Malecón Puerto Vallarta Photos
Recommended Reviews - Malecón Puerto Vallarta
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Cities with scenic waterfront walks are hard to resist, and in the best cases, those promenades provide the most lasting impression a visitor has of that city. That's true of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Shanghai and the Bund, and Havana and the other Malecon. This stroll is just as essential, a mile-long path that provides the gravitational pull between Centro and Zona Romantica. This esplanade reflects the genuine appeal of Puerto Vallarta through a robust collection of public art set against Banderas Bay. Beyond the unique sculptures are the requisite retail shops, art galleries, and eateries. Street performers periodically show up on the promenade, and more organized entertainment is scheduled at the Los Arcos Amphitheater (Photo 8). Take the time to enjoy this artery of life. RELATED - Exploring Puerto Vallarta? Here's my collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/88s-_--FY7
This is the main boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta and it is everything it is made out to be. From the metal and sand sculptures to the magnificent sweep of the bay, this is a must visit spot in town. We visited last week and while the day was hot and muggy, we stayed in the shade and made the most of it. Would love to come back.
Cute waterfront walkway that takes you along the town. There's loads of restaurants and bars from one end to the other. Vendors selling things and street performers on deck. There's also the main square that's right in the middle. You can walk it from the romantic zone of PV on the walkway and it'll take you straight to it. The Puerto Vallarta sigh is right in the path which there's always a line for pictures. It's also pretty organized as everyone is always lined up waiting for their turn with the backdrop. You'll have your restaurants that you're familiar with as it's also a tourist area. Nightclubs are also held here in the evening. Nice little spot along the path if you're looking to just sit and enjoy the water or the boats passing by. The beach is pretty rocky so I'm not sure if you're allowed to swim.
A must experience overlooking the ocean, beaches and great shops + restaurants of Puerto Vallarta. Malecón is like no other as a mile long 12-block path with quite a bite to enjoy including it's statues, installations and unique art. We passed a guy balancing stones on the beach, the stone man who plays chess and tons of wonderful sites. The Vallarta dancers captured in a beautiful pose. Witness the incredible acrobats several times. Partook in beverages at Senor Frogs as well as La Bodeguita del Medio. Watching the sunsets, feeling the beautiful breeze and doing all the local as well as visitor/touristy things will make you "cantar!"
The Malecon boardwalk is a touristy location located next to the beach, filled with restaurants, bars, and gift shops. They have so many photo op places due to all the statues, benches, and decorations they have up. The sunsets here are absolutely stunning. The prices for food in the area are a bit higher due to tourism but the food hits every time! They also have clubs in the area. Not my scene, but it looked fun and they have a bunch of quirky things to look at. Take a stroll through the streets to find some of the best hidden gems.
A must see for tourists and visitors who want to get a taste and feel of the city! Plenty of local shops and restaurants along the ocean!! Lots of locals are there to enjoy precious time with their family and friends!!! They do charge ten pesos per person to use the public toilets though, but it is air conditioned and clean!!!!
A great laid back way to take in a portion of the city. Great views, super wide, lots of sculptures to explore. Some stretches of sand to walk or play in, but much better beaches just a bit south. A lot of things I read called this a "boardwalk," but that's not literally true, it's a typical malecon. There were vendors in a few pockets, but they were quite unobtrusive; definitely doesn't have the tackiness that boardwalks in the US tend to have.
A place you must visit when you are in Puerto Vallarta or you'll see it one way or another. It is the main promenade space alongside the Pacific Ocean, in an area with many shops and restaurants. There are many photo opportunities here, I love the statues (some sculpted by Bustamante) here, the old arch, the views. A place to walk around, linger, people watch. It is an important part of the town, but never very crowded, more laid back. Great to check out, it is part of the PV flavor!
Our first stop on our shore excursion in P.V. was here. It was on Wednesday. There was a huge Zumba class being conducted so we had to go around it. However the three of us did get a photo in. From here we walked up to Church of our Lady Guadalupe a block away. I wished we had more time but it was a warm sunny day. And great view of the Pacific Ocean.
