U.S. News Insider Tip: If you're hoping to book accommodations within walking distance of El Malecón, be selective when choosing a hotel or all-inclusive resort. Many properties are situated along the main pedestrian stretch, whereas some resorts require at least a 20-minute cab ride to get back and forth. – Holly D. Johnson

Stretching approximately 12 city blocks along Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay), El Malecón is a great place to stroll any time of day, but especially in the evenings. Along the way, visitors will see everything from sand sculptures and bronze sculptures to the iconic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. El Malecón is also home to the open-air Los Arcos Amphitheater, another iconic symbol of Puerto Vallarta that plays hosts to free performances, featuring live musicians and traditional Mexican dance troupes, just about every night. 

This charming south side neighborhood is like a detached, unpretentious beach village that serves PV's more laid-back and less resort-conscious tourists. It's also the center of the city's thriving gay scene and has a bevy of gay beaches, bars and restaurants lining Olas Atlas. Travelers should keep in mind that this area is also known as Old Vallarta or Old Town.

Most agree that Zona Romantica is a must-see. The area contains a number of the city's best restaurants, excellent cultural opportunities and the most popular beach in the city: Los Muertos Beach. It's also home to a pier built in 2013 that offers seating for pedestrians and illuminates each evening with a kaleidoscope of colors. From the pier, travelers can board water taxis to some of the area's more secluded beaches. Recent travelers said you'll find a bunch of smaller grocery stores, restaurants and cafes away from the beach, as well as fewer peddlers selling souvenirs. Lázaro Cardenas Park (also known as Tile Park) is another popular stop here thanks to the colorful mosaics adorning the benches, columns and planters.

A great place to experience the joys of a resort town without the tourist-palooza that is Puerto Vallarta, the small fishing village of Bucerías is steadily becoming a popular day trip for PV vacationers. If you have the time to spare, take a bus to this beach hideaway up the coastline for an afternoon of fishing or swimming. 

Recent visitors recommend spending Thursday evenings (November to April) doing the Bucerías Art Walk, a self-guided tour of more than a dozen galleries and arts boutiques. The Bucerias Bike and Food Tour is also highly rated because it visits several local eateries with a local guide leading the way. Beachside dining at places like Mar y Sol also comes highly recommended. If you're looking for a place off the tourist track, Bucerias is your secluded oasis.  

The most popular shoreline in Puerto Vallarta, Playa de los Muertos (Deadmen's Beach) in the Zona Romantica, offers opportunities to Jet Ski, windsurf and even parasail, as well as an assortment of excellent restaurants and bars. Try out some of the land sports as well, such as beach volleyball, which can be equally fun but cheaper than the water sports.  

Travelers generally say that Playa de los Muertos is a nice area with plenty of space and a great spot for people-watching. Visitors also note that, unlike elsewhere in the Zona Romantica, beachside peddlers can be particularly aggressive when selling small items to tourists. A simple "no, gracias" should allow you to avoid any haggling. Because of the high concentration of gay-friendly accommodations along the southern shore, Playa de los Muertos is also considered a party haven for PV's LGBTQ travelers. A few travelers warned of the beach's strong current, advising parents with children to take extra precautions when swimming.

If you're looking for a break from sunbathing and enjoying umbrella-garnished drinks on the beach, consider signing up for one of the best Puerto Vallarta food tours. While you can always head into town to try fresh local seafood, tacos and an array of Mexican desserts on your own, booking a tour with a company like Vallarta Food Tours, Vallarta Eats Food Tours or ChocoMuseo can make the experience more festive and fun while paving the way to even more adventurous culinary options.

All foodie tours in Puerto Vallarta are led by savvy locals eager to share their expertise with curious visitors, and you may be surprised at the delicacies you can try. For example, Vallarta Food Tours offers downtown PV tasting tours that let you nosh on regional dishes like tacos, birria (meat stew), seafood and mole, but they also offer specialized tours geared to vegans or seafood lovers. There are also spirit-focused tours that allow participants to sample several different types of local tequila, mezcal or craft beer. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: Book a tour for one of the first days of your trip. Whale watching tours in PV frequently get canceled due to choppy seas or lack of local whales. Booking early in your vacation gives you a chance to try another day if your first tour doesn't pan out.– Holly D. Johnson

Spotting a humpback whale as it crests the surface of the ocean is an awe-inspiring sight, and Puerto Vallarta is one of the best places to do just that. Whale watching season runs from early December through March, when humpback whales congregate in the sheltered, warm waters of Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay to have their babies. The peak of whale watching season is between January and February. And although you can bring your binoculars and look for whales from the shore – try the Malecón – your best chance for seeing them up close is aboard a tour operator's boat. 

