Swimming, Surfing, and Boogie Boarding

While Puerto Vallarta’s calm waters are generally safe for swimming, they are often too tranquil for surfing, bodysurfing, and boogie boarding. Sometimes strong, surfable waves rise along the southern half of Playa los Muertos. Another notable possibility is at the mouth of the Río Ameca (north of the airport) where, during the rainy summer season, the large river flow helps create bigger than normal waves. Surfing is more common to the north at Bucerías and Punta Mita.

Sailboarding

A small but growing nucleus of local sailboarding enthusiasts practice the sport from Puerto Vallarta’s beaches. They sometimes hold a sailboarding tournament during the citywide Fiesta de Mayo in the first week of May. For more information, contact Puerto Vallarta tourist information (tel. 325/223-2500, ext. 230 or 232).

Personal Watercraft, Waterskiing, and Parasailing

These are available right on the beach at a number of the north-side resort-hotels, such as the Sheraton, Las Palmas Resort, Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta, and NH Krystal.

The same sports are also seasonally available south of Cuale on Playa los Muertos, in front of the Hotels Playa los Arcos and Tropicana. Expect to pay about $50 per half hour for a personal watercraft, $75/hour for waterskiing, and $25 for a 10-minute parasail.

© Bruce Whipperman from Moon Puerto Vallarta, 7th edition