One of the most popular activities in Puerto Vallarta is taking a walk along the city’s famous boardwalk, the Malecón. Lined with shops, restaurants and works of art, the Malecón offers great entertainment for all ages and budgets. The young and fashionable can go shopping during the day and visit the restaurants and clubs at night. Families can enjoy the scenery, find lots of friendly people and activities, and rest on any of the many rustic benches on the boardwalk. There is something for everyone on the Malecón, one of the most popular attractions in Puerto Vallarta.
Most visitors begin their walk at the northern end of the Malecón, outside the Hotel Rosita. Here you will find the first sculpture of the unique open-air museum of Puerto Vallarta. “Los Milenios”, a work by Mathis Lidice, is one of the most popular and photographed works on the boardwalk. Another of the most famous sculptures on the Malecón is the “Rotonda del Mar”, a peculiar construction of chairs by local artist Alejandro Colunga. Located at the midpoint of the Malecón, this sculpture is surrounded by benches and offers a great place to rest and enjoy the view.
On Tuesday mornings, Gary Thompson, owner of Galleria Pacifico, offers public sculpture tours along the Malecón. Thompson has been involved in the Puerto Vallarta art scene for over 30 years and offers incredible insight into both the sculptures and the artists behind them. Beginning outside the Hotel Rosita at 9:30 am, tours end at the Thompson Gallery, where visitors are offered refreshments and additional information about the city’s unique works of art. As a bonus, Ramiz Barquet, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most recognized artists, whose “La Nostalgia” sculpture is an international symbol of the city, is often on hand to give interested tourists a first-hand account of the significance artistic of the Malecón.
Recently, the Malecón was further expanded with the construction of a bridge over the Cuale River. In addition to offering a beautiful place to stop and watch the sunset or simply enjoy the water, the bridge connects the boardwalk to one of the most popular beaches in Puerto Vallarta: Playa de Los Muertos. A favorite with local families, Los Muertos is a great beach to relax or pack a picnic. If you want to do some beach shopping, the friendly vendors of Los Muertos sell everything from handmade souvenirs to freshly cooked seafood.
Like Los Muertos, there are many vendors offering freshly cooked specialties on the boardwalk. However, you should definitely try the excellent food offered at the restaurants on the Malecón. Serving everything from adventurous European cuisine to traditional Mexican fare, the Malecón restaurants cater to everyone’s tastes. Many restaurants and cafes also offer patio seating on the waterfront. Tourists and locals alike agree that a patio seat on the boardwalk might be the best way to enjoy a majestic sunset over Banderas Bay.
The Malecón also offers many shops. In addition to souvenir shops, you’ll see boutiques selling handmade jewelry and leather goods. There are even some luxury shops offering couture clothing, fine jewelry, and truly distinctive souvenirs.
The Malecón is also the best nightlife destination in Puerto Vallarta. From dance clubs open until the wee hours of the morning to relaxing lounges with live jazz, the Malecón suits any mood. It is even possible to take a night cruise in Bahía de Banderas along the Malecón. There are a number of boats that cater to families and couples alike, each offering dinner and live entertainment. After the sun sets over the bay, you can watch the Malecón light up as fireworks shoot into the sky.
On Sunday nights, the Malecón is transformed into a family festival. While the crowd will be made up of many tourists, local families also come to the Malecón to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and fireworks. Los Arcos Amphitheater, the end point of the Malecón, is known for its free concerts and performances on Sunday nights. On the waterfront, clowns and street performers also provide free entertainment. Most of the excellent restaurants on the Malecón will be open late and offer special children’s menus. For dessert, your family can enjoy cotton candy and fried plantains served by vendors on the boardwalk.
Although any time is perfect for a walk along the Malecón, November is a particularly good time to visit Puerto Vallarta. Marking the start of the holiday travel season, Puerto Vallarta offers a huge arts festival with many free events, all centered around the Malecón.