If you never leave home without your surfboard, Puerto Vallarta surfing is for you. A prime destination, it offers gentle waves for beginners and, in some areas, waves big enough to challenge experts.

Surfing in Banderas Bay (Bay of the Flags) is very popular among holidaymakers, offering schools for beginners, tours for those interested in trying it out, specialized surf camps, and exotic combinations of surf and yoga.

Although the entire bay is popular with surfers because of its combination of tides and wind, the most popular beaches for surfing include Boca de Tomates, where the Ameca River flows into the sea; Playa de Oro with gentle waves; and Veneros, Destiladeras, Punta Mita, Sayulita and Punta del Burro, beaches to the north of Banderas Bay, where the Riviera Nayarit begins.

It takes less than 45 minutes to reach these beaches from downtown Puerto Vallarta, but the sun, waves, and invigorating salt water are sure to reward adventurous surfers who paddle out to master the Mexican Pacific waves.

Quimixto, to the south, is another favorite surf spot where an annual international tournament is held at the beginning of March.