Puerto Vallarta not only offers you a beautiful and enjoyable vacation with an endless array of activities and a colorful city and tropical environment. If you are also searching for the perfect place to fill your senses with the beauty of art and culture surrounded by the natural, historic downtown, then Puerto Vallarta is the place you’ve been looking for.
Here you can enjoy cultural festivals, art and sculpture galleries, wherever you go and throughout the year.
Vallarta began its changes in 1960 when Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, and Eva Gardner visited the beautiful Bay of Banderas to film a movie called “The Night of the Iguana“.
This movie was the spearhead for this destination, helping it become a more attractive place for all kinds of artists. Filmmakers, sculptors, musicians, painters, and others began to make Puerto Vallarta their place for inspiration and expression.
These, and other reasons are the basis of the artistic soul of Vallarta and it has grown tremendously with the development of this beautiful city and has been a muse for national and international talent.
So this great cultural heritage has helped this tourist destination become more than just a tropical beach destination you can spend a short time visiting, Vallarta is so much more and this is reflected not only in regular visitors, you can see it in the number of foreigners that choose the city as their permanent home.
La Familia, Ramiz Barquet
Another positive factor in this equation is that Puerto Vallarta is located very close to the northern neighboring countries, which makes both travel to and back, short, easy and cheap.
These are some of the reasons why Vallarta is nowadays a fabulous cultural center that offers an excellent blend of the best of the local native culture and traditional art together with exhibitions and galleries of contemporary art.
It is now well known that Puerto Vallarta offers a growing number of cultural activities, a large number of festivals are held here annually.
All of them try to promote cultural areas such as sports, gourmet cuisine, and the arts, of course. We should not either forget the regular events such as film festivals, wine festivals, jazz festivals, environmental events and more.
And among the most important yearly events, we have to mention a food festival, the International Gourmet Festival. Over several days different chefs from many parts of the world visit the shores of Puerto Vallarta to delight with their incredible and delicious creations, which are able to please even the most discerning palates.
Within the creations of these artists visitors can enjoy dishes with flavors from all over the world, but certainly, you can also enjoy the delicious and unique flavors of Mexico too. Each year the number of participants in this gourmet food festival grows, as well as the countless related events.
So do not miss the opportunity to visit Puerto Vallarta and sample the delights these international artists have to offer, or if you are a chef, you can be part of this event, and show your talent and at the same time discover one of the most beautiful places Mexico has to offer.’
- January: New Year events; Festival Sayulita; Vallarta Race Cup series.
- February: Charro Championship.
- March: Puerto Vallarta Invitational Jazz Festival; Regata Banderas Bay.
- April: Dance Festival (Los Arcos).
- May: May Cultural Festival; Fiestas de Mayo; Sports Classic; Festival de la Bugambilia; Regata del Club de Yates; Restaurant Week.
- August: Corn Festival in neighbor town Xalisco.
- September: National Independence Celebrations – Theater month.
- October to May: Puerto Vallarta Art Walk
- November: International Gourmet Festival; International Sailfish and Marlin Tournament.
- November to May: Old Town Farmer’s Market – Open every Saturday from the start of November to May between 9:30 am and 2 pm. Now relocated at Lázaro Cárdenas Park.
- December: Guadalupe Parish Peregrinations; Our Lady of Guadalupe Festival/Feast.
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FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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