First time here and had a great time. Soo much to see and do around el malecon. So many great food options and beaches to walk through. Bring your water shoes for a better experience. Most of the restaurants and shops around speak English which was nice. I did notice the vendors like to bargain on their merchandise. We would ask for prices and when we would start walking off they would lower the price if we asked for the lowest price they would continue dropping the price. So beware of paying full price for souvenirs. Overall great walk and lots of culture.
8 months ago
Lovely waterfront boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta. Beautiful walk along the bay. Lots of sculptures and art pieces to look at while you enjoy the views. Nice way to spend a few hours, getting some steps in, and enjoying the sights. read more
Cities with scenic waterfront walks are hard to resist, and in the best cases, those promenades provide the most lasting impression a visitor has of that city. That's true of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Shanghai and the Bund, and Havana and the other Malecon. This stroll is just as essential, a mile-long path that provides the gravitational pull between Centro and Zona Romantica. This esplanade reflects the genuine appeal of Puerto Vallarta through a robust collection of public art set against Banderas Bay. Beyond the unique sculptures are the requisite retail shops, art galleries, and eateries. Street performers periodically show up on the promenade, and more organized entertainment is scheduled at the Los Arcos Amphitheater (Photo 8). Take the time to enjoy this artery of life. RELATED - Exploring Puerto Vallarta? Here's my collection of places l've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/88s-_--FY7 read more
This is the main boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta and it is everything it is made out to be. From the metal and sand sculptures to the magnificent sweep of the bay, this is a must visit spot in town. We visited last week and while the day was hot and muggy, we stayed in the shade and made the most of it. Would love to come back. read more
Cute waterfront walkway that takes you along the town. There's loads of restaurants and bars from one end to the other. Vendors selling things and street performers on deck. There's also the main square that's right in the middle. You can walk it from the romantic zone of PV on the walkway and it'll take you straight to it. The Puerto Vallarta sigh is right in the path which there's always a line for pictures. It's also pretty organized as everyone is always lined up waiting for their turn with the backdrop. You'll have your restaurants that you're familiar with as it's also a tourist area. Nightclubs are also held here in the evening. Nice little spot along the path if you're looking to just sit and enjoy the water or the boats passing by. The beach is pretty rocky so I'm not sure if you're allowed to swim. read more
1 year ago
A must experience overlooking the ocean, beaches and great shops + restaurants of Puerto Vallarta. Malecón is like no other as a mile long 12-block path with quite a bite to enjoy including it's statues, installations and unique art. We passed a guy balancing stones on the beach, the stone man who plays chess and tons of wonderful sites. The Vallarta dancers captured in a beautiful pose. Witness the incredible acrobats several times. Partook in beverages at Senor Frogs as well as La Bodeguita del Medio. Watching the sunsets, feeling the beautiful breeze and doing all the local as well as visitor/touristy things will make you "cantar!" read more
The Malecon boardwalk is a touristy location located next to the beach, filled with restaurants, bars, and gift shops. They have so many photo op places due to all the statues, benches, and decorations they have up. The sunsets here are absolutely stunning. The prices for food in the area are a bit higher due to tourism but the food hits every time! They also have clubs in the area. Not my scene, but it looked fun and they have a bunch of quirky things to look at. Take a stroll through the streets to find some of the best hidden gems. read more
Fun place to take in the coast with a nice stroll along the walk. Plenty of vendors with a range of goods. The persistent offers of time shares can get tiring. After awhile we just ignored them. Lots of tasty street food offerings as well. Plentiful options for watering holes as well. read more
7 months ago
7 months ago
A must do. Take your time there are lots to see. From restaurants, shops, food carts and people watching. There are always so many events going on during the holidays one just might not have enough time to see everything. read more
A must see for tourists and visitors who want to get a taste and feel of the city! Plenty of local shops and restaurants along the ocean!! Lots of locals are there to enjoy precious time with their family and friends!!! They do charge ten pesos per person to use the public toilets though, but it is air conditioned and clean!!!! read more
