Private Tandem Skydiving adventure

The big draw here is the 40 to 45 seconds of free fall above Puerto Vallarta Bay. You board a small plane, climb as high as 11,500 feet, then return to the beach under a rectangular parachute while looking over the sea and city.

I like the clear safety briefing before takeoff, and I like that this is a private activity for your group rather than a shared outing. The company also brings more than 25 years of experience and over 50,000 jumps. The main consideration is price: at $322 per person, photos and videos cost extra, and the entire outing lasts only about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Key points to know before booking

• Free fall from 9,500 to 11,500 feet: Expect 40 to 45 seconds at more than 200 kilometers per hour.
• A real pre-jump lesson: You learn the process, body position, and safety steps before boarding the aircraft.
• Certified tandem instruction: Your instructor is attached to you with a double harness and manages the jump.
• Bay views from the aircraft and parachute: The route passes over Puerto Vallarta Bay before landing on the beach.
• Private participation: Only your group takes part, which can make the timing and atmosphere feel more personal.
• Photos and video cost extra: The jump is included, but the listed price does not include selfie pictures or videos.

From Peninsula Plaza to the runway

Your outing begins at Skydive Vallarta’s office in Peninsula Plaza, at Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485, Local 11 K, in the Zona Hotelera Norte. The office is in the underground parking area, toward the back on the right. That detail matters, since a plaza parking garage is not the sort of place you want to search through while already feeling nervous.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back at the same location. You receive confirmation when you book, so keep the meeting details handy and allow enough time to find Local 11 K.

This is a private activity, meaning only your group participates. That does not necessarily mean you get a private aircraft, but it does mean the booked party is the only group taking part in the activity arrangement. For a first jump, that can be more comfortable than joining a large excursion with strangers.

The listed duration is about 1 hour 45 minutes. The actual flight portion is shorter than the total appointment because the schedule includes the briefing, preparation, aircraft boarding, flight, jump, parachute ride, and return to the office.

The briefing gives you a job to do

Before you leave the ground, the team gives you a theoretical class. You learn how the jump works, what you and your instructor will do, and which safety procedures you must follow.

That lesson is one of the most useful parts of the outing. A first-time jump can feel like a blur of straps, doors, wind, and instructions. Knowing the basic sequence ahead of time helps you react instead of freezing when the aircraft reaches altitude.

The instructor is responsible for the main controls and parachute system, but you still have an important role. The briefing explains the process you must follow during the jump. Listen closely, ask questions, and make sure you understand the instructions before you board.

The company identifies its instructors as certified and highly trained. It also operates under United States Parachute Association certification, a widely recognized standard in the sport. Its equipment is described as modern, with safety systems designed for tandem use.

Past feedback specifically names Victor as the person running the operation and praises the team’s long experience. Diego is also mentioned by name in connection with an especially professional first jump. Instructor assignments can change, so do not assume either person will be your assigned instructor unless the company confirms it.

The climb to 11,500 feet

After the briefing, you board the aircraft and take off. The flight over Puerto Vallarta Bay lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, giving you time to watch the shoreline recede and the water spread below.

The jump altitude is listed between 9,500 and 11,500 feet, or roughly 3,000 to 3,500 meters above sea level. The exact altitude may vary within that range. The information also describes preparation at 8,500 feet before the jump, so you may hear altitude references change as the aircraft climbs.

The plane is described in the available feedback as a small Cessna. That detail is useful if you are picturing a large sightseeing aircraft. A small plane makes the flight feel more direct and close to the action, but it may also feel tighter and less polished than a standard sightseeing ride.

The flight itself is part of the value. You do not simply arrive at a platform and step off. You spend time above the bay, with a changing view of Puerto Vallarta before the main event begins. Still, most of the price goes toward trained staff, certified equipment, aircraft operations, and the jump itself, not a long scenic flight.

Forty-five seconds that feel much longer

At the jump altitude, you and your instructor leave the aircraft connected by a double harness. The free fall lasts about 40 to 45 seconds, with a speed of more than 200 kilometers per hour.

That is long enough to feel like a full part of the outing, not just a quick drop. It is also short enough that the first moments pass quickly. Your main task is to follow the instructions from the briefing and your instructor.

The phrase free fall can sound simple, but the sensation is intense. You are moving fast, exposed to strong wind, and looking down at the bay. The instructor handles the technical side, while you experience the view and the rush.

If you want professional photos or video, arrange that as an extra rather than assuming it is included. Selfie pictures and videos are specifically excluded from the listed price. For a first jump, that is worth deciding before the day begins, since you may not want to think about recording options while getting ready to leave the aircraft.

Five to seven minutes beneath the parachute

After the free fall, the parachute opens with what the company describes as a soft deployment. You then spend about 5 to 7 minutes under the open canopy.

This part gives you time to breathe and take in the view. The free fall is about speed and sensation. The canopy ride is slower, more open, and better suited to looking across the sea and toward Puerto Vallarta.

The parachutes used for the activity are rectangular. The company describes them as sophisticated and says they support soft landings. Your instructor controls the canopy, but you may have a chance to enjoy the change in pace after the rapid descent.

