Malecon

The Malecon is Puerto Vallarta’s main street and witness to its throbbing parties, the happiness of its people and to each and every historic development.

We suggest to start things out at the Rosita Hotel, the first lodging ever built in town. From this point, we can walk slowly, feasting eyes on every sculpture, the sea, the sky, the bustling beach full of artists who make sand figures, dance or draw.Or you may walk back from the opposite side brimming with restaurants and stores.

MUST-SEE: Take a peek at sunset sitting on the seawall, watching the unique colors of the sky that never show the same hues the following late afternoon. There’ll be a firework show every night at nine o’clock from the Marigalante.

Downtown The downtown area gives us the real flavor of a small Mexican town. Bustling streets, one-story houses, the main square featuring the majestic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, fruit and pastry outlets. Great variety of restaurants, art galleries, handicraft shops and clothe stores round up the scene.

MUST-SEE: Spare a few hours or a whole day to roam aimlessly and unhurriedly down the streets, clambering the peak in an area known as Gringo Gulch. Sipping a fruit juice, swinging by an art gallery or picking a keepsake from an array of wonderful handicraft. But don’t forget to put on cozy shoes and leave the high heels for the fancy dinner.

Romantic zone What can I say of my favorite part of this lovelytown? Cross for a while the bridge over the Cuale River, connecting the downtown area –a.k.a. Old Vallarta- and take a stroll around Olas Altas to drink a cup of coffee on one of the terraces and feel the sea just a block away. Let the laidback atmosphere come over you and forget about the responsibilities you once had.

MUST-SEE: A breakfast at Olas Altas in “My Little Paris”. Its cafés bring back those memories. And book a dinner in one of the many exciting restaurants that serve food for all tastes and demanding patrons.

De los muertos Beach It’s the nearest beach from town, let alone one of the most bustling and fun- packed locations. An assortment of restaurants melts into eateries and food joints, people from everywhere who come to wallow in the sea, ride the banana or have a parasailing adventure.

Dinghies sail off from the pier to the southern beaches, like Animas, Quimixto and Yelapa, that can only be reached by boat.

MUST-SEE: Spend a Sunday next to the sea waves, having Mexican food and listening to live music in such spots as Ritmos Beach Café. You’ll be relaxed for weeks to come!

Puerto Vallarta’s Marina The marina is a different and special place worth sparing some time around. Quiet and beautiful, hemmed in by mountains that match oddly with the white ships in the foreground.A multitude of restaurants and stores are ready to offer you anything money can buy from dusk to dawn.

MUST-SEE: Roam from one to the other and end up climbing to the top of the lighthouse from where you can have a spectacular view of Vallarta.

The isle of Cuale River In the heart of town, caught between the downtown area and the Romantic Zone, the Isle of Cuale River shows off bridges and the watercourse the place is named after.

This is an oasis of lush vegetation, of natural sounds, of greenish shades where visitors will find the Cuale River Museum, the Cultural Center –home to a number of artistic activities- as well as restaurants and small shops offering great souvenirs.

MUST-SEE: Cross one of the wooden bridges while you try to keep your balance in a childish manner for a fleeting moment. Put on a smiling face as you wander around stores and wind up having dinner full of jazz notes that waft up in the air.