Nature and Adventure Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta

Nature and Adventure Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta

Looking for nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta?  Discover an all new reason to visit Puerto Vallarta perhaps for the first time to explore the jungles and other outdoor activities like never before.

Perhaps you did not know the extensive adventure you can have in Puerto Vallarta beyond the gay nightlife. Discover hidden gems of nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta that await you!

VidantaWorld 2026:

The “BON” Park & SkyDream Gondola For 2026, the biggest adventure in the North is the BON (Beauty of Nature) Luxury Theme Park. The park has officially opened its “soft-launch” phase, including the record-breaking SkyDream Gondola which offers a 360-degree view of the Sierra Madre.

• Insider Tip: LGBTQ+ travelers staying in the Zona Romántica can take an Uber to the Vidanta main entrance for about $350 MXN. From there, purchase a “Day Pass” for the Gondola to see the coastline from 150 feet up.

• Event Alert: The LÚDÕ aquatic show by Cirque du Soleil is the most sought-after ticket this season—book at least 3 weeks out to avoid sell-outs.

UTMB Puerto Vallarta 2026: March 5 – 7 2026

 In March 2026 (Mar 5–7), the world’s elite trail runners return for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB). The race concludes with a massive finish line celebration on the Malecón. Whether you’re a runner or a spectator, the energy in town during this weekend is electric.

2026 Responsible Tourism: Safe & Ethical Exploration

The Whale Safety Pivot (NOM-131-SEMARNAT)

The December 2025 maritime incident has led to stricter enforcement of NOM-131 protocols for the 2026 season. Travelers are now encouraged to choose vessels with higher visibility and federal certification.

The Ferry Choice:

For those heading south to Yelapa, the new Playa del Carmen ferry (departing Muelle Los Peines) is the safest choice for 2026. Its size and sonar equipment allow captains to maintain the mandatory 80-meter distance from humpback whales, providing a stable viewing platform that smaller pangas cannot match.

Small Boat Safety:

If you choose a traditional water taxi, ensure they display the 2026 official permit flag. These operators are trained to avoid the nursing grounds near Los Arcos and the southern cove.

Eco-Glamping & Digital Connectivity

With the expansion of sites like Santuario Yelapa, adventure no longer means being “off-grid.”

Amenities:

Look for 2026 updates including 100+ Mbps Starlink internet (now standard at high-end glamping sites) and solar-powered climate control.

Eco-Luxury:

These sites now offer “Smarter” luxury, such as keyless entry and rainfall showers that recycle greywater for jungle irrigation—perfect for the environmentally conscious LGBTQ+ traveler.

2026 Nature & Adventure Update: The Evolution of Exploration

As we move into 2026, the adventure scene in Puerto Vallarta is evolving to offer more comfort without sacrificing the “wild” factor. From the arrival of luxury theme parks to the expansion of roadless jungle retreats, here is what’s new for the modern explorer:

The Rise of Eco-Luxury Glamping:

The southern bay has officially embraced “Eco-Chic.” In roadless villages like Yelapa, rustic beach shacks have been joined by high-end developments like Santuario Yelapa, featuring solar-powered geodesic domes and luxury amenities. With the integration of Starlink satellite internet across these remote sites, the “adventure workation” is now a top trend for 2026.

VidantaWorld 2026: The “BON” Park & SkyDream Gondola

Opening in phases throughout 2026, the BON (Beauty of Nature) Luxury Theme Park in Nuevo Vallarta is redefining “adventure.” It combines high-adrenaline thrill rides—like the Tecuani Beast double-launch coaster—with immersive botanical gardens and a world-class Cirque du Soleil aquatic show (LÚDÕ), proving that nature and high-tech entertainment can coexist.

For 2026, the biggest adventure in the North is the BON Luxury Theme Park at VidantaWorld. The park has officially opened its “soft-launch” phase, including the record-breaking SkyDream Gondola that connects the resorts.

• Pro Tip: LGBTQ+ travelers staying in the Zona Romántica can take an Uber to the Vidanta main entrance for about $350 MXN. From there, you can purchase a “Day Pass” for the Gondola to see the Sierra Madre from 150 feet up.

• Insider Warning: The LUDÕ (Cirque du Soleil) water show is the most popular ticket in the bay for 2026—book at least 3 weeks in advance through the GayPV concierge link to avoid the “Sold Out” signs.

Enhanced Hinterland Access:

New infrastructure, including the reconstruction of State Highway 544, has made the mountain “Pueblo Mágicos” of Mascota and San Sebastián del Oeste more accessible than ever. For hikers and mountain bikers, the newly completed El Jorullo access road provides year-round safe passage to some of the region’s most spectacular canyons and waterfalls.

