If you want a cycling holiday in Mexico, but aren’t sure where, the answer is simple: check out the cycling in Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
It’s a cycling paradise that is only just being discovered.
In this guide we speak to local cyclist Joel Goralski. He and his wife Jillian moved to Bucerias in 2013. They were supposed to be staying for a year, but they never left. That’s partly because they fell in love with the cycling around Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias – so much so that they set up Bici Bucerias, running Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias bike tours, and then global brand VeloGuide.
Looking for a cycling holiday in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias?
Whether you’re wondering what to do in Bucerias or you’ve come here specifically to ride, in this guide Joel shares what you need to know about planning a cycling trip to the Puerto Vallarta region, including cycling routes, where to stay and where to get the best Puerto Vallarta bike rental.
Why should cyclists visit Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias?
Mexico is a big country whose reputation for beaches, tacos and tequila is far stronger than its reputation for cycling. But for those in the know, this country has some awesome riding and Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias is a fantastic place to sample it.
From flat valleys to high mountains, from smooth roads to gravel and cobblestone, the variety of riding is endless. The region provides a warm escape for those living in the Northern Hemisphere; you can (pretty much) ride in shorts and short sleeves year around.
Cycling Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias lets you take in all the sights, smells and vistas of an area that is a hidden gem of the world cycling stage.
Where are Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias in Mexico?
Both towns are located on Mexico’s Pacific coast roughly at the halfway point between the US and Guatemala. Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco and Bucerias in the state of Nayarit.
Unlike the Caribbean side of Mexico, these states contain several ecosystems: from jungle to high Alpine mountains (in the shape of the Sierra Madre Occidental range).
This means the region provides incredible diversity of cycling terrains.
What are the roads like in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias?
While newcomers are generally apprehensive about the drivers in Mexico, in my experience cyclists are treated well and with a lot of respect.
Both Jalisco and Nayarit have a 1.5 meter passing distance law that motorists abide by. It is not uncommon to see a peloton of riders riding two abreast (which is legal in both states) and with motorists waiting patiently for an opportunity to overtake the group in the passing lane.
A quick review of Trip Advisor will show you many similar responses in line with this review
Generally speaking the road surfaces are pretty good. Since many of the rides pass through small towns, you do need to be prepared for changes in surface conditions which include cobblestone roads, dirt and topes (speed bumps).
Bucerias and Puerto Vallarta: cycling routes
The Puerto Vallarta region has amazing riding for cyclists, no matter what your level of cycling. You can ride flat roads all day or climb to over 2,500 metres above sea level.
There is something for everyone: the vast variety of roads and terrain allow riders of all levels to try a new ride every day of their stay. I’ve always found the traffic is very friendly to bikes and there are great places for mid ride snacks, coffee or cold coconut water.
VeloGuide pro and Team Rally Cyclist Training in Puerto Vallarta
Photo at the town square and church in San Jose de Valle
Post-ride beach time in Boca de TomatlanWhat are the must-do cycling climbs/routes?
Below I share some of my favourite rides.
I live and am based from Bucerias, so you’ll see these rides are based from there. Bucerias is a 45 minute drive from Puerto Vallarta. Consider basing yourself in Bucerias and opting into a weekly package with Bici Bucerias that will include your airport transfers. If you’re based in Puerto Vallarta, for a small extra charge, we offer bike delivery and customer pick up for specific tours.
1. General pointers
Highway 200 between Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias is quite hectic. You might want to consider using other transport for the transfer, riding first thing in the morning or on a Sunday.
You’ll find flatter road cycling and smaller hills along the valley roads that connect to Bucerias and along the coast.
Inland is home to the big hills and mountains of the Sierra Madre.
The gravel scene is also growing and the roads are endless – from the flat canal roads in the valley to the gravel routes leaving Puerto Vallarta and heading into the connecting mountains surrounding the city.
2. Easy/intermediate rides from Bucerias
Bucerias to El Arroyo
The ride to El Arroyo starts in Bucerias and heads inland through the Rio Ameca river basin, past the villages of San Juan and El Colomo.
The ride turns around at a little restaurant located on an arroyo (dry river bed) where you can sample cold fresh coconut water, handmade tortillas and other delicacies
Cyclists love this route because there are many options to shorten or lengthen the ride. For example seasoned riders can add on another 20 km by continuing on to Fortuna de Vallejo.
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
Bucerias to Sayulita
This ride takes you up the old coastal road that heads west from Bucerias. It’s lovely and quiet and a great ride to get acclimatised to a little climbing, with a few short but steady 2+ km climbs. This is a great ride to do before heading off into the bigger mountains.