Was in PV and took an uber to the Malecón boardwalk area and so glad I did. What a beautiful area. Lots of restaurants, shops, vendors. I felt safe and lots of tourists and locals. So glad I checked this area out. Loved all the beautiful statues along the walk way. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
A great laid back way to take in a portion of the city. Great views, super wide, lots of sculptures to explore. Some stretches of sand to walk or play in, but much better beaches just a bit south. A lot of things I read called this a "boardwalk," but that's not literally true, it's a typical malecon. There were vendors in a few pockets, but they were quite unobtrusive; definitely doesn't have the tackiness that boardwalks in the US tend to have. read more
A place you must visit when you are in Puerto Vallarta or you'll see it one way or another. It is the main promenade space alongside the Pacific Ocean, in an area with many shops and restaurants. There are many photo opportunities here, I love the statues (some sculpted by Bustamante) here, the old arch, the views. A place to walk around, linger, people watch. It is an important part of the town, but never very crowded, more laid back. Great to check out, it is part of the PV flavor! read more
3 years ago
Our first stop on our shore excursion in P.V. was here. It was on Wednesday. There was a huge Zumba class being conducted so we had to go around it. However the three of us did get a photo in. From here we walked up to Church of our Lady Guadalupe a block away. I wished we had more time but it was a warm sunny day. And great view of the Pacific Ocean. read more
First time here and had a great time. Soo much to see and do around el malecon. So many great food options and beaches to walk through. Bring your water shoes for a better experience. Most of the restaurants and shops around speak English which was nice. I did notice the vendors like to bargain on their merchandise. We would ask for prices and when we would start walking off they would lower the price if we asked for the lowest price they would continue dropping the price. So beware of paying full price for souvenirs. Overall great walk and lots of culture. read more
If you are visiting Puerto Vallarta, you must visit Malecon Puerto Vallarta. This is a tourist site. They are known to visitors as the downtown of PV. There are many artworks on display here. Lots of street vendors and stores that sells souvenirs. There are restaurants on the strips. Everyone in the area speaks English. Most of the people visiting here are tourists. There are nightly performances as well along with day time performance. The walk was really nice and it was pretty much flat when you walk along the seawall. There are some hills if you walk in the opposite direction from the seawall. PV most of the time has really nice weather and makes visiting this place a great option. read more
Feb 2024 Update - The Malecon remains one of my favorite pedestrian walkways that I have encountered over the years during my travels. So much to see and explore as you walk along the ocean especially at Sunset with a nice breeze coming of the ocean. I snapped these shots tonite of an amazing sunset and wanted to share them on Yelp! read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
The Malecón, Puerto Vallarta is fun to see day and night, but it's also super touristy and kinda annoying. Vendors selling crap everywhere, cheeseball restaurants and hordes of people. The sculptures are cool, views of the ocean are nice, but again the schlocky tourist stuff detracts from the overall vibe. I dunno... I walked it 3-4 times day and night, didn't hate it but didn't love it either. It was "OK." 3.5 stars read more
4 years ago
It's Puerto Vallarta's version of Santa Monica's 3rd street promenade. Except its (literally!) right next to the shore. And it's oh, so beautiful! It was part of our day tour, and it really is a must-stop for any and all tourists. I imagine it's a place for locals and ex-pats as well. So much to see and so much to do. Lots of tourists , that is true, but there are plenty of bars, plenty of souvenir shops (most sell souvenirs for cheaper compared to the flea markets a few blocks away) and plenty of eateries to accommodate everyone. We were lucky enough to have a guide as she educated us with a lot of history, explaining the statues proudly displayed across the entire boardwalk AND pointed out the "sleeping lady" behind the waters. There are lots to do and lots to see. There are also many local artists showcasing their products - sandcastle makers, stone artists, sand and coffee art, etc... It is also where you will find the giant PUERTO VALLARTA sign. (What's cool about this part is that everyone is courteous about taking their turns taking solo or group pictures. People were so nice!) A must stop for everyone visiting this city. Highly recommending! read more
I've visited Puerto Vallarta several times and this is always my favorite local attraction. I like the many pieces of art along the path, the traditional pole entertainment, the wide, nicely paved, palm tree-lined path near the beach and the many bars and restaurants. read more
1 year ago
