Bay of Banderas
Bay of Banderas
4.5
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The Pacific Ocean's largest and deepest inlet.
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1,625 within 3 miles
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171 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
611 reviews
Excellent
460
Very good
115
Average
27
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Nicholas F
Edmonton, Canada53 contributions
Jan 2023
A great place to visit with a wealth of experiences on the Bay.
From restaurants, watersports, entertainment, restaurants, tours and great beaches ( except for a few rocky spots) there is always something to do while enjoying the spectactular views. When we were there in January, the whales were performing offshore and breaching throughout the day.
From restaurants, watersports, entertainment, restaurants, tours and great beaches ( except for a few rocky spots) there is always something to do while enjoying the spectactular views. When we were there in January, the whales were performing offshore and breaching throughout the day.
Written February 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AndyCorns
Bury, UK670 contributions
Feb 2022
Bahia de Banderas is a lovely bay with long sandy beaches. With it being a bay the sea is relatively calm. Crossed the bay to go to the Rhythm of the Nights meal and show, one side of the boat got to see dolphins and the other side saw a whale.
We then did a whale watching tour which was excellent
We then did a whale watching tour which was excellent
Written February 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CoralReef
Washington2,567 contributions
The Marietas Islands are a protected wildlife sanctuary, offshore in the Bay of Banderas near Punta de Mita, a few miles north of Nuevo Vallarta. They offer some of the best snorkeling in the bay, as well as the opportunity to see blue-footed and brown-footed boobies and many other seabirds nesting.
Several tour companies visit the Marietas, or you can hire a panga at Punta de Mita. If you want a party boat, try Vallarta Adventures, or the Geronimo if you want a catamaran cruise. We went with Écotours de México for $75 each, including transportation and lunch. Écotours takes you by land as far as Playa Anclote, just south of Punta de Mita-- as opposed to boating all the way from Marina Vallarta like the other tours. So you spend less time cruising.
We enjoyed the ride north to Playa Anclote. Having previously spent time to the south of Puerto Vallarta, it was interesting to see the differences in beaches and seascapes. Up north of Nuevo Vallarta, the sand is much whiter, and the water much bluer, compared to the southern parts of the Bay of Banderas. At Playa Anclote, we preordered our lunches at the seafood palapa restaurant. (They were delicious!) Then we embarked, in a large semi-shaded motorboat. The water was smooth as glass during our visit at the end of May. We saw quite a few bottlenosed dolphins as we cruised, and the captain tried to follow them as much as possible. It was a thrill to see these fascinating and intelligent creatures free in the wild, where they belong.
About 20 minutes of boating brought us to the two arid, craggy Islas Marietas. We cruised around for a while looking at the birds and the interesting rock formations, including a large natural bridge. I wasn't expecting the islands to be so scenic! The first good snorkel spot we checked had quite a few jellyfish, so we cruised to another spot where the Vallarta Adventures and Geronimo boats were already anchored for snorkeling.
The underwater seascape was stunning! The water temperature was comfortable, the water was clear, and the depth was perfect for snorkeling—10-30 feet in most places. There was a fair bit of coral, and many colorful fish, especially large blue damselfish. I saw a 6-foot moray eel on the hunt along the seafloor. Very enjoyable snorkeling!
Several tour companies visit the Marietas, or you can hire a panga at Punta de Mita. If you want a party boat, try Vallarta Adventures, or the Geronimo if you want a catamaran cruise. We went with Écotours de México for $75 each, including transportation and lunch. Écotours takes you by land as far as Playa Anclote, just south of Punta de Mita-- as opposed to boating all the way from Marina Vallarta like the other tours. So you spend less time cruising.
We enjoyed the ride north to Playa Anclote. Having previously spent time to the south of Puerto Vallarta, it was interesting to see the differences in beaches and seascapes. Up north of Nuevo Vallarta, the sand is much whiter, and the water much bluer, compared to the southern parts of the Bay of Banderas. At Playa Anclote, we preordered our lunches at the seafood palapa restaurant. (They were delicious!) Then we embarked, in a large semi-shaded motorboat. The water was smooth as glass during our visit at the end of May. We saw quite a few bottlenosed dolphins as we cruised, and the captain tried to follow them as much as possible. It was a thrill to see these fascinating and intelligent creatures free in the wild, where they belong.
About 20 minutes of boating brought us to the two arid, craggy Islas Marietas. We cruised around for a while looking at the birds and the interesting rock formations, including a large natural bridge. I wasn't expecting the islands to be so scenic! The first good snorkel spot we checked had quite a few jellyfish, so we cruised to another spot where the Vallarta Adventures and Geronimo boats were already anchored for snorkeling.