For a break from the tourist crowds of Puerto Vallarta, head about 20 miles south to Yelapa. Considered by travel experts to be one of Mexico's few "undiscovered" beach towns, Yelapa is only reachable by boat, which is part of the reason why it sees relatively fewer travelers than other popular areas along Bahía de Banderas.

Many travelers come to Yelapa for its unspoiled beach, but if you're looking for a little more adventure, you won't be disappointed. There's a waterfall not too far from town that you can reach via a paved walking path. Recent visitors suggested swimming in the pool beneath the waterfall, praising the clean, refreshing waters. Because of the paved path and short hike, many said it was suitable for children. However, a few visitors were disappointed with the unimpressive size of the falls.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you don't want to navigate the bus routes in Puerto Vallarta, consider downloading the Uber app before your trip. You can easily order an Uber from nearly anywhere in and outside the city for convenience, and for less than you would pay for a taxi. – Holly D. Johnson

This beach is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its clean sand and clear water. Situated about 3 miles south of the Romantic Zone, Playa Palmares is Blue Flag certified, meaning it offers a high standard of cleanliness, safety, water quality and accessibility.

This beautiful beach just south of Puerto Vallarta makes for a lovely day trip, according to past visitors. Best accessed via water taxi, Playa Las Animas offers a stunning shoreline, calm waters and restaurants dishing out tasty food. Plus, recent visitors report that this stretch of sand is less crowded than other popular beaches like Playa de los Muertos (as long as you arrive in the morning).

When you're not sunbathing or enjoying a tropical drink, you can also rent a variety of water sports equipment, including kayaks, or sign up for a parasailing adventure or banana boat ride with one of the outfitters headquartered at the beach. This beach is also home to the Las Animas Beach Adventure Park, which offers zip lining, canopy tours and other adventure activities just steps from the ocean.

To explore beyond Puerto Vallarta, you might want to try the popular Jardín Botánico Vallarta (Vallarta Botanical Gardens). The gardens feature an assortment of wildflowers, including orchids, and insect life that provides a relaxing and romantic getaway from the day-to-day hustle of Vallarta's downtown.  

Some travelers expected to spend one or two hours walking around the gardens, but ended up staying the entire day since along with enjoying the magnificent plant life, you can also boulder the jungle's rocks and swim a section of the river. Some reviewers only recommend these activities for fit travelers. Also, be sure to buy a meal or, at the very least, a drink at the on-site restaurant, which comes highly recommended by both travelers and experts. If you plan to hike, you'll want to bring insect repellent (it's also available to purchase on-site) and consider wearing long sleeves and pants.

Los Arcos National Marine Park is an iconic natural area that sits just 20 minutes south of the main square in downtown Puerto Vallarta. This park is protected from agricultural and developments and new construction, so it's become a haven for a range of bird species as well as sea life, including tropical fish.

Visitors here can take advantage of a range of adventure activities in and out of the water, including diving, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and more. There are also guided tours you can book that include transportation and entry into the marine park, some of which include Jet Ski rides or snorkeling. Tickets for snorkeling tours start at about $50; Jet Ski tours start at about $145 per person.

Mirador de La Cruz is a lookout that offers spectacular views of the city of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. While frequently referred to as a "hike," visitors can get to this lookout with a walk uphill and a set of stairs. There is also a funicular that travelers can ride when it's working, but you may not want to plan on using it since it is often out of service (according to recent travelers). Either way, Mirador de La Cruz is popular among travelers in search of incredible views of the sunrise or the city's overwater sunsets, as well as those who want to stay active during their PV vacation.

Travelers say the trek to the lookout is well worth the time and effort, but that people in poor shape may find the uphill climb and stairs fairly strenuous. They also recommend bringing water, and note that there are restrooms you can use at the top (for a fee), so make sure to bring cash.

Playa las Gemelas is a small shoreline located amid condo and beach rentals. Located about 10 miles south of central Puerto Vallarta, its cerulean waves and sandy shore are a nice place to break away from some of PV's more crowded beaches. Still, because Playa las Gemelas is relatively small, it can feel quite congested, especially on the weekends. To avoid the crowds, travelers should visit during the week and arrive in the morning to stake their spot in the sand. They should also pack their own supplies – drinks, snacks, sunscreen and towels – since there are very few vendors or shops nearby. 

