Centro / Old Town

One hundred years of history keeps the Historic Center of Puerto Vallarta that makes us fall in love with its spectacular sunsets on the Pacific coast. It is for this reason that last month it was declared by the Secretary of Culture of the State of Jalisco as Cultural Heritage. On the other hand, the Sayula cajeta received the category of Intangible Cultural Heritage due to the traditional production process of this dulce de leche, according to the official state newspaper. Old Town Puerto Vallarta is a unique place, where its time lives on thanks to its cobbled streets, with white facades and reddish tiles. With this appointment it is guaranteed that its architectural beauty remains intact.

Malecón and beaches

The view of the immensity of the Pacific Ocean and the sculptures that act as punctuation marks on the route, make the walk along the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta hypnotic, whose official name is Paseo Díaz Ordaz. The art, culture, cuisine, history, and immensity of the Bay of Banderas come together along the 1,300 meters of the most important artery of the city, escorted by its long row of palm trees.

One option is to start at the historic Hotel Rosita, one of the oldest historic Puerto Vallarta homes in the city that has welcomed visitors since 1948 and had Liz Taylor and Richard Burton among its most famous guests, while the movie The Night of the Iguana was being shot.

The collection of bronze sculptures by different artists, which you will find on your way, began to be installed in 1960 and every so often it has new and interesting additions. Among the artists represented are Mathis Lidice, Ramiz Barquet, Jonás Gutiérrez, Aníbal Riebeling, Carlos Espino, Alejandro Colunga, and Sergio Bustamante, among others. One of the most famous sculptures on the boardwalk and one of the oldest is “The boy on the seahorse”. Located near the old lighthouse, it is a replica of the original work created by Rafael Zamarripa (the original was taken by the sea during a storm and the same artist made the larger replica).

While walking, you must not lose sight of the floor, as it is adorned with beautiful Huichol motifs. And, at the height of the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe parish, you have to take a small detour to see the Los Arcos Amphitheater.

Once the Malecón is finished, with the artistic interest already on, you can cross the Cuale River and continue towards the Romantic Zone where this small neighborhood with bohemian and gay friendly airs is located, full of cafes, restaurants, shops, and galleries of art.