From exotic botanical gardens to thrilling ocean adventures, there's no shortage of fun activities for the little ones in Puerto Vallarta! Join the crew of the Marigalante pirate ship for a fun-filled adventure for the whole family, where beach and sea activities await!
For a dose of Mexican culture and creativity, head to the Cuale River Island where kids can unleash their inner artists with traditional crafts and workshops! Cap off the day with a sunset stroll along the Malecón, enjoying street performances and delicious treats from local vendors!
Here are 9 fun-filled activities for children you should not miss during your next vacation in Puerto Vallarta.
An extraordinary variety of flora and fauna in an internationally recognized natural sanctuary. The Vallarta Botanical Garden is located to the south of Puerto Vallarta, nestled in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Your visit to the Vallarta Botanical Garden can include a guided tour by expert biologists, hiking trails, the Forest Reserve, birding, and plant nurseries. Located in one of Mexico's richest ecosystems in terms of biodiversity, Vallarta Botanical Garden's 120-hectare extension houses hundreds of wild species such as orchids, magnolias, oaks, bromeliads, agaves, palms, among others.
Vallarta Botanical Garden
Road to Barra de Navidad Km. 24
Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Admission: $300 MXN per person (non-members)
The Marigalante Galleon is an exciting cruise ship made of 100% wood. The Marigalante Galleon is an exact replica of one of the ships used by Christopher Columbus and offers a show under the starry sky overlooking the majestic Malecon of Puerto Vallarta. You will be transported to the land of pirates sailing the seas with pirates and mermaids, adventures, acrobatics, music, pyrotechnics, dances and special effects. There is also a show where the little ones can take part in a treasure hunt and fun activities on the beach.
Pirate Ship Vallarta
Day Tour: Pirate Land
Check in at 8:30am
Children: from $1,120 MXN (available through April 30)
This pedestrian promenade offers beautiful sea views and a family, festive and very safe atmosphere for one kilometer along the Puerto Vallarta coast. Don't miss this opportunity to ride a scooter, see sand sculptures right on the Malecon Beach, enjoy a delicious cotton floss or crystallized seasonal fruit, try one of many antojitos mexicanos snacks offered at sunset, or have your photo taken at one of many interactive sculptures, such as “The Boy on Sea Horse”, considered a true icon of Puerto Vallarta.
This natural reserve in Puerto Vallarta is a unique ecosystem of mangroves and swamps, home to 134 bird species, 46 plant species, 29 mammal species and 29 amphibian and reptile species, including crocodiles, iguanas, herons, pelicans and more. Suitable for children and adults, the estuary offers guided tours by boat. An expert biologist will show you the flora and fauna of the Puerto Vallarta area. Located just minutes from Marina Vallarta and the North Hotel Zone, Estero El Salado State Park is a perfect alternative for ecotourism activities within the city limits of Puerto Vallarta.
El Salado Estuary State Park
3544 Francisco M. Ascencio Blvd., Hotel Zone
Guided Tours for Children and Adults
Tuesdays through Fridays: 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Saturdays: 9.00 am, 11:00 am & 1:00 pm
Reservations required through the official Facebook page of Estero El Salado.
Only at the TiLT PV Museum can you surf with dolphins, climb into the ring with fearless wrestlers, meet giant reptiles and enter a room made of Lego! This fun-filled space is the only interactive 3D museum in Puerto Vallarta and is a great place to visit with the whole family. At TiLT PV, A Tracy Lee Stum Museum you will enter a magical world like you've never seen before as you walk through an exhibit hall with 29 murals by American artist Tracy Lee Stum, creator of the TiLT Museums in New Jersey and Puerto Vallarta.
TiLT PV― A Tracy Lee Stum Museum
302 Pino Suárez, Romantic Zone
Monday through Sunday: 1:00pm-9:00pm
Admission: $200 MXN
Free admission to children under 12 (valid through April 30)
Every summer and fall you can get involved in releasing hundreds of hatchling turtles in Puerto Vallarta. Turtle camps and hotels have their own conservation programs and it is possible to accompany the hatchlings from their nest to the beach where they begin their adventure in the sea. Turtle releases in Puerto Vallarta are an educational, emotional and fun experience that attracts hundreds of people, especially families with young children. It is also one of the most impressive spectacles of nature and one of the best free activities you can do during your next vacation in Puerto Vallarta.
Tucked away in the Sierra Madre Mountains, just south of Puerto Vallarta, is TierraLuna Gardens, a cozy open-air shopping village surrounded by rainforest where you'll find a restaurant, specialty boutiques and a carefully curated selection of Mexico's precious crafts. One of the hallmarks of TierraLuna Gardens Puerto Vallarta is its merry-go-round, a one of its kind in Mexico: a beautiful, Instagram-ready attraction that offers 360-degree views of the jungle and ocean.
TierraLuna Gardens Puerto Vallarta
Road to Barra de Navidad Km. 7.5, Puerto Vallarta
Monday through Sunday: 9:00am-10:30pm
If you travel with children, worry do not! At the Crown Paradise Club, located at the foot of Playa de Oro Beach, one of our favorite beaches in Puerto Vallarta's Hotel Zone, their fun is guaranteed at the waterpark with a pirate ship. There are nine slides, outdoor play area, zip lines, buffet and access to all pool and slide areas for an endless day of fun. In the Jetix Club you will be able to enjoy video games, billiards and board games. The Baby Paradise is an area that has been specially designed for the youngest members of the family. Is there anything else you are in need of?
Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta
1 De las Garzas Ave., Hotel Zone
Bookings: https://www.crownparadise.com
In Puerto Vallarta you will find endless outdoor activities for all tastes and ages. If you want to enjoy nature, watch native birds and cross fascinating hanging bridges without leaving Downtown Puerto Vallarta, there is nothing better than a visit to Cuale River Island, formerly known as "The Children's Island". This small oasis is surrounded by nature; your walk around the island will be accompanied by birdsong and you can observe local fauna like iguanas, raccoons, chachalacas and colorful butterflies in the surrounding gardens. Cultural and artistic activities for children and adults, a museum and a picturesque commercial area with restaurants and shops selling a wide range of local handicrafts are also available on Cuale River Island.
You will never be bored in Puerto Vallarta with a wide variety of family tours and activities for children. Don't forget to share your best Puerto Vallarta photos on our social networks (Instagram, Facebook, X & TikTok) using #PuertoVallarta.
Source: https://visitpuertovallarta.com/blog/9-ideas-for-celebrating-children-s-day-in-puerto-vallarta