The 13 Best Nuevo Vallarta Tours & Excursions

1.Whale Watching Cruise In Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 398 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Sail Bay of Banderas on a spacious catamaran with live commentary, breakfast, Mexican lunch, and an international open bar. The crew looks for humpback whales, dolphins, sea turtles, mothers, calves, breaches, and tail flukes. The tour lasts about four hours and returns to Puerto Magico.

“Great experience, the staff was awesome and the boat was nice. We saw lots of whales and dolphins! The food and drinks were wonderful as well.”

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2.Puerto Vallarta Rhythms of the night, Show & Buffet dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 219 reviews · 5 hours · from $129

Cruise at sunset from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta to Las Caletas, a boat-only beach setting. Enjoy a candlelit buffet, drinks, and a jungle amphitheater show built around the legend of the Five Suns, with music, acrobatics, dance, and special effects.

“The rhythm of the night was fantastic as it is first time for us to experience something like this, including food, alcohol, and the transportation from the shore to the island. Coming from Canada, which was -3°C during the time when we were traveling, this experience was beautiful & we were also celebrating our second engagement anniversary anniversary on this night. The people, tour guide and all the people who ever took apart for the rhythm of the night show where fantastic and kudos to the entire team for putting up such a show! Even when we were travelling on the boat boat two and throw they were a group…”

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3.Hatteras 58-61′ Luxury Yacht in Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Nayarit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.)

Cruise Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Nayarit aboard a three-level motor yacht with a private group. Swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, watch for whales, and enjoy ceviche, guacamole, snacks, and an international bar. Confirm the boat and harbor before departure, since both have caused confusion.

“The boat was huge and so beautiful, the staff were excellent. This was absolutely great value for money and we had a fantastic time.”

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4.Professional photographer – Puerto Vallarta – Nuevo Vallarta, photo session

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · 30 minutes to 1 hour (approx.)

Meet professional photographer Tania Melissa at Nuevo Nayarit Beach or Playa del Holi for a private 30-minute to one-hour session. She photographs families, couples, honeymoons, engagements, weddings, and maternity portraits, with hotel visits possible by arrangement.

“Great photographer. Very patient and willing to accommodate our groups needs. Very happy with the experience”

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5.Punta de Mita/Sayulita: Horseback Riding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 59 reviews · from $103

Ride a gentle, well-kept horse through Higuera Blanca, jungle trails, and Litibú Beach with guides such as Ricardo and Carlos. The 1.5-hour outing includes ranch animals, bottled water, transport from selected pickup points, a tequila tasting, and optional paid photos and lunch.

“Tour guide Ricardo was great. Best part for my wife and I was seeing the town of Higuera Blanca and riding on the beach. Photos are gonna run you a few bucks but definitely worth it. All in all highly recommend!”

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6.Bertram 38′ Convertible Boat in Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · 4 to 8 hours (approx.)

Take a private Bertram 38-foot boat around Banderas Bay for shoreline views, snorkeling among wildlife-rich rocks, fishing, and kayaking. Your group of up to eight gets snorkel gear, fishing equipment, bottled water, and chopped fruit. Trips run four to eight hours.

“Our captain & crew were fantastic! I highly recommend this day trip-we custom designed a 6-hour trip with a stop at Ocean Grill.”

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7.Canopy Tour Experience in Sayulita, Nuevo Nayarit.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $114

Join Angelo, Fernando, and the Mi Chula team for a two-hour zip-line trip through Sayulita’s forest. You’ll ride 13 lines, cross four suspension bridges, reach heights of 125 meters above sea level, and finish with water and a tequila tasting. Pickup is available from most local hotels, villas, and Airbnbs.

“The “big burrito boys” and their wives love their time with Angelo and his awesome team. Prepare to laugh and fly through the forest.”

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8.Bay of Banderas Luxury Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 3 hours · from $99

Spend three hours sailing Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas aboard a luxury monohull or catamaran. Your English- or Spanish-speaking crew serves an open bar and hors d’oeuvres while you watch the coast turn gold. Reuben and the crew have earned praise for friendly service and well-timed sunset photos.

“Everything was excellent - the yacht, the weather, the drinks, and the charcuterie. We really enjoyed it, and we highly recommend it. The captain and crew were friendly, and they kept the drinks flowing. We positioned for fabulous sunset pictures and took advantage!”

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9.From Puerto Vallarta/Nuevo Vallarta: Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 26 reviews · 4 hours · from $103

Sail from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta on a spacious catamaran with bilingual guides and a marine biologist. You’ll have breakfast, lunch, an international bar, and clear chances to spot humpback whales, dolphins, and calves.

“Engaging and energetic host and crew, saw lots of whales, and they kept the drinks and food coming.”

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10.Luxury Day Sailing Tour of Bay of Banderas

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 6 hours · from $119

Spend six hours aboard a luxury sailboat or catamaran with Captain Rueban and crew. Sail past Vallarta’s waterfront, stop for lunch, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, and enjoy a premium open bar. This relaxed trip suits adults and children 10 and older who want time on the water, not a loud party.

“Captain Rueban and crew were fantastic! We spent a very leisurely day at sea going out to the arches, then a snorkel spot (murky water due to all of the recent rain but that was certainly not their fault!) then sailed back to the marina. The food, people and music was perfect!”

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11.Custom 46′ Boat in Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 4 to 10 hours (approx.)

Spend 4 to 10 hours aboard a private 46-foot boat with a captain and sailor in Puerto Vallarta. Fish with provided gear, snorkel, visit beaches, watch for whales and dolphins, and enjoy chopped fruit, bottled water, and possibly fresh fish prepared onboard.

“This was such a great activity!! Perfect thing to do to enjoy the sun and the ocean. The captain caught fish and made us fresh ceviche that we got to enjoy. We weee able to connect our phone to the Bluetooth to play music. The staff were attentive, friendly, and overall amazing! Definitely would recommend to everyone!!”

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12.Transportation from PVR Airport to Nuevo Nayarit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.)

Book a private airport transfer from Puerto Vallarta International Airport to Nuevo Nayarit in a luxury, air-conditioned SUV. Your driver tracks your flight, meets you with a reservation sign, and provides water and beer. Alan and Orlando are among the drivers named in customer feedback.

“The communication is stellar. Felt very informed and welcomed. Alan was in contact often as we traveled to PVR. Helped us get connected to our driver right when we were ready to leave the airport.”

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13.Fishing and snorkel tour in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Spend about six hours on a private boat from Paradise Village Public Pier, fishing for tuna, bonito, dorado, sailfish, or marlin before snorkeling and swimming in Banderas Bay. Your crew supplies gear, water, snacks, and fruit. Boat size and onboard service can vary.

“Where do I begin? I want this review to be as helpful as possible to someone considering this excursion so bear with me here.”

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