Hola, triathletes!
Or anyone who enjoys swimming, running, or cycling. You have chosen a wonderful city on the west coast of Mexico to enjoy all three sports! Puerto Vallarta is the best place for a year-round playground.
A bit about me. I came to this city twice on a tourist visa before deciding to apply for residency. I was granted residency in 2024. During my tourist visa stays, I competed in two running races and joined an active open water swimming community. I have been a triathlete for nearly 20 years. Prior to competing in triathlons, I participated in marathons. As I type this, I am training for the PV Marathon. My triathlon career has spanned various distances, including one Ironman in 2021. I love the sport and don´t know life without it.
I fell in love with Vallarta for many reasons…I mean it’s paradise! The main reason is the opportunity to swim, bike, and run all year round. Swimming is super easy and accessible, with many entry points into the bay. There is a dedicated group of swimmers who meet at Hotel Rosita, at the end of the Malecón, every morning. I would suggest investing in a swim buoy to make yourself visible in the water. Cycling? Don´t be fooled by all the cobblestone streets! You can safely cycle in Vallarta, and there are designated bike lanes. Just be careful of pedestrians, as they tend to walk in the lanes. I typically road cycle in the Fluvial neighborhood and points further north to Las Palmas for longer rides.
Running, naturally, is the easiest sport to do. You lace up and go. The Malecón is lovely for running, and you can easily cover a 5 km distance. If you prefer longer distances, you can run along the main avenue, Ave. Medina Ascencio… running through 5 de diciembre, Vasalles, Fluvial, Pitillal… to the Marina. Be careful of uneven sidewalks. There you have it- the swim, bike, run community is strong here. You´ll find everything you need to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. To connect with some Vallarta groups, you´ll find them on social media. I´ve included a few here. Some groups have a more substantial online presence than others.
Check Out These Groups
For Swimming: Facebook Grupo de Nadadores aguas abiertas Puerto Vallarta
For Biking: Facebook Vallarta Team
Organized Races In The Area
Here’s a list of some races in PV and informal meet-ups. Enjoy!
Swim – Daily morning swims. Meet at Hotel Rosita
Run – February: Medio Maratón Turístico Puerto Vallarta / 5k or 21k run
Run – March: Seapal 5k or 21k run
Run – April: Puerta Vallarta Maratón / 5k, 10k, 21k or 42k run
Bike – March: Ruta Turística Rides In Puerto Vallarta has 21k, 72k or 100km
Triathlon – December: Ironman 70.3 Riviera Nayarit Triathlon
