Introduction

This lighthouse (actually it’s a beacon) is one of the many lookouts in the city, this one is up on the hill overlooking the downtown Puerto Vallarta area, it offers a great view of center of town and the Banderas Bay.

The lighthouse itself was built and inaugurated on August 15th, 1932 by The Harbor Captain Roberto Alcazar. It served the city and guided ships together with the beacon on Galeana Street on the Malecon, until June 1978 when this one was put out of commission.

In 2006 it was remodeled, restored and public street access was made easier, including stairs, a lookout terrace was also added.

When I visited the lighthouse there was even a couch on the top… a dirty old sofa, but should we be picky? :-) Luckily it has since been removed, was a bit too big for the available space.

Matamoros lookout/lighthouse beacon, Puerto Vallarta

The place is great for photography or just enjoying the panoramic view of the town. If you have a good zoom lens you can really get some great angles of the different landmarks around the bay and in downtown Vallarta.

Matamoros Street Lighthouse Lookout (Faro de la Calle Matamoros)

Start off from the malecón, on the corner of Galeana and Morelos, on the Malecon, you’ll find a twin lighthouse/beacon there called the Vallarta Malecon Lighthouse, I climbed it and there’s a nice view of the surroundings… I’m not sure you can, but there was no sign saying I couldn’t, don’t try it if you are not athletic enough.

Matamoros Lighthouse/Beacon/Lookout plaque

Lighthouse plaque

Walk up Galeana, towards the hills, cross Juárez, then cross Hidalgo, there you’ll start up the stairs, cute houses flank the “street”, and nice gardens fill what would be the street itself. The next street is Matamoros (huff, puff…), turn right, some 80-100 ft on your left are the stairs up to the lighthouse.

The view from Matamoros Lighthouse will look something like this:

360° panoramic view

Where is the lighthouse/beacon located?

Matamoros Street Lighthouse/Lookout Location

It’s located on Matamoros street in downtown Puerto Vallarta between Galeana Street and Mina Street. It is also part of what’s known as the Gringo Gulch.

How to get to the Matamoros Lookout from the Main Square

Downtown Puerto Vallarta as viewed from the Matamoros Lighthouse lookout

Needless to say, the trip and the view are totally worth it, I just need to buy some more lenses for my Digital SLR camera to really take advantage of the lighthouse vantage point. Have fun and send your pictures too! Just so you know, if you continue south along Matamoros you’ll be enjoying what is called Gringo Gulch, lots of other photo-ops.

Check out our article on all the Lookouts in Puerto Vallarta

Last Updated on 22/03/2023 by Puerto Vallarta Net