Day Hike from Plaza del Pitillal to Eco Turistica Playa Grande, Puerto Vallarta

Hi Everyone!

Today, I decided to do something a little different. I decided to do a little hike to the Eco Turista Park at Playa Grande here in Puerto Vallarta.

Here is the route. If you want to map it out using Google Maps make sure to select "via La Pedrera", otherwise you will take a different route.

This is not a hike that I found in any guide book or on any website. I made this up myself. It is not a terribly difficult hike and the path is easy to follow. You do however need to have some endurance and be able to handle the heat. It's a long hike. It's 14.6km there and back plus however much you walk around inside the park. I'm guessing I walked about 20km today. It's also very hot and humid. Do not go if you think it will rain as the roads/paths may get flooded and become impassable. Take a phone with you in case you get into any trouble along the way. I recommend you also pack water and snacks. Wear proper hiking boots with a nonslip sole. Some of the rocks are slippery when mossy or damp. You want to have a good grip underneath your feet, especially when climbing and descending the mountain. Also, the roads and paths can get muddy. You may get muddy and/or wet. You may also wish to bring something to swim in as there are some spots or the river and at the very end of the hike where you can go into the water to cool off.
Always walk on the side facing traffic so you can see what is coming towards you. Wear quality bug spray, there are No-see-Ums out there that will get you if you don't (they're nasty). You may wish to also use sunscreen.

You should know that the gates to the second part of the hike state that Canopy Tours/Restaurant are open from 9 am to 4:30 pm. (You'd still be able to get out if you're on foot, but the restaurant closes at 4:30 pm.)

The hike begins at Plaza del Pitillal which can easily be accessed by bus or taxi. From the North end of the square (Plaza del Pitillal) turn right on Calle Independencia. Keep following that street even when it turns into a path, crosses a small footbridge and then crosses a small field. You will then turn right on to Av Federación. I recommend you cross Av Federación, so that you can take a picture(facing East) from the bridge.

This is the view from the bridge.

Once you cross the bridge you will take the first left (Calle Playa Grande).
You will pass a small swamp, on the right-hand side of the street:


You might hear a lot of frog noises coming from the swamp.

Keep following this street until you reach a small village. Calle Playa Grande ends here and turns into Calle Vicente Guerrero(don't go down Calle Vicente Guerrero). Instead, turn right on to Calle Venustiano Carranza. Pass Pedro Moreno and then turn left on Libertad. Once on Libertad the street will fork. Take the first right (it will go uphill). This is La Pedrera. Keep going. It will go uphill and then back down.

You will notice that the street suddenly becomes a paved street in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. Shortly after you may encounter this sign, or another sign (it appears to change periodically) and a gate. Hopefully, the gate will be open.

Yes, this is the place where they do those Canopy Tours they advertise everywhere in Puerto Vallarta. You can also do zip lining here. If you're interested in either, you can ask at the restaurant at the end of the hike and they can direct you on how you can arrange these activities.

You could choose to end your hike here and go back, or you could keep going to the restaurant (it's delicious and well-priced).

If you keep going you will soon see this on the right-hand side of the road:

On the left-hand side of the road, by the river, you will see areas where you can stop and rest.

There are some spots here that may be suitable for entering the water. It depends on how high the water is, and how strong the current is. Be careful.


There are also many places here to take pictures of the river.

When you keep going on La Pedrera you will reach what looks like a section of road that is flooded. Don't despair. You do not have to wade through the water to get to the other side. Take the little path past that section and you will come to a pedestrian suspension bridge. Be careful when you cross it though, not all the boards are in perfect condition.


The pedestrian suspension bridge is not easily visible, but you will see it if you keep going.

Once you reach the other side of the bridge turn right and keep going. You don't have to worry about going too far because the road ends with the restaurant:

The restaurant has delicious food.

I enjoyed the restaurant a lot. It was nice to sit down for a meal (and I was hungry after that hike!). The staff was very friendly. You can also walk around this area and to the river. There is a small swimming area here as well.

Here is a google link for more pictures of the park.

Here is the google link for more pictures from around the restaurant and the area leading up to the restaurant.

Tomorrow, I will share some of the photographs I took along the way. This is the nice part about walking this path instead of driving it. You would probably miss a lot of things otherwise. I saw some amazing things along the way!

I will definitely do this again. I had a fantastic time. I really enjoyed this! Simply beautiful!

Have a fantastic day everyone!
-Akiroq