Jungle, Swim with the Dolphins, Fishing, Diving, Dinner cruises, Whale, Dolphin or Bird Watching tours or trips  www.vallartatraveladvisor.com.

Whale watching boats are authorized by the government: Click here.

Day trips: drive to several towns and see 'Mexico' as it was years ago. Some of these out of town trips are also available from www.vallartatraveladvisor.com either by car, bus or plane.

World class golf courses:  click here.

SURFING is always a choice if you are great or a beginner. See this page to read about what is available here.

Zoologico de Vallarta:  The 350 animals at the 12-acre (5-hectare) zoo, set in 142 acres (59 hectares) of tropical forest filled with monkey shrieks and birdsong, range from hippos to flamingos.  The Vallarta Zoo was opened in 2005 with a focus on breeding endangered Mexican species like jaguars, Bengal tigers and wolves.

Day of the Dead celebration:  for more information click here.

Restaurants:  for information on local restaurants click here.
 

  
Pitillal- is reached easily, in half an hour, by regular bus service. Drive south toward Puerto Vallarta as far as Sam’s Club, exit right onto the service road and turn right.  The town is about 2 miles inland and extremely different than seaside locations. At the entrance to town is a restaurant named, Boca del Rio, (mouth of the river). Here is your opportunity to take photos under a giant Malojo tree, now a protected species.
  Around the Plaza you’ll find great bargains in shoes and other leather goods. The Church is normally open and claims to have the largest single piece of carved wood “in the world”; it is the largest in Mexico.

Pitillal is the home of one the best Tequila tours anywhere. Here you can learn about the history and tradition of this typical Mexican liquor that was born right here in Jalisco! Located at 303 Etziquio Corona Street, a mere 5 minutes from the Sam's corner, is " Aqui es Xalisco", where you can enjoy and learn more about the various aspects of Tequila with the Tequila Tour. The tour costs $250 Pesos for 2 people. This includes the tour and explanations, a refreshing Margarita, the Tequila tasting and delicious tacos at the end of the tour. Hours are 11:30 AM; 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM daily, no reservations are required. There is no cost if you only want to hear the explanations and get the tour.

Pitillal is a charming and busy town filled with normal local character and charm.  Well worth the visit.   Total trip time estimated at 4 hours.
 

Punta de Mita- is located in the State of Nayarit at the northernmost point of Banderas Bay where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes meet. It is within a short drive of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The beaches are of fine, white sand with nearby coral reefs for some excellent snorkeling and diving.

Deep sea fishing, whale watching and surfing are also favorite pastimes on this beautiful area of the coast.

The beachside restaurants at Punta de Mita offer fresh seafood and refreshing drinks; there are surf shops, rental of snorkeling and diving equipment, tours by boat and horseback riding.

Punta de Mita is slated for major development. This plan includes three championship golf courses. One of these already built is the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at the Four Seasons Hotel, a 7,014-yard course which is presently open only to guests. It will eventually be open to Resort Club Members and vacation home residents.
 

Sayulita- is located north of Banderas Bay on the coast of Nayarit, only 22 miles (45 minutes) from Puerto Vallarta along the coastal highway. It is a picturesque fishing village that has become known for its surf and snorkeling beaches and an old-Mexico atmosphere. Sayulita is surrounded by coconut palms and semi-tropical jungle vegetation. The rainy season from June to October brings refreshing rainfall and often thundering surf.

The town is small and basic, with burros and chickens in the dirt or cobbled streets and fishermen launching their boats or nets along the shoreline. There are a number of simple restaurants offering fresh seafood specialties as well as international fare.
 

San Blas- The mythological lore of the native Coras and Huichols concludes that the people of this continent came from the coast of San Blas, and it's monumental rocks and age-old petroglphs have marked for eternity such an affirmation.

The 17th century fortifications, high atop the hills, have overlooked the bay since the days when it was a central port of the Spanish empire. Other relics include the ruins of the original Catholic Church, the church of Our lady of the Rosary, " La Marinera," built in 1738, on the hill called, "Cerro de la Contaduria".
 
Borrego Beach, a dream beach 3 km. long with fine clean sands just 2 km. from downtown, is the perfect spot to enjoy fresh seafood under typical palm roofed pavilions (ramadas) facing the majestic Pacific Ocean.
 
Other beaches to check out on the Matanchen Bay are San Francisco, San Jose, Tres Mogotes, Guadalupe and San Juan. All are great for surfing, swimming and all kinds of water sports. But don't forget Playas Las Islitas, an old pirate hide-out, with a series of coves which have maintained their pristine beauty and natural splendor.

The tourist office located in the Presidencia Municipal provides maps and information about guides, trips and hikes to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Nayarit. Phone 328 5 00 21.  Trip can be done in one day, but it a much more relaxed two day trip.

Santa Maria del Oro-  Though the Bahia de Banderas is basking in semi-tropical heat, there are areas of Nayarit much cooler and make a great day trip. The area south of Tepic, Santa Maria del Oro, and Ixtlan del Rio, is at about 3,000 ft., and offers several interesting sites in addition to lower temperatures and humidity.
There is camping, picnicking, swimming, and fishing, in the three volcanic lakes near Santa Maria del Oro, and mountain cities to be explored. San Pedro Lagunillas, Tepetiltic and Santa Maria del Oro are tranquil lakes, good for water sports and home to local restaurants with regional specialties

 
Ixtlan del Rio- is a colonial city with a long history: the Franciscans left the stone cross outside the central church, in 1679. The traditional architecture makes the city attractive. A thriving commercial center, boasting many fine artisans, who continue to produce typical leather goods and pottery.
On the outskirts of the city is the reconstructed town of ‘Los Toriles’. During the early post Classic period (about 700 c.e.), the Toltec inhabitants created a city with buildings of local stone that were complete with walkways, neighborhoods and drainage. The reconstruction, begun in 1967, continues; with places of worship restored, including the central alter. Homes, public buildings, and artifacts of daily living have been discovered.
 
A circular pyramid distinguishes this well maintained and fascinating archaeological site.
Trip is an all day trip, 8a.m. until 6 p.m. but according to your interests can be shorter or longer.

Nearby, the Xalisco Tequila & Folklore Gallery offers a Mexican Folklore and tequila tour and show. It’s held three times a day, (11:30 AM, 1:00PM & 3:00PM). The address is Etziquio Corona #303. For information or reservations call 322-4-9674.