Your morning panoramic view includes a sky with a curtain of brilliant, clear, and clean blue, with a glistening yellow sun. Sunlight glistening against a sea that swells then retreats.
Vibrantly colored signs increase your intrigue and become your first of boundless photo ops as you walk along the Puerto Vallarta Malecon. Vacation is here! 
Puerto Vallarta Malecon – Boundless Fun Discovery
What will you experience first? That’s a personal decision and maybe one best made after taking one stroll down and back before deciding. An amble by the seashore, yet removed by a pathway above. Does it get any better?
In fact, it does because your walk includes everything from souvenir shopping to an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the ocean. But wait, there’s more, yes a very famous set of four words we hear in commercials to sell us, but truly apply to the Puerto Vallarta Malecon.
It’s free to walk along and enjoy, so what are you waiting for? Put on your favorite, comfy walking shoes, some sunscreen, and go!
You Came To Puerto Vallarta. Start Uncovering It!
So, you’ve arrived, and you might be staying at the Hotel Buenaventura or somewhere close to the Malecon which is great for a daily walk. Don’t just sit poolside, it’s not scary out there, in fact, it’s fabulous.
Walk. Enjoy. Photo. Gawk. Admire. Journey. Cure Wanderlust! Yes, Wanderlust is like a disease that can’t be settled until you get out there and experience things. So when in Puerto Vallarta head to the Malecon.
Taxis can take you there, and they abound. IF you are closer, as mentioned at the Hotel Buenaventura or other hotels in the same vicinity walk. It’s a few steps out of your resort doorway!
We walked beyond the One mile/11 blocks and actually even followed a makeshift path.
Puerto Vallarta Malecon- A No-Cost Option For Touring Fun
Sometimes you seek out things that cost nothing. Why? Because you want to do everything, but everything costs too much.
Rather, try experiencing the Puerto Vallarta Malecon. Where everything is preset with each step. Something translates to walking, seeing, experiencing, and remembering.
The only costs you incur are those that you purchase.
However, there’s so much to see, you could spend zero pesos and have the best memories ever!
Puerto Vallarta Malecon: Our Unofficial Official Area We Covered
We walked from the very beginning of the Malecon to the makeshift path area in Old Vallarta. I’ll be honest, I am not sure where we had the most fun or experienced the most. We began our journey from the Buenaventura Hotel and walked all the way into Old Vallarta.
The thing is, I felt as if we had not, the Malecon walk did not count! So, Phase 1, the official Malecon as most tourists know, including the famed Puerto Vallarta Sign, then to the Malecon II, then onwards to Old Vallarta.
Yes, we checked out hotels in Old Vallarta, and their pools and beaches. Then on the way back we walked on a few streets removed (with traffic and stayed on sidewalks) to really get a feel for the area.
Once we walked back towards the Cuale River (Malecon ll) we shopped (there’s a great set of vendors below this bridge at particular times), and finally centered back to the Puerto Vallarta Malecon PROPER, lol! Really is there anything proper when you travel?
Timing For Our Adventures on The Puerto Vallarta Malecon. Traveler Tip
We walked from Buenaventura Hotel to Los Muerto Pier strolling slowly, stopping, shopping, and eating, and the round trip we a few hours each time.
Great vendors, fabulous foodie finds delectable, thirst-quenching drinks, and all of the Malecon. Plus, a bonus walk into Old Puerto Vallarta, Los Muerto Pier, The Romantic Zone, Cuale River Vendors, and more at a basic pace, was 3+ hours but this was daily so we stopped at different places each time.
To truly uncover the Puerto Vallarta Malecon, stay close, visit both day and night, and more than once!
The Puerto Vallarta Malecon Offers…
- 11+ blocks to walk along without any vehicles. It’s Pedestrians only.
- Food.
- Beverages (seek out margaritas, they are so inexpensive and tasty along here!)
- Souvenirs ( authentic items, I’ll tell you where)
- Stores
- Adventures (that’s a whole other story but you can book them along the Malecon)
- Catcalling! (oh please, it’s hysterical)
- Many Cha-weenies (see above, our one guide told us they call them ChaWeenies, LOL)
- Frozen Treats
- Entertainment
- Artwork
- & this is the shortlist!
- Day and Night Life
Puerto Vallarta Malecon. Follow the Road To Endless Discovery
Sometimes you will be looking down streets that boast quaintness, or other times boldly painted buildings.
Every street is different and intriguing, and we walked them all! As you know, when I hit a destination, I cover territory, it’s the best way to experience it in my travel world.
Discovering the Puerto Vallarta Malecon – Follow the Cobblestone Road!
Use this Puerto Vallarta Malecon experience as your ‘follow the yellow brick road’ moment!
Begin at the ‘cobblestone road’ until it turns into this path that blocks all traffic, where no vehicles (EVEN Taxis) are allowed
You’ve then arrived at the Puerto Vallarta Malecon. is a nice stretch of shops, eateries, bars, and entertainment areas, laden along the way with artwork, and plazas.
We walked from Buenaventura Hotel to Los Muerto Pier strolling slowly, stopping, shopping, and eating, and the round trip we were at about 3 hours. We loved the vendors, the food, the drinks, and all of the Malecon. , Old Puerto Vallarta, Los Muerto Pier, The Romantic Zone, Cuale River Vendors, and more!
