When thinking of Puerto Vallarta, the first thing that comes to mind is the beach. It’s true that Puerto Vallarta has beautiful beaches, kilometers of golden sand, and emerald waters but that’s only the beginning of what this port has to offer. Read on to discover opportunities to engage with Puerto Vallarta’s history, architecture, adventure sports, and local attractions.
Historical Center.- The center and heart of Puerto Vallarta is the “Malecón”, a buzzing one and a half kilometer boardwalk where people walk in peace and enjoy the gentle breeze of the sea. Sculptures that surprise and delight are found along the walkway, including “El Caballito” a boy riding a seahorse that has become the symbol of the city (if you look closely, you’ll notice this symbol throughout Vallarta, including on the side of taxi cabs). Several restaurants are situated on the Malecón and offer direct views of the Bay of Banderas. After dark, the lights and sounds of the bars and nightclubs Puerto Vallarta’s nightlife flows in this place. At the end of the tour, you will get to know “Los Arcos”, which is an open-air theater in which in the afternoon you will have the opportunity to see the show of local artists and comedians, we are sure they will put a huge smile on your face. Also, there are a lot of art galleries, all easily accessible, you can take the “ArtWalk” tour and delight your senses with the artistic expression of great authors. As an artistic expression, there is nothing like that offered by nature, on the malecón you can see the most beautiful sunsets in the world, we guarantee it.
You will love the architecture, in the center of the city a typical Mexican town style is preserved, with white facades and red tile roofs. You can also visit the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built over 90 years ago and topped with a fantastic crown. The parish is a key point for locals, especially in December, during the first 12 days of the month, when they carry out the “pilgrimages” to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe. At this time throughout the center, you can enjoy Mexican snacks, various food stalls take their place in the streets, taking advantage of the flow of people attracted by the celebrations. A great opportunity to live closely the Vallarta traditions.
Mirador de la Cruz.- In the center of the city is the “Mirador de la Cruz”, in this place you can enjoy one of the most impressive views of Banderas Bay, the access is quite simple and the best thing is that you don’t pay anything. From the boardwalk, on Abasolo Street, head towards the mountains, take the road on the left on Emilio Carranza Street and then take the right on Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez. We recommend you bring a camera so you can take several photos. Do not load with unnecessary backpacks or weights, the ascent is approximately 15 minutes, so a small bottle of water to keep you hydrated, a pair of tennis shoes and your willpower are all you need to climb the stairs. At the end of the road, the beauty of Puerto Vallarta before your eyes will regain your strength.
Sierra Madre.- Horseback riding, cycling, ATVs, hiking or zip lines. The mountains in Puerto Vallarta have a lot to offer, there are a lot of tours, going out every day to explore our green mountains. If you have an adventurous spirit, these walks are definitely for you, in any of the options you choose we recommend you take a tour with expert guides, they will provide you with the means of transport and equipment. For your part, you should bring mosquito repellent, sunscreen, comfortable clothes and shoes and of course the best attitude. On your vacation Vallarta offers you nature and adventure, the Attitude goes on your own.
Marina Vallarta.- If you prefer a bohemian atmosphere, Marina Vallarta is the ideal place. First-class restaurants, the lighthouse is worthy of a postcard and the yachts and boats that you will see sail, are an extraordinary spectacle. At nightfall, the lights that illuminate the bay turn on giving a romantic touch, a beautiful sight that will be engraved in your memory forever.
Botanical Gardens.- To the south of the city, approximately 30 to 40 minutes from the historic center is the Botanical Garden, covering 26 hectares, it is a place that you can’t miss on your visit to Puerto Vallarta. Ideal for the whole family, the garden was opened to the public in 2005 and quickly positioned itself as one of the most visited sites in the port. An open and well-kept space where you and your family will have direct contact with nature, and get to know a great variety of plants. There are walks through the jungle where you will also enjoy bird watching. To eat, they have a restaurant in the garden or you can bring your own food if you prefer.
To get to this amazing place we recommend you take a tour, several agencies in Puerto Vallarta offer this tour and make transportation easy. But if you want you can also arrive by taxi, uber or by bus, there are exits in the Venustiano Carranza Street corner on Aguacate Street in the romantic area, remember to tell the bus operator where you are going. We recommend you to wear comfortable clothes, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen, as well as bring a camera, believe us there are landscapes that you will want to capture and keep forever.
As you see Puerto Vallarta is much more than beautiful beaches, we hope you enjoy our recommendations and also discover on your own all the wonders that our beautiful port offers you.