Puerto Vallarta Malecon/Boardwalk, Downtown

Introduction

Any village, town, or city that has the good fortune to be near the sea would want to take advantage of the views, sounds, and fresh air that a seaside promenade has to offer its residents and visitors. Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón, often known as the “boardwalk” in PV, has been repeatedly chosen as the best thing to do and enjoy while in town.

You haven’t visited the city unless you’ve enjoyed a leisurely stroll along at least part of the mile-long Malecon. You’ll be impressed not only by the view of the Banderas Bay waters and surrounding mountains but also by the variety of options available in the bustling downtown area. There are numerous shops, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, art galleries, and entertainment alternatives such as sand sculptures, rock balancing, street entertainers such as the “Voladores de Papantla,” live music, and shows at the Aquiles Serdán Amphitheater near the Malecon Arches.

To top it all off, there is a unique sculpture created by local and international artists on practically every corner of the promenade and each of the side streets. See the map below to find out where they are all.

You also have access to the popular Malecón Beach. It’s not one of the better options and is largely for sunbathing or a short stroll down the sandy edge; it’s not a place to swim and isn’t recommended for children, but it’s wonderful to have somewhere to rest and relax right along the downtown and Romantic Zone area.

What is the Malecon (Boardwalk)?

Full Puerto Vallarta Malecon/Boardwalk tour during the day (February 10, 2024)

You may ask yourself (with good reason) what a “malecon” is. It is what people normally call a defensive pier wall, but in Mexico, it is the name you give a road or pathway that follows along the edge of the sea, something that in other countries is called a “Costanera,” a seaboard road.

  • In the past the original Malecon ran from Hotel Rosita on the north side to Zaragoza Street, the “Capitanía de Puerto”, that is now a Naval Museum, around 2,600 ft long (800 m).
  • An extended version that includes Malecon II, from the Naval Museum to the Cuale River, measures 3,600 ft (1,100 m) and now, what the Tourism Office is touting as the full boardwalk, runs from Hotel Rosita to the Lázaro Cárdenas Park on the south in the Romantic Zone.
  • This last version is what we’ve been sharing on our latest video versions of the Malecon/Boardwalk. This official version measures 5,050 ft (1,540 m).
Puerto Vallarta Malecon Map/Diagram (large)

Malecon Before & After (1960 vs 2020)

Malecon Puerto Vallarta 1960Malecon Puerto Vallarta 2020

Walking along the Malecon (which some people call the “boardwalk”) is a feel-good area right on the oceanfront, and it’s a fast and easy way to really understand what PV, and even Mexico, is all about. The colors, the sounds, and aromas all take you under their spell, and you can end up just walking around for hours, enjoying a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner, eating and drinking here and there, grabbing souvenirs and shooting photos. Time will just fly by, as it always does when you are really enjoying yourself.

El Malecon (considered by many the best thing to do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) is now closed to vehicle traffic, so you can take a relaxing stroll along this sightseeing paradise walkway with great scenery, beautiful sculptures, and friendly people, without having to worry about taxis, cars, or buses (do take the bike path into account though).

Malecon seen from Bar Oceano, Puerto Vallarta (large)

This recent iteration of the classical Malecon features many more palm trees that provide much-needed shade during the midday hours (some palm trees on the beach too, a nice move), and decorative plants. All the spaces have been designed with pedestrians in mind, so there are lots of places you can rest (sit on the edges of the plant “pots”, the white “pillows” are made for that) and really take your time to enjoy and absorb the vibe. It is a beautiful walk along the beach in a downtown area that is full of new experiences and colorful opportunities to discover the culture, traditions, and lively side of Mexico and Mexicans.

The Puerto Vallarta Sign (Puerto Vallarta Letters)

The Boy on the Seahorse (1976) Rafael Zamarripa Castañeda, Puerto Vallarta Malecon

A great Puerto Vallarta landmark was unveiled during the World Tourism Day events in 2016. A very beautiful sign with colorful letters that spell out “Puerto Vallarta”. It flanks the iconic Rafael Zamarripa “Seahorse Statue” on the downtown Malecon.

