The Malecon
El Malecon is Puerto Vallarta's beloved oceanfront promenade that borders the shoreline along the main downtown street. A must-do while visiting Vallarta, it begins near the Hotel Rosita (the first hotel built in Vallarta in the 1940s), features an open-air theater called Los Arcos, and now ends at Playa de los Muertos. A photographers dream featuring some of the most recognized landmarks in Puerto Vallarta, sculpture gardens that line the boardwalk and the Los Arcos Amphitheaters stone arches are popular places to take photos with breathtaking views of the Bay.
Any day and any time is perfect to walk down the Malecon. Mornings display the fresh day, evenings the spectacular sunsets. Saturday and Sunday evenings, senoritas promenade in their finery, escorted by caballeros and family. It is the place to see and be seen, and weekends have a special carnival atmosphere. Mimes, dancers, sculptors, and sand artists welcome visitors. Take the sidewalk for a leisurely stroll, or sit on one of the benches along the way to watch the world go by. Sundays around 7 pm there is usually a free music concert or open-air performance at the Los Arcos Amphitheater. At night, the Malecon has some of the best bars and discos.
Shops and restaurants with plenty of window seats to watch the sunset over Banderas Bay and take pictures of the incredible views line the street. Dinner options display Vallartas varied culinary talents, ranging from traditional Mexican fare with mariachi music to Italian with live jazz. The recently constructed pedestrian bridge over the Cuale River extends the Malecon to the Los Muertos Beach area, where you'll find even more shops, dining spots, bars and discos.
Several tours will take you around the Bay to enjoy the Malecon from a different perspective. The Marigalante pirate ship, with a delicious dinner, fun and music, sails along the Malecon and sets off a spectacular fireworks display. The Princesa Sunset is a romantic cruise perfect for lovers. Free walking tours are available Tuesday mornings at 9:30am start at the Millennium sculpture by the Hotel Rosita and end at the Galeria Pacifico gallery for refreshments (Nov. 14-April 17).
A new sculpture called Angel de la Esperanza y Mensajero de la Paz (Angel of Hope, Messenger of Peace) was recently placed near Los Arcos by Puerto Vallartas Culture Department. Created by Vallartense Hector Manuel Montes García, the sculpture pays tribute to an angel from Vallarta's recent past a stone-carved angel previously at the same location that was taken by the sea during hurricane Kenna in 2002.
