The Malecon: Puerto Vallarta’s Famous Boardwalk
By: Justin Burch

One of the most popular activities in Puerto Vallarta is a stroll down the city’s famed boardwalk, the Malecon. Lined with shops, restaurants and artwork, the Malecon provides great entertainment for all ages and budgets. The young and fashionable can shop during the day and hit the restaurants and clubs at night. Families can enjoy the scenery, find plenty of friendly people and activities and rest on any of the boardwalk’s many rustic benches. There is something for everyone down on the Malecon, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular attractions.

Most visitors begin their stroll on the north end of the Malecon outside the Hotel Rosita. Here you will find the first sculpture of Puerto Vallarta’s unique outdoor museum. “Los Milenios,” the work of Mathis Lidice, is one of the most popular and most photographed works on the boardwalk. Another of the Malecon’s most famous sculptures is the “Rotonda del Mar,” a quirky construction of chairs by local artist Alejandro Colunga. Lying at the midway point of the Malecon, this sculpture is surrounded by benches and offers a great place to rest and enjoy the view.

On Tuesday mornings, Gary Thompson – owner of the Galleria Pacifico – offers public sculpture tours along the Malecon. Thompson has been involved in the Puerto Vallarta art scene for over 30 years and offers an incredible perspective on both the sculptures and the artists behind them. Beginning outside the Hotel Rosita at 9:30 am, the tours end at Thompson’s gallery where visitors are offered refreshments and additional information on the city’s unique artwork. As an added bonus, Ramiz Barquet – one of Puerto Vallarta’s most recognized artists, whose sculpture “La Nostalgia” serves as an international symbol of the city – is often present to offer interested tourists a firsthand account of the Malecon’s artistic significance.

Recently, the Malecon was extended even further with the construction of a bridge over the Rio Cuale. Besides offering a beautiful place to stop and watch the sunset or just enjoy the water, the bridge connects the boardwalk to one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular beaches – Playa de Los Muertos. A favorite of local families, Los Muertos is an excellent beach for relaxing or setting up a picnic. If you want to do a little shopping on the beach, the friendly vendors of Los Muertos sell everything from handmade souvenirs to fresh-cooked seafood.

Much like Los Muertos, there are plenty of vendors offering fresh cooked specialties on the boardwalk. However, you should definitely try some of the great food offered at the Malecon’s restaurants. Serving everything from adventurous European cuisine to traditional Mexican fare, the restaurants of the Malecon cater to everyone’s tastes. Many restaurants and cafes also offer patio seating on the boardwalk. Tourists and locals agree that a patio seat on the boardwalk might be the best way to enjoy a majestic sunset over Banderas Bay.

The Malecon offers plenty of shopping, too. Besides the souvenir shops, you will see boutiques selling handmade jewelry and leather goods. There are even some luxury shops offering couture clothing, fine jewelry and truly distinctive souvenirs.

The Malecon is also the best nightlife destination in Puerto Vallarta. From dance clubs open until the wee hours to relaxing lounges with live jazz, the Malecon caters to any mood. It is even possible to take an evening cruise in Banderas Bay along the Malecon. There are a number of ships catering to families and couples alike, each offering dinner and live entertainment. After the sun sets across the bay, you will be able to see the Malecon light up as fireworks shoot into the sky.

On Sunday nights, the Malecon is transformed into a family-friendly festival. While the crowd will consist of many tourists, local families also come to the Malecon to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and fireworks displays. Los Arcos Amphitheatre, the end point of the Malecon, is known for free Sunday night concerts and performances. Out on the boardwalk, clowns and street performers also provide plenty of free entertainment. Most of the Malecon’s great restaurants will be open late and offer special menus for children. For desert, your family can enjoy cotton candy and fried bananas served by the boardwalk vendors.

Though anytime is perfect for a stroll on the Malecon, November is a particularly good time to visit Puerto Vallarta. Marking the beginning of the holiday season, Puerto Vallarta offers a large art festival with plenty of free events, all revolving around the Malecon.

Justin Burch writes about marriott.com/hotels/travel/pvrmx-casamagna-marriott-puerto-vallarta-resort/”>tourism in Puerto Vallarta and in Mexico and for the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort.