fun and easy place to walk around and see different art and street performers. lots of different shops. there were also some ladies with huge birds that you could take pictures with for a small price. the weather was great and you can stop at the beach if you wanted to as well. there are a lot of people trying to stop you to buy things or braid your hair but you can just keep walking and they move on. there was also these people climbing this pole and swinging down and ropes upside down it was so random! read more
The malecón is a pleasant place to visit during the day but night time is when the malecón really comes alive - and not just because of the many different theme bars. On Thursdays and Sundays there is music and public dancing in the main plaza across the street in front of the main church from 7-9pm - often followed by a comedy show in the malecón amphitheater - plus rocking horses, sculptures, and elaborate holiday decorations to "interact" with - or just photograph. At 8:45pm each night, the pirate ship shoots fireworks from its cannons before heading back to the marina. There are public restrooms available but go to a restaurant to avoid having to pay to use one. Creating your own balanced rock "sculpture" is always free. Most daytime performances by local "Aztec" dancers, Papantla flyers, the "sand man, and others, continue until late at night. Well worth coming on different days at different times to compare the entertainment activities available read more
All that and a bucket of fish! Literally. I had so much shellfish on this beach. Really good, really fresh and totally amazing shellfish from a fish stand. Barely a stand but just a guy shucking away and people sitting nearby on the rocks/ beach eating. Can't get beachier. For the beach itself, it's nice. Long boardwalk/ beach walk along the water all the way down. You can bypass the main area, sailboat pier, boardwalk, the giant puerto Vallarta sign. Everything really. Eating under the bridge on this beach was a highlight for me. And no, it was totally not touristy or a tourist trap since I walked past so many of those: this one's just have locals eating. Regardless, I get excited about shellfish almost anywhere. But this one was just cool and delish! What's not to like. The only regret: no carrying more cash! It was cash only! Understandably! Overall, not very fun to lounge but fun to walk and eat on this board walk/beach walk thing. Bring cash! And eat everything! read more
Puerto Vallarta is my very favorite city in Mexico, and the central Malecón Boardwalk is one of the most gorgeous things in town. It's completely free to wander the boardwalk, which runs along the ocean. Touristy shops are on the street side, but there are some very local restaurants too. I love to visit early in the morning and hit up my favorite espresso bar and sit outside, enjoying a nice coffee and the warm sea breezes. Along the boardwalk, you'll find artists set up selling their works (most aren't very good, but many are paintings or drawings of Puerto Vallarta, which make memorable, personal souvenirs), and many sand castle artists or beach rock sculptors create on the sandy shores. Most of the castle builders have tip jars so make sure you put in some coins before taking a photo. The boardwalk can get crowded, particularly when a large cruise ship is in town, but otherwise it's just the right combination of peaceful and bustling. One of my absolute favorite things about the city. read more
We loved the sculptures, the design of the sidewalks, the cool downtown vibe (lots of shops, restaurants, photo ops). We hated the constant barrage of vendors that interrupted us all during our walk. Lots of places to stop for a cool drink and view of the ocean. Lots of places to buy souvenirs, trinkets and such. Street vendors and shops. read more
If you are in PV, Visiting the Malecón Boardwalk is a must. It's easy to navigate with tons of stores, random bars + restaurants, cool sculptures, and great entertainment all along the boardwalk. There's a lot of photo opportunities so you'll find a lot of foreigners there. With that being said, I felt extremely safe when I was in the Malecón Boardwalk. I saw a couple of police officers patrolling the streets. It made me feel at ease, knowing that we were all in a safe environment. There are many ways to get here: Walking (free!) City bus (10 pesos - which is equivalent to 50 cents per person. So cheap! There's tons of buses since that's what a lot of citizens of PV utilize.) Uber (I ended up using Uber and it was about $3.50 for my whole ride. Great thing about Uber is you pay through the app! So easy and convenient. I talked with my friendly Uber driver and he said more and more people are utilizing Uber since it's the more economical than the traditional taxi) Taxi (I ended up taking the traditional taxi the day before and it cost be $12! Good thing is, they are everywhere. Bad thing is, they can scam you and up the price if you look like a visitor. A taxi (here in PV) doesn't have a traditional meter like the ones you see in the US.) read more