The route heads for the famous hippie party town of Sayulita, which was founded in the 70s by American surfers looking for good waves. It’s a quirky place that now attracts everyone from health gurus to party seekers to weekend tourists. This ride doesn’t go into the town itself as there’s quite a lot of traffic (but you could choose too!).
You can add miles and elevation by doing multiple laps of the local racing circuit.
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
Always a church in every town square!
A popular indigenous monument of the hunter, fisher, and gatherer 
Visit a local brewery Ceverceria Bahia de Banderas post ride in Bucerias3. Challenging Rides
La Estancia and the Bakery Ride
This bike ride starts in Las Palmas de Arriba (Las Palmas) (although you could of course make it a really long day and ride out and back up the valley from Bucerias to Las Palmas). From Las Palmas it’s a majestic climb into the heartland of Jalisco. The nature of the Sierra is an up and down profile that accumulates extra elevation and makes it a lot more challenging on the way back.
23 km into the climb you will arrive at a large bridge. You absolutely have to stop at the bakery here, either on the way up or the way back down, to sample the fresh mountain baked goods.
If you want extra kilometres, you could ride this from Bucerias/Puerto Vallarta.
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
The famous Carmen’s Bakery at Puente el Progresso 
Enjoy a special coffee and sweet or savoury empanadas
Coffee stop!Zacualpan to San Blass
It’s an 80 km drive (roughly 1 hour 15 mins) from Bucerias to Zacualpan where this majestic journey begins, with smooth roads and long steady climbs.
Do not be misled by the descent back to San Blass. This is a rolling descent that still requires work.
You will be rewarded with a beautiful view as you reach the ocean. Fresh bbq fish on the beach with a bucket of cold beers is the prize!
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
Full vehicle support with VeloGuide and Bici Bucerias
Descending new pavement from Tepic to San Blas
The Road to San BlasConquering the Sierra Madre
This is a ride for the mountain goats; it takes you up four categorised climbs including up and over La Virgen and back up.
If that was not enough, you will be tested with the final ascent to the majestic colonial town of San Sebastián del Oeste where its double digit grades and three kilometres of cobble will test every bit of your strength
Starting in Las Palmas de Arriba (which is around 43 km and 1 hour drive from Bucerias) and ending in San Sebastián del Oeste, you will cover over 116 km and almost 3,200 metres of elevation gain.
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
Climbing La Virgen, Sierra Madre
Kings of the Castle in the Sierra Madre
On the cobbles near San SebastiánBucerias to El Tuito
El Tuito is one of the most famous climbs in the region. It lies south of Puerto Vallarta and this route will take you there on rolling coastal roads.
From Boca de Tomatlan you head through the jungle to a pine forest before starting a beautiful short ascent to El Tuito. It’s a nice steady climb to the top – and there’s a fantastic bakery there too.
For slower riders, there are a few ways to make life easier on this ride:
Here’s the Strava route from Puerto Vallarta.
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
On the way to El Tuito
In the Sierra Madre
Approaching El Tuito
4. Gravel and mixed terrain rides
I recommend you bring or rent a gravel bike with a minimum of 33 mm tyres as there is cobblestone and gravel to contend with.
Bucerias to San Sebastián del Oeste
This ride to the magical town of San Sebastián del Oeste will challenge you. It’s around 40 km of climbing from Las Palmas de Arriba and you’ll be tested with some significant elevation gain as well as double digit grades and 3km of cobble to reach the final summit.
San Sebastian del Oeste sits at 1,480 metres above sea level and is made up of early 19th century, colonial buildings and haciendas surrounded by green mountains. It used to be a prosperous silver mining town and it’s a beautiful place.
If you want to reduce the ride time, we offer this as a one way ride with a drive back home: here.
See how you fare against the pros from Las Palmas to San Sebastian… Phil Gaimon currently holds the KOM on Strava.
Get support from VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias here.
Bucerias to La Bufa
The ride starts in Bucerias. You head north on Highway 200 past Sayulita, before turning south again just after La Puerta de la Lima and into Alta Vista. From Alta Vista be prepared for a challenging 20 km of gnarly cobblestone, dirt and gravel with short but steep climbs.
Once past Las Palmas de Arriba, the ride becomes more approachable until you hit the ascent to La Estancia and San Sebastián del Oeste, which is located at the foot of La Bufa.
From San Sebastian, get yourself ready for 10 km of cobblestone that averages 11% as you take on La Bufa. This is the climb that makes champions. We end the ride looking over the entire Sierra Madre.
All of these rides are better with a VeloGuide but I’d put in a special recommendation that you hire VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias bike guides to support you on this ride. This sea-level to 2,600 meters ride has over 4,000 meters of vertical gain and over 50 km of cobble and dirt. It’s really tough even with support!
We also suggest you do this ride on a Sunday as there will be less traffic on the first section that heads north.
