Swim With Dolphins at the Dolphin Adventure Center

Daily (weather permitting)
9:00 am until 5:00 pm

Dolphins and humans have a natural affinity with one another, and at the top of the agenda on your vacation to Puerto Vallarta must be a visit to Vallarta Adventures' Dolphin Adventure Center in Nuevo Vallarta. At Vallarta Adventures dolphin center they offer a wide range of heart-warming, educational and interactive programs geared towards dolphin lovers of all ages and abilities.



Vallarta Adventures' Signature Swim offers the smallest group size available anywhere to swim with dolphins (with 40 minutes in the water). You're ensured the best possible opportunity to develop a close personal bond with your dolphin. You'll discover all there is know about dolphins from the best possible teachers - the dolphins themselves, as they talk and flirt with you in the comfort and safety of our specially designed pool. Before jumping in the pool, the Vallarta Adventures staff will begin a short interactive briefing introducing you to the fascinating world of dolphins. They'll show you how to use special hand signals and positive reinforcement to communicate with them one-on-one. Then it's straight in to the water of our Dolphin Lagoon for quality time with your new marine mammal friends. Interact with these inspirational animals as they swim around and beneath you during the interactive portion of the program. You will not get closer than this! Interacting with our dolphins leaves a lasting impression on your heart and mind, as you are immersed in an amazing experience. The Signature Swim program is intimate, exhilarating, enlightening, and tender-all rolled into a swirl of shared laughter, caring and learning.

PLEASE NOTE: Please wear a swimsuit, bring a change of clothes, money for souvenir photos... and don't forget your camera.

Everyone dreams of swimming with dolphins and, at the Dolphin Adventure Center in Puerto Vallarta, we're fortunate to have these Pacific Bottlenose dolphins as part of our family. Here's your chance to chat, cuddle, play and swim with these charming and gentle creatures (with 30 minutes in the water). This program starts with an interactive orientation by the dolphin experts, teaching you all about the dolphin's anatomy, physiology and unique characteristics. You'll learn special hand training signals and positive reinforcement to communicate directly with these highly intelligent creatures giving you a unique insight into how these enigmatic mammals behave. You'll wade into the clear shallow waters of our specially designed pool to begin your exclusive dolphin swim experience. Getting to know your new friends up close, with playful hugs and kisses. You'll also get the opportunity to take a ride across the pool from one of your new dolphin friends. Don't miss this chance for you and your family to make a life-long connection with the ocean's most curious and playful animals... it's an experience you'll never forget!

PLEASE NOTE: Please wear a swimsuit, bring a change of clothes, money for souvenir photos... and don't forget your camera.

Learn all about the world of the Pacific Bottlenose dolphin from the best possible teachers - the dolphins themselves (with 20 minutes in the water). Designed with non-swimmers in mind, this program is an ideal introduction to the anatomy, physiology and history of the ocean's most inspiring mammals. In this program, Vallarta Adventures' knowledgeable trainers start with a short poolside introduction to the resident dolphins, helping you understand more about their wonderful anatomy, physiology, history and fascinating underwater communication techniques. Then it's straight into the waist deep water of the seawater lagoon where you'll get closely acquainted with these friendly and curious characters. Feel their smooth skin, feed them their favorite treat, kiss and play with them and communicate one-on-one using your newly learned hand signals. Dolphins are just as curious about us as we are about them, and the strong bond they've created with our trainers ensures everyone will feel the warmth and intelligence of the ocean's friendliest creatures. As always, we keep group sizes small so you can make the most of this unforgettable opportunity to interact with the ocean's most inspiring mammals.

PLEASE NOTE: Please wear a swimsuit, bring a change of clothes, money for souvenir photos... and don't forget your camera.