The underwater seascape was stunning! The water temperature was comfortable, the water was clear, and the depth was perfect for snorkeling—10-30 feet in most places. There was a fair bit of coral, and many colorful fish, especially large blue damselfish. I saw a 6-foot moray eel on the hunt along the seafloor. Very enjoyable snorkeling!
Written June 9, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrRon1854
Temecula, CA328 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
Banderas Bay is the second largest bay in the world and Puerto Vallarta is blessed to have it's most beautiful harbor. There are a number of vendors which offer tours of the bay's attractions. The best I have found are Vallarta Adventures and much smaller but excellent tour vendor is Senor Juan Carlos's tour company located in Marina Vallarta Cell: 322-146-7302.
As a part-time resident of PV, I have taken a number of bay tours to include Rhythms of the Night, Los Arcos, Las Animas, Las Caletas, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and whale watching.
If you really want to do it all and have a small group or family, I would highly recommend giving Carlos a call over at Marina Vallarta and rent one of his sailboats with a crew of two for the day. For about $50 a person you can make this happen. I guarantee you an outstanding time at a very affordable price. Carlos is very friendly, honest and absolutely trustworthy. This week my wife and I rented a 42 foot sailboat for an entire day and had an amazing time. Enjoy!
NOTE TO READERS: If you found this review of benefit to your vacation, please let me and TripAdvisor by giving me a helpful vote. You can also follow my column at DrRon1854 to get more reviews and tips on fun things to do in PV and internationally. Salud amigos!
As a part-time resident of PV, I have taken a number of bay tours to include Rhythms of the Night, Los Arcos, Las Animas, Las Caletas, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and whale watching.
If you really want to do it all and have a small group or family, I would highly recommend giving Carlos a call over at Marina Vallarta and rent one of his sailboats with a crew of two for the day. For about $50 a person you can make this happen. I guarantee you an outstanding time at a very affordable price. Carlos is very friendly, honest and absolutely trustworthy. This week my wife and I rented a 42 foot sailboat for an entire day and had an amazing time. Enjoy!
NOTE TO READERS: If you found this review of benefit to your vacation, please let me and TripAdvisor by giving me a helpful vote. You can also follow my column at DrRon1854 to get more reviews and tips on fun things to do in PV and internationally. Salud amigos!
Written December 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BQ74
Somerset, NJ17 contributions
There are several rivers that spill murky brown sediment, trash, and raw sewage from mountain villages into the bay. The tourism industry brushes it off as a little sediment and driftwood, but a local waste water treatment authority told us it is not safe to swim in the brown water b/c of the raw sewage content. Areas to the far north and south of the bay have much cleaner water than PV proper. Snorkeling around Los Arcos and Las Marietas was great.
Written July 10, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
isa-azur a
Chicago, IL59 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
Banderas Bay (Puerto Vallarta & environs) has been used up as Canadian Winter Vacation Meme. I hear/see these Canadians ravings: "stunningly beautiful," "heaven on earth;" I wonder if those people are poorly-travelled, moronic, or simply pathological liars. Of course, I, like all Canucks dreaming tropical dreams mid-January (with much help from Mass Media), adore sunshine, warm waves, beer :-) & the enduring John Huston (Night of Iguana) myth, but there are less expensive, less-polluted, *safer,* &, dare I say, *more enlightened* vacation spots to visit. There has been a much-increased police presence last 5 years -- who d'ya think pays for all that? No infrastructure development (roads, electricity, water, toilets :-) in a decade. Wake Up Canada, the Mexican Tourist Industry is ripping us off!!!!! Make the effort, Canadians, habla mas lingua, grow a backbone, and take ur vacation $$$ somewhere else!
Written January 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron0199
Fort Lauderdale, FL72 contributions
Nov 2014 • Friends
Traveling the world we could have chosen many areas to live but never has a place felt more like home from the moment we arrived to awake to watch the Dolphins play in the bay, to turn and see the majestic mountains and add in the wonder people and now you have perfection. Living here more as a tourist till two years ago and now full time for the past two years in El Tigre Country a Club now we are just a few months away from moving into our new home in la Cruz. The Bay offers more than we could ever want from life. Let me if you ever need any info will be happy to help.