5. Multi-Day Challenge
A challenging multi-day adventure into the heart of Mexico’s Sierra Madre
This route takes four long and challenging days with over 600 km of distance and almost 9,000 meters of climbing. Overnights in local hotels in historical “pueblos”.
It gives you an idea of the sort of trip we can organise for you from our VeloGuide hub Bici Bucerias. The ride will be fully supported with VeloGuide support car and riding VeloGuides.
Arriving in Mascota Jalisco
Colonial architecture and churches in every town
Quiet high mountain roads in JaliscoDo you recommend booking a guide/organised bike tour in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias?
Since I run Bici Bucerias, the answer is of course yes!
But seriously, our clients tell us how much more they get from their bike trips as a result of having a guide with them. Especially somewhere like Mexico where English is not widely spoken outside of the resorts and there’s so much interesting culture and history to share. Our local knowledge means we can help keep you on the best roads and vary up the riding to make sure the level and roads you’re riding are the best ones for you.
Coming with us also means you’ve got support if your bike or body break down!
We can arrange anything from a one-off Puerto Vallarta bike tour to multi-day cycling tours in Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias and the mountains – for private tours, groups or even cycling training camps.
All of the rides I’ve mentioned above are ones we regularly take guests on – and you can see their feedback on TripAdvisor here.
This reminds me – as well as the road routes mentioned above, if you want something a lot more low key and leisure cyclist friendly, our foodie bike tours might be fun to try. It’s a couple of hours cruising the streets of Bucerias, taking you to our favourite bars and restaurants, enjoying some delicious tastings and helping you meet the locals. You can get all the details here.
Breathtaking scenery included!
Phil Gaimon and local VeloGuides
Post ride seafood bbq at Boca de TomatlanWant Bici Bucerias to help with your trip?
Fill out this form and Bici Bucerias will reply (within 24 hours wherever they possibly can!)
Where to stay in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias
Remember to double-check accommodation bike storage arrangements (and any other services you need) before booking as policies often change.
In this section I share the best places to stay in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias for cyclists. But first…
Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun
One question I’m often asked is: Puerto Vallarta v Cancun.
The answer is, both are beach resorts, both are well connected and very popular. Puerto Vallarta is on the Pacific Coast (west side) and Cancun is on the Gulf of Mexico (east side).
On balance, Cancun is better connected and easier to get to (especially for Europeans). The beaches and water are also slightly nicer (they have classic white sand and clear water compared with Puerto Vallarta’s golden sand and Pacific Ocean waves).
However, that’s where the advantages of Cancun end. Cancun and the other beach resorts on the Yucatan Peninsula are incredibly touristy. Many are purpose built tourist resorts, with high rise hotels and more of an American vibe than a Mexican vibe. Great if you’re a 20 something American kid on Spring break looking for a wild time, less good if you’re a middle-aged cyclist that wants to ride their bike!
If you’re desperate to go to the Yucatan Peninsula and see the Mayan temples, I’d suggest you avoid the coastal resorts and stay inland. The riding is still boring compared to Puerto Vallarta, but at least the towns are nicer. There’s more information in our cyclist’s guide to Mexico, here.
Puerto Vallarta vs Bucerias
You’ll notice we often talk about Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias (pronounced Boo-seh-REE-us) as one in the information above. It might be helpful to explain a bit more about the two towns, so you can decide which is best for you.
First, the similarities: both towns are on Banderas Bay, a sheltered cove about half way down Mexico’s west coast. They’re both old fishing villages with cobblestone streets and pretty buildings, beautiful beaches and lots of water sports. While they are most definitely now tourist destinations, they still retain an authentic sense of place.
Wondering how far Bucerias is from Puerto Vallarta? The answer is that Bucerias is about 30-45 minutes drive to the north of Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is within Mexico’s Jalisco province. Bucerias sits just over the border in the Nayarit province.
Now for the differences. Bucerias:
Of course, which town you pick will be a personal decision, but as a cyclist, bear in mind that if you want to get out and ride, it’s nice to be able to do that without having to battle through a city!
That’s certainly what swung it for me when we were deciding whether to base ourselves in Puerto Vallarta or Bucerias.
A final thing to add is that if you decide to base out of Puerto Vallarta, it’s no problem using Bici Bucerias as a cycling guide/bike rental. We often have guests based in Puerto Vallarta and can provide cycling guides and support for biking Puerto Vallarta, though there may be a small extra charge due to the transfer time between the resorts.
Puerto Vallarta cycling friendly community
Blessing of the Boats in Bucerias
Thank You For Visiting! What are the best hotels and accommodation for cyclists in PV?
There are plenty of places to stay in and around Puerto Vallarta to accommodate what you want to get out of your stay. From all inclusive resorts to VRBO/AirBnB’s where you can be more independent. Depending on what you are looking for, there is something right for you and your family.
