When walking the waterfront, pause to take in the city's favorite gathering point
The seaside promenade known as El Malecon is the most popular walking destination in Puerto Vallarta. Between the ocean vistas, sculpture exhibits and people watching, there’s no shortage of things to take in. But as you make your way south towards the mouth of the Rio Cuale and the Zona Romántica, you might want to make a short detour inland to take in several of the city’s most prominent landmarks.
When you arrive at the broad patio that houses the Malecón’s iconic Los Arcos sculpture, cross the street to Presidencia Square, which locals may refer to as the Plaza de Armas. This shaded oasis is a center point for city life. There is live music most nights, and everyone from toddlers and teens to seniors come together to mingle, dance and take in the sea air. After possibly pausing for a refreshment from a street vendor, pop into the lobby of the municipal building on the north side of the square, which houses a stairwell mural painted by native son Manuel Lepe Macedo.
Next, make your way a block up Independencia Street to the steps of the church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. The first thing you’ll notice is the highly ornate bell tower, which includes a clock that is topped with a crown supported by a ring of sculpted angels. Other details of the exterior are equally ornate and eclectic, and the guidebooks have a hard time pinning any one architectural style on the structure, which includes elements of the Baroque, Renaissance and Neoclassical. The story behind this church is that it was a work in progress for more than 60 years, with various parish priests adding their own tastes and ideas to the design as work progressed.