A must stop for a Puerto Vallarta trip. With many stores, restaurants and art landmarks to offer, you can definitely find yourself spending a full day here and even if you do the nightlife transforms this place to a completely different place that is more geared to the party scene. Loud music blaring and young kids partying and enjoying their time in Mexico. I'm in the in between age so this worked for me just fine. This place has the Puerto Vallarta sign, a church and my favorite Cuban restaurant, La Bodeguita Del Medio. read more
7 years ago
Very comfortable walks in front of the beautiful beach with many restaurants and stores. The Malecon in Puerto Vallarta is clean and well maintained. I'm there for a couple of times. The last time was 10+ years ago when the Malecon was not very long after the rebuild. The Malecon still looks good after many years! It has many more restaurants and stores now. I really enjoy walking in front of the Puerto Vallarta Malecon. This boardwalk is not very crowded and many spots for pictures. If you're there by a cruise ship. Taxi from the cruise port is $8 - $10 USD only. read more
9 years ago
Malecon is 20 Mins away from Puerto Vallarta Airport. Taxi will take you there under 100 Pesos. During our stay and preparing, we kept hearing about this place and its boardwalk. So we took a taxi and headed to the downtown and boardwalk both are same place. The boardwalk extends about a Mile. But keep going till the end, where the real Beach starts with amazing restaurants. One side of Boardwalk is Ocean, Art, Sculptures and Performers while other is filled with shops and food.It is very lively with Street Artists and performers. We also did the Parasailing which we enjoyed a lot. Shopped lot of Mexican sweets and candies. The Crowd is always happy and Lively. Malecon is one of the very vibrant touristy places on Puerto Vallarta. read more
The Malecón is arguably the signature trademark of Puerto Vallarta. If you are visiting PV, the Malecón is a must-see. Here, you can stroll along palm-lined ocean vistas, watch pelicans diving, and often see smaller whales breaching within a few hundred meters of shore. read more
11 years ago
Guess what? You are allow to drink on the street! yup, just like Vegas but minus the glass bottles, because the city does not want you to get too drunk and break it on their streets. It's pretty touristy so the police are all around in their cars or walking around just to keep things safe. Puerto Vallarta's downtown. I love the atmosphere here. If you live by a hotel by the Malecon, you must check it out. There are a couple of shops, few bars, restaurants and the beach coast. Don't forget to check out their weird looking sculpture, they all have a meaning to it and if you want to know the meaning, City tour will guide you here and will explain (you've been warned, the ride is pretty bumpy but safe) Daylight is calmer than nightlife. During the day, get some sun shine in you, eat some food on the broadway and take some photos with the sculpture. Everywhere is competitive, so don't be too alert when restaurants people try to convince you to eat at their place. - under the bridge, there's a small seafood stand. Fresh oysters/clam and shrimp. Must go around 9am to get the freshest seafood. Nightlife is pretty intense. All the bars and club wants to be heard. Majority of the people will try to pull you in and want you in. Few places have covers and a few don't. Locals like to buy bottle service even though drinks are already cheap, but it's the people who they are around worth is worth the pay it seems. Met a few locals and they were fun and great! Weekend nights, - free performance during the week night - weekend nights, lots of food stands Overall, if it weren't the super loud music, where i cannot hear myself talk at night time, I would have given it a full rate. read more
After Googling "what to do in Puerto Vallarta," most searches and things listed to see pointed directly to the Malecon. The Malecon is basically a sidewalk that runs along the shore in the "old Puerto Vallarta," for about a mile, that's lined with hotels, street vendors, art work, shops, and restaurants. Some notable but not impressive things to see is the amphitheater - a small, sunken area at the north end that features a set of arches as its backdrop. There are a few sculptures along the way like a seahorse and what looked like a dancing couple. The others were forgettable. I also saw numerous tequila shops, touristy junk shops, and the infamous OXXO chain of 7 Eleven-like convenience stores where I grabbed some much needed lemon iced tea. A street vendor was selling fresh oysters under the bridge; eek no thank you! The further south you go, the more refined it gets, especially with the restaurants (see my review for La Palapa and Daquiri Dick's!) It's a nice, safe walk without too many peddlers. Sunsets are gorgeous. Definitely take a stroll, but also wander through the streets, and experience PV for all its old world charm. read more
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More info about Malecón Puerto Vallarta
Paseo Díaz Ordaz S/N
48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Mexico
Directions
Hours
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