By Night The Puerto Vallarta Malecon –
Our first journey was at night. The night we arrived. Walking is always fun, but watching my kids see everything along the way for the first time was great too!
By night the Malecon is romantic and more adult-driven, yet it also can be family-oriented too (depending on what you choose to see and experience)
Sculptures (1)
Photo with the sculptures at night, there are fewer people and more opps! Walk, seek. Photo!
The beginning of the Malecon (where taxis can no longer get to) is where you will find McDonald’s, how’s that for funny? As you move along you will see many works of art, and sculptures.
So whatever this little chica was giving, she got back, just saying and having dumb fun!
Puerto Vallarta Malecone Famed Signs – By Night
Seek this out both day and night. By Nte, we had an easier time snapping a photo without anyone else in it, by day a bit tougher but possible.
Just for kicks, I let the boys be the true brothers they are and have fun with the sign! Naturally, they all played along! ♥
Shopping By Night on The Puerto Vallarta Malecon
Here’s something fantastic. By day we had visited and I did not buy. By night, I was ready to commit and so were the owners of the store! In fact, they discounted what I wanted without haggling, and anything, they wanted to close and sell, so we had the perfect storm for purchasing some authentic dishware I really had wanted.
Suggestion: Shop a bit later and find a bargain?
By Day On the Puerto Vallarta Malecon
Papantla Pole Flyers
We stopped to see the Papantla pole flyers perform. Sometimes I would worry that they were going to fall, other times I just watched in awe. Can you believe how high up they are performing? It’s a must-see. Did I mention it’s free to watch this show? Walk, and watch.
Plaza De Armas along the Puerto Vallarta Malecon
For those that started their walk-off at the Hotel Rosita )where the Malecon officially begins and ends here, you are at the end of Malecon l. But there’s more as I mentioned before.
While you are here, you’ll successfully feed your soul, belly, and eyes with entertainment, food, and scenery!
Brilliant, bright, colorful, cultural, and very authentic Mexico is the best way I can describe this particular area.
Your Puerto Vallarta Malecon Walk Deserves This Blissful Frozen Treat
While I was taking the photos above in the plaza, behind me there was a small line. Curious as to what it was? Well, frozen fabulous fruit bars, unparalleled popsicles satisfaction.
We experienced these fruit bars for the first time on our walking Taco Tour in Puerto Vallarta and this is the vendor/eatery to go to for the best of the best! If you can then of a flavor, they already did!
Strawberry, banana, papaya, pineapple, and so on. Fresh made daily, so a must-try treat.
Lady Of Guadalupe Church (La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe)
In this same general area, a few streets off of the Malecon, you will find Lady Of Guadalupe Church, and of course, I always stop at churches. Churches are always a great architecture find and a way to get a blessing of luck and health.
On the church, steps you might find nuns selling items.
In the same area, vendors line the street, and you can purchase fresh, delicious candy. 
This is in the main square of the Malecon, you will be standing seaside it will be across from you, I loved the architecture!
Puerto Vallarta Malecon II Area: THE SANDMAN
This señor was what I called the Sand Man. He looked totally surreal, and non-living, but it was so cool. I believe he was coated in sand, and pouring sand!
CUALE RIVER OR THE BRIDGE TO OLD PUERTO VALLARTA?
Continue on beyond this point and suddenly you can choose your path: do you want to visit the Cuale River shops (vendors) or do you want to walk over the bridge and head to Old Vallarta and Lost Muertos Beach? We did it all. You will find steps here to go to the Cuale River Vendors, if you do this you will not be going on to Old Puerto Vallarta and Los Muertos.
Chances are you will get preoccupied (we did) and then have to go another day, which we did as well!
Cuale River offers some really great vendors, that are more than willing to negotiate prices from vanilla to decor this is a must-stop shopping destination. The vendors do close up at about 9P (at least during Feb) so make sure to get there ahead of this.
We shopped early in the day and had a huge selection of items. I do feel that the best prices are along the market walk on the Cuale River as these vendors will negotiate freely.
Old Puerto Vallarta
Seriously love the shopping along the way and we made sure we stopped and shopped at stores with TripAdvisor signs only. The owners all worked with us on bulk purchases and we could not have been happier.
Los Muertos Pier
When I thought it just could not get any better I just looked forward and sweeping palms, beaches, and lovely seascapes beckoning for photos.
Do not miss out on the Malecon experience in Puerto Vallarta, Los Muertos Pier, Old Puerto Vallarta, and the Cuale River walk. It’s tropical, beautiful, enamoring, and a fun shopping, and eating way to learn the area.
Where to go and What to do?
I think travel can be overwhelming so if you break the area you are visiting down into smaller segments you will come away with a great way to plan your time and move through the area. I am definitely the Queen of walking and adventure.
My love of breaking down an area into history, culture, nightlife, food, and lodging takes me all over and lets me really get a feel for everywhere we go.
Puerto Vallarta is undeniably a unique stay and its set up of the Malecon is perfection offering a large, wide-open walking, and shopping area without the worry of cars. Shop till you drop, drink, eat, enjoy the sunset, indulge in the nightlife, history, and some landmarks, as you walk the Puerto Vallarta Malecon.
Need more articles to fall in love with Puerto Vallarta and plan your trip? Here are a few:
Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive Resort
Puerto Vallarta Airport Private Car Transfers
Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling at Los Arcos
Puerto Vallarta Taco Food Tour
Puerto Vallarta tour to San Sebastian del Oeste
