Gilbert’s Mixed Bag of Fun
Gilbert The Beach Bum in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Preface: This ambitious itinerary is a Gilbert The Beach Bum favorite because it’s one of our family’s actual vacation itineraries created especially for showing friends the lay of the land in and around Banderas Bay. Accommodations are at a beachfront condo in Nuevo Vallarta. A car was rented from Gecko in Bucerias. This program covers a lot of ground for vacationers who have a lot of energy and want to see and experience as many of the area’s landmarks, attractions and special places as possible within an 8-day trip. Reservations for tours should be made several weeks in advance, especially if you are traveling during the high-season months or during holiday periods. Reservations are not required for the free tours included in this holiday agenda, but it is important to note that the free Malecon Sculpture Walking Tour is only offered from mid-November through mid-April. Specific details for many of the activities listed below, as well as several helpful photos, can be found within the other itineraries posted in this section.
DAY 1 – SUNDAY
- Arrival to Nuevo Vallarta
- Trip out to Costco or Sam’s Club to stock up on beverages
- Enjoy a dinner at a restaurant in Nuevo Vallarta
DAY 2 – MONDAY
- Breakfast in Punta de Mita at Peppers restaurant (inside the Rancho Banderas Resort complex) on a cliff overlooking Destiladeras Beach
- Parasailing from Flamingos Beach in Nuevo Vallarta
- Sunset Sailing with Vallarta Adventures, departing from a dock at Marina Vallarta
Sunset Sailing with Vallarta Adventures. Tour departs from a dock at Marina Vallarta.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY
- Free Malecon Sculpture Tour in Puerto Vallarta
- Botanical Gardens
- Puerto Vallarta Flea Markets & Hanging Bridges over the Rio Cuale.
Malecon Sculptures and Botanical Gardens in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY
- Two-hour road trip to San Sebastian Del Oeste with Vallarta Adventures
- Dinner at Le Kliff overlooking the mouth of Boca de Tomatlan
San Sebastian Del Oeste, Mexico
DAY 5 – THURSDAY
- Pancake House on Basilio Badillo in PV for breakfast
- Drive to Boca and take a water taxi to Yelapa
- Explore the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta
- “The Street – Evening Taco Adventure” by Vallarta Food Tours (7 – 10 p.m.)
DAY 6 – FRIDAY
- Early in the morning kayak in Banderas Bay in front of the condo in Nuevo Vallarta looking for dolphins. In Nuevo Vallarta there’s an independently-owned activity shack along the beach between the Samba Resort and Acqua condos that rents out kayaks and Hobie Cats
- At 11 a.m. drive to Sayulita to relax at the beach and explore this fun surfer town
- Arrive at Vallarta Adventures Center in Nuevo Vallarta at 6 p.m. to depart at 6:30 p.m. for their Rhythms of the Night tour
DAY 7 – SATURDAY
Postcard from Ocean Grill
- Free Puerto Vallarta Walking Tour sponsored by the PV Tourism Office
- Tuba Water from Concepcion in the Main Square or along the Malecon
- Walk to the Lover’s Arch on Zaragoza Street (street that borders the south side of the church with a crown)
- Walk to the Iguana Bridge in Gringo Gulch
- Drive to Boca de Tomatlan. Take the free restaurant water taxi to Ocean Grill (reservations required)
- Visit Mismaloya Beach
- Enjoy wonderful late night music and cool beverages at 9 p.m. at the Drunken Duck in Bucerias
Lover’s Arch, Hanging Bridge, Iguana Bridge, Concepcion Serving Tuba Water, Mismaloya.
DAY 8 – SUNDAY
- Enjoy breakfast at 3X3, Mr. Creams Pancakes & Waffles, Coco Beach, or Eddie’s Place in Nuevo Vallarta
- Walk out to the beach one last time to say goodbye
- Go back to the condo to pack your bags and depart for the airport
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