I turned around and he basically just pushed me off the edge of the cliff. Not much warning. My feet were slipping on the wet rock and voices were shouting below me. I was repelling down a sheer rock face next to a waterfall in the Sierra Madre mountain range near the western coast of Mexico.
A visit to Puerto Vallarta is much more than lazing the day away on a sandy beach (although that is definitely enjoyable as well!). The geography of this area on Mexico’s Pacific coast can’t be beat.
We took three different tours while here, which were organized through our tour provider, Funjet Vacations, by local company Island Sun Experience (who not only book your tours for you, but provide transportation to and from your hotel so you really don’t have to worry about a thing!) and given by Vallarta Adventures. Here’s a bit about all three…and lots of photos of course.
Whale Watching
This was a no brainer. I had to do this. I think I may have seen whales a long time ago in Cabo while on a TV show location shoot, but this was prime whale watching season and they guaranteed sightings.
Whale Tail
We went on a three-hour whale-watching tour (a three hour tour) with our guide, Citlali at the helm contagiously sharing her passion about these amazing creatures and spotting some ‘glassy’ water where the whales might be just beneath the surface.
Breaching Humpback Whale
After a slow start, we were gifted the rest of the tour with sightings of at least sixteen humpback whales including three babies, jumping manta rays (apparently they jump and flip out of the water to try to dislodge barnacles from their skin with the impact of the water…and hopefully it’s fun for them too), dolphins, a turtle and jumping fish.
Jumping Manta Ray
It was truly incredible. Getting to see a breaching (lunging) whale continues to remind me of all the beautiful animals with whom we share this planet.
Masked Booby
The only thing that that I didn’t like was my own doing – I am always trying to get you great photographs instead of sometimes just putting the camera down and watching with my own eyes.
Baby Whale
Humpback Whale
Happy Turtle
Dolphin Swim
My New Pal
Another must-do: We signed up for the Dolphin Signature Swim. It was basically one hour in a large pool with a couple of dolphins that we were able to touch, swim with and even kiss. My favorite part was just having them swim around us and pet them gently rather than make them do tricks and ‘work’ for treats.
I had some reservations about swimming with and promoting dolphins in captivity. It was an amazing opportunity, but I am still torn. I don’t like any animals being held captive (i.e. zoos, circuses, etc.) for much other than rehabilitation. On one hand I didn’t have background on the origins of these dolphins and on the other hand, I had this unique possibilty to interact with these intelligent creatures up close and personal. According to their site:
The dolphins spend only a combined total of less than two hours each day voluntarily interacting with the public. The rest of the day is allocated to the dolphins’ private time, valuable training time, as well as play and social interaction. Our dolphins have exhibited a particularly high level of good health. They are strong and robust swimmers, they eat heartily, they are all active participants in their social groups and the adults are reproducing successfully. This shows us that the dolphins are happy. They have a safe and secure habitat home, they are able to express their different personalities and behaviors and they form social groups which contribute directly to their sense of security, development and contentment.
But of course this still doesn’t tell me the whole story. I did write to Vallarta Adventures and asked about the origins of the dolphins:
The first dolphins that started the family of Dolphin Adventure in Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, were dolphins that lived in the most populated Bays in Mexico. [Through] the years, there have been baby dolphins born here at our dolphin center. Also, dolphins that were injured, stranded or left behind, are cared for at our facilities by our amazing team of experts: vets, trainers, and rescue volunteers.
As a matter of fact, for more than a decade, Vallarta & Cabo Adventures have been instrumental in marine and animal rescue and rehabilitation throughout each Bay area. Our company has worked side by side with local government agencies, including the Navy, to rescue trapped and endangered whales and dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and lost and stranded sea lions.
CP Gets a Kiss
What do you think? Would you swim with dolphins?
Kissing Dolphins
Zipline Adventures
At the last minute, CP convinced me to do a crazy outdoor adventure day of ziplining, repelling, and other wacky jungle adventures.
We are SO tough! ;)
I’m so glad he did because it was a blast! At first I hesitated as I seem to be growing further away from that adventurous gal that went around the world just a few years ago and said ‘yes’ to nearly everything that came my way. As I’ve been back home, I have seen how easily it can be to crawl back into that comfort zone and cocoon of not pushing myself. And sometimes that’s okay too. But other times, I still need to push myself. I know I still like some adventures and this one was super fun…and cold!
Zipline Mexico
About to hit very cold water!
This exciting eco-tour has some of Mexico’s highest and longest zip-lines, at almost 1,000 feet long and 250 feet high, and two thrilling water slides.
Ziplining Standing Up!
Don’t forget you can get a special, limited time discount code on a trip with Funjet Vacations just for readers of LLworldtour for up to $300 off!! Check out the last Puerto Vallarta post for more info.
Disclosure: During my time in Puerto Vallarta, I was a guest of Funjet Vacations. As always, all opinions are my own.
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