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.

El Grito, September 15 And 16, Mexico’s Independence Day

Independence Celebrations in Puerto Vallarta

The Grito de Dolores (better known as El Grito, the Cry for independence) celebrated every year on the night between September 15th and 16th is a Mexican holiday par excellence, it is the night when all citizens of Mexico celebrate their independence from the Spanish conquerors.

Since the arrival of Hernán Cortés in 1521 and the conquest of the area, what is now Mexico was called New Spain.

Mexico’s Coat of Arms

Influenced by the concepts established by French philosophers like Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu and the USA’s War of Independence, the Criollos (Spanish descendants born in America) who were treated as second-class subjects, decided to start an uprising.

Priest Miguel Hidalgo mural by José Clemente Orozco, Guadalajara

At 5:00 am on September 16, 1810, the Priest Miguel Hidalgo, accompanied by several other co-conspirators, Ignacio Allende, Doña Josefina Ortiz de Domínguez, rang the bells of his small church in the town now called Dolores Hidalgo, calling everyone to fight for freedom, which is known as “El Grito de Dolores” (the announcement, or cry, of Dolores). One of the crucial moments in Mexican history.

It is celebrated every year at town squares (plaza or zócalo) of all major cities in the country and also in Puerto Vallarta. With two days of traditional Mexican fiesta y with fireworks, parades, games, speeches, all kinds of Mexican food and lots of fun for both locals and visitors.

September is the month of Mexico and streets are decorated across the country with paper flags (or plastic) and colorful garlands, which is locally called “papel picado”. On each corner, there are vendors with an eye-catching assortment of flags, balloons, hats, and pinwheels, in white, red, and green, the National colors. There are flags on the houses and all government buildings and town squares.

Patriotic Mexican decorations – Danilo Rottigni

The main squares themselves are impressively decorated with garlands, patriotic decorations, lights and flags, this is in preparation for the evening party and the grito.

It all starts on the afternoon of September 15th, when Vallartans, local visitors, and foreign tourists start to gather on the square and surrounding streets, leaving almost no room to move, so they can witness and participate in the grito. The town mayor, whoever it is at the time, repeats, like a mantra, the same words that the priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla proclaimed over 200 years ago.

A Mexican breakfast (tacos, frijoles (beans), chilaquiles, queso Cotija (fresh white cheese), etc.)

Before 11 PM arrives, you can enjoy traditional snacks, as Mexican national cuisine is an important part of the festivities. The stands are installed long before the day of the celebrations and sell a variety of dishes including tacos, sopes, gorditas, tamales, enchiladas, tostadas, flautas, pambazos, huaraches, and others.

Guacamole and tostitos (totopos) for your Mexican party

Mexican candy and season fruit punch that includes guavas, sugarcane, raisins, and apples. In restaurants, food options include Mole Poblano, Chiles en Nogada, Birria, and others. All accompanied by non-stop mariachi music.

Mariachis and Mexican Folklore

The euphoria and excitement grow as the night progresses and when 11 PM arrives, the mayor makes an appearance on the town hall balcony, carrying the Mexican flag, a ritual that recreates the moment in which Hidalgo gathered his followers in Dolores, Guanajuato, and the mayor recites something like the following, but can include changes and add local heroes and sometimes even events.

El Grito de Dolores, Peña Nieto, Calderón, Fox and in Puerto Vallarta

El Grito de Dolores, Peña Nieto, Calderón, Fox and in Puerto Vallarta

Mexicans!
May the heroes that gave us our homeland live on!
Long live Hidalgo!
Long live Morelos!
Long live Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez!
Long live Allende!
Long live Aldama and Matamoros!
Long live our independence!
Viva Mexico! Viva Mexico! Viva Mexico!

The last “VIVA” is chanted with great patriotism by all those present. the bell is rung and the flag is waved. Then everyone solemnly sings the national anthem and then the party starts!

Fiesta Mexicana, traditional Mexican dancers and dress

The heavens are lit by a multitude of fireworks that brighten everyone present and fill them with pride, knowing that they now live in a free and independent country.

The next day, September 16th, a military parade takes place along the main streets of Puerto Vallarta in honor of the struggle for independence, all instances of the local defense participate, including the fire department, health and the very loved and cheered charros.

Hidalgo y Costilla, the independence hero rests at “Ángel de la Independencia” (Independence Angel) in Mexico City

There is no doubt that at this time the real spirit and Mexican pride are at their peak and if you want to enjoy everything that makes Mexico what it is, do not miss the opportunity to experience it in Puerto Vallarta, the most Mexican beach destination in the country.

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.