Puerto Vallarta · With kids

North of the Malecón, wider and quieter than Los Muertos, with a gentle shelf and shade under the palapas. Ages 2+.

Forty minutes south in the hills, with a river swimming hole, orchid houses and hummingbird feeders. Cooler than the coast. Ages 4+.

Humpbacks calve in Banderas Bay from December to March; licensed boats keep their distance and most trips run two to three hours. Ages 5+.

A half-hour water taxi to a village beach with no road access, calm water and a line of seafood palapas. Ages 4+.

The old town is steep and cobbled — carriers win. Humidity peaks June to October, and afternoon storms clear the beach quickly.