Ecotourism in Puerto Vallarta
Explore the lush rainforests and vast oceans of Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the few destinations in the world that offers so many untouched ecological resources. The rainforests that encompass the city, offer vibrant flora and fauna, wildlife including monkeys, rare species of butterflies and birds such as the brightly colored Toucan.
Opposite of the mountains, the city faces the magnificent Bay of Banderas, or Banderas Bay. The second largest bay in the world, tourists and locals alike enjoy some of the world’s finest scuba and snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins and sea lions, which incidentally keep the bay shark-free. The bay is also known for its superb whale-watching. Many spectators plan their excursions between November and April, the prime mating season for the humpback whales.
Local nature reserves offer rare bird sightings including the Duck Billed Frog. Crocodiles can be found in the marshes, along with unique fish and crustaceans who find these areas useful for breeding.
One of the more popular activities amongst visitors, is attending one of the weekly sea tortuous releases, where hundreds, sometimes thousands of sea turtles are released back into the ocean after being collected as eggs along the popular Los Muertos Beach several weeks before.