15 Things Not To Miss On The Puerto Vallarta Malecon Boardwalk

The Puerto Vallarta Malecón boardwalk is the boardwalk that runs for over a kilometer in the main area of downtown PV. The Malecón is a great place to walk any time of the day, and is super safe and lively.

With the Puerto Vallarta Malecon boardwalk being one of the biggest attractions in Puerto Vallarta, there are many things to do on the Malecón at all times of the day!

After living in Puerto Vallarta for fourteen weeks, during two separate times, eight weeks in the high season and six weeks in the off-season, we’ve had countless experiences along the Puerto Vallarta Malecón.

Is it touristy? Yes! But it’s also a really lovely place for a walk in the city.

Puerto Vallarta Malecon Boardwalk FAQs

15 Things to Do on the Puerto Vallarta Malecón Boardwalk

Across a number of different websites, you’ll find the Malecón boardwalk to start and end at different locations, and ranging in distances.

However, we’d argue the Malecon is the entire walking path that lines the beach from 5 de Diciembre to the Romantic Zone. With that in mind, these 15 things to do on the Malecon Puerto Vallarta are based on the idea that the Malecon runs from Hotel Rosita to just past the Los Muertos Pier.

1. Walk The Malecón During the Day 

Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón is the perfect place to enjoy a walk right along the water. It’s all paved, and with no steps, it is accessible to all.

During the day, you’ll experience a completely different vibe than at night, and while very lively, it’s also a great calm stroll along the Banderas Bay!

2. Experience The Malecón Transformation At Night

As the sun fades away, the Malecón transforms into a crazy nightlife scene.

Music is blaring and can be heard from far away. Laser lights, disco balls, and people dancing in cages can be found near the clubs. And the hustle and bustle of the vendors turns to people dressed in black trying to get you to party with them.

Don’t let that all scare you. It’s really only for one section of the Malecón close to The Zoo.

Aside from that one area, which you really should at least walk by to experience even if you don’t join in, the Malecón is a great place for a night walk.

3. Take A Photo of The Puerto Vallarta Sign

Huge block letters with beautiful paintings spell out Puerto Vallarta right on the Malecón.

With the ocean as the backdrop, this is a great place to snag a photo or two of your group while visiting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

In our experience, this area goes in waves of being super crowded with a line of people waiting for their photos, to having nobody at all there.

I’d recommend just passing on by it if there’s a crowd and going back to it for your photo later.

4. See The Flying Men of Puerto Vallarta

Deemed a protected heritage site, the flying men of Puerto Vallarta are basically historical stunt devils!

Voladores de Papantla is the actual name of these flying men, however, they’re also referred to as birdmen… and their show is quick, yet, insane!

You’ll know the flyers are getting ready to fly when you start hearing a man playing a flute. At this point, four other men, all dressed in traditional clothing climb a pole.. Let me rephrase that, a really, really, tall pole.

Once they reach the top, they wind four strings of rope around individual bars, then tie themselves to the end of the rope. After they’re all settled in, they fall off the top of the pole in unison, flying in circles as they get closer and closer to the ground.

We’ve seen this show so many times, and every time I’m just as nervous as the last that one of the ropes is going to get loose or break!

If you watch this show, be prepared to pay the men for the performance they just did. They almost magically show up behind you to ask or tips when the show is over!

But don’t worry, give them a few coins, and they’re super happy! One time I paid the guys while Jay was taking photos, and they asked Jay for money, but we told him I already gave money and they were super nice about it and happy!

5. Grab A Beer And Watch The Waves Roll In

Whenever we travel, we try and mimic what we often see the locals doing. Seeing locals popping into an OXXO or Modelorama to grab a beer, then enjoying it on the beach, or shoot even on a street corner is one of our favorites!

Drinking in public is acceptable in Puerto Vallarta. Just be sure to bring your cans to the trash when you’re done!

Our top tip for enjoying a beer in Puerto Vallarta, is to keep the big glass bottles! You have to pay a 9 peso deposit for the bottle, which is waved every time you exchange the glass bottle for a new one.

The bottle doesn’t have to be the same brand, any of the big beer glass bottles can be exchanged for any other type. Our favorite is getting a 1 liter bottle of Pacifico to share (usually around 47 pesos)!

To avoid the bottle fee, keep your eyes peeled when walking the streets of PV, you’ll likely find a large glass bottle laying around!

Alternatively, our favorite canned beer is a Victoria, and they’re often on sale 2 x 44 pesos! Bring a coozie and enjoy this delicious Mexican beer!

6. Cool Down With A Paleta

On the street corner across from Starbucks near Los Arcos Amphitheater, you’ll find a little paleta shop. This place makes amazing fruit popsicles!

You can get plain fruit, or a fruit and cream, along with many other flavors! All of which are great for a cooling your body down from the inside out!

7. Shop The Cuale Island Market

There are two different street markets along the Malecón. One is right off the Malecón before crossing the bridge to the Romantic Zone.

This one is called Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale, and it’s both an indoor and outdoor market selling everything you could imagine.

The second market is The Cuale Island Flea Market. This one is on the island between the Centro Zone and the Romantic Zone. We preferred this market, as you’re really just walking down the middle of an island with shops on both sides of the path.

Top tip… don’t buy from the first person you chat with — shop around to see what kind of prices things should be! The first prices everyone gives are super high!

8. Find The Crocodile In The River

Yes, you read that right.. Puerto Vallarta has crocodiles and a few other dangerous animals too.

Thankfully, the crocodiles really just stay to themselves. The famous one in downtown Puerto Vallarta can often be seen from the walking bridge on the Malecón connecting the Centro and Romantic zones.

9. Snag A Snack From The Street Food Vendors

Elotes, chips with hot sauce in a bag, hot dogs, crepes, and more! A big mix of random foods can be found at the street vendors .

I would consider most of these street stalls to be more of a snack than a meal, but it’s the perfect thing to hold you over before finding tacos in Puerto Vallarta!