Written November 4, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Condu
Nanaimo, Canada8,850 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
My husband & I spent over a month enjoying views of Banderas Bay, this winter. We rented a cliff top condo in Conchas Chinas for the first half of of stay..This area was about a five minute bus ride from downtown PV. It was the area where the Sierra Madre Mountains cascaded down to meet the waters of Banderas Bay. We watched whales in the bay from our balcony. We had happy hours at Lindo Mar Resort & watched the sunset over Banderas Bay. We ate many meals on our balcony while we enjoyed its beauty & serenity.
Our second condo was in an area just north of downtown PV. We were high on a hill & had expansive territorial Bay & city views. We spent hours on our balcony enjoying the marine action on the bay. Cruise ships, yachts, sailboats, pirate ships, fishing boats, parasailing, fireworks, seabirds, & more captured our attention during the day. Sunsets were glorious multicolored events. Truly magical!
We were not content just to look a the dark blue water of Banderas Bay. We walked its shores along the Malecon. We ate & drank at waterside restaurants. We walked the beaches of Los Muertos, el Camerones, & Mismaoya. We swam in it.
This 62 mile bay was truly the jewel in the crown of Puerto Vallarta. I look forward to spending another winter's month gazing at its beauty.
Our second condo was in an area just north of downtown PV. We were high on a hill & had expansive territorial Bay & city views. We spent hours on our balcony enjoying the marine action on the bay. Cruise ships, yachts, sailboats, pirate ships, fishing boats, parasailing, fireworks, seabirds, & more captured our attention during the day. Sunsets were glorious multicolored events. Truly magical!
We were not content just to look a the dark blue water of Banderas Bay. We walked its shores along the Malecon. We ate & drank at waterside restaurants. We walked the beaches of Los Muertos, el Camerones, & Mismaoya. We swam in it.
This 62 mile bay was truly the jewel in the crown of Puerto Vallarta. I look forward to spending another winter's month gazing at its beauty.
Written March 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warhol40
Brotton, UK1,356 contributions
Sep 2015 • Couples
Our first time in Mexico and stayed in the Riu Palace Pacifico which is on the north side of the Bay. This location was excellent for us to explore the many different areas and seek out the most popular places to eat, shop and cultural sights. Taxis run all over this area and it was so nice to go and explore outside of the hotel. We managed to see an array of differnet things from the North to the South of the Bay, ranging from beaches, eateries and excursions, which if you look at our other reviews will give you some idea of what we did. As first timers in Mexico, so glad we stayed on the Pacific coast and not the other rated Cancun Caribbean side.
Written September 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
seaweed009
Worthing, UK93 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We stayed at the Riu Palace Pacifico, being in our late 60's, but fit and young at heart, going by taxi or coach is just no fun, and can be expensive
We walked down the slope of our hotel and caught the bus where the taxi stand is. It was 17 Peso each single, and it takes you to the Walmart, it says this on the front of the bus, so no confusion. Any how ask the driver he will let you know when you are there, it takes about 40 - 45 mins. This depending on traffic and the amount of times the bus stops.
At the Wal-mart you catch another bus which says Centro, once again marked up on the front of the bus. It takes between 7 - 10 mins to get to Puerto Vllarta and costs 7.5 Peso each single.
When you see the sea on your right and promenade you can get off at any of the stops and walk the promenade, shops, restaurants, or look out into the bay for dolphins and maybe a whale.
The promenade is a nice walk with short piers to walk out on and photograph parts of the town. There are three flea markets as they call them and run along the side of the river. Walk through and across a main road you will come to another market, then if you have good balance there are two rope bridges that sway like a pendulum, not for the disabled, they can use the footpath on the main road bridge to cross. One part of the market lies between the two rivers with old trees lining the walk way and stalls, back across the main road and back onto the promenade.
There are plenty of banks in town and money exchange bureau's. The beach areas are nice, I wished I had taken my swim wear as it was so hot I could have done with a dip, a nice beer cools you off.
Returning back to the hotel was just as easy, remember where you got off or the street. As there are several bus stops close to each other just look for the bus with airport written on the front, ask for the Wal-mart again, then wait for a bus with the Riu on the front window of it, the stop may be a few yards up as you get several bus stops together. You only have to ask or ask the driver if you are not sure.
When we traveled from the Riu a guy got on and later started playing his guitar and singing, then going round with the hat. We also got him on the way back and the same driver who remembered us.
So all in all it is nice to get out and about, the bus can get a bit crowded at times and the ones in and out of town are really tatty and passed there sell by date, but fun to ride.
The whole return trip for 98 Peso just under £5 in English money for two of you, compare that to a taxi, and if lucky like us you get Don Williams thrown in as well.
If you can keep the wife's hands tied whilst in the markets it could be a cheap day out, if not it is still a cheap trip into town.
