In recent years, hiking has become a popular sport, as it is a very healthy option and accessible to the general population.
In addition, it presents an opportunity to explore both natural and urban areas from a different perspective. Visiting these sports on foot provides an excellent cardiovascular exercise for your body, a state of happiness for your mind and a new world of emotions and places to discover for your senses.
Puerto Vallarta and its surroundings are ideal for hiking. Its streets invite walking, and its natural environment contains all the flora and fauna any hiking fan could dream of. In this special, we suggest two options you cannot miss during your stay in our destination: an urban tour and another immersed in nature.
Urban hiking: From the Malecón to the Mirador de la Cruz.
If you do not have much practice or do not want to venture beyond the city limits, this route is ideal for you. It is a different way to explore downtown Puerto Vallarta, with its traditional houses and streets, until you reach the lookout for the most impressive views in town.
This 20- to 40-minute hike starts at the Malecón, by the seahorse statue. From there, continue along the promenade until you reach Abasolo street. Follow this street toward the hill, up to Emilio Carranza street, and again take Abasolo. Walking up, you will cross a green stretch of vegetation before coming to some concrete stairs. With a little effort, climb up them to the Mirador de la Cruz. And while you rest and catch your breath, delight in the amazing 360° view, with the sea, the rustic roofs and small streets of Puerto Vallarta in front of you, and at your back, the imposing greenery of the mountains.
Hiking in the jungle: From Boca de Tomatlán to Colomitos.
This 30- to 45-minute route starts in the coastal town of Boca de Tomatlán, which can be reached by public transportation or car. On the beach, you can see a posted path on the left that will take you along the trek, let yourself be enveloped by the tropical forest and the sea breeze.
Listen to the waves an the various animal species, such as eagles, woodpeckers, the mountain trogon, and find the green iguanas among the foliage.
Feel the contact with nature under your feet as you walk until you reach Playa Colomitos, the reward for your effort. Here, in this tranquil place, the golden sand and the emerald water invite you to refresh yourself with a revitalizing dip.
If you do not want to tackle these hikes on your own or if you are looking for something more professional, various agencies in Puerto Vallarta offer guided hiking tours: Wild Treks Adventures, Canopy River and Ecoride, which also offers tow mountain bike tours, one to El Salto (up the Cuale River), featuring an impressive waterfall, and another to Playa las Ánimas.