The Malecon at Puerto Vallarta

The Malecon at Puerto Vallarta is a beach front strip of shops, restaurants and markets a few hundred meters long in the center of the main part of Puerto Vallarta.

The Malecon is also the main tourist drag, filled with mainly older Americans and Canadians escaping their respective winters to grab some sun, take advantage of the exchange rates and pick up a bargain.

Regardless of where you are in Puerto Vallarta, you won’t be more than a 15 minute bus ride from the Malecon. To get there, depending on whether you’re North or South of the Malecon at your hotel, you can get on one of the blue and white buses. Keep your eye on the front of the bus as it arrives because most of them have a list of the popular places they’re stopping written on the front window and you’ll see on many of them “Malecon” or “Centro” to denote that they’ll be stopping in the town center. Alternatively you can jump in a cab. Ask the cab driver “Cuanto Malecon?” and he’ll tell you how much to get there.

As for what you will and can see and do at the Malecon, here’s what you need to know.

1. Maybe leave your swimmers at home.

There’s little bits of sand accessible at the Malecon but it’s the busiest part of Puerto Vallarta AND it’s a really rocky area often with brutal swells. If you want to swim while you’re on Vacation there are many other better beach spots near by.

2. Shopping and Eating

This is basically what you’ll be focusing on as you tackle the Malecon. Walking from one end to the other you’ll pass many a bar, restaurant, and side market. For restaurants you can pick your scale, whether you want medium or high fanciness (look out for the restaurant with the (what seems like) 8 meter high cielings and fancy curtains… looks like you’re eating in a palace. My personal favorite are those with high balconies for a great view out in to the bay on a clear day (as most days are in Vallarta!).

And shopping… yikes. There are a countless little stores selling everything you could want while away on holiday in PV. You MIGHT have trouble finding super practical items and be forced to head back north up the highway to Walmart at the Marina, but for holiday stuff, clothes, towels, charms, bracelets, flip flops, hats, etc, the Malecon will have you covered. OH and I almost forgot, TEQUILA stores. If you’re into that sort of thing you’ll notice store after store with the claim that theirs and only theirs is the best Tequila in Mexico. Lots will give you a free taste too, so if you want to get drunk for free… that’s technically possible at the Malecon too.

One more thing: At the end of the Malecon is a bridge across to Old Town Vallarta. So if you didn’t get enough shopping and markets, or if you want to see a different, slightly quiter more authentic Mexican town, don’t forget to check that out either.

3. Strolling

Maybe the best thing to do at the Malecon… just taking your time, enjoying the view of almost 180 degree mountains and a serene, gently rippling bay against a backdrop of bright blue cloudless sky. There’s lots to do around the Malecon too, behind it, and to either side along the beach, so if you have more energy you won’t quickly be bored.

While the Malecon’s fun, make sure you don’t get sucked in to spending all your time there like alot of tourists. There’s lots to do in PV so allocate your time wisely and take it in for all it’s beauty.