The Malecón is one of Puerto Vallarta’s most famous and enjoyable attractions. The picturesque boardwalk is a mile long and forms a sea wall that protects the stores, bars and restaurants of down-town Puerto Vallarta from the sea. The Malecón is the central point of Puerto Vallarta’s down-town area and it provides a scenic walk for tourists and locals alike; a sea view without the sand in your shoes, so to speak.
“Must Do” Malecón
Tourists visiting Puerto Vallarta (and even Nuevo Vallarta) should definitely put a visit to the Malecón on their to do list as there are numerous souvenir stores, bars, nightclubs and restaurants to enjoy there. It is perfectly placed to offer a stunning view of the sunset while having dinner; the sunset is captured perfectly in the embrace of Banderas Bay.
Malecon Renovations
The Malecón has recently been renovated and pedestrianized so that tourists can wander at their leisure among palm trees, bugambilia and tropical plants in their overflowing flower beds with ease and confidence. Even the ground has been beautified – in honour of the indigenous tribes of the area, pebble-work has been implanted into the ground depicting sacred Huichol symbols. These are mainly animals, representations of nature and the cosmos; it’s truly beautiful and has been done with care, skill and attention to detail.
Art on the Malecon
Along the course of the boardwalk there are sculptures produced by Mexican artists, most of whom are local to the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. These works of art are spaced out at intervals to provide points of interest along the Malecón. You can even opt to take a guided tour of these sculptures in English, if you want to learn more about Jalisco and Nayarit’s artistic heritage.
Live Entertainment
There is an outdoor amphitheatre near the plaza and Our Lady of Guadalupe church; free daily performances are given here. Here, you will also find a hub of artisans, street performers and merchants who will delight and entertain you!
Colorful Pier
As you continue further towards the Old Town you’ll come across a brand new pier from which you can take ferry trips to some of the idyllic beaches of Puerto Vallarta that can only be reached by boat. At night, the pier lights up in multi-colored fashion.