DOLPHIN TRAINER FOR A DAY

If you love dolphins, or have ever thought about being a dolphin trainer, the adventure of a lifetime awaits you in Puerto Vallarta at Vallarta Adventures' Dolphin Adventure Center! Developed for people who want to learn more about training marine mammals, the Trainer for a Day program gives you the chance to spend an exciting day working beside real dolphin trainers at the Dolphin Adventure Center in Nuevo Vallarta. As an active member of their team of marine mammal experts, you'll be in close contact with our family of Pacific Bottlenose dolphins - both in the pool and poolside - throughout the day. From feeding and behavioral training techniques, to helping the dolphin trainers during the Dolphin Encounter and Swim with Dolphin programs, you'll learn the basic skills of caring for and training dolphins as you assist our trainers in every aspect of their work. By actively participating in the daily efforts that are involved in the training and care of the dolphins, you'll get a closer look at the fascinating world of marine professionals. To ensure you enjoy an up-close and personal experience with our dolphins, the Trainer for a Day Programs are limited... so reserve a fun-filled, sun-filled, one-of-a-kind adventure for yourself or someone you love today.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a four to five hour activity available only Monday through Friday. Please wear a swimsuit, bring a change of clothes, money for souvenir photos... and don't forget your camera.

Tropical Bird Watching Tours

Daily (weather permitting)
See Departure and Return Times Below

One of the most popular eco-tours this past season! Four different locations within the mountain and river valleys of Banderas Bay provide for your choice of exciting guided bird watching excursions. In this tropical paradise there are nearly 350 bird species in varied ecosystems and habitats, including the endangered Military Macaw, colorful Trogons, Green Jays, Tropical Kingbird, San Blas Jays, Yellow-winged Cacique, Social Flycatcher, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker, Cacophonous Woodpeckers, Russet-crowned Motmot, plus several species of Hummingbirds, Conures, Kiskadees, and Orioles are all common sightings in the area.



If you are vacationing in Puerto Vallarta and you love birds... count yourself lucky! In this paradise there are nearly 350 bird species in varied ecosystems and habitats. Green Jay, Tropical Kingbird, San Blas Jay, Yellow-winged Cacique, Social Flycatcher, Golden-cheeked Woodpecker and Russet-crowned Motmot are all common sightings in the area. Our guides are avid birders and occasionally they don’t need to see the birds to identify the species, they can identify them only by their songs. Our first stop is right across from Los Arcos and our adventure begins with pelicans, frigate birds, cormorants, snowy egrets, sea gulls and vultures some of our first sightings. Further in the mountains, amid the tropical deciduous forest we’ll enjoy a light breakfast among sightings of Hummingbirds, Parakeets, Kiskadees, Flycatchers, Motmot and Cacophonous Woodpeckers. We’ll then continue to Mismaloya to encounter Robins, Happy Wrens, sparrows and Inca Doves, among others. As a special treat to end our Tropical Bird Watching Tour we’ll enjoy a cold drink accompanied by guacamole and salsa under the shade of giant white fig trees, and let the wildlife come within feet of us. Iguanas join blue San Blas Jays, Green Jays, Long-Tailed Hermit Hummingbirds and Yellow-winged Caciques as we wrap our tour.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Tropical Bird Watching Tour departs the Eco Tours de Mexico office at Ignacio L. Vallarta #243 in Old Town at 7:00 am and returns at 1:30 pm to Vallarta. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring sunscreen and insect repellant... and don't forget your camera.

Puerto Vallarta is considered to be a paradise by the locals, as well as by those who visit. The area surrounding the Bahía de Banderas can only be described as a natural outdoor concert hall. Over 350 different species of birds either migrate to or reside in this area. This is also the home of the endangered Military Macaws (Ara militaris) seen resting in a tree or flying in pairs, and their strident unique voice will surely attract your attention. The Military Macaw is a beautiful bird, with coloring predominantly green with hues ranging from olive to emerald green. Tail feathers are a mixture of sky blue, burgundy, and streaks of green. This highly endangered species is facing extinction due to loss of habitat and capture by poachers to be sold as pets. Despite the fact that Macaws are under protection by Mexican and International laws, the black market thieves poach around 200 chicks per year from their nests, although 80% of them die during this process, and 10 % more die after the process of extraction. Unless strong measures are not taken immediately, this species will disappear from the wild within the next 20 or 30 years. In order to avoid this happening, a multitasked group of people have formed a group called MACAWS FOREVER, GUACAMAYAS POR SIEMPRE A. C., which Eco Tours de Mexico is a proud member. Started in 2007, this conservation group has already achieved great recognition for meeting their goals and established several strategies to prevent the extinction process for this species. Eco Tours de Mexico offers you a chance to learn, see and participate with the conservation program in Puerto Vallarta to enjoy the Military Macaw first hand, and at the same time help to support this wonderful program!

