I love Puerto Vallarta! There is so much to do in the city, and I still haven't explored all of the surrounding areas. I have visited it 8 times (for 2-5 weeks each time), and I still have not run out of new things to see and do!
My favorites (ranked outstanding down to only great!) are:
(#1) San Blas Bus Tour: This tour can be done every year, and you'd still see something new!
(#2) San Sebastian: Lots of history here, and it is a beautiful town to walk around in...a relaxing tour.
(#3) Huicholes Tour: Definitely visit the Huicholes by bus...don't try it on your own. The tour guide will give you hours of history about the Huicholes and the areas you are passing through. It is NOT boring to listen to!
(#4) Boat to Yelapa from Boca La Tomatlan. An inexpensive day-trip you can do on your own!
(#5) Bus to Punta Mita, Bucerias, or Destilladeras. Take a local bus saying "Punta Mita," and just ride until one of these towns/beaches appeals to you and hop off. Buses run often. My favorite for relaxing is Punta Mita the end of the line, at the top of the bay.
(#6) The Jungle Tour: Be sure to get the tour that travels south of Boca la Tomatlan at the end. Some "jungle tours" aren't all that great!
(#6) Pitillal: Again, just hop a local bus and walk around. Be sure to visit the old church by the town square.
(#7) Mismayolla: Take a local bus (probably 50c now) and hop off at Mismayolla. First walk down the dirt road on the right to the beach. You can walk all the way out to the Night of the Iguana site where they filmed the movie. Walk back, go across the road, and continue up the street to the Tequila Tasting Factory. On the way back, stop at a restaurant under the palapa at Casa Iguana Hotel (great place for families to stay... apartment-sized rooms!). There is also a small grocery store here to buy a snack.
(#8) Just walk along the Malecon in town on a weekend night, it's like a carnival, and you never know what the entertainment will be!
(#9) Krystal Hotel: Walk through their hotel grounds until you reach the columns at the beach. This is my favorite place for sunset pictures! ${QuickSuggestions} Personally, I like the weather, but some people may find it too humid. Leave your moisturizers at home, your skin feels soft and smooth here!
It is always warm/hot, mostly 80-90's, but I avoid the months of May-November. By December the bugs are no problem, and everything is still green. The hibiscus start blooming in January. Early December still has good hotel rates, and also for several weeks after New Year's. Avoid Christmas and Easter unless you get a good hotel rate...this is an expensive time in Puerto Vallarta.
US money is accepted everywhere. Banks are good, but if you look around some of the money-changers have good rates, too so that you can avoid the bank lines (I waited over an hour once at a bank!)
Don't tip with coins... they are only worth half their value !!!!! Use your credit card, you often get a very good exchange rate.
Condo tours can be ok if you have a lot of time and don't mind the sales pitch. You should not spend more than two hours before receiving your "incentive gift." Some resorts give very nice gifts, ask for the San Sebastian or the San Blas tour for 2!
Boat trips are nice, but some are very noisy and rowdy. If you are expecting a relaxing boat trip, don't go! If you don't mind a little drinking and music... then go ahead and join the fun.
Do take the local buses... they're safe, but don't "dangle" your money in front of people!
Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest places I've vacationed. I spent three weeks there once by myself, and felt safe on the Malecon until about 11pm. Don't wander down side streets at night though... just in case!
The police in white on the Malecon are helpful... just ask.
Gigante and Wal-Mart have the best food and prices. I like the fresh orange juice and cut watermelon at Gigante. Also, their roasted chickens are big! Wal-Mart is the cleanest, and has their produce arranged much nicer. Both stores have fantastic bakeries!
Food on the Malecon is more expensive...walk away from it a few blocks to find good restaurants that are more affordable.
Buses displaying CENTRO go downtown. TUNNELLE buses go there, but take a back route through a tunnel. ${BestWay} Buses...so cheap! They seem to go everywhere! Catch a bus at the far end of town to go to Boca la Tomatlan. Catch a bus north of town past the Sheraton to go farther out to places like Bucerias or Punta Mita.
Taxis...still a good price around town. A taxi is nice if you are buying sacks of groceries to take back to a condo.
Airport taxis are a necessary evil, I guess. Expensive, and they charge per person! If you only have a carry-on, walk out to the street and catch a bus if you are staying near town.
Walking is good...but if the humidity bothers you...ride!
From journal Day Trips From Puerto Vallarta, Mexico