Read the full Puerto Vallarta City Sign article

The Boy on the Seahorse by Rafael Zamarripa (1976) and the City Sign

Where is the Malecon?

View of the malecon in downtown Puerto Vallarta by the Roundabout of the Sea

The original Malecon runs from Hotel Rosita (by the spiral Millennia sculpture) to the Amphitheater and The Arches by the Naval Museum, right beside the main city square in (el Centro) Downtown Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. How long is the Puerto Vallarta Malecon, then? It is exactly 2500 ft (760 meters) long.

More recently, there’s a new section going from The Arches by the Dolphin statue to the Cuale River, which is called Malecon II (Malecón Dos or Malecón 2). By the river, there’s a nice footbridge (wheelchair and bike-friendly) that goes over the river (also including a lookout and foot access to the Cuale River Island) and into Old Vallarta (Zona Romantica, Romantic Zone or Colonia Emiliano Zapata) where it follows along the edge of Olas Altas Beach, past Lázaro Cárdenas Square and then along the edge of Los Muertos Beach, past the Pier at Los Muertos reaching the last piece of the sidewalk by Sí Señor, ending right beside La Palapa.

Panorama (high resolution) Malecon / Boardwalk Puerto Vallarta

You can continue a bit more, but it is along the beach on a makeshift path, so that doesn’t count… Or does it? How long would it take to walk from the northern end of the Malecon to the southernmost place in Old Vallarta, by Sí Señor Restaurant? This walk is 6060 feet long (1850 meters).

Even though it is a semi-continuous path, the real Malecon is the one in the historic downtown area, north of the Cuale River, actually north of the Naval Museum and The Arches, not by Playa Los Muertos as wrongly stated on important sites like Expedia and Google Maps.

PV Malecon Location Map

Things to do on the Malecon

Full Puerto Vallarta afternoon Boardwalk walking tour (October 5, 2022)

When you arrive at the Malecón, any questions of “what can I do here” dissipate, there’s just so much to see and enjoy. This is a place that is always fun to visit and you never get enough. You’ll just have to come back a few more times.

Starting the day, the boardwalk is a favorite for joggers and early walks. The air is fresh and wonderfully clean, the sun appearing over the jungle hills is warm but soft, and the light is golden.

There are many great Puerto Vallarta restaurants where you can get a healthy breakfast, like a café de olla, ranchero eggs, tortillas, and fresh-pressed orange juice. You can also watch the pelicans and seabirds diving for fish on the El Malecon Beach, and the soft waves will make you want to get up and go for a walk.

Puerto Vallarta Malecon/Boardwalk, sculpture by Alejandro Colunga (The Rotunda of the Sea)

You’ll enjoy the impressive and beautiful bronze sculptures and statues of this open-air museum/art gallery, every block along the promenade, many with colorful and wonderful back-stories (read all about them in our sculpture guide). There are also intricate designs with Huichol motifs embedded in the Malecon’s surface. These artistic touches were provided by Fidencio Benitez, a well-known artist whose works can be found around town in different art galleries. Basking in the sea sounds and sights, you’ll immediately notice that it is also a very photogenic area, so bring your best camera (smartphones too nowadays) and shoot away!

Then there are the cultural and artistic shows and exhibitions. There’s the Papantla Flying Men, the colorful prehispanic dance to the gods. There are occasional photo exhibitions, showing the long history and culture in this part of Mexico. There are lots of different street performers, sand sculptures on the beach beside the walkway, balanced rocks, and more.

As the afternoon draws in, the temperature goes down and you can enjoy a romantic stroll as the famous and gorgeous Puerto Vallarta sunsets bask the boardwalk in their warm light, tinting everything orange and red. It is the magical hour.

The Los Arcos amphitheater (The Arches) provides a great photo opportunity. Walking along the Malecon at sunset or at night also gives you great photos for your scrapbook or Instagram account. You can also get some great pictures there.

As nighttime arrives, many of the nightlife entertainment options on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon take off. The boardwalk offers a relaxed party atmosphere and even space for a romantic evening and stroll. There are quite a few nightclubs and discos. We can mention a few: Mandala, Señor Frog’s, Zoo, La Vaquita, and quite a few more. Some are open till 3 AM or maybe even longer.

