The heart of any Mexican city or town, is El Centro, or downtown. Vallarta's El Centro is a picturesque combination of a traditional cathedral close to the main plaza, which is bordered by the Malecon along the beach. Consider a tour of Vallarta to get to know this area by day and return at night for the abundance of free entertainment along the Malecon, Los Arcos Theatre and the main plaza. Photo by Eduardo Solórzano.