50 Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Based on another article, we've made our own version of the "Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta".

Go to the Marietas Islands and swim through the cave from the sea to the inner beach on the island, felt like in a miniature version of "The Beach" the movie, just cozier and without sharks .
Get down town long the malecon on a Sunday night to stroll with the locals all dressed up with their families ... a really and truly fun time.

Go to Los Muertos, pick a beach bar, order a cold one and watch the sunset.
Go up to El Eden and slide down the waterfall.
Sit on your lanai with a big bowl of homemade guacumole, chips, pickled peppers, a bottle of cuban rum and a glass with ice.
Watch the Beach Vendors till you see a "must have " - then bargain till you do have!
I think wherever I park myself in PV what I enjoy most is just looking....people watching ..looking at the Ocean..the mountains ...the morning the night the daytime sky...
Stepping off the plane, taking a deep breath and come to to the reality that you are in PV... that is the first thing I like to do.
Ride the donkey at Andale.
Going up to Bucerias with friends to see Bubba and the Bottom Feeders playing at El Pescador.
Hopping a bus to Mismaloya, seeking out my fav beach restaurant and servers, pulling a chair up to water's edge, burying my feet in the sand, cold Sol or fishbowl margarita (rocks, no salt) in hand, watching for Juanita, Yelapa pie lady, catching up on our server friends news and new additions (could be kids, could be a new TV!) feeding tidbits of whatever I'm eating to the beach dog(s) that have plunked down beside me, and waiting for the first wave of vendors ready to convince me that they have the "must have" item that will make my vacation complete. ahhhh just a few short months and this will be a reality...

A boat trip to Yelapa, visiting the pristine tropical beaches on the way. Maybe stay in Yelapa overnight, if it is still the same castaway environment it was 7 years ago, without lights, phones and full of animals and life.
A trip to Andales, to sing the Alice Song, and watch all the newbies drop their jaws when everybody yells at the top of their lungs, "Alice, Alice, who the &^%$ is Alice!!" Another round King David.... the party is on...
Just being...... barefootloose and fancy free...
Take the bus...anywhere! Go north on the bay to Destiladeras beach...nicest one on the bay (imho)
Have a romantic sunset dinner at El Palomar de los Gonzales.
Eat a "coctel de camarones" (with ketchup , shrimp cocktail) at the Ocho Tostadas.
Get lucky with the moon phases and go see Rythm of the Nights on a full moon ... dining on the beach before the show, and the cruise back with the moon all a glow... totally romantic...
Take a bus ride to tinos mariscos in pitillal and have the pescado sarandeado.
Go to the grocery store and see all the different stuff - buy some beer and wine and snacks from the excellent bakery - go back (resort /condo) and watch the sunset .
Realizing that I don't have to be anywhere else except where I am at !!!!no watch, no phone,,,no problem.
Try one of the canopy tours, specially in the rainy season, green and more green, tall trees, jungle, zipping along, life is great!
Spend half an hour chasing beach/sand crabs - if you catch one - make it say uncle and release it !
Early morning coffee on our honeymoon suite's veranda. Looking out over the bay for "thar she blows"... watching for whales, dolphin, the pelicans, joggers, walkers, etc. soooooooooooooooooo relaxing... as well as watching all the lounge chair savers getting their spots early in the morning. DUH...
Another of my favourites is sitting at Burros Bar, feet dug into the sand with a Gigantic Strawberry Daquiri (Vodka instead of Rum of Course) listening to Luis the waiter tell his pitiful jokes.
Having your photo taken sitting in the Big Bronze Ears on the malecon.
For us it is seeing all our friends and family at the Golden Crown Paradise too. I am sure many of you have close personal ties to people at the resorts, resturants, tiendas, etc... that you frequent when you come to Vallarta. that is what makes coming back year after year (once a year, twice a year, or you come down and stay for six weeks or longer). It is the love we all feel for the people, the city...
A Cab Ride...

Take the nighttime Marigalante Pirate Ship tour (Pirates of the Bay, I think they call it). Good food and drink, fun show, dancing, great all the way through.
If you are still young at heart.... not taking all kinds of medication... in reasonable physical shape... love your partner very much.....and to lazy to walk around or veg by the pool.... a couple of afternoons of great sex can't be beat. Hell of a great way to lose calories.
I always enjoy a walk across one of the swinging bridges .
Talk to the locals, get all their latest pv tips, new places, closed places, etc.
Go to San Sebastián del Oeste or Mascota, like going back in time, a simple and relaxed time...
Surf in Sayulita then bus back to PV for drinks and the sunset!!!
Take the Vallarta Adventures tour to San Blas. It includes a boat ride through the mangrove swamp to see wild crocodiles. Chomp.
Meeting old & new friends at meet-up at El Nido bar
Parasailing. I did it a few years ago from the Mayan Palace down past the mouth of the marina, where I looked down on the top deck of one of those huge cruise ships then, down along the hotel zone beaches with people calling and waving to me, though I didn't have the courage to let go and wave back. It was a blast and only 400 pesos.
A gourmet dinner at the Trio restaurant (I hope it still exists), was a very memorable dinner for me, was also great at the Abadia Basso, but that one is no longer there (I think). Actually a gourmet dinner should be a must, no matter where in the long list of options in Puerto Vallarta
Strawberries & cream at the Malecon
Add extra avocado to that shrimp cocktail at Ocho Tostadas
Just walking about Vallarta day or night, any day of the week, and taking in all the sights, the sounds, and aromas from the resturants and street vendors getting ready for the day. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so relaxing and peacefull...
If you go to the corner right by Los Arcos Amphitheater, there is a place that sells frozen fruit bars. The coconut or pineapple bars are absolute Heaven sitting by the dolphin fountain on a hot afternoon of shopping.
Go to Los Pibes and have a steak!! mmmmmm
About 15 minutes from the south side down hwy 200 on the left side will be El Nogalito village and El Nogalito restaurant. Nice quiet jungle setting next to a stream, very similar to the MDA grounds. Fresh seafood and Mexican fare. While waiting for lunch, have a chat with Tequila and Margarita, the restaurant's beautiful parrots.
Mornings at Dee's Coffee Company on Rodolfo Gomez. For those of you who have not yet made its acquaintance, Dee's is an oasis. Each cup of coffee is freshly brewed. The on the premises baking, particularly the cinnamon buns is heavenly. Samba music softly playing...definitely a great way to ease into the day.
If i could surf i'd say surfing in sayulita too, but can't so i'll say, day trip north thru sayulita, san poncho, lo de marcos, guayabitos and la penita - stop for cocktails in guayabitos - there is restaurant perched on hill on south side of bay - wonderful view of everything.
Once you can see PV - the feeling that you've come home after a long journey away...
Flan! Just about anywhere in town, best stuff on Earth.
Vanilla or coconut ice cream,yummy
I can't quite remember the location but I also had a caramel churro that made my knees go weak. I'll be scouting around for that again thats for sure.

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