Puerto Vallarta with Kids
Calm beaches, short boat trips and a base that doesn't involve a hill — the family version.
Puerto Vallarta works well with children, but the choices that suit couples don't always suit families. The two that matter most: pick calm water, and pick a base where you're not hauling a pushchair up cobbled hills.
Where to stay with kids
This is the one place we'd steer families away from Old Town. The Hotel Zone has the widest, calmest beaches, resorts with kids' clubs and pools, and flat, easy access — see all-inclusive resorts. Old Town's cobbled, steep streets and narrow lively beach are charming but hard work with small children.
Day 1 — Settle in
Pool and beach, nothing planned. Let everyone adjust to the heat.
Day 2 — Beach day plus the Malecón
Morning on the wide Hotel Zone sand, then an early-evening trip to the Malecón — the sand sculptors, street performers and the Vallarta dancers are a genuine hit with kids, and it's free.
Day 3 — A boat trip that isn't too long
Choose a larger, stable catamaran over a small fast boat: toilets, shade and less seasickness. Whale watching in season is unforgettable for children; otherwise a bay cruise with a swim stop. Avoid the longest offshore trips with under-8s.
Day 4 — Jungle or animals
A gentle canopy circuit (check age and weight limits) gets everyone into the Sierra Madre. Alternatively a short boat to a south-shore beach like Las Ánimas, which has palapa restaurants and calm swimming — see the south shore.
Day 5 — Pool and pick-your-own
Let the kids choose. A last beach morning, ice cream on the Malecón, and an early dinner.
Practical notes for families
- Watch the flags — the open beaches have rip currents; see safety.
- Heat and shade — midday is intense; plan pool or indoor time.
- Don't drink the tap water, and be careful with ice outside established places.
- Pushchairs and cobbles don't mix — a carrier is easier in Old Town.
- Green season (Jun–Oct) is cheaper but hot and humid for small children.