Jalisco is Mexico's cultural heartland, birthplace of tequila, mariachi music, and the Mexican hat dance. Home to the vibrant metropolis of Guadalajara and the Pacific resort city of Puerto Vallarta, it offers a stunning blend of colonial heritage, indigenous traditions, and natural beauty.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Guadalajara Zoo (Zoológico de Guadalajara)
One of Latin America's finest zoos with 1,500+ animals across 360 species in a stunning 90-hectare canyon setting. Includes a safari bus, aquarium, reptile house, and nocturnal animals section. The zoo is integrated into the natural Barranca de Huentitán canyon landscape.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Los Muertos Beach Day
Puerto Vallarta's most popular beach has calm, protected bay waters perfect for families with young children. Beach clubs have facilities, and water sport vendors offer banana boats and kayaking suitable for older kids. The pier provides a safe elevated viewpoint for watching the ocean.
Duration: Full day
Guachimontones Archaeology Visit
Children are fascinated by the unique circular pyramid structures of Guachimontones, unlike any other ancient site in Mexico. The adjacent museum has interactive displays. The story of the ancient Teuchitlán people who built the site fires young imaginations.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Jose Cuervo Express Train to Tequila
A festive train journey through the agave landscape to the town of Tequila. The train features live music, folk dancing, and regional food. Kids enjoy the spectacle even without the tequila — agave field demonstrations, jimador (agave harvester) shows, and the colonial town are engaging for all ages.
Duration: Full day (from Guadalajara)
Lake Chapala Boat Tour to Isla de Mezcala
A delightful boat trip on Mexico's largest lake to the island of Mezcala with its ruined colonial fort. Children love the boat ride, the island exploration, and spotting pelicans and herons along the way.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Yelapa Water Taxi & Waterfall
Board a water taxi from Puerto Vallarta to the car-free fishing village of Yelapa, then walk 20 minutes through jungle to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. Kids love the boat ride, the village atmosphere, and the jungle trail.
Duration: Full day
Mariachi Show at Plaza de los Mariachis
An unmissable Guadalajara experience for children and adults — watching elaborately dressed mariachi groups perform in the spiritual home of Mexican music. The festive atmosphere, colorful costumes, and powerful live music is thrilling for children of all ages.
Duration: 1-2 hours (evening)
Tlaquepaque Craft Workshop
Several workshops in Tlaquepaque's artisan district offer hands-on experiences making blown glass, painting Talavera ceramics, and working with clay. Children love creating their own Mexican folk art souvenir to take home.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Puerto Vallarta Whale Watching
Humpback whale watching in the Bay of Banderas is a jaw-dropping experience for children and adults. Expert guides narrate the encounter and responsible operators guarantee a 90%+ sighting rate November-March.
Duration: 3-4 hours (November-March)
Bosque Los Colomos Nature Walk
A beautiful urban forest park in Guadalajara with a Japanese garden, Chinese garden, ponds, deer reserve, and shaded walking paths. Excellent for a morning walk with young children, providing a peaceful green escape from the city.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Full-service beachfront resort with an excellent kids club (La Escuelita, ages 4-12), multiple pools including a children's pool, family rooms with connecting options, and babysitting services available.
Family features: Kids club (4-12 years), children's pool, family rooms, babysitting, kids menu
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
All-inclusive cliff-top resort with comprehensive kids programs, a dedicated kids club with age-appropriate activities, family-friendly pools, and multiple dining venues with kids menus.
Family features: Kids club (3-12 years), family pools, all-inclusive dining, babysitting, teen lounge
Velas Vallarta Suite Resort
All-inclusive suite resort with large family suites (living room + 1 or 2 bedrooms), extensive kids programs, sports courts, beach, and family-friendly entertainment nightly.
Family features: Family suites, kids club, teen activities, family pool, all-inclusive
JW Marriott Guadalajara
Guadalajara's best family hotel in the city for visiting families, with a large outdoor pool, multiple restaurants, connecting room options, and easy access to the zoo and historic center by Uber.
Family features: Large pool, connecting rooms, multiple restaurants, central location
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Mexican restaurants universally welcome children with open arms — you will never feel unwelcome bringing kids anywhere
High chairs (silla para bebé) are available at most sit-down restaurants; ask staff if not visible
Kids menus (menú infantil) typically feature quesadillas, rice, chicken, and pasta at $4-8
Street food markets like Mercado Libertad are excellent for children — quick, varied, inexpensive, and exciting
Sunday brunch at lakeside Chapala restaurants is a quintessential family experience with live music
Agua fresca (fresh fruit water) is a perfect kid-friendly drink — try horchata (rice milk), hibiscus (Jamaica), or tamarind
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Puerto Vallarta's Bay of Banderas offers calm, protected swimming — far safer for young children than open Pacific beaches
Guadalajara's metro and BRT system is safe and efficient but crowded at rush hour — use Uber with family
Book Puerto Vallarta resorts with all-inclusive packages to eliminate meal-planning stress on beach vacation days
Buy sunscreen, diapers, and baby products in Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta city stores (Walmart, Farmacias Guadalajara) where prices are much lower than tourist shops
IMSS and ISSSTE public hospitals are free for emergencies but long waits; private hospitals (Hospital del Carmen Guadalajara, Amerimed Puerto Vallarta) have English-speaking staff and prompt service — travel insurance is essential