47 boats available
Can't find what you want?Talk to our holiday planners today.
We partner with the top insurance providers for maritime tourism. Find out more
Can't find what you want?Talk to our holiday planners today.
When thinking of a vacation in Mexico you might only think of big resort towns like Cancun, but the truth is that there are more places by the sea you should check out - especially if you aren’t necessarily into massive parties. A boat rental in Puerto Vallarta allows you to explore the Pacific coast, stop by beautiful beaches for a quick swim and explore the wonderful seaside towns in this part of Mexico.
While many people choose to vacation in Mexico, because it’s cheap and you can find many crazy parties, there are various other activities you can plan on your boat holiday in Puerto Vallarta.
Casual dining in Puerto Vallarta:
Best restaurants with a view in Puerto Vallarta:
Fine dining in Puerto Vallarta:
While the city of Puerto Vallarta is mainly known for its big resorts and massive holiday mansions, there is plenty of history to discover in the city. The Spanish already founded a place in the bay in 1644, but it was by no means a city. Only from the mid-1800s has the city been established. The port dates back to 1885. While the economy was originally driven by the establishment of banana plantations, Puerto Vallarta started to become a popular tourist destination from the 1960s onwards after the film The Night of the Iguana was filmed here. However, it is not just a popular destination for cruise ships and hotel guests who like to vacation in luxurious resorts, it is also a popular spot for boat vacations.
Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta experiences relatively calm weather most of the year. The beautiful scenic bay is blessed with stunning mountains, beautiful clear water and interesting wildlife. Sailing season generally lasts from November until May, making it the perfect winter getaway destination.
Most people don’t just come to Puerto Vallarta to swim in the crystal clear waters and to enjoy a bit of a sailing adventure, they also come to see whales, dolphins and sea turtles. If you just come for the whales, you will be most likely to see them between late November and the beginning of April. The region around Puerto Vallarta is also great for anyone who wants to go snorkelling.
Sure, you could always book a luxury boat holiday in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where you need to spend over 100.000 dollars, but there are much more affordable options at around 8.000 or 9.000 dollars per week.
Puerto Vallarta and the coast you can explore north and south of the city are well known for its hidden coves, secret beaches and natural wonders. If you want to explore all of these sites, you should choose your boat wisely.
Pros of renting a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta
One of the best things about a catamaran rental in Puerto Vallarta is the simple fact that catamarans have a shallow draft. This makes catamarans perfect for discovering all the beautiful beaches on the Mexican Pacific coast. You don’t need to worry about hitting something deep underwater and putting your life in danger.
Charter a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta if you want to plan a boat holiday on one of the most flexible yachts you can find. Catamarans are real multitaskers. You can either set your sail to take full advantage of the wind or drive with the engine if you want to stay more in control. Having the option to choose between these two ways of moving your boat forward also means that you get to choose which one feels right in the current weather conditions.
Rent a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta if you care about comfort. Standing on two hulls allows for bigger and more comfortable rooms on board. You will almost forget that you’re on a boat and not a hotel room. The two hulls don’t just allow for more space, but also give the yacht more stability. This is particularly comforting for people who get seasick easily.
Cons of renting a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta
With a catamaran rental in Puerto Vallarta you need to keep the size of a catamaran in mind. They are generally bigger than other boats and therefore take up more space at the marinas. You often need to pay double for mooring.
If you plan a catamaran cruise around Puerto Vallarta you should keep in mind that catamarans are often much lighter than other boats. This can slow them down completely - irrespectively of the wind conditions and power of the engine. Therefore catamarans are not necessarily the best fit when it comes to sailing longer distances.
Charter a catamaran in Puerto Vallarta
Pros of renting a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta
Rent a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta to explore the stunning beaches along the Mexican coast. They are incredibly beautiful and you would be very disappointed could you only admire them from a distance. Motorboats have a shallow draft, so you can easily
Charter a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta if you want to get from place to place as fast as you can. Motorboats are generally faster than other types of boats and will allow you to see all the different places you would like to discover in a short period of time.
Another advantage of a motorboat rental in Puerto Vallarta is the fact that they are so much easier to operate than other types of water vehicles. You don’t need a lot of experience, you only need the instructions on how to operate a specific boat and in some countries a boat licence. The rest is super easy!
Cons of renting a motorboat in Puerto Vallarta
A motorboat rental in Puerto Vallarta means that you need to consider paying extra for fuel as motorboats only run on fuel and not on wind. If you are not careful, you might get surprised with an extortionate bill in addition to your bareboat charter at the end of your trip.
The engine of a motorboat can be quite noisy, so be prepared for that. You might get really annoyed with it or you might get used to it. Motorboats are also not the most environmentally-friendly boats you can drive. As they are only running on fuel, they are not just more expensive to operate, but also release more CO2 emissions than other types of boats.
Motorboat rental in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is certainly not the most budget-friendly sailing destination, so be prepared to pay a little extra. As you’re paying a little extra anyway, why not charter a private luxury yacht in Puerto Vallarta. You will certainly experience a fantastic boat holiday with all the amenities and services on board you could dream of. A stove, fridge, freezer, coffee machine and ice maker are all the basics you can find on any luxury yacht in Puerto Vallarta. For some extra fun you can find snorkelling gear, a SUP or jet skis on board. A full crew is most often included in the price as well.
A professional crew is included in the majority of yacht rentals in Puerto Vallarta, so you don’t need to worry about anything. Lean back, relax and enjoy your boat vacation in Puerto Vallarta while someone else is taking care of operating the boat.
There are certain requirements one must fulfill when renting a boat in Mexico without a skipper or experienced captain on board - especially when carrying fishing equipment and planning to fish for some fish in the ocean.
Puerto Vallarta is a stunning Mexican city surrounded by impressive mountains, scenic beaches and incredible landscapes. Head out to explore what this part of America has to offer. You can plan a day trip to swim with dolphins or see the whales, you can go on a trip to see the different places in Bahia de Banderas.
Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Playa Palmares: This beautiful beach will make all your dreams come true. The scenic mountains in the background, the lush green trees and stones giving the beach its unique look and the magical sunsets you can witness here will leave you in awe.
Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa: This remote fishing village is a true gem in the bay and aside from its interesting mountainous landscapes and golden sand beaches, there is a wonderful waterfall close by. You will definitely feel like you have arrived in paradise.
Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Bucerías: Discover this lovely town in the bay and admire the art on the Art Walk Bucerias. It is a great opportunity to admire the art of local artists and come into direct contact with them. You can also find many other handmade items in the different shops spread all over town. You should definitely stop by the El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary, which is located between Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias. This will be a once in a lifetime experience.
Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Playa La Lancha: Like many beaches in the bay, this beach is a fantastic place to spend the day, relax and truly enjoy your boat vacation in Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas. It is also a popular spot for surfing, so you might as well rent a surfboard and practice your own surfing skills.
Sail from Puerto Vallarta to Playa Palito Verde: This scenic beach is going to take your breath away. Filled with beautiful soft white sand and surrounded by interesting cliffs, it is a great spot to visit on your catamaran rental from Puerto Vallarta.