The route finishes on the beach. A beach landing is a practical advantage because it provides a broad, natural landing area and puts you close to the sea views that define the outing. The activity then returns to the meeting point at Peninsula Plaza.

Do not confuse the 5 to 7 minutes beneath the parachute with the total time in the air. The aircraft flight, ascent, free fall, canopy ride, preparation, and return all make up the full 1 hour 45 minute appointment.

Safety, experience, and the small details that matter

For a first tandem jump, the company’s experience is a central part of the purchase. Skydive Vallarta says it has completed more than 50,000 jumps and has operated for over 25 years. Its instructors are described as certified, and the operation carries United States Parachute Association certification.

Those figures do not remove every risk from an adventure sport. They do show that the operation is built around tandem jumping rather than treating it as an occasional add-on to a beach excursion. The pre-jump class also gives you a defined safety process instead of sending you straight to the aircraft.

The available feedback highlights the crew’s professionalism and long experience. One account describes Victor’s team as having instructors with more than a decade of experience and over 1,000 jumps each. That is a useful point to raise when you contact the operator, especially if you want to know who your instructor will be and how many jumps that person has completed.

The information does not provide a detailed list of age, weight, medical, or weather rules. If any of those points affect you, ask before booking. The stated participation guidance says most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but that is not a substitute for checking personal health concerns or operator requirements.

Is $322 a fair price?

The cost is $322 per person. That is a serious spend for an activity lasting about 1 hour 45 minutes, especially since pictures and videos are not included.

The value depends on what you want from Puerto Vallarta. If you are looking for a low-cost way to see the bay, this is not it. A tandem jump is a specialized activity with aircraft time, certified instructors, safety equipment, training, and a beach landing. You are paying for the full operation, not simply for a view.

I see the price as easier to justify if this is a major trip goal or a once-in-a-lifetime activity. The free fall lasts less than a minute, but the build-up, flight, parachute ride, and sense of occasion make it more than a brief amusement ride.

The private format also adds value for some people. You are not being placed in a general sightseeing group, and only your party participates. That can matter if you want a more focused briefing or prefer not to share the experience with a large crowd.

Budget separately for media. Since selfie pictures and videos are not included, the final bill may be higher than $322 if you want a record of the jump. Ask about the media cost before takeoff so there are no surprises.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing suits an adult or older child who wants a strong thrill and is comfortable following instructions in a high-speed setting. The company says most travelers can participate, but the supplied information does not give specific age or medical rules. Check those details directly if they matter to your group.

It is a good match for:

• Someone planning a first tandem jump
• A small group seeking a private activity
• A visitor who values certified instructors and a formal briefing
• A person who wants both free fall and a slower canopy ride
• Anyone comfortable paying extra for optional photos or video

It may not suit you if you want a relaxed beach day, a long scenic flight, or a low-cost activity. The plane ride is only 15 to 20 minutes, and the jump itself requires you to accept speed, height, and strong wind.

The private setup may also be less useful if you are traveling alone and simply want the lowest possible price. The information does not state that solo participants receive a lower rate, so the $322 per-person cost remains the key figure to consider.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made within that period are not accepted.

The experience is booked, on average, 13 days ahead. That is not a required lead time, but it suggests you should reserve before arriving in Puerto Vallarta if the jump is important to your plans.

The ticket is mobile, which makes phone access useful on the day. Keep the confirmation available, and save the exact meeting instructions for the underground parking area.

The activity ends at the original meeting point. Since the jump includes a beach landing before the return, plan your clothing and belongings with the full route in mind. The supplied information does not say what storage is available, so avoid bringing anything you cannot secure or leave safely.

My call on the Puerto Vallarta tandem jump

I would book this if you want a serious first jump with a clear briefing, a certified instructor, a flight over the bay, and a beach landing. The company’s long operating record, stated certification, and detailed jump sequence make it a stronger choice for someone who cares about structure and safety.

I would pause if $322 is already stretching your budget, or if you expect a long day of sightseeing for that price. The activity is compact, and media costs extra. Book it for the jump itself, not as a general tour of Puerto Vallarta.

Ask who your instructor will be, confirm any personal participation requirements, and decide about photos before the appointment. If those points work for you, this offers a direct, memorable way to see the bay from far above it and return to the beach under a canopy.

FAQ

Where does the tandem jump begin?

It begins at Skydive Vallarta in Peninsula Plaza, Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2485, Local 11 K, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta.

Where exactly is the meeting office?

The office is in the underground parking lot at Peninsula Plaza, toward the back on the right.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

How high does the plane fly?

The jump takes place from an altitude between 9,500 and 11,500 feet, or about 3,000 to 3,500 meters above sea level.

How long is the free fall?

The free fall lasts approximately 40 to 45 seconds at more than 200 kilometers per hour.

How long do I stay under the parachute?

You spend about 5 to 7 minutes flying under the open parachute.

Where does the landing take place?

The parachute ride ends with a beach landing, and the activity then finishes back at the original meeting point.

Is an instructor included?

Yes. The price includes a tandem jump with a certified instructor, and you remain connected to the instructor with a double harness.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Selfie pictures and videos are not included in the listed price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.