 What a treat to now be able to stroll along the ocean all the way from the landmark Hotel Rosita to the Los Muertos pier and beyond on a dedicated walkway, thanks to an attractive new addition to the popular Malecon linking it to the Rio Cuale pedestrian bridge and the world of possibilities south of it.
The Malecon extension itself about four blocks long, this must-do walk providing a fabulous overview of what Vallarta’s all about is about a mile from start to finish.
If you’re coming from Nayarit, Marina Vallarta or the Hotel Zone, you might want to begin the adventure at the Malecon’s north end across from McDonald’s. Conversely, if you’re staying south of town, you might want to start from Los Muertos Beach and head north.
You’ll find the Malecon, the town’s most popular see-and-be-seen venue for more than 50 years, more of a draw than ever with a full roster of great cultural attractions, including the world-renowned Papantla Flyers. And since being completely rebuilt in 2002 following Hurricane Kenna, ramps make it more considerate of those with physical challenges.
It’s easy to understand why everyone gravitates to this beautifully quirky seawall promenade, with the gorgeous natural world on one side, prime city attractions on the other, and entertainment that includes, but definitely is not limited to, music, mime, dance, theater, jugglers and concerts, with rock and sand art created in front of you and an eclectic array of monumental public art inviting your touch.
Sunday evening strolls here are highly recommended, akin to gazing into a cultural mirror, because it’s where the locals go to wrap up the only day most of them don’t have to work, turning out in their Sunday best with kids in tow.
And it’s nice that the Malecon guides you right past Puerto Vallarta’s most traditional symbols, including the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its distinctive angel crown, the oft-photographed Seahorse statue, City Hall with its bustling Main Plaza – host to numerous events including municipal band concerts Thursday and Sunday evenings at 6 – and the entertainment-rich Los Arcos Amphitheater across from it, where lively public performances are held against its four-column backdrop, the eye-catching white sails right beside it on the new Malecon extension.
Following it you come to the bridge crossing the Rio Cuale, which divides El Centro and the South Side. Stairs provide easy access to an island that is a tourist attraction in itself, with fine restaurants and bars, a happening cultural center, archaeological museum, outdoor flea market and lots of tranquil places for pausing.
With the exception of a small sandy stretch fronting the Molino de Agua Hotel, the bridge meets the South Side promenade on Los Muertos Beach. And once on it, it won’t take long before you realize that when it comes to having fun, in this popular bohemian part of town it happens every day, all day long. Along with great people watching and lots of activities, sunbathing, swimming, parasailing and jet skiing included, many of the town’s best boutiques, restaurants and bars are here to discover.
Pangas caught from the pier along the walkway can whisk you to idyllic small beach towns to the south. But since they only depart early in the day, I suggest the thing to do now is to congratulate yourself with a tall cool one, having arrived at Vallarta’s most happening beach scene under your own steam.
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