Your Guide to Exploring Downtown Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

While in Puerto Vallarta, don’t miss out on exploring its downtown area, where you can fully immerse in the local culture.

Start your day off at Malecon Boardwalk. Here, you can stroll or bike along the scenic coastline boardwalk, which offers stunning ocean views, photo ops, local restaurants, shops and more. While at the boardwalk, make sure to check out the iconic The Boy on the Seahorse sculpture, which represents the city’s connection between the ocean and local culture, symbolizing hope, friendship, kindness and pride. Come nightfall, this illuminated sculpture offers one of the best photo opportunities. Another popular photo opportunity on the boardwalk is the colorful Puerto Vallarta letter sign. Guests line up in front of the iconic sign to get the perfect photo — don’t be afraid to be assertive in order to make sure you get yours!

Down the boardwalk a bit sits Los Arcos Amphitheater, an open-air attraction providing nightly entertainment such as live music and other artistic performances. Before the night begins, take advantage of unbeatable views of the sun setting over Banderas Bay.

From there, go across the street to check out City Hall and the main square, Plaza de Armas, offering the perfect place to sit back and soak up the local scenery and culture.

Afterwards, head to The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Take in the beauty of its architecture on the outside, including the giant crown held up by eight stunning angels, the brick layout, beautiful stained-glass windows and more. After admiring the outside, head inside to marvel at the marble floors, altars, flowers and more. You are welcome to sit in one of the pews to say a prayer, light a candle and simply sit and be alone with your thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out all the local shops and restaurants for authentic Mexican food, clothes and other souvenirs. And for lovers of good drinks and music, head back to the downtown area by night for a lively nightlife of bars and clubs.