PLEASE NOTE: Our Military Macaw Conservation Tour departs the Eco Tours de Mexico office at Ignacio L. Vallarta #243 in Old Town at 7:00 am and returns at 1:00 pm to Vallarta. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring sunscreen and insect repellant... and don't forget your camera.

This beautiful tour combines tropical birding with higher elevations of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. We are fortunate to be located where the sierra meets the volcanic belt, splitting the country into two distinct avian regions. Here, numerous endemic species from the North are found at their southern limit. In addition many Southern Mexico and Central American species can be encountered at their Northern limits! To accomplish this, we will drive South from Vallarta, starting at sea level and gradually head up through tropical forests, sub-perennials, and up into pine and oak forests of the Sierra Madre, reaching about 1,000 meters of elevation. Many of the species will be quite different from the ones near Puerto Vallarta. The variety of habitats is so great that you can see different varieties of birds, among them the famous Grey-Crowned Woodpecker, varied Bunting, Painted Redstart, Black-Vented Oriole, Grey-Collared Pygmy owl, Tufted Flycatcher, Greater Pewee, Military Macaw, the Orange-fronted Parakeet, Green Jay, the Citreoline Trogons, Tropical Kingbird, Magpie Jays, and Pale-billed Woodpecker are some of the area’s common sighting.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Sierra Madre Bird Watching Tour departs the Eco Tours de Mexico office at Ignacio L. Vallarta #243 in Old Town at 7:00 am and returns at 2:00 pm to Vallarta. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring sunscreen and insect repellant... and don't forget your camera.

Considered one of the 100 most attractive sites in Mexico for bird watching, the El Quelele Lagoon is a protected natural area. The North side of the bay is dryer in comparison the east and south sides. Here you find lagoons, small rivers and creeks, agricultural areas as well as coastal environments. The lagoons are the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of a Purple Gallinule, an American Coot or a Green Heron. Near creeks and in forests, you may come across Vermilion Flycatcher, Rufous-backed Robin, Squirrel Cuckoo and even most likely see lots of Orange-fronted Parakeets. In this tour we focused in the two regions of the El Colorado pueblo and Quelele Lagoon. El Colorado is an agricultural pueblo, and the area is a semi-deciduous tropical forest, so we can see about 80 different bird species. Afterwards we continue our journey toward El Quelele Lagoon, one of the most beautiful coastal bodies along the bay. It comprises more than 247 acres (100 hectares) of tidal plain surrounded by white mangroves. The lagoon is also the natural habitat of river crocodiles, raccoons, coatis, turtles, many varieties of fish and shrimp, and an amazing range of species of both resident and migratory birds, including the the Crested Caracara, known as the Quelele in Spanish. As you explore the banks of the Quelele Lagoon, there are days when you can see extraordinary varieties of birds there, from snowy egrets, white herons, tiger egrets, yellow-crowned night herons, blue herons, wood storks, whistling ducks, white and white-faced ibises, many yellow-winged caciques and some great kiskadees, along with beautiful roseate spoonbills that are quite spectacular.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Valley of Flags and Quelele Lagoon Bird Watching Tour departs the Eco Tours de Mexico office at Ignacio L. Vallarta #243 in Old Town at 6:30 am and returns at 2:30 pm to Vallarta. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring sunscreen and insect repellant... and don't forget your camera.

Seabirds & Snorkeling Tour

Daily (weather permitting) from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Lunch is included (alcoholic beverages additional)
The Marietas Islands are a bird lover's paradise above and a beautiful tropical reef full of colorful fish below! Join us for a day excursion visiting the Marietas Islands, one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Mexico’s Pacific coast, and one of our National Parks. “Las Tres Marietas” are truly beautiful islands of volcanic origin, filled with numerous caves carved by time and water. These Islands are home to a vast colony of sea birds, including the Magnificent Frigate Bird, Brown Boobies, Bridled Tern, Brown Pelicans, Royal Tern, Laughing Gull, and the world famous Galapagos Blue-footed Booby, found only in the Galapagos Islands and the Marietas! Underwater is just as diverse, with dozens of species of corals, King Angelfish, Panamic Sergeant Majors, Cortez Chubs, Giant Damselfish, Moorish Idol, Rainbow Wrasse, Zebra Moray Eels, Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, Spinner Dolphin, Spotted Eagle Rays, and many more unique and colorful species of sea life. Our Marietas Islands snorkeling trip, offered in conjunction with Eco Tours de Mexico, is different from other trips offered to this unique ecosystem. We drive you to Punta Mita a fisherman village located in the North end of the bay, making your journey at sea only 20 minutes by ponga boat to the Marietas. This gives our guests the opportunity to get acquainted with the northern part of Banderas Bay, its villages, and varied ecosystems. Not to mention it provides for more snorkeling time (2 full hours snorkeling and bird watching at the Marietas Islands), and after our adventure allows for your party to enjoy a typical palapa-style lunch in the local beach side pueblo where we departed from shore.



PLEASE NOTE: Our Seabirds & Snorkeling Tour departs the Eco Tours de Mexico office at Ignacio L. Vallarta #243 in Old Town at 8:30 am and returns at 3:00 pm to Vallarta. Please bring your swimming suit, a towel, sunscreen and a hat, plus wear sandals and shorts for your comfort... and don't forget your camera. This excursion includes snorkel gear use, lunch (alcoholic beverages additional), and ponga boat transportation.

Sea Turtles & Crocodile Tour

Daily (weather permitting) from 4:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Seasonal from August through December 15th

Get involved and be a volunteer conservationist for a day! The area of Banderas Bay boasts incredible bio diversity, due to variations in ecosystems and habitats, and as a result, it has a large number of animal species, including reptiles. Our adventure provides the opportunity to support the ongoing work of a dedicated team of Mexican biologists in two different conservation projects. First we visit the marshy lagoon “El Quelele” to observe the ever-elusive American Crocodile. With the development of the area the crocodiles are loosing their habitat, so at El Quelele a special facility was created to protect them, a worthy example of sustainable ecology. Afterward we relocate to a beach to be part of one of the world’s most intriguing natural marvels that takes place, and involves tiny, vulnerable creatures, delicate sea turtle hatchlings. For a few months each year on the Puerto Vallarta coastline, Olive Ridley sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in the sand. By the light of the moon, the baby hatchlings scurry to the sea, remembering forever their birthplace to which they will one day return to continue the cycle of life. During the last season, over 210,000 baby Olive Ridley turtles were released into their new home, the blue waters of Banderas Bay!


PLEASE NOTE: Our Sea Turtle & Crocodile Tour departs the Eco Tours de Mexico office at Ignacio L. Vallarta #243 in Old Town at 4:30 pm and returns at 9:00 pm to Vallarta. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring sunscreen and insect repellant... and don't forget your camera.

Whale Watching & Conservation

Twice Daily (weather permitting)
8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Seasonal from December 8th through March 23rd

Join the best whale watching tour in Banderas Bay with expert biologists who will lead you through the marvelous Humpback world in our specially designed boat for whale watching. Before launching in this adventure, we´ll provide you with a lecture about these magnificent creatures. Once in the ocean, we´ll explain you about Humpbacks´ behavior, while we observe them breach, slap their tails, travel, play, or fight. We´ll also listen to their intriguing songs through a hydrophone, and you can even participate in our research project (to learn more visit www.whalephoto.org), as the head researcher of the Banderas Bay and Nayarit Coast Photo Identification Project might be leading your trip. If you like personal and professional attention, and want to learn and enjoy the world of the Humpbacks, this is the tour for you!

PLEASE NOTE: Our Whale Watching Tours depart from the Eco Tours de Mexico office in Marina Vallarta twice daily in the morning at 8:00 am returning at 12:00 pm, and in the afternoon departing at 1:00 pm returning at 5:00 pm. Please wear comfortable clothes, bring sunscreen plus a hat... and don't forget your camera.