Sports in Puerto Vallarta
Golf by Nicklaus and Norman, calm-morning paddling, a sailing regatta, wind at Bucerías and races on the Malecón — and when the heat allows.
Banderas Bay is one of Mexico's big outdoor playgrounds. There are championship golf courses from Puerto Vallarta to Punta de Mita, a sheltered bay for paddling and sailing, wind for kitesurfers at Bucerías in spring, mountain trails behind the town and a running calendar that now includes a UTMB trail race. This page covers the sports we don't have a dedicated guide for; surfing, diving, snorkelling, fishing, ziplines and hiking each have their own page (below).
At a glance
| Sport | Where | Best time |
|---|---|---|
| Golf | Vista Vallarta, Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, Punta de Mita | November to May; early tee times |
| Paddleboard and kayak | Playa Palmares, Mismaloya and Los Arcos, Bucerías, Sayulita | Mornings, when the bay is calmer |
| Sailing | Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, La Cruz | Year-round; regatta in March |
| Kitesurfing | Bucerías | February to June, best April to June |
| Cycling | Hills behind town; the coast road north | December to March, at dawn |
| Running | The Malecón; Marina Vallarta | Early morning; races November to March |
Water sports with their own guide
- Surfing — the waves are up the coast at Punta de Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho.
- Scuba diving and snorkelling — Los Arcos, the Marietas and the offshore pinnacles.
- Sport fishing — from four-hour panga trips to offshore billfishing.
- On land: ziplines and the walks in hikes and viewpoints.
Golf
Eleven courses ring the bay, several by big names: Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf all have courses here. Most are open to visitors who book ahead; the two at Punta Mita are not. "From" prices are the lowest published green fees on 8 October 2026 and move daily.
| Course | Where | Design | Access, from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vista Vallarta — Nicklaus | Puerto Vallarta, inland | Jack Nicklaus, 2001; 18 holes, par 72 | Public; from US$129 |
| Vista Vallarta — Weiskopf | Puerto Vallarta, inland | Tom Weiskopf, 2001; 18 holes, par 72 | Public; from US$109 |
| Marina Vallarta Club de Golf | Marina Vallarta | Joe Finger, 1989; 18 holes | Public resort course |
| El Tigre | Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta | von Hagge, Smelek & Baril, 2002; par 72 | Visitors with a booking; from about US$225 |
| Vidanta — Vallarta course | Nuevo Vallarta | The former Greg Norman Signature course, 2015 | Non-guests subject to availability; from US$125 |
| Vidanta — Nayar course | Nuevo Vallarta | Jack Nicklaus Design; 18 holes, par 70 | Non-guests subject to availability |
| Vidanta — The Lakes | Nuevo Vallarta | 10-hole par-3 course, floodlit until 10 p.m. | Non-guests subject to availability |
| Flamingos Club de Golf | Bucerías | Percy Clifford, 1978, refurbished 2006; par 72 | Semi-private; cart included |
| Higuera Golf Club (Litibú) | Higuera Blanca, near Punta de Mita | Greg Norman, 2010; par 72 | Public; from US$145 |
| Punta Mita — Pacífico and Bahía | Punta de Mita | Jack Nicklaus, 1999 and 2009 | Resort guests and members only; US$225–300 for 18 holes, plus tax and service |
- Book ahead, especially from November to May, and ask what's included; some rates bundle a shared cart, practice time and taxes.
- Dress code: collared shirts, no denim, T-shirts or flip-flops, at least at Vista Vallarta.
- Tee off early. From June to October, afternoons are hot and humid, and storms often build later in the day. Punta Mita's own rates drop after 1 p.m. and from June to October.
- The Pacífico course's optional hole 3B, "Tail of the Whale", is played to a natural island green; see Punta de Mita.
Paddleboarding and kayaking
The bay is usually calmer in the morning and choppier in the afternoon, so beginners should go early.
- Playa Palmares has walk-up board and kayak rentals and suits beginners.
- Mismaloya to Los Arcos is a paddle of about 20 minutes to the protected islets; the water around the arches is more exposed. See Mismaloya and Los Arcos.
- Bucerías and Sayulita have surf shops that rent paddleboards by the hour, day or week. Sayulita's small breaking waves suit paddlers with some experience. See Bucerías and Sayulita.
- Rules of thumb: wear a life jacket (required on organised tours) and an ankle leash, and don't try to land on the Marietas Islands, which is prohibited.
Sailing
- Day sails on catamarans and monohulls leave from Marina Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, La Cruz and Sayulita. Published prices for a shared day sail run from about US$85 to US$130 per adult, often with snorkel gear and drinks; private charters start at around US$900 for four hours for a group of up to ten. For shorter outings, see sunset cruises and boat tours.