Full Puerto Vallarta Malecón/Boardwalk walking tour at night

For families during the afternoon and at night, there are many more free shows, concerts, and events at the amphitheatre by The Arches (Aquiles Serdan esplanade) and around the seawall promenade. There’ll be a lot of spectators enjoying the various talents, clowns, music, dance, and other shows.

There are local vendors selling paintings, handmade trinkets, souvenirs, balloons, sketch artists, street food and food stalls, simple toys, and more along the PV waterfront boulevard. So enjoy a Tejuino or a glass of Tuba, grilled corn on the cob, cotton candy, ice cream, or maybe a fresh, delicious coconut juice.

Get some "botanas" & cotton candy on the PV Boardwalk

There are quite a few markets along the way. There are tons of shops and souvenir stands along the way too. I can recommend you visit the Plaza Malecon Flea Market (Minute 0:37 in this video)

Shopping is not high pressure; they’ll understand cultural differences and how you shop. Due diligence is recommended at times, especially with jewelry and silver arts and crafts. Always remember that you get what you pay for if you go the cheap way. For expensive items, go to an established store.

Puerto Vallarta is known for its world-class gourmet dining, and everything in between, all the way to the humble but tasty street food and taco stands.

The Malecon offers some great restaurants, many within a short walking distance from it. We can mention and recommend: La Dolce Vita, Layla’s, Barcelona Tapas, La Bodeguita del Medio, Café Des Artistes, El Arrayán, and Mama Rosa.

There are wonderful outdoor restaurants serving $1 dollar margaritas (and quite good for just a buck), fresh guacamole, tacos, and inexpensive “cervezas” (beer), all for about $20 dollars.

Sometimes you’ll encounter some pushy salespeople along the walkway; they normally are timeshare operators offering free tours and such. My way of dealing with them is to just take my time, relax, and change the subject to PV in general to get a nice chat with the locals, instead of prying myself away by being rude or ignoring them… It might not be the best, but I like it that way. In any case, the people are very friendly, and Puerto Vallarta is a very safe place to visit.

