Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Fishing & Travel Destination

Puerto Vallarta is located in the heart of Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest bay along the Mexico’s beautiful Pacific Coastline.  Almost 3 million visitors flock to Puerto Vallarta every year and for good reason.  Golden beaches, an unbeatable tropical climate, lush dense jungle, the breathtaking tropical Sierra Madre mountain range, the best in Mexican culture, festivals, Mariachi, and parades, as well as fantastic water sport opportunities and, of course, great fishing make Puerto Vallarta a top destination for a thrilling fishing vacation.  As one of the oldest towns along the “Mexican Riviera”, a stretch of resort towns all along Mexico’s gorgeous Pacific Coast, Puerto Vallarta is perfect blend of old world elegance and charm mixed with new world fun and adventure.  Whether you are interested in world class shopping and dining, museums and art galleries, and cultural tours; or if swimming with dolphins, riding a zip line above the jungle canopy, taking one of Puerto Vallarta’s many ATV tours, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, or people watching on the fabulous Mexican beaches is more to your taste, there is something for everyone in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  And of course there is fishing.  Whether it is deep sea angling for billfish or tuna, inshore fishing or fly fishing in Banderas Bay, or bass fishing in one of Puerto Vallarta’s many lakes, there is no lack of fishing opportunities in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta International Airport is serviced by most major airlines including Aeromexico, Alaska Airlines, America West, American, Continental, Mexicana, AeroCalifornia, and Frontier Airlines, and is easily accessible from any major city.  Puerto Vallarta is also one of Mexico’s most popular cruise stops and many cruise goers enjoy a half day fishing charter in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is well known for its giant yellowfin tuna, some up to 400 lbs.  Puerto Vallarta is also a great fishing destination for huge big game fish such as blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, wahoo, and seasonally striped marlin.  Inshore species that are found year round in Puerto Vallarta include: amberjack, pargo, snapper, sierra (Spanish mackerel), jack crevalle, dorado, and world class roosterfish.  Banderas Bay is large and shallow which is perfect for very successful half day trips for all inshore species.  The deep water is a ways out, so if big game fishing is what you are looking for, be sure to plan an all day or even an overnight charter to get the most out of Puerto Vallarta’s fabulous big game deep water fishing. Charters are widely available throughout Puerto Vallarta and range from the smaller super pangas to huge luxury charters that can accommodate a dozen people.  Puerto Vallarta has choices for every budget and taste.

The weather in Puerto Vallarta is warm year round with temperatures averaging from the low to mid 80’s in winter to the low to mid 90’s in summer.  Evening temperatures are generally in the 70’s.  Located next to a jungle, Puerto Vallarta can see frequent rains during the summer rainy season, but usually only for about an hour each afternoon.  The tuna love the rainy season in Puerto Vallarta! With perpetually warm waters, there are a lot of species that are found year round in Puerto Vallarta.  Any time of year is great for sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, and tuna with sailfish and dorado peaking in winter and tuna peaking in the summer months.  Black and blue marlin can also be found year round with the best months from August through February. Striped marlin are less common but the best chance for a strike is in September, October and November. Snapper, sierra, and amberjack peak from February to May, while wahoo is great from September through January. All of these species have been known to strike at any time of the year.  It is hard to miss when you choose Puerto Vallarta as your fishing vacation destination!

From the old world colonial charm, elegant shopping and dining, lush tropical rainforest setting, fabulous beaches, numerous adventure tours, and great inshore and deep sea fishing, Puerto Vallarta is one of the true jewels of Mexico.  You will not be disappointed if you choose Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as your destination for an unforgettable fishing vacation.