Walking Tour of Downtown Puerto Vallarta

This walking tour will introduce you to several of Puerto Vallarta’s major downtown areas: The Malecon, The Zocalo, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Casa Kimberly and Gringo Gulch, the Flea Market, the Rio Cuale, and Los Muertos Beach.  A good place to start is at the far north end of the Malecon at the intersection of Calle 31st de Deciembre and Paseo Diaz Ordaz, the street that is next to the Malecon (near the Rosarita Hotel.)  The Malecon is the walkway next to the beach that has become a focal point for a variety of activities in Puerto Vallarta (see Malecon Article). 

Down The Malecon
As you proceed south on the Malecon you will pass a number of incredible bronze sculptures as well as many amazing sand sculptures.  Often you can see the artists at work on the sand sculptures. On the other side of the street there is an incredible variety of bars, restaurants, and shops.  Follow the Malecon about eight blocks and you will come to the Los Arcos arches and amphitheater where there are many performances on the weekends. Sidetrip: If you want to pass up Liz Taylor’s former house, just go to the right of Los Arcos and you can follow the Malecon extension all the way to Los Muertos Beach.  Along the way, you can take a left at the bridge and take a further sidetrip on the tree shaded Rio Cuale Island.

As you pass by this area take note of the sixty foot pole sticking up in the air on the beach. This is where the famous Papantla Flyers perform on many weekends.  You can get a great view of the performance from the Viejo Vallarta restaurant second floor across the street. Click here for Malecon Pictures or Malecon Article

The Zocalo And Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Once you are at Los Arcos, turn left across the street an you will be on the Zocalo, which is the main City plaza where there are often performances in the gazebo on Thursday nights and weekends.  There are always a lot of people sitting on park benches and congregating around the Zocalo.  Keep on walking through the Zocalo and you will arrive at Puerto Vallarta’s famous Our Lady of Guadalupe Church (see Our Lady Of Guadalupe Church Article) with its beautiful architecture and unusual crown of angels. (If you have trouble hiking hills and stairs, skip the next section.  Just follow Hidalgo south as you come out of the Church until you come to Libertad.  Cross Libertad, turn left, and keep going on Libertad until you come to the Mercado on the right.) Click here for Our Lady of Cuadalupe Church Article

On To Liz’s And The Rio Cuale Lookout
Continue south on Hidalgo to the right of the Church (as you face it) and you will come to Zaragosa – make a left on Zaragosa.  Continue on about 100 yards up the somewhat steep steeps to 446 Zaragosa.  You will see a small bridge running over the street and connecting homes on either side of the street.  The home at 446 Zaragosa is known as Casa Kimberley and  was purchased by Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor when he was filming Night of the Iguana.  After they married, they bought the house on the other side of the street and connected the two with the small bridge.  Casa Kimberley has been a bed and breakfast and is currently being remodeled.  The area Casa Kimberley is in is called Gringo Gulch and is the area where foreigners first came to Puerto Vallarta.  It is know for white stucco houses with red tile roofs, and piles of bougainvillea spilling from the balconies. Continue on down Zaragosa about 100 yards as it curves left and you will be at a nice lookout high over the Rio Cuale.

To The Mercado
From the river lookout, turn around and start to walk down the hill on Guerrero. (do not turn right and go back on Zaragosa.)  Turn left when you get to Miramar Street and within a block you will come to Libertad Street.  The Mercado Municipal is located on the other side of Libertad Street.  The Mercado is know locally as the Flea Market and has a tremendous variety of tiny shops next to the Cuale River.

Cuale Rio Walk
Exiting the flea market, walk just a few yards south on Libertad Street and you turn right onto the banyon lined path that follows the river.  This is a very pleasant shady area that has shops along the way.  Follow it all the way to the end, under the bridge, and past Oscar’s Restaurant and you will get back to the southern extension of the Malecon next to the beach.

Los Muertos Beach
Get back on the Malecon to the left going south.  Keep walking along the new southern extension of the Malecon about 5 or 6 blocks until you get to Basillo Badillo.  Turn right on Basillo Badillo, walk about one block to the ocean, and make a left.  From here you can follow the path along the ocean for several blocks encountering some great seaside bars and restaurants along the way.  This is a great place to stop for something to eat or drink.  At many of the restaurants you can get food and bar service under a palapa on the beach. When you are ready to head home, just walk back to Basillo Badillo and
catch a taxi or bus back home.