Top 20 things to enjoy on the Malecon

Puerto Vallarta Malecon / Boardwalk Collage
  1. Take a stroll along the Malecon, taking in the lovely views of the bay, people-watching, and simply relaxing in the sun, warmth, breeze, and tropical fragrances. Enjoy the local ambiance, this section of town is bustling with people and visitors, providing a terrific opportunity to soak in the local culture and environment.
  2. Have your picture shot on or beside one of the many stunning and distinctive sculptures you’ll come across along the way. The Seahorse statue (The Boy on the Seahorse), Nostalgia, the Ladder statue (In Search of Reason), and the weird bronze chairs known as The Rotunda of the Sea are among the most notable
  3. Enjoy a show by the Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Pole Flyers) or the Danza de los Huahuas (Huahuas Ritual Dance). These sacred dances have existed for millennia before Europe discovered the American continent. Enjoy a vibrant show by looking back across into the past. Remember to tip; they rely on your generosity and appreciation.
  4. Visit local boutiques to buy souvenirs or goods. There are lots of options along the Malecon. Tequila, artisan handcrafts, native art, chocolate, silver, jewelry, and much more are available.
  5. Have a dinner at one of the many restaurants and cafes along the boardwalk. La Dolce Vita, Bar Restaurant Oceano, Paradise Burger, and others are among the favorites.
  6. Stop in one of the many bars and pubs along the way for a drink or a beer. You will not only be refreshed, but you will also be treated to breathtaking ocean views from above the Malecón.
  7. Go art shopping. There are several art galleries, jewelry stores, and smaller boutiques selling locally made items.
  8. Bask in the sun and enjoy the fresh, clean seaside breeze. The Malecon beach is easily accessible. I wouldn’t recommend swimming here, but you may soak your toes and relax while wandering up or down the beach.
  9. Stop by the Malecon Aquiles Serdán Amphitheater for a free open-air performance. Seeing the clowns or watching a show at the arches, a popular location for all types of live acts, is one of the entertaining possibilities.
  10. Visit the Malecón Fishing Cooperative to pick up some fresh fish or shellfish to cook at home. They are located on the sea side of the Malecón, right before arriving to the Hotel Rosita.
  11. Go to the Chocomuseo, which is almost on the corner of the Malecon and Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez. Another of Mexico’s gifts to the world (along with vanilla) is chocolate, and this “museo” is a terrific spot to learn more and enjoy some too!
  12. If you haven’t heard, Puerto Vallarta is famed for its spectacular sunsets, which are beautiful, calming, and provide an excellent photo opportunity. Anywhere along the Malecon is a terrific place to sit and gaze out at our life-giving star as it drops into the Pacific Ocean.
  13. Cross the Cuale River bridge and get to know the Romantic Zone. The original Malecon and Little Malecon lie north of the Cuale River, which divides them from the Romantic Zone. The Malecon extension continues south along Olas Altas Beach to Lázaro Cárdenas Park. Small bars and restaurants on the beach allow you to dine or eat lunch with your toes in the sand.
  14. At night, head to one of the many nightclubs, like the Mandala, La Vaquita, Zoo, Señor Frog’s, and others.
  15. The biggest flea markets along the beachfront promenade are Plaza Malecón, Juárez Flea Market (near the Juárez Parking Complexbuilding), and Isla del Río Cuale Flea Market, which may be reached by descending the steps from the Cuale River bridge.
  16. Go to Plaza de Armas, which is across the street from the Malecon Amphitheater and the Malecon Arches. On Thursdays and Sundays after 6 p.m., you can dance to live music along with the many “danzón” enthusiasts.
  17. Sample some of the many local culinary options available at the food stalls. There are numerous local food vendors, the majority of whom can be found on the Little Malecon (Malecón Dos/Malecon II). You can have nieve de garrafa (sorbet-style ice cream), corn on the cob, tacos, hotdogs, pies, crepes, and a variety of other more Mexican dishes.
  18. A few artists display their talent by making stunning sand sculptures. Remember to tip them and snap a shot or two before these creations slip back into the ocean. Along the edge, there are also some skilled rock-balancing masters; no, they do not use super glue!
  19. Walk to the southern end of the extended Malecon on Saturdays from November to May and spend the morning browsing and experiencing the Olas Altas Farmer’s Market (Tianguis Cultural Olas Altas). From exquisite fine art, local vegetables, and bakery items to fruit juice, live music, and delicious food stalls, you’ll find everything you need to kick off the weekend in style.
  20. Pay a visit to the town’s major church, the Guadalupe Parish (which some refer to as a cathedral but isn’t); it’s not really on the Malecon, but it’s only 350 feet from the boardwalk, so why not walk up Independencia Street and snap some shots of the beautifully crowned downtown PV church?

Hotels  and the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta

Views from the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta

If you really want to enjoy your trip to Puerto Vallarta and you seriously want to absorb the local culture, lifestyle, and rhythm, I’d recommend you stay in one of the downtown hotels. You don’t need to be right on the Malecon, but you can choose one that is nearby. Walking in town is easy and distances are short.

I’ve stayed in the downtown area and the romantic zone (just south of the Cuale River) and both are great options. There are hotels in all categories, though all-inclusive is not really available. I would not recommend it, all things considered. You have no need to lock yourself in a resort when in town!

Downtown Puerto Vallarta Hotel Map

Tips & Recommendations

Walking Art Tour of the Malecon

Puerto Vallarta Historic Center ArtWalk - Marcelo Lepe Mural

Puerto Vallarta’s Galeria Pacifico Art Gallery sponsors a Public Sculpture Walking Tour starting at 9:30 AM every Tuesday from November to April each year, starting off at The Millennia sculpture near the Hotel Rosita on the north end of the malecón boardwalk. You can meet some of the sculptors of the statues and hear them explain their work along the Malecon. Pacifico Gallery owner Gary Thompson often participates as a guide and can fill you in on the current local art scene and Vallarta’s many artists.

The Walking Art Tour is every Tuesday from Nov to April, exact dates vary. The tour is free and you need no reservation. Information call Galeria Pacífico Tel: (322) 222-1982. https://www.galeriapacifico.com/

More information on ArtWalk Puerto Vallarta.

Last Updated on 26/02/2024 by Puerto Vallarta Net