We walked down the slope of our hotel and caught the bus where the taxi stand is. It was 17 Peso each single, and it takes you to the Walmart, it says this on the front of the bus, so no confusion. Any how ask the driver he will let you know when you are there, it takes about 40 - 45 mins. This depending on traffic and the amount of times the bus stops.
At the Wal-mart you catch another bus which says Centro, once again marked up on the front of the bus. It takes between 7 - 10 mins to get to Puerto Vllarta and costs 7.5 Peso each single.
When you see the sea on your right and promenade you can get off at any of the stops and walk the promenade, shops, restaurants, or look out into the bay for dolphins and maybe a whale.
The promenade is a nice walk with short piers to walk out on and photograph parts of the town. There are three flea markets as they call them and run along the side of the river. Walk through and across a main road you will come to another market, then if you have good balance there are two rope bridges that sway like a pendulum, not for the disabled, they can use the footpath on the main road bridge to cross. One part of the market lies between the two rivers with old trees lining the walk way and stalls, back across the main road and back onto the promenade.
There are plenty of banks in town and money exchange bureau's. The beach areas are nice, I wished I had taken my swim wear as it was so hot I could have done with a dip, a nice beer cools you off.
Returning back to the hotel was just as easy, remember where you got off or the street. As there are several bus stops close to each other just look for the bus with airport written on the front, ask for the Wal-mart again, then wait for a bus with the Riu on the front window of it, the stop may be a few yards up as you get several bus stops together. You only have to ask or ask the driver if you are not sure.
When we traveled from the Riu a guy got on and later started playing his guitar and singing, then going round with the hat. We also got him on the way back and the same driver who remembered us.
So all in all it is nice to get out and about, the bus can get a bit crowded at times and the ones in and out of town are really tatty and passed there sell by date, but fun to ride.
The whole return trip for 98 Peso just under £5 in English money for two of you, compare that to a taxi, and if lucky like us you get Don Williams thrown in as well.
If you can keep the wife's hands tied whilst in the markets it could be a cheap day out, if not it is still a cheap trip into town.
Written July 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Estoy pensando seriamente en mudarme.a vivir a nuevo Vallarta, me lo recomiendan?? Que tal la supervivencia al calor, si hay trabajo? Es muy caro? Todo quiero conocer...
Written March 30, 2019
Salve ! Prima volta andro' a Puerto Vallarta,Ho scielto la zona Romantica ,vorrei sapere di piu,grazie
Written July 24, 2018
maureen s
Nuevo Nayarit, Mexico
Last year I observed raw sewage in the river that flows into the ocean at Punta de Mita. I guess the little towns up river don't have treatment facilities.
We now just use the pool at our condo!
Written March 27, 2018
l visited puerto vallata twice and stayed in hotel vista cannot find this hotel now. has this hotel got a nrw name please. thankyou
Written January 11, 2018
Is the sea very rough in February and March
Written May 5, 2017
The sea is rough in January. February is pretty calm mostly. ....but we can have some wild days. March is normally very calm and it remains that way through the summer. However jellyfish arrive about April orMay. So between February and March. ...March is the best bet for a calm sea.
Written May 6, 2017
Is February/March a good time to go here? Possibly staying at the Mayan for the weekend and my sole reason for dong so is to see the whales :) It's a timeshare on the Bay.
Thank you!!!
Written September 17, 2015
We were there in January during mating season and saw a lot of whales!
Written October 6, 2019
Smitha V
San Jose, California
Hi - I would like to know the price of booking a hall for 60 people for a lunch buffet(vegetarian cum non-vegetarian items, including appetizers and desserts) gettogether on 14th(Sat) or 15th(Sat) of feb. 2015 - and the price of booking 3 standard rooms for 1 night.
And, do you provide complementary breakfast for the residents? If so, what type of food would that be? Kerala or Continental or a mix of different types of cuisines?
Thanks a lot,
Written January 7, 2015
Hi,
We have been going to Puerto Vallarta for 6 years now. We have always stayed south of town where it is quieter and more peaceful. There are many restaurants downtown and many hotels. You would have to contact one of them for this information. I do know that the restaurant El Set has a huge venue and a wonderful view of the bay, but again it is south of town. We have eaten there many times and the food is very good. Again, you would have to contact them to see if they could help you. I am sorry I can't help you any better. Good Luck!
Written January 8, 2015
You will find people walking with horses on the beach. You can make a deal over there but they only go on the beach. If you want horseback riding ask somewhere else. On Tripadvisor you look up what to do.
Written January 6, 2015
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