Did you know that Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation spots? Located on the country’s Pacific Coast in Banderas Bay, thousands of tourists travel to Puerto Vallarta each year to enjoy wonderful vacations. They love the miles of beautiful beaches, great restaurants, excellent shopping, and happening nightlife scene. Plus, due to a pleasant climate year round, there are tons of outdoor activities to enjoy. Puerto Vallarta is surrounded by Banderas Bay and the lush Sierra Madre mountains that are home to a variety of animals, marine life, flora and fauna. If you’d like to visit Puerto Vallarta, call Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573. The reputable travel agency works with the country’s best resorts. Right now, Amazing Mexico has special all-inclusive deals to vacation in Puerto Vallarta and other top destinations throughout the country. In the meantime, keep reading below to learn all about wildlife in Puerto Vallarta.

Animals That Live in Puerto Vallarta

To begin with, the Sierra Madre mountains that surround Puerto Vallarta are not only beautiful and lush, they are also home to many varieties of animals, too. In fact,  there are many distinctive species of animals that live in the jungle in and around Puerto Vallarta. For example, white tailed deer, coyotes, wild pigs, rabbits, armadillos, skunks, and badgers live in the forest. However, these animals tend to live deep in the jungle, so you are less likely to see them unless you go hiking or biking deep within the jungle. In addition, there are many different cat species that live in the mountains as well. The most common cats found in Puerto Vallarta include margays, ocelots, pumas, jaguars, and jaguarundis.

Marine Life in Banderas Bay

Secondly, Puerto Vallarta is located in Banderas Bay which is the largest bay in Mexico and the seventh largest bay in the world. The large bay measures 25 miles across and is incredibly biodiverse with an abundance of marine species inhabiting the area. Some of the most common fish in the bay include sailfish, tuna, snapper, black marlin, seabass, and blue martin. If you like fishing, there are sportfishing tours available that depart from the Puerto Vallarta marina. In addition, there are also sea turtles that return each year to the Banderas Bay shores to lay their eggs. In fact, female sea turtles lay their own eggs in the exact spot where she was born. You can also see jellyfish in the water, but usually only during spring and summer. The jellyfish aren’t poisonous, but they can leave a painful sting if they come in contact with your skin.

What Kind of Birds Live in Puerto Vallarta?

In addition to animals and marine life, there are a vast variety of bird species that live in and around Puerto Vallarta, too. In fact, there are more than three hundred and fifty different species of birds that live in the area. In the mountains surrounding PV you can find parrots, cockatoos, bat falcons, and the gray hawk bird. Closer to the water, you will see pelicans, seagulls, hummingbirds, and white garzas. If you enjoy bird watching, plan to take a day trip one hour south of PV to the charming town of El Tuito. It’s regarded as a great place to go bird watching. Plus, the quaint town is a nice place to explore and immerse yourself in the culture of a truly authentic Mexican small town.

Do Whales and Sharks Inhabit the Area? 

Many vacationers that visit Puerto Vallarta ask if there are sharks in the water? Due to the warm waters of the bay, sharks are rarely seen in the area as they prefer colder water. The beaches and waters are safe for swimming, and there are very few shark attacks that occur. In addition, humpback whales migrate through Banderas Bay each year for several months. There, the humpback whales will mate and birth their young in the bay’s warm waters between the months of November through April. Each year, around 500 whales will spend the season in Banderas Bay so make sure to go whale watching if you visit PV at that time. It’s a magical experience that everyone in the family will enjoy. You may even see dolphins and orca whales as well.

As you can see, Puerto Vallarta is home to many different types of animals, marine life, birds and more. Vacationers also love exploring the miles of lovely beaches, rivers and waterfalls, the iconic Malecon boardwalk, and so much more. Plus, visitors can partake in tons of outdoor activities including paddleboarding, hiking, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and more all year long. If you’re ready to book your vacation, remember to call Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573. They have all-inclusive travel packages available to visit Puerto Vallarta’s top resorts. In addition to PV, they also have special deals to visit other top destinations in Mexico including Cabo, Riviera Maya, and the Islands of Loreto.