With its clear waters and sandy bottom, recent travelers liken Playa las Gemelas to a big swimming pool. They also say taking a cab or an Uber is the easiest way to reach the beach. Though the lack of vendors means you'll have to pack all your own supplies, you may find it more peaceful thanks to the lack of pushy vendors. However, keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities here, and visitors can’t access any of the amenities within the condo towers along the shore.

Las Caletas is another beach in Puerto Vallarta that's away from the more touristy beaches found in and around downtown. While the beach itself is located about 20 minutes south of PV geographically, you can only get here via a guided boat tour booked through Vallarta Adventures, who controls access to the dock and private beach. The beach itself is known for its powder white sands, clear waters and the hammocks strewn throughout. Visitors who book this tour can enjoy activities like paddleboarding and kayaking, and they can also arrange encounters with monkeys and parrots.

Note that the beach tour itself is rather pricey at around $149 per adult and about $100 per child ages 4 to 11. However, the experience includes a gourmet lunch and open bar, along with the use of kayaking and snorkeling equipment, access to a Teen Adventure Cave and Kid's Adventure Park and more. The tour itself also has excellent reviews, with travelers raving about how much fun they had and the quality of the food and drink. However, some complained that their time there was too short and they wished they could have stayed longer for the cost (the experience lasts about seven hours in total). Tours are generally available Monday through Saturday starting at 8:30 a.m. 

The silhouette of this church in downtown PV is one of the most defining images of the resort town and its chiming church bells are one of the most recognizable sounds. During the Feast of Guadalupe, held every year from Dec. 1 to Dec. 12, the church is a hub of activity. During the annual festival, there is plenty of music, dancing and street processionals. 

Recent visitors suggest pausing during a Malecón stroll to admire the church's Renaissance-style tower. Others recommended stopping inside to see the gorgeous interior or attending Mass (English services are held Saturdays at 5 p.m. – a bilingual service is held every Sunday at 10 a.m.).

The Marietas Islands are a collection of small, uninhabited islands off the coast of Riviera Nayarit. Punta Mita is the closest departure point for reaching the islands, but many Puerto Vallarta vacationers add the Marietas Islands to their itineraries given its close proximity (about an hour’s drive north). The islands are known for their incredible beaches, flora and fauna, and marine life, including sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins and manta rays. However, the islands' "Hidden Beach" is what really attracts tourists thanks to its Instagram-worthy views and location that's tucked within the jungle on a remote island. When you search for photos of Hidden Beach, you can clearly see that it's completely surrounded by land. The water is only accessible during low tide as well, and you can only get there by snorkeling with a mask (but no flippers) when the tide is low. The best way to reach this natural wonder is via an organized boat tour.

Vallarta Adventures is a top-rated company that offers Hidden Beach guided tours as well as a full-day Marietas Islands Eco Discovery tour that goes to other islands, but not Hidden Beach. However, it's worth noting that some past visitors to Hidden Beach say they didn't get enough time on the beach itself (visits are limited to 15 to 20 minutes due to federal regulations). Others said the swim from the boat to the beach, which requires participants to swim beneath a rock arch, is treacherous due to strong currents, and may not be suited to those who aren’t capable swimmers. For many, spotting whales and other wildlife during the boat ride is the highlight.

Rhythms of the Night is a five-hour dinner show that is bookable through Vallarta Adventures. The show is advertised as a "feast for the senses" that begins with a sunset cruise from Puerto Vallarta to Las Caletas, where the dinner and show take place.

A candle-lit buffet meal commences once you arrive at the outdoor dining area, during which a range of singers, dancers and other performers entertain you with songs, fire dancing, acrobatics and more. Past travelers said that, while long, the Rhythms of the Night experience was worth it thanks to the high-quality dining and entertainment, which some compared to Cirque du Soleil. However, some travelers complained that part of the show took place before dinner, which caught them off guard and left them hungry until the formal meal began.

Isla Río Cuale is a mystery to many first-time Puerto Vallarta travelers. The fact that it's often difficult to find only adds to the enigma. In fact, Isla Río Cuale is almost in the heart of the city and is actually an island set upon an inlet of the Banderas Bay. To see the island, simply walk south from El Malecón until you reach a bridge that spans the river, and you'll discover the island, which is home to market stalls selling local wares. 

Some visitors advised that there are the same trinkets on sale at Isla Rio Cuale as there are elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta, but they tend to be more expensive. Still, they admit that the locale has a great, car-free ambiance and is worth at least one visit during your time in PV. Isla Río Cuale is accessible free of charge.