Carlson Hotels signs New Radisson Hotel in Cebu
Carlson Hotels signs New Radisson Hotel in Cebu.
Hong Kong Express Airways to launch Flights to Osaka, Phuket, Denpasar and Manila
Hong Kong Express Airways to launch Flights to Osaka, Phuket, Denpasar and Manila.
MasterCard and Starwood launch Complimentary Weekend Promotion in Asia Pacific
MasterCard and Starwood launch Complimentary Weekend Promotion in Asia Pacific.
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya launches THB 2,672++ Promotion
Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya launches THB 2,672++ Promotion.
Avis launches MovieAnywhere Service in Singapore
Avis launches MovieAnywhere Service in Singapore.
AirAsia to launch Flights between Kota Kinabalu and Labuan
AirAsia to launch Flights between Kota Kinabalu and Labuan.
China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines to launch Mid-Autumn Festival Charter Flights to Mainland China
China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines to launch Mid-Autumn Festival Charter Flights to Mainland China.
Astudo Hotel & Resort Management appoints Group Financial Controller
Astudo Hotel & Resort Management appoints Group Financial Controller.
Additional Boxes Made Available for Hong Kong Cricket Sixes
Additional Boxes Made Available for Hong Kong Cricket Sixes.
KLM launches Electronic Boarding Pass for Mobile Phones
KLM launches Electronic Boarding Pass for Mobile Phones.
Orion Congress to remain at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai
Orion Congress to remain at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai.
Hawaiian Airlines launches Special Earlybird Fares between Australia and Hawaii
Hawaiian Airlines launches Special Earlybird Fares between Australia and Hawaii.
Delta Air Lines reports August 2008 Traffic
Delta Air Lines reports August 2008 Traffic.
Emirates to Begin Move to T3 from 14 October 2008
Emirates to Begin Move to T3 from 14 October 2008.
Air Canada reports August 2008 Traffic
Air Canada reports August 2008 Traffic.
Saga Airlines orders Two Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s
Saga Airlines orders Two Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s.
Daniel Chao joins Novotel Beijing Sanyuan as General Manager
Daniel Chao joins Novotel Beijing Sanyuan as General Manager.
Sobha Group to Open Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road
Sobha Group to Open Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Emirates Airline operating Additional Flights for Umrah Pilgrims
Emirates Airline operating Additional Flights for Umrah Pilgrims.
easyJet to launch Flights between London Gatwick and Istanbul
easyJet to launch Flights between London Gatwick and Istanbul.
Cathay Pacific breaks ground on New Cargo Terminal
Cathay Pacific breaks ground on New Cargo Terminal.
Finnair and Finncomm form JV Maintenance Company
Finnair and Finncomm form JV Maintenance Company.
WIT-Web In Travel wins Most Innovative Marketing Initiative Award
WIT-Web In Travel wins Most Innovative Marketing Initiative Award.
Austrian Airlines launches Prague Valentine 2009 Promotion
Austrian Airlines launches Prague Valentine 2009 Promotion.
CIT Aerospace orders Ten Additional Airbus Aircraft
CIT Aerospace orders Ten Additional Airbus Aircraft.
Starwood Preferred Guest launches SPG Flights
Starwood Preferred Guest launches SPG Flights.
Air Arabia to launch Daily Flights to Hyderabad
Air Arabia to launch Daily Flights to Hyderabad.
U Chiang Mai launches Spa Promotion
U Chiang Mai launches Spa Promotion.
Air France launches Amadeus Ticket Changer Shopper Solution
Air France launches Amadeus Ticket Changer Shopper Solution.
IATA revises Industry Financial Forecast
IATA revises Industry Financial Forecast.
Travelport GDS signs Global Agreement with FCm Travel Solutions Network Partners
Travelport GDS signs Global Agreement with FCm Travel Solutions Network Partners.
Accor to open Novotel Hotel in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Accor to open Novotel Hotel in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam.
Plaza Royale Oriental Shanghai joins WORLDHOTELS
Plaza Royale Oriental Shanghai joins WORLDHOTELS.
5,000 Travel Delegates from more than 50 countries expected at ITB Asia
5,000 Travel Delegates from more than 50 countries expected at ITB Asia.
Starwood signs New W Hotel in London
Starwood signs New W Hotel in London.
Geev Andre Bahrampoori joins Amari Coral Beach Resort Phuket as EAM.
Geev Andre Bahrampoori joins Amari Coral Beach Resort Phuket as EAM..
Silversea's Prince Albert II to explore French Polynesia
Silversea's Prince Albert II to explore French Polynesia.
Emirates launches Fare Promotion in Thailand
Emirates launches Fare Promotion in Thailand.
Colin Teo appointed General Manager of Grand Park Hotel Wuxi
Colin Teo appointed General Manager of Grand Park Hotel Wuxi.
Sydney Success Hosting World Congress of the Transplantation Society
Sydney Success Hosting World Congress of the Transplantation Society.
Continental Airlines reports August 2008 Traffic
Continental Airlines reports August 2008 Traffic.
PATA and ATA sign New MoU
PATA and ATA sign New MoU.
Starwood signs New W Hotel in Manchester
Starwood signs New W Hotel in Manchester.
United Airlines to operate Daily Non-Stop Flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles
United Airlines to operate Daily Non-Stop Flights between Melbourne and Los Angeles.
Burj Dubai reaches 688 meters
Burj Dubai reaches 688 meters.
Executive Appointments at Hilton Hefei
Executive Appointments at Hilton Hefei.

Parking At Cardiff Airport – Frequent Traveller Tips By Andy Burrows As a businessman I frequently fly out of Cardiff. The airport solely operates from one terminal. This means that when you want to park your car at one of the available car parks you not have to Read more...

Critical, Common Sense Travel Tips By Nomad Rick Traveling is a great way to experience new places and meet people with a different view of things. That being said, there are some common sense steps you should take to make sure your trip goes Read more...