If you’re planning a visit to Mexico’s pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta will probably be your hub.
Whether you’ve never been to the area or go to every year, there are a large number of issues to do and geological points of interest you could visit in addition to hanging out on the seashore.
There are plenty of issues to check out that may get you off the beaten path and satisfy your appetite for adventure.
Puerto Vallarta has no scarcity of unimaginable waterfalls and scorching springs nearby.
When you want a break from the seaside and want to splash round in some waterfalls or bathe in the therapeutic warm mineral waters, I received you!
In this guide you’ll find information about waterfalls and hot springs to go to within the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, and which tours you can book or instructions for finding them by yourself.
This publish contains affiliate links, that means when you click on through and make a purchase I could make a small fee. I solely share information about things I know, love and trust!
Best Waterfalls and Hot Springs to Visit Near Puerto Vallarta:
Aguas Termales Nuevo Ixtlan Hot Springs
In under 2 hours you can attain these unbelievable pure hot springs.
You can attain by booking a non-public scorching springs tour, which also includes a stop at a neighborhood market to buy fresh components for a standard Mexican lunch that will be ready for your as a half of your trip!
In the heart of the jungle you’ll discover a rustic but quaint setting of a couple of dozen small stone tubs.
Each tub varies in dimension and might usually fit wherever between 2-6 individuals.
You’ll be assigned a pool upon arrival and may regulate the temperature of the water in your desire.
But they are kept around 25°C so as to benefit from the water all yr round.
The swimming pools are drained and cleaned quite often and every has its personal pipe to fill it with the thermal waters from the earth.
I highly recommend taking this tour, as you’ll move by way of stunning small villages alongside the finest way, a full BBQ lunch, and end with a massage on the beach!
I can’t consider a extra perfect approach to spend a day outdoors of Puerto Vallarta.
Watch the video for a full tour of this superb oasis!
Tip: These hot springs are additionally a great day journey to take if you’re staying in Sayulita, Mexico (click for full vacation spot guide)
>> Staying at an All-Inclusive Resort? Use this Packing List (20 things you want to all the time bring)
Jamurrca Auga Termales (Hot Sprrings)
Jamurrca is slightly oasis with four pools, all of which range in dimension and temperature.
It will take about 90 minutes to get there from Puerto Vallarta, however the scenery along the way is breathtaking.
There is not any restaurant on site, so pack a lunch, snacks and drinks and head out for a full day adventure.
The cost is 70 pesos (about $3.50) per particular person to enter.
Address: Nayarit, Mexico
Bosque de la Primavera and Rio Caliente
Guadalajara sceneryLocated about 5 hours east of Puerto Vallarta is Bosque la Primavera, translated to forest of the spring. Inside the forest you’ll discover a sizzling river!
The source of hot water comes from the underground volcanic activity. According to John Pint:
> The “hot river” is born deep inside a slim canyon the place it actually boils out of the partitions, sputtering and steaming, a testimony to the continuing presence of magma deep beneath the floor.
John Pint, Mexico News Daily
If you can get yourself to Guadalajara, take this night time sizzling spring tour, where your guide takes you to the springs at midnight, beneath the stars, full with wine and cheese.
picture courtesy AirbnbPalo Maria Waterfall
If you’re staying in Puerto Vallarta and are on the lookout for one thing outdoorsy to burn a pair hours, it is a nice decide.
Located about 20 minutes from the Malecon is a beautifully lush river that leads to a number of waterfalls.
The easiest way to get to this waterfall is to e-book a tour with Discovering Puerto Vallarta.
They will meet you in the Romantic Zone, ride the bus with you and lead the hike into the jungle to find a collection of waterfalls, caves and pure swimming pools to swim around in.
Image courtesy Airbnb Puerto Vallarta Nature TripsPlus these guys know all the best spots for photographs alongside the way!
To get to those waterfalls, you do must wear water hiking sneakers or grippy sneakers you don’t thoughts getting moist – you may be crossing rivers and climbing over boulders to get there.
This waterfall hike can’t be carried out in sandals/flip flops!
If you want to discover it on your own, you’ll be able to take a bus, taxi or uber to get to the trail head.
Whichever mode of transport you select, you’ll wish to get off on the Garza Blanca Hotel.
Cross the road and observe the fence line along the small river until you reach the first of the falls.
It will take about forty five minutes to one hour depending in your pace.
You’ll be rewarded with refreshing clear water to splash around in!
After your adventure, select one of these best beaches around Puerto Vallarta to grab a margarita and relax!
El Eden Waterfall
The El Eden Waterfall and river is a web site where many films have been filmed, including Predator.
The whole space is more of a natural eco-toursim water-park in the middle of a jungle setting.
There is a value to enter, however this helps preserve this pristine space.
