Viejo Vallarta, Old Vallarta, now also called The Romantic Zone (Zona Romántica), just south of Downtown PV is the busiest part of Puerto Vallarta, streets are smaller, there are more shops, cafes, bars and restaurants per square foot here than anywhere else in town.
Here the signature
cobblestone village streets that crossed the Cuale River from the northern downtown, extend into the traditional Mexican part of town and where you really enjoy Vallarta. Truth be told, this area is newer than downtown PV, but it does feel more like a pueblo.
There are quite a few smaller hotels and inns in this part of town, most between Olas Altas and the beach, in this case small is friendlier and more relaxed, plus, you don't need a walled in resort here, all the nightlife is a step away and during the day you can enjoy the different food options in a long list of restaurants for all tastes.
Stroll through town, watch your step as sidewalks are irregular at times, though the local government is working to improve this without eliminating the quaint town feel of the place. Shops, art galleries, bookstores, markets, cafes, small restaurants and street side taco stands are part of the scenery.
This is the part of town most recurrent visitors stay at and the expats enjoy at night.
Los Muertos
Beach
This sinister name (Deadmen's beach) has three different explanations.
One is that this beach was near a ranch
called "Las Peñas" where gold and silver
from the Cuale mines was later embarked, one day the local Indians ambushed the transport ship work
crew killing them all and leaving
the beach covered with the dead men. Another version includes
pirates who were responsible for the slaughter, and
they ambushed the muleteers that brought the minerals,
and a last version, that seems to be the correct version, is that the beach was a sacred cemetery of
the area's indians. This was first discovered when residents started digging up bones in ceramic pots,
a custom of the local indian tribes when they buried their
dead. The most recent evidence backed by Archaeologist
Dr. Joseph Mounjoy supports this last theory.
This is all fun enough, but Playa Los Muertos is the top attraction in Old Vallarta, the beach is crowded compared to the rest of the beaches in Vallarta, but that also means that if you enjoy people watching, you'll have fun here, vendors, activities, food, beers, parasailing, a swim in the ocean (the waves aren't big, play in the sand with your kids. Then enjoy the bars and cafés, at night there are quite a few very good restaurants on the beach and with famous and romantic Vallarta sunsets.
Certainly not a beach for those looking to relax and get away from it all, but if you want action, this is it, the heart of it all.
Pier at Playa Los Muertos
After almost three years, the pier on Los Muertos Beach has been inaugurated with fireworks, music and fun, on January 4th, 2013.
The pier is one of the main elements in an ambitious renewal program for downtown Puerto Vallarta that includes a series of ambitious projects around the town. These will add to the main existing attractions for both local and international visitors.
In this case the pier has become an important attraction for Francisca Rodríguez street and the surrounding areas and both the streets and pedestrian access has been improved.
There have been two previous incarnations of the pier, the first one was a wooden one with iron underfooting where luxurious floating hotel ships such as the Princess Patricia, Italia and Fairsea, that would anchor there with tourists much to the pride and amazement of the locals.
In 1963 the pier was used to help load construction material, film crew, equipment and the actors to and from Mismaloya while John Huston filmed "The Night of the Iguana" there.
The second one, called Muelle de La Solidaridad Vallartense finished on December 7th, 1990, was a project carried out by the local inhabitants, financed in part by local businessmen, officials and, in the end, mainly Don Juan Peña Dávalos, the owner of Hotel Marsol, who lent a considerable amount of money that was never fully returned. This new pier was financed by the Federal Government and remaining part by the State of Jalisco.
The pier offers access to boats, water taxis that can take you north of the bay and mainly to the southern beaches and coves, such as Quimixto, Mismaloya, Yelapa and other beautiful destinations, you'll also be able to catch sail trips and cruises around the bay.
A stroll along the 200 feet of the pier is now a valuable and fun addition to the fabulous Olas Altas/Los Muertos area in the romantic zone, enjoy the view, the new perspectives, the panoramic view and all the sea related activities you can enjoy there. Take a walk around the central sail and get some great photos at night, when the multicolored lights create a beautiful backdrop for your romantic photos on Playa Los Muertos.
Old Farmer's Market Puerto Vallarta
Old Town Farmers' Market is fast becoming one of the best weekend attractions in Puerto Vallarta, locals and expats enjoy purchasing and sampling fresh local produce. The Market is a producer only market, which means all vendors must make, bake or grow the products they sell here, no Walmart or Soriana here. Phew!
You'll find a great selection of organic vegetables, exotic fruits, chocolates, coffees, cheese, icecream and local meats, hand made tortillas, cookies, pies and more. Local artisans sell their jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery and more.
You can also eat lunch and enjoy local foods, enjoy some aguas frescas or fresh pressed juices, baked goods, tamales, burritos and much more.
Old Farmer's Market is wheelchair accessible, pet friendly, you can park close by in the parking lot under Lazaro Cárdenas park. Live music adds the the vibe at the market.
Open every Saturday from November to May between 9:30 am and 2 pm.
Cafe
Street
Strolling
through the romantic zone is food for the heart. As
you step through the entrance of any of the restaurants
in this area, you breathe that special “something”
in the air that provides an irresistible temptation
to stop and sample the delicious seafood cuisine and
international dishes prepared by international chefs
from all parts of the world, as well as fabulous desserts,
refreshing beverages and fragrant coffees. Many cafes line Olas Altas and the sidestreets.
