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Puerto Vallarta Malecon Boardwalk & Outdoor Culture Mexico is an open society by North American standards. By this I mean that people, especially in the tropical coastal areas of the country, spend a considerable amount of time with their doors open: visiting with their neighbors, kids playing in the streets, or working outdoors doing physical labor. The Mexicans love to talk, visit, listen to music, drink, play soccer, party and enjoy the company of their family and friends. So there is a lot of activity in Mexican neighborhoods. Mexico is still a traditional society in many ways. People in their neighborhoods know their neighbors' names and the names of their neighbors' children, which is an amazing fact to anyone who has spent most of their life living in a larger American or Canadian city or suburb. It is not unusual to see an entire neighborhood in the street celebrating the birthday of one of the children: the street will be brightly decorated, there is loud music, food and drink, and often a piñata full of candies and sweets is swinging overhead as the blindfolded kids try to break it open with a stick. Wakes are still often held in the home of the family, with many of the neighbors in attendance through the night. A local custom to follow from these traditions is the popularity of the downtown Puerto Vallarta malecon. The malecon is the one mile long seawall walkway or boardwalk that stretches the length of downtown Vallarta from the Cuale River at the south end to the Hotel Rosita in the north, some 15-16 city blocks. Near the south end of this waterfront boulevard is the large outdoor amphitheater Los Arcos (the Arches) where entertainment and many outdoor attractions occur such as folklore dancing, live music, cultural events and the very popular clown shows. Strolling north, one passes numerous landmark artworks and statues including one of Vallarta's most beloved works the Friendship Fountain with its three dolphins by sculptor James Bottoms which was donated by Santa Barbara in 1987 (notice the boy in the traditional Huichol/Cora clothes on the left in the photo below right). Then the famous nine foot high statue of the youth riding The Sea Horse, a Puerto Vallarta symbol. Sculpted by Rafael Zamarripa, this beauty has stood for over 25 years on the malecon. One of the more popular additions to the Puerto Vallarta malecon, the sculpture In Search of Reason by Guadalajara artist Sergio Bustamante, has two pillow-head figures ascending their ladder to the sky. People love to climb this one and have their picture taken. Then the recently placed group of strange abstract bronze figures by Alejandro Colunga entitled The Rotunda of the Sea with its half human, half alien sea or space creatures. One must see, then sit on them as they are half in the shape of chairs and tables, to experience their odd effect on the senses.

At the north end of the malecon is the local fishermen's open market, where fresh fish caught the night before can be bought at a good price. Just past that end of the boardwalk and down the short half block to the beach by the Hotel Rosita is the 2001 sculpture The Millenniums by Mathis Lidice. See the two photos of this beautiful and moving work below.

So there is quite a collection of public art along this boardwalk walkway, untouched by spray paint. There are also a good number of restaurants, eateries and taquerias in the downtown area, dozens and dozens of stores, art galleries and boutiques for shopping. The most popular straight Puerto Vallarta nightlife area is of course along the downtown Puerto Vallarta malecon strip itself.

The Puerto Vallarta malecon boardwalk is popular at sunset and up until around 11pm or so, by which time most people are returning home or gone out to their favorite night clubs. Half the town dresses up and turns out to stroll on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The malecon can also be a good location to make friends. The south end of the malecon between the boy on his seahorse and The Arches/Los Arcos used to be a more frequented meeting and conversation spot for gay men.

The city has recently completed an extension of the malecon, the New Malecon, at the southern end of the malecon, so that one can continue walking along the ocean-front from downtown PV over to the South Side/Zona Romantica/Los Muertos beach area. Follow the people around the back or front of the Los Arcos/the Arches amphitheater area and you will go along the seawall promenade to the footbridge over the Cuale River - you soon end up at the northern end of the Olas Atlas area on Los Muertos beach. Along the way there are a number of pleasant art works and sculptures. This area has become a particularly popular hangout as one can catch a bite to eat from one of the many food stalls, restaurants or bars and there are also vendors and artists selling a variety of souvenirs and trinkets. Additionally the New Malecon is quieter than the main malecon as there is no auto traffic. Take a look at even more Puerto Vallarta malecon pictures.

A leisurely evening walk on the downtown Puerto Vallarta malecon is a must to do while visiting town.

Walking Art Tour of the Malecon
Puerto Vallarta art gallery Galeria Pacifico (since 1987) sponsors a Public Sculpture Walking Tour that starts at 9:30am every Tuesday during the winter months at the Millennium sculpture near the Hotel Rosita at the north end of the Malecon. You can meet some of the sculptors of the statues and hear them speak about their work along the mile long malecon. The knowledgeable Pacifico Gallery owner Gary Thompson acts as your guide and informs you about the current local art scene and its many artisits. The Art Walk every Tuesday, 9:30am-11:30am, Nov 18 to April 14. Free, no reservation. For further info call the art gallery at Tel: 222-1982
 
 

Puerto Vallarta nightclub Hilo

downtown Puerto Vallarta malecon

sculpture La Nostalgia by Ramiz Barquet

 

Mandala bar and disco

Mariscos Tino's restaurant downtown

Puerto Vallarta sunset from malecon

 

Los Arcos amphitheater

sculpture of St. Pascual patron of cooks

statue to Xiutla folkloric dancers