Things you must see in Puerto Vallarta

Parish Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Year after year, Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe welcomes thousands of Catholics, especially during a 12-day festival called the feast of Guadalupe each Dec. This is a must-visit attraction in Puerto Vallarta.

There's always activity in and around the church, where tour guides appear on a daily basis, respectfully sharing their knowledge and Mexican traditions. The church bells are rung thirty & fifteen min before each service. During the 12-day Feast of Guadalupe, thousands of believers walk here from around Puerto Vallarta to the church to pay homage to the Virgin as bells joy to welcome them. It dominates the skyline of Puerto Vallarta in countless postcards, as the city's most recognisable & endearing landmark around the world.

Detailed information at: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish

The Malecón

The Malecon - a paved walkway all along the shore of downtown Puerto Vallarta, it's a very popular place to go as you can enjoy both the shopping, restaurants and the local Mexican culture.

The walkway includes a number of sculptures by famous artists, including Bustamante, Colunga and Barquet. The Malecón was rebuilt after it was badly damaged in 2002 following the unusual visit of Hurricane Kenna.

Puerto Vallarta's Malecon was once again completely remodeled in 2011 and now is exclusively for pedestrians, no more dangerous and noisy taxis and cars. A safe, fun and interesting family excursion in downtown Vallarta.

Read about the statues on the Malecon & other Downtown Puerto Vallarta attractions.

Mercado Isla Cuale & Mercado Municipal Cuale

Mercado Isla Cuale & Mercado Municipal Cuale - are 2 big public markets in Downtown Puerto Vallarta, they lay along the edges of the Cuale River in Downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Comprising a complete city block along the north side of the banks of the Cuale River is the Mercado Municipal (Rio Cuale City Market), also known as the Mercado Municipal Río Cuale. It's an indoor market with 2 stories of vendors, suppliers, and everything from pottery to jewellery, embroidered clothing and souvenirs. If you like to bargain, this is a good place to do it, especially if you're looking for crafts at affordable prices. On the second floor you'll find the food stands.

Isla Cuale is a natural island on the Cuale River. The island has some restaurants, a museum, a cultural center, a statue of John Huston, and much more... but most people know it for its shops and stands.

The Isla Cuale Market was also famous for its cat population. The island itself was a lower class development until the residents were forced to move during a hurricane in 1971. After that the island was used for restaurants, shops and a cultural center.

El Pulpito y Pilitas, Los Muertos Beach

El Púlpito and las Pilitas (Pulpit and Baptismal Font) are two rock formations on the South end of the Romatic zone's Los Muertos Beach. El Púlpito is the tall headland and Las Pilitas are rock formations at the base.

El Púlpito is a rock promontory, 50 or 60 feet high, stretching out into the water & whose sheer face rises straight up out of the foam from the waves constantly hitting its base.

Las Pilitas was the place where the El Caballito de Mar sculpture (The Seahorse) was originally located. It has since been moved to El Malecón.

Two side streets on Olas Altas are named after these natural landmarks.

Playa Conchas Chinas, Las Amapas

Playa Conchas Chinas (Chinese Shells Beach), located in Fraccionamiento Las Amapas is one of the cities most secluded beaches, it is found south of El Púlpito on the south end of Los Muertos Beach in what is known as the South Zone.

Conchas Chinas Beach is one of the most beautiful locations in Puerto Vallarta. Just minutes from the city, this beach lies between forest and mountains: a superb place colored by the blue-green waters and beige sand.

Enjoy the natural pools formed by groups of rocks or a delicious fried fish, rent boats and water ski. The clarity of the water allows you to see the ocean floor and enjoy the different multicolored fish that live there.

Don't miss this memorable location, you won't regret it.

Cuale Archaeological Museum, Isla Cuale

Cuale Archaeological Museum is small but surprisingly engaging little museum located on the West side of Isla Cuale on the Cuale River in Downtown Puerto Vallarta.

While it includes only a few galleries, the museum offers a significant collection of local and regional pre-Hispanic art of the cultures that once inhabited the area. Exhibits are arranged chronologically & cover the area's earliest history. Together with the permament collection of Pre-Hispanic pottery, artefacts & even graves

The museum also houses a little art gallery with temporary contemporary art exhibitions.

Plaza de Armas (Plaza de la Presidencia Municipal)

The Plaza de la Presidencia or Plaza de Armas is the city's main plaza, official center of political and cultural activities in Puerto Vallarta.

Here you'll enjoy public concerts at the bandstand (kiosko) or at the amphitheater across the street by the Arches, the amphitheater and the malecon.

There is a large, 2 storey building that houses government offices (and Vallarta tourist office) plus a large outdoor terrace with a central bandstand.

This plaza is located between the Puerto Vallarta Malecon at Los Arcos Amphitheatre & the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church ("Cathedral").

The Plaza has free Wi-Fi.