7 parks and reserves · within 60 km
There are 7 parks and reserves within 60 km of Puerto Vallarta in a straight line, an hour or a little more by road. The closest is Estero El Salado, 4 km away; the farthest, Cabo Corrientes, is 56 km. They are all listed under Sayulita, a Pueblo Mágico that makes a good base.
Parks and reserves are best on weekdays and early in the day. Bring water, and check the opening hours, since some close one day a week.
Best months, when most of these towns are dry with comfortable afternoons: Jan, Mar, Apr, Nov.
The Nature Parks 7
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Estero El Salado · Nature reserve · 4 km from Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco
Protected mangrove estuary in the middle of Puerto Vallarta's hotel strip, with biologist-led boat tours, a watchtower and wild crocodiles. -
Los Arcos de Mismaloya · Nature reserve · 13 km from Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco
Five granite islets with sea arches off Mismaloya, a marine refuge since 1975 and the bay's favourite snorkel stop, under ten minutes by boat from the beach. -
Jardín Botánico de Vallarta · Nature reserve · 21 km from Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco
A hillside botanical garden at km 24 south of Puerto Vallarta, famous for its orchids, jungle trails, birding and swims in the Horcones River. -
Sierra de Vallejo · Nature reserve · 31 km from Puerto Vallarta · Nayarit
The jungle-covered coastal range behind Sayulita and the Bahía de Banderas valley, home to jaguars, 261 bird species and shade-grown coffee. -
Rancho Primavera · Nature reserve · 36 km from Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco
Restored 200-acre ranch 3 km from El Tuito that has become a birding hotspot, with feeders, ponds and trails; day birders welcome. -
Islas Marietas · Nature reserve · 38 km from Puerto Vallarta · Near Sayulita
A protected island park off Punta de Mita, home of the famous Hidden Beach inside a crater-like hollow. -
Cabo Corrientes · Nature reserve · 56 km from Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco
The rocky cape that closes Banderas Bay to the south, crowned by a lighthouse from 1903, reached on foot from the remote fishing village of Corrales.
On the map
Distances are in a straight line; roads add about a third.
Where to stay
The Pueblos Mágicos these places are closest to, each with hotels, food and getting-there notes.
More places like these
More around Puerto Vallarta
Nature Parks elsewhere
Names and locations from OpenStreetMap; notes and write-ups are our own.