While some find the heavier traffic December 1 - 12 frustrating, others are so delighted by the fervent Mexican flavor of the annual peregrinacions to honor the Virgin de Guadalupe - who is not only the patron saint of Puerto Vallarta, but of this country itself - that they find it a very small price to pay. Over the course of the Fiestas de Guadalupe, a couple of hundred different groups of pilgrims dressed in white, and often accompanied by glittering floats and dancers in pre-Hispanic costumes, walk from their homes or businesses to the virgin's namesake church near city hall, the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora Guadalupe Vallarta's largest and most recognized church with its distinctive crown of angels. Tourists can't seem to believe their luck at what they're seeing and locals of all ages return night after night to enjoy the festive street party ambiance, hundreds of stalls on thesurrounding streets offering religious artifacts, refreshments, delicious Mexican specialties and more.