa Beach Day | Sunshine, Seafood & Slow Living
Mismaloya
A coastal gem south of Puerto Vallarta — known for its calm waters, fishing trips, and laid-back beachside dining.
The plan was to spend the day by the river in Paso Ancho, but when we arrived, there was a private event — so we detoured to Mismaloya, and it turned out to be the best kind of change in plans. It was Grandma and Grandpa’s last full day before headin...
A Family Day in Mismaloya
Rivers, Swimming Holes & Jungle Hangouts
Our favorite spots along the rivers and in the jungle around Puerto Vallarta, perfect for lazy float days, live music by the water, kid friendly swimming, and a break from the beach crowds.
El Rio BBQ Bar is one of those places where you can happily lose an entire day. It sits right on the river in the jungle outside Puerto Vallarta, so you get that mix of live music, good food, and a natural swimming spot all in one place. The atmosphe...
El Rio BBQ Bar | Live Music and River Day in the Jungle
Living somewhere long enough changes how places feel. What once felt like an outing eventually becomes part of your routine. That is exactly what river days have become for us. This was one of those weekends that felt less like “doing something” and ...
A Familiar River Day With Friends Old and New