9 best things to do in Puerto Vallarta with kids

02.12.2024 - 16:39 / lonelyplanet.com

Nov 28, 2024 • 6 min read

Mexico is a wonderful place to travel with kids, and that goes double for Puerto Vallarta. Locals put family at the center of everyday life, and children are warmly welcomed just about everywhere. If your dream vacation involves beach time, encounters with nature and lots of outdoor adventures, set your sights on this family-friendly jewel on Mexico's rugged Pacific coast.

Puerto Vallarta caters to families on all kinds of budgets. Child discounts are available on things like admission fees for water parks and guided tours, and kids traveling on your lap often go free. Most resorts and hotels have reduced daily rates for children; higher-end places boast kids' clubs to keep children engaged, with reliable babysitting services for parents who want some time off for themselves.

Whether you're traveling with tots or teens, here are the best things to do with kids in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta’s Malécon is a lively boardwalk following the waterfront and a popular place for a sunset stroll. Stretching for twelve city blocks, the promenade is dotted with fantastical bronze sculptures for kids to play and pose on.

Cart vendors sell grilled shrimp-on-a-stick and hot dogs, artisans peddle whimsical trinkets and street performers help keep the crowds entertained. Look out for the Voladores de Papantla – acrobats on ropes who launch themselves from the top of a 20m-high pole, gently "flying" in circles to the ground – a nod to an indigenous Totonac tradition.

The Los Arcos Amphitheater seals the deal for family fun, with free cultural performances throughout the year, including gaucho parades and mariachi festivals.

The heart of Vallarta’s historic center, Plaza de Armas is a breezy central square that provides an oceanfront meeting place for locals of all ages. It’s a great spot for kids to run and play and for grown-ups to take a break. Street snacks and ice cream shops provide fuel to get going again when it's time to move on. At weekends, live music often inspires impromptu dancing – a little taste of Vallarta life.

Playa de los Muertos is a vibrant city beach with thick golden sand, and relaxed restaurants that serve fried fish and other beach food at tables and chairs set up right on the sand. Older kids will love the activities on offer here, including banana boat rides, parasailing and jet skiing.

If you need a break from the sun and sand, the historic center is just steps away. Come in the afternoon to cool down after the midday heat, and stay till late to see the sailboat-like structure of the city pier illuminated by dramatic lights.

Just 3km (1.9 miles) south of downtown, Playa Conchas Chinas is a tiny cove with soft tawny sand and tranquil turquoise waters. It’s favored by