Tours and Tickets to Experience Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas)

There are plenty of ways to experience Banderas Bay. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

• Rhythms of the night, Sunset Cruise, Candlelit Dinner & Alma Show

• Luxury Yacht & Snorkel with All inclusive Open bar and lunch

• Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

• Sunsets and Whales Mega Yachts ALL INCLUSIVE: Puerto Vallarta

While it’s free to visit Banderas Bay, guided tours and excursions within the region range in price depending on what they include. A shared snorkeling tour might run you US$50 or under, while a private yacht can easily cost upwards of US$2,000 per day.

Banderas Bay is best known for Puerto Vallarta, a resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coastline. But the region has plenty more to offer, from the town of Sayulita (listed as a Pueblo Mágico) and jungle treks to postcard-perfect stretches of beach, including the famous Love Beach (Playa del Amor) in the Marietas Islands.

Aim for November to April for the best weather, though that’s the high season, so expect crowds then. Whale-watching typically runs from December through March. The shoulder seasons of October and May are great for discounts and a more tranquil experience; June through September is the lush rainy season.

Yes, Banderas Bay is a great option for families traveling with children. While adults-only resorts might be the first thing that springs to mind, you’ll also find sandy, kid-friendly beaches (just watch out for the powerful surf), street performers along the Malećon boardwalk, and zipline, ATV, horse-riding, and whale-watching tours.

Though wheelchair access can be tricky along the beach or on rugged jungle paths, the Malećon in Puerto Vallarta is flat and accessible to visitors with limited mobility. Many hotels (especially modern resorts in Nuevo Nayarit or Marina Vallarta) cater to guests with disabilities, and you’ll also find wheelchair-accessible cruises and tours.