Puerto Vallarta reveals itself through its art venues, waterfront promenade and nature experiences. It also offers markets and two cold drinks made with very different ingredients. To start planning your trip, consider which of these aspects interests you most: culture and cityscapes, boat excursions or local cuisine.
Art and culture on Cuale River Island and in the city
At the eastern end of Cuale River Island is the Cuale Cultural Center. It offers workshops in painting, sculpture, dance, theater and music. The Cuale Archaeological Museum is also located in the center. Admission is free, and it displays archaeological finds as well as information about Mesoamerican history and art. The Cultural Center also hosts art exhibitions, musical evenings, poetry and literature events; these offerings attract locals and visitors alike.
Another way to discover art in Puerto Vallarta is the weekly Art Walk, which makes it accessible to visitors and locals. If you are planning for a particular date, check the current weekly schedule. Art is also part of the streetscape: murals featuring well-known figures such as Frida Kahlo and Einstein are among the attractions for tourists. You can also find Huichol handicrafts and galleries featuring colorful works of art by this Indigenous community.
The Malecon: Promenade, art and performances
The nearly one-kilometer-long Malecon is a waterfront promenade lined with sculptures by renowned artists, art and crafts galleries, shops and restaurants. It is considered a particularly popular meeting place. Open-air performances and artistic presentations are held, among other places, at the Los Arcos Amphitheater. The promenade thus brings together public cultural offerings and a variety of places to linger.
Nature experiences and boat excursions
The El Salado Estuary is a national protected area in Puerto Vallarta. Guided boat tours travel through channels filled with flora and fauna to a pier surrounded by several species of mangroves. As schedules and operating conditions can change, check current tour offerings before making specific plans. Puerto Vallarta is also a departure point for tourist boat services to Parque Nacional Islas Marietas; operators and departure times may change as well.
One of the city’s hiking options is the Cerro de la Cruz lookout. From there, you can enjoy views of the sun rising over the mountains as well as sunsets over the beach. Puerto Vallarta’s beaches are suitable for swimming; some are better suited to water sports and adventure activities. The Botanical Garden is nearby, about 30 minutes south of downtown in the direction of Barra de Navidad. It is dedicated to the conservation and display of exotic plants from Mexico and around the world.
When you see the name Los Arcos, it is worth distinguishing between two places: the amphitheater is on the Malecon, while the Los Arcos marine park is off Mismaloya Beach. There are opportunities for diving and snorkeling amid a rich variety of marine life. This offers a contrast between the cultural program on the waterfront promenade and an excursion to a marine park in the surrounding area.
Local drinks and dishes
Culinary discoveries have their own distinctive touches, too. Vendors sell tuba, a traditional cold drink made from coconut milk and apple cider vinegar, served with diced apple and walnuts. Tejuino is also a traditional cold drink, but it is made from fermented corn and finished with a splash of lemon; it has a sweet-and-sour flavor. Markets offer local dishes as part of the city’s culinary experience.
Find hotels in Puerto Vallarta to suit your trip
When searching for hotels in Puerto Vallarta, you can start with your interests: Would you like to focus on art venues and the Malecon, discover markets and local drinks, or plan nature experiences such as guided boat tours and hikes? These priorities can help guide your search without imposing a set itinerary for your stay.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Tepatitlán De Morelos, Yelapa, Tomatlán, Tonalá, Ipala, La Huerta, Chapala, Unión de Guadalupe.
For the broader travel overview: Jalisco.
