Explore Puerto Vallarta's Jungle on Wheels

Puerto Vallarta is known for its sunshine and gorgeous beaches. Plenty of visitors leave their vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta every morning and spend the entire day soaking up rays (and adult beverages) at the hugely popular Los Muertos beach, while others opt for a quieter experience further down the shore. Here's the interesting thing about that: if those folks would look over their shoulder, they would see an entirely different kind of playground.

Can't See the Forest for the Beach

While Banderas Bay opens up in front of the resort city, the forests of the Sierra Madre reach up behind it, and folks who have been around know there is more than enough adventure to be found in the forest to fill up several days. You can enjoy a number of different mountain adventures while you're in town.

A hike in the hills will put you up close with the local flora and fauna. Those who prefer to adventure quietly, on foot, can find trails that take off around the small village of Mismaloya. If your sense of direction is a challenge, you can join a tour operator for an organized hike.

Vroom!

There are those have a hard time relating "adventure" to words like "quiet" and "on foot." For these individuals, the outdoor fun starts when the ATV's engine does. They get their giggles bumping and bouncing up and down mountain trails all the livelong day. And the good news is that some of the best trails are just a quick trip away from most vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta.

ATV tours are available through more than one tour operator. Guests have a chance to splash through streams and growl up the hillsides, exploring nature in their own particular way. Some tours will include time off the machines so guests can take a brief hike in the company of a knowledgeable guide who knows what lurks in the forests. Others will end at the beach where you can knock the dust off with a quick swim.

Guests who are more comfortable surrounded by metal (or canvas) can opt for a Jeep tour of the jungle. Those that let you pilot your own vehicle provide detailed maps and walkie-talkies so you can't lose yourself too badly in the trees.

Prepare yourself before you set off on your jungle adventure.