UTMB Puerto Vallarta 2026:

In March 2026, the world’s elite trail runners will return for the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB). This event has solidified Puerto Vallarta as the adventure capital of Mexico, with routes that take athletes from the rugged Sierra Madre peaks all the way down to a finish line on the iconic Malecón.

The Marigalante II Debut:

For those who prefer their adventure with a side of history, the legendary pirate ship has been reimagined as the Marigalante II. Debuting for the 2026 season, this revamped galleon offers sunset voyages and family-friendly “high seas” shows with upgraded dining and technology.

Nature and Adventure Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta: Geography

Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by natural beauty and its features. The Sierra Madre Mountains meet the jungle on the Banderas Bay of the Pacific ocean. This gives rise to rivers and waterfalls, tropical rainforests and jungles and a diverse marine ecosytem providing many nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

Nature and Adventure Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta: Tropical Weather

Puerto Vallarta enjoys warm, sunny weather year-round, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 30 degrees Celsius) in winter to the mid-90s Fahrenheit (around 35 degrees Celsius) in summer.  Expect more than 300 days of sunshine per year and only a 5°C fluctuation in average temperature between summer and winter,

The rainy season in PV is a widely misunderstood concept. From June to September is the rainy season months or the months when it rains but this is not a reason to stay away from  PV. During this time, heavy rains occur periodically but they are short-lived with the sun returning in a few hours or the latest the next day providing a welcome break from the heat and humidity.

Also during this time do not be surprised to see weather planners show weeks of rain every day. Not so. Afternoon showers could pop up every day but rarely does it rain for 2 or 3 days straight in a row.

Beyond the beach, Puerto Vallarta´s jungle and mountain geography add to the travel appeal by giving a huge selection of eco tourism activities: zip lines, horseback riding, atv rides into the jungle, and more.

Nature and Adventure Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta: Hiking

Hiking spot: Walking the Malecon  website 

Feature	2026 Detail
Difficulty	Easy (Flat, paved)
Distance	1.5 Miles (Point-to-point)
2026 Tip	Best for morning “steps” or sunset art walks. Use the new 2026 digital art map at the sculpture stations.
Cost	Free

Hiking spot: Mirador De La Cruz   website

Feature	2026 Detail
Difficulty	Moderate (300+ steep steps)
Duration	20–40 Minutes (Round trip)
2026 Tip	Go before 9:00 AM. The new 2026 viewing tower is now open, offering the best drone-style photos of the city.
Cost	Free

Hiking spot: Monkey Mountain

You’ll start by following a dirt road into the jungle to locate Monkey Mountain trail.

Feature	2026 Detail
Difficulty	Hard (Jungle scramble)
Duration	3–4 Hours
2026 Tip	Trailhead is in Higuera Blanca. As of Jan 2026, the trail is well-marked but requires sturdy shoes—no flip-flops.
Cost	Free (Tours approx. $60 USD)

For your first hike, it would likely be best to go on with an adventure company until you become familiar with how to get there as the area is very remote.

 

Hiking spot: Boca de Tomatlan to Las Animas trail

Feature	2026 Detail
Difficulty	Moderate (Coastal switchbacks)
Distance	2.5 Miles (One way)
2026 Tip	Includes stops at Colomitos and Madagascar beaches. Pro Tip: Take a water taxi back to Boca for 150 pesos to save your legs.
Cost	10 Pesos (Pier fee at Boca)

Hiking spot: Palo Maria Yelapa Waterfall

This is the “local secret” that is very close to the Zona Romántica. It’s famous for having multiple levels (up to 7 or more), but most people only visit the first one.

There are actually 2 waterfalls to visit. The first most popular waterfall is about 15 minutes from Yelapa on a pleasant hiking trail to reach a picturesque pool of clear water fed by a flowing river in the background. It is locally called Cascada de Yelapa and is an estimated 150 ft waterfall of nature to behold.

Feature	2026 Detail
Difficulty	Moderate (River scrambling)
Duration	45–60 mins to the 1st fall
2026 Tip	Take the “Boca-Mismaloya” bus to Garza Blanca. The trailhead is across the highway. Stick to the left side of the river (along the fence) to reach the first pool safely.
Cost	10 Pesos (Bus fare)

Hiking spot: Yelapa Waterfalls (The Village & The Jungle)

It is important to tell your readers that there are TWO waterfalls in Yelapa. Most tourists only see the one in town and miss the spectacular jungle one.