- The Banderas Bay Regatta, hosted by the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta, runs from 17 to 20 March 2027, with boats from Hobie Cats to schooners. The club also holds the Regata de la Revolución on 14–15 November 2026, and runs a junior sailing programme.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Bucerías is the bay's wind spot. The season runs roughly from February to June and is best from April to June, with thermal winds off the valley strengthening it on some days; reported strengths vary widely, so check a forecast before booking a lesson. Every May, Bucerías hosts the Festival del Viento, a kiteboarding festival with freestyle events and a downwind race from La Cruz; the 2027 edition is planned for mid-May. We couldn't verify a kite school to recommend; ask the surf shops in Bucerías.
Cycling
- Mountain biking: local operators run guided rides into the hills behind town — towards Vallejo, San Pedro and El Salto — from all-levels routes to expert trails, and some ride down the coast to Yelapa. A bike shop at Galerías Vallarta runs Saturday group rides that aren't for beginners.
- Road cycling: the classic routes head north: Bucerías to Sayulita is about 73 km with 780 m of climbing, and the long climb to El Tuito or the gravel road to San Sebastián del Oeste are for strong riders. Mexican law requires drivers to give cyclists 1.5 m; watch for speed bumps (topes).
- Around town: bike rentals start at around MXN 85 an hour. Plans for a free public bike system funded by the lodging tax, with new bike lanes first, were announced in 2025; we found no confirmation that the bikes have launched.
- Ride at dawn, carry two bottles, and prefer December to March, the coolest months.
Pickleball and tennis
Pickleball has arrived with the bay's North American visitors: resorts such as Velas Vallarta (since 2019) and Villa del Palmar have courts, and offer lessons. Public and club courts come and go, so a court-finder app is the best way to find a game. Tennis courts are mostly at hotels and clubs, and often reserved for guests; ask your hotel.
Running and races
The Malecón is the obvious run: about 2.8 km one way, flat and paved; go early, before the heat. Marina Vallarta's waterfront path is a quieter alternative. Races in the 2026–27 season:
| Date | Race | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Nov 2026 | Medio Maratón Puerto Vallarta | 21K at 6.30 a.m. and 5K, from the Agustín Flores Contreras sports centre; MXN 300–500 |
| 6 Dec 2026 | Maratón Puerto Vallarta (half and 5K) | From the convention centre; second edition, different organiser |
| 4–6 Mar 2027 | Puerto Vallarta by UTMB | Trail races from 5K to 81K, using the Malecón and the climb to the Cerro de la Cruz |
| March | Medio Maratón Seapal Vallarta | 21K and 5K; the 2026 edition was on 22 March |
Open-water swimmers have the Cruce Vallarta, a bay swim held in November (the 2025 edition offered 1.5, 3.1 and 4.5 km). More dates in the events calendar.
Other ways to stay active
- Parasailing is towed by boat from the beaches. There have been serious accidents — in 2018 a line snapped and a tourist was badly injured — so choose an established operator, ask about the equipment and skip it in strong wind.
- Horseback riding in the Sierra Madre foothills: ranches around Las Palmas, about 30 minutes inland, run half-day rides from around US$78.
- ATV and side-by-side tours run about four and a half hours in the hills; drivers need a valid licence (and to be 19 or over, on the tour we checked).
- Beach volleyball: Puerto Vallarta hosted the Mexican beach volleyball championship in 2024.
Heat: when to do sport
From mid-June to mid-October the rainy season brings daytime highs around 32 °C with high humidity; in July 2026 the heat index reached 42 °C, and in September local authorities advised limiting time in direct sun. Do anything strenuous at dawn or in the early morning, drink constantly, and keep the hottest hours for the pool. November to April is the comfortable season; see weather.
Frequently asked
Can you play golf in Puerto Vallarta without staying at the resort?
Yes, at most courses: Vista Vallarta, Marina Vallarta and Higuera are public, and El Tigre and Vidanta take visitors subject to availability. The two Punta Mita courses are for resort guests and members only.
Where can you paddleboard in Puerto Vallarta?
Beginners do best at Playa Palmares, which has walk-up rentals, in the calmer morning water. From Mismaloya you can paddle about 20 minutes to Los Arcos; Bucerías and Sayulita have surf shops that rent boards.
Is there kitesurfing near Puerto Vallarta?
Yes, at Bucerías, about 30 to 40 minutes north. The wind season runs roughly from February to June, best from April to June, and the town holds the Festival del Viento every May.
When is the Puerto Vallarta half marathon?
The Medio Maratón Puerto Vallarta is on 15 November 2026, starting at 6.30 a.m. A second half marathon, from a different organiser, runs on 6 December 2026, and Puerto Vallarta by UTMB is from 4 to 6 March 2027.
What is the best time of day for sport in Puerto Vallarta?
Early morning. The bay is calmer, and from June to October afternoons are hot and humid, with storms building later in the day.
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