Best place to stay in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is split into five different zones. Which is the best for you depends on the kind of accommodation you’re looking for.
1. Marina Vallarta: a smart, modern area of Puerto Vallarta with expensive hotels and resorts. This area is quite quiet and a bit of a way to the centre. It’s close to the airport though!
2. Zona Hotelera: as the name suggests, this is the “hotel zone,” with lots of all-inclusive resorts, villas, malls and chain restaurants.
3. El Centro (downtown): this is where everything happens – shopping, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and things to do. You’re within walking distance of many places. The hotels are generally smaller here.
4. Zona Romantica: the city’s old town with some old-world charm and independent boutique hotels.
5. South Zone: a trendy area that includes the Conchas Chinas beach area. There are some great beaches, views, luxury hotels (and some all-inclusive resorts too).
The best areas for cyclists would be on the south side of Centro in the romantic zone. This gives you access to all the conveniences as well as an easy escape to highway 200 for a ride along the coast or further toward El Tuito.
Looking to spoil yourself or plan a special getaway? I recommend staying at Hacienda San Angel. It occupies an elevated position above the narrow cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta and exudes elegance and romance. The building dates from the colonial era and inside you’ll find turn-of-the-century furnishings. This historical hacienda was once the home of the late Richard Burton who purchased the home for his wife Susan. Check out this video for an interview with the owner and some amazing footage.
Best place to stay in Bucerias
My wife and I run MaraVilla Nayarit in Bucerias.
You can see what our visitors say about our accommodation here:
We offer secure storage for bikes and each of our properties are located within several blocks of the Bici Bucerias bike shop and one block away from the beautiful beach and walking distance to all things food and fun.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that one of the reasons to stay with us in Bucerias is that we are the de facto cycling hub.
Bike hire
Prices, services and bike brands often change. Please let us know if anything is incorrect.
Are there many places for bike rental in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias?
Quality bike rental is still in its infancy in Mexico. However one of the advantages of coming to the Puerto Vallarta region is that you can rent from us and we know what cyclists want and need.
Bike rental Puerto Vallarta
The VeloGuide hub in Nuevo Vallarta is the best bike hire/rental option in Puerto Vallarta:
Bike + Life, Plaza 3.14, Avenida de Las Palmas 3, Local 33A, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico
Bike rental Bucerias
In Bucerias, you can hire bikes here from us at Bici Bucerias.
These two establishments have been in business for over eight years. They will be the most reliable and offer the best service.
At both the Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias hubs you can hire a great range of bicycles: road bikes, leisure bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes and e-bikes. You’ll find quality bikes that are regularly maintained and replaced with new bikes every two years at a minimum.
Booking through VeloGuide also allows the customer to add insurance which will cover up the full replacement of the bike in the event it is damaged.
The Malecon (boardwalk) in San Blas
E-bike options for rides from Puerto Vallarta
A VeloGuide we’ll help you find the best places to ride!
Bike shops Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias
The best repair option in Puerto Vallarta is Velo Bike Puerto Vallarta.
In Bucerias, head to Pepe’s Bike Shop at Bici Bucerias.
When to visit
Most of the information in the Epic Road Rides Mexico guide also applies to Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias. However, I’d also mention
Tips for Puerto Vallarta cycling
Our Mexico guide has got lots of tips for cycling in Mexico that also apply to cycling in Puerto Vallarta/Bucerias. However I’d also add
Vaqueros (cowboys) herding cattle along cycling route
Quiet valley roads outside Bucerias
VeloGuide Pro Sara along picturesque valley routeHow to get to Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta has an international airport, but not every country in the world flies to it. If you’re coming from North America or Canada, you may well be able to get a direct flight.
Otherwise, if you find your international flight ending in Mexico City, the quickest way to Puerto Vallarta is via one of several airlines that offer economical regular flight to Puerto Vallarta, including Aeromexico.
Want to know more about cycling in Mexico?
Don’t miss the guide to cycling in Mexico, which shares the best regions of Mexico to ride in and lots more practical information.
Want help organising your trip?
Get in touch with me at Bici Bucerias.
Got a question for Joel?
Fill out this form and we will send it to Joel. We aim to get you an answer within 24 hours wherever possible!
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Bici Bucerias is a year-round bike rental and tour company for Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias and beyond.
We have been providing bike rentals and cycling tours in Puerto Vallarta and Bucerias since 2013.
On the bike rental side, we offer high performance road and gravel, as well as mountain bikes and e-bikes.
Our cycling tours range between 10 – and 100 kilometers. We also offer custom rides and, if that’s what you’re after, we can design routes to challenge even the most seasoned cyclist.