Feature	2026 Detail
Difficulty	Easy (Town Fall) / Moderate (Jungle Fall)
Duration	15 mins (Town) / 3 Hours roundtrip (Jungle)
2026 Tip	The “Jungle Fall” (Cascada de Yelapa) requires 2-3 river crossings. As of Jan 2026, the water is knee-deep; wear hiking sandals (Tevas/Chacos).
Logistics	Accessible only by boat. Use the Yelapa Water Taxi from Los Muertos Pier (550 MXN roundtrip).

Zip Line Canopy Tours

Level of physical activity moderate. The canopy zip lines are the of the most unique nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

Zip Line Providers Los Veranos Canopy Tour    website 

Los Veranos Canopy is now the largest zip line system in the world with 19 separate zip lines! Soar over thousands of feet of cable above the jungle and the Los Horcones River. From treetop to treetop, you will zip line the most incredible and highest lines.

Dare to fly on our longest zip-line which is more than 1,800 feet long, above the mountains and the raging waters of the beautiful Horcones River below.

Zip Line Providers Canopy River   website 

Zip Line Hotspot Jorullo Bridge

Jorullo Bridge is the longest suspension in the world and is part of Canopy River Park.

ATV

Whale Watching

Another top rated nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta is whale watching available December to March each year.  The species most commonly seen on whale watching is the humpback whales. It is possible to see gray whales, orca killer whales, or bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, or spotted dolphins.

🐋 2026 Marine Mammal Alert

While Whale Watching remains a top-rated ethical activity from December to March, the captive dolphin industry in Puerto Vallarta is currently in a state of collapse.

The GAYPV Recommendation: Support the Wild Dolphin research tours or Humpback Whale excursions that follow NOM-131 protocols. These tours support conservationists and biologists who put the welfare of the animal first rather than corporations facing federal seizure of assets

Bird Watching

Puerto Vallarta has a variety of habitats ranging from coastal wetlands and mangroves to jungle forests, offering bird watchers a chance to observe a wide range of species in their natural habitats. Bird watching is one of the nature and aventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta and can be done at the following locations.

Bird watching spot: El Saldo Estuary State Park   website 

Eco-tourism in Puerto Vallarta at its best with this 209-hectare State Park has recorded 134 bird species, 46 plant species, 29 mammal species and 29 amphibian and reptile species.  The park offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy, including bird watching and hiking trails, in addition to guided tours.

Learn why this urban mangrove is critical to PV’s sustainability in our GayPV Guide to Eco-Tourism

Bird watching spot: Vallarta Botanical Gardens     website 

Bird watching spot: Las Marietas Islands National Park

Few places on earth can exceed what you find at Las Marietas islands often called the hidden beach near Punta Mita north of Puerto Vallarta. It is in fact made up of 2 islands and one of the most sought after nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

In the late 1960’s legendary oceanographer and marine conservationist Jacques Cousteau brought much attention to preserve this natural wonder. The islands are the result of volcanic activity and the Mexican military using the islands for bombing practice in the early 1900s.

Cousteau was known to have tracked the humpback whale  In 2005 Isla Marietas was finally designated a national park – Parque Nacional Islas Marietas and in 2008 a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Preserve.

Bird watching spot: Los Arcos Marine Park

The famous Los Arcos rock formation south of Puerto Vallarta before Mismaloya is actually part of a protected national park called Los Arcos Marine Park that was created in 1984. This protected area provides bird watching along with caves, deep tunnels and a coral reef. The warm blue waters are home to a number of tropical fish, eels, rays, trumpetfish, and sea turtles.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

Los Arcos

Las Marietas Islands

Horseback Riding

Sea Turtle Release Program

A unique nature and adventure things to do in Puerto Vallarta is the sea turtle release program. From June to December the eggs of the Olive Ridley turtle and the leatherback turtle hatch and move into the sea. This gives animal lovers a chance to witness and participate in this remarkable event.

 

Vallarta Botanical Garden   website 

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens is an award winning world renown 20-acre (8 ha) botanical garden at 1,300 ft (400 m) above sea level in Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, Mexico (14 mi south of Puerto Vallarta). The garden was founded in 2004 and has been open to the public since 2005. It is a 30 minute drive south from Puerto Vallarta on Hwy 200 but public bus transporation available from Puerto Vallarta.

The gardens feature miles of hiking trails both through the native forest and the manicured garden grounds. Visitors are also welcome to swim in the Rio Horcones, the tropical river that borders the property. Bird watchers will find the most birding activity early in the morning or later in the day.

For more nature and things to do in Puerto Vallarta visit the GAYPV website