South Shore and Vallarta Botanical Garden Private Tour

This private south-shore ride combines ocean and jungle scenery with relaxed stops and time for photos. It starts with a hotel pickup, follows the coast south of Puerto Vallarta and ends at the Vallarta Botanical Garden, before a comfortable return with your private English-speaking driver. The listed duration is 300 minutes.

The first stop is Los Arcos Scenic Overlook, a roadside viewpoint over the granite islets of Los Arcos Marine Park. The rock arches rise from turquoise water and attract seabirds and snorkelers, and the overlook has a safe pull-off for quick photos. The itinerary allots about an hour here.

Playa Mismaloya comes next, a jungle-backed cove with emerald water and cliffs. The listing notes that it appeared in the 1964 film The Night of the Iguana. You can take a walk on the sand or pause for photos; the itinerary lists about two hours for this stop.

The final stop is the Vallarta Botanical Garden, in the Sierra Madre foothills, with trails lined with orchids, vanilla vines and tall palms. You can wander shaded paths, see themed gardens such as the Cactus House and the Orchid Conservatory, or dip your feet in the clear river that runs through the grounds. The on-site restaurant overlooks the canopy. Plan about two hours. The admission fee is MXN $300 per person, is not included and must be paid on site with cash or card.

Fuel, tolls, WiFi on board, all taxes, fees and handling charges and a personal English-speaking professional driver are included. Beverages, other meals and tips are not. Groups of one to three travel in a sedan and groups of four to eight in a minivan. The drivers are not official tour guides but professional local drivers with historical information about the sights, and they cannot accompany you inside. The service does not pick up or drop off at the airport, port or train stations. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller and the ride is suitable for all fitness levels.