Besides swimming within the water, you’ll have the ability to go for a ride on the natural rock slide, hike to several ziplines, ride ATVs and revel in cold drinks and a meal on the restaurant.
To get there, head south to Mismaloya (you can take the public bus from Puerto Vallarta).
Then, take the road in the path of the Puerto Vallarta Zoo.
You’ll move the Mister Tequila shop if you want to cease in for a tasting on the way! Keep going handed the Zoo until you reach EdenVa.
Better sure, I recommend booking this tour, where you’ll journey horseback by way of the jungle to reach on the waterfall!
Your tour information will share the history of the 300 yr old village along the way, in addition to level out all of the butterflies, orchids and wildlife alongside the way.
>> Read Next: 14 Best Day Trips from Puerto Vallarta (+itineraries and hidden gems)
Cascada de Yelapa (Yelapa Waterfall)
The seashore in Yelapa is amongst the greatest in the whole bay space and can solely be reach by boat or water taxi.
If you find yourself in Yelapa in your journey, remember to make the straightforward trek from the seaside to this stunning waterfall.
It’s only a couple of 10-minute jaunt from the beach with a well-marked trail; just look forward to the signs that learn ‘la cascada.’
Along the greatest way, most of the locals have small booths where they sell handcrafted objects.
It’s a enjoyable market-atmosphere on the finest way as much as the Yelapa waterfall.
There’s a small restaurant on website with a pleasant patio when you’ll have the ability to have a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.
You can also take a seashore tour where local guides bring you to the seaside and show you the waterfall and some other hidden gems that solely locals know about.
El Manto Hot Spring
El Manto is located about four hours east of Puerto Vallarta and might be described as a pure water park.
Complete with waterfalls, canyons and hot springs, there are additionally change rooms and a restaurant on site.
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El Molote Hot Spring
It will take you slightly over 2 hours to get to these scorching springs from Puerto Vallarta.
Spend some time exploring the realm to find the hot thermal supply of the water; then, observe the creek to find a few swimming and revel in a soothing soak.
Visit this article by John & Doreen Berg on ExploreNayarit.com for full instructions on the method to get here!
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EDENVA El Eden de Vallarta Ecotourism Park
EDENVA Ecotourism park presents numerous immersive jungle adventures.
In addition to a beautiful waterfall with a pure waterslide and swimming hole, visitors also can zipline, tour gardens and jungle trails, chill in the overwater hammocks and dine on the open air restaurant.
It’s located south of Puerto Vallarta, simply outside of Mismaloya, so you’ll have to e-book a tour to get there.
Book your tour in advance as spots fill up fast!
Tip – if you’re staying at the Barcelo Resort, this tour could be very close to your hotel.
>> Read Next: 26 Practical Travel Tips for Mexico That You Are Guaranteed to Use
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Cuale Waterfall at Quimixto
Between Boca de Tomatlan and Yelapa, is the small village and beach generally identified as Quimixto.
From the seashore you probably can both hike or journey through horseback tour to get to the Cuale/Quimixto Waterfall.
It’s less than 2 miles from the village to the falls. Find Los Cocos restaurant and you’ll see the trailhead from there.
All you want to do is comply with the river and then you definitely get to cross a suspension bridge.
Or, you presumably can e-book a tour with a guide who will take you to Quimixto and other spots.
If you begin out hiking and change your thoughts, there are locals at a quantity of factors along the way who will lease you horses.
Whether you get there on horseback or hiking, the trail gets a bit dusty, but you can swim in the clear water at the base of the waterfall to cool off!
There’s additionally a restaurant on site.
El Salto Waterfall
The El Sato waterfall in Puerto Vallarta is a singular phenomenon. It only exhibits up in the course of the wet season and disappears as the season dries up.
This is the closest waterfall to the city of Puerto Vallarta, however is slightly troublesome to access, so experienced hikers and scramblers ought to be the only ones attempting this trail.
You also can find it by becoming a member of this ATV tour, the place you’ll ride the paths to the waterfall, and then cross the Jorullo suspension bridge.
Chico’s Paradise
At Chico’s Paradise, you’ll not solely discover a gorgeous waterfall, but small pools to swim in and a unbelievable restaurant surrounded by a lush jungle setting.
To get here, take a bus to Boca de Tomatlan, after which catch a taxi to get to Chico’s Paradise.
Bring your swimsuit and towel and plan to spend the afternoon here.
Sunbath on the massive flat rocks, take a dip within the falls to chill down, and then have drinks and lunch at the restaurant, Chico’s Paradise.
Inside tip: you’ll go to Chico’s Paradise and a close-by espresso store on today tour to the botanical gardens and tequila tasting!
Tip – I discover it very useful to know some conversational Spanish when going off the overwhelmed path in Mexico.
Rocket Languages is this system I’ve been utilizing, and it’s been very fast to learn! You can read more about it and get a free 7-day trial right here.
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