Puerto Vallarta City Tour By The Sea aboard Bruna

This is a three-hour coastal tour of Puerto Vallarta, but seen from the water instead of from the street. You board Bruna, a vessel with cushioned seating and a bathroom on board, at Los Piñes Pier, and the route follows the city's shoreline so you can watch the bay change from one district to the next.

The first stretch takes you past the mouth of the Ameca River, where fresh water meets the Pacific, and then along Marina Vallarta with its yachts and upscale residences. From there the boat glides by the Hotel Zone, where resorts and beaches line the shore, before approaching downtown, where you can pick out the red-tiled roofs, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Malecón promenade.

Further south the scenery gets quieter. You pass Conchas Chinas, an exclusive enclave known for its beaches and clear water, and then reach Los Arcos, the rock formations that rise from the sea and are one of the city's best-known landmarks. Around the arches you may see pelicans, blue-footed boobies and herons up close, and the operator mentions that dolphins and sea turtles can also appear. The turnaround is at Mismaloya Point, where the green hillsides drop toward the coast, and the boat then heads back to Los Piñes Pier.

The tour suits travelers of all fitness levels and is a relaxed way to get your bearings in Puerto Vallarta, especially if it is your first visit. Bring a camera, since the arches and the downtown skyline are the obvious photo stops.

The price covers the ride on Bruna, the port fee, snacks and refreshments, and a licensed tour guide. Gratuities are not included. The listing does not list a meeting point beyond the departure pier, so confirm the details in your booking voucher. Public transportation options are available nearby.