Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (1/17/2025)

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was our port of call on day 13 of our 116-day world cruise. While Walter opted to stay in our mini-suite to catch up on some work, I chose the Jungle Adrenaline Adventure for my shore excursion. This excursion was described as an extreme adventure in the Sierra Madre forest, promising an adrenaline-packed day in a stunning, unspoiled tropical paradise.

The adventure began at 8:00 a.m. when our group met outside the terminal. We were ushered onto a high-speed motorboat that whisked us across the water to Boca de Tomatlán, the gateway to the Sierra Madre mountains. The boat ride itself was a delight—several pods of whales and dolphins put on a playful show, making for an unforgettable start to the day.

Upon arrival in Boca de Tomatlan, we switched to a Unimog 4×4 truck and headed deeper into the mountains. The rugged terrain added to the thrill as we headed to the headquarters of Vallarta Adventures (https://www.vallarta-adventures.com/en/tour/outdoor-zip-line-adventure). When we arrived at Vallarta Adventures, we then geared up with helmets and harnesses to begin the real adventure. We were then ushered to the stables and one of the guides gave us a quick lecture on riding mules. After the lecture, they matched us with a mule according to our personality (so they say . . .). I was paired with a mule named Rosa, who took off at a pace much faster than I had expected. My initial panic eventually subsided, when one of the guides, decided to hold Rosa’s reins. This part of the adventure was not my favorite.

The excursion included hiking through the dense forest, wading through streams, tobogganing, and rappelling down waterfalls into refreshing natural river pools (this part was my favorite!). One of the highlights was soaring 200 feet above the ground on a series of ziplines, offering breathtaking views of the lush canopy below. However, the mind-blowing Roller Coaster Zipline (a ride unique to Vallarta Adventures), with its sharp turns and bouncy motion, proved to be a bit too much for my neck.

After our adventure at Vallarta Adventures, we again rode on a speedboat back to the ship. However, our boat captain and his mates were generous with their time and took us looking for more pods of whales and dolphins. We saw a few, but they were not as close to the boat as they were earlier. So, they decided to take us to Los Arcos National Marine Park, located in the Bahía de Banderas, known for its unique rock formations and abundant marine life. The park featured dramatic granite islets rising from the sea, forming natural arches and tunnels that were perfect for snorkeling and diving. The crystal-clear waters were so inviting for one to jump out of the boat and go for a quick swim but I do not have my swimsuit on and was already tired from the jungle adrenaline adventure. The sight of frigatebirds and pelicans nesting atop the rock formations added to the breathtaking beauty of this marine sanctuary. We were also lucky enough to spot the striking blue-footed boobies, a bird species known for its vivid blue legs and fascinating courtship dance, perched on the rocks.

This excursion had been named one of the ‘Greatest Adventures on Earth’ and featured on National Geographic and the Travel Channel—and I could see why. The combination of natural beauty, heart-pounding adventure, and the remote, untouched setting made for an unforgettable experience. Despite my reservations about the mule ride and the roller coaster zipline, the day was filled with exhilarating moments and stunning scenery, making it one of the most memorable excursions of the world cruise.

The view of our boat ride to Boca de Tomatlan . . .

Our view as we made a turn towards the town dock of Boca de Tomatlan . . .

A pelican and a cormorant perched on a rock as we were approaching the town dock of Boca de Tomatlan

The view of our drive to the headquarters of Vallarta Adventures

We’re heading deep into the Sierra Madre Mountains . . .

Rosa was excited that she wanted to go faster . . .

This shot was taken after I rappelled down a waterfall. This was one of my favorites – we rappelled down twice. The photographer was not there to take a photo of us rappelling because he had to help some people who were afraid of ziplining (I guess they did not know what they signed up for).

I love this roller coaster zipline but it was too much for my neck.

Another reason why I did not like the roller coaster zipline is I was plunged into a very cold water.

This was the last zipline. The one before this was actually a “freefall” zipline wherein we were upside down. It’s unfortunate that the photographer was not there to take a photo.

Yes, we made it! We had a “bonus” toboggan after this that was extremely hight with twists and turns. We were given a choice to do it or not. I was up there anyway, so why not?

One of the beautiful views as we were leaving the dock of Boca de Tomatlan

Beholding this beauty while we were in search of pods of whales and dolphins as we were heading back to the ship. According to our guide, the mountain behind the building was once a location of the film “The Predator” of Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987.

Still in search of whales and dolphins . . .

The following photos were taken from Los Arcos National Marine Park.

Los Arcos National Marine Park, nestled in the stunning Banderas Bay of Puerto Vallarta, sits between the picturesque Las Gemelas Beach and Mismaloya Beach. This breathtaking natural wonder is named after its towering gray granite islands, which rise dramatically from the ocean in striking arch formations. Seeing these magnificent rock formations up close, with birds gracefully nesting and perching atop them, left me in absolute awe. I only wish I had more time to dive into its crystal-clear waters, snorkeling and swimming among the vibrant marine life that thrives in this incredible ecosystem.

Heading to Los Arcos National Marine Park

Look closely and you will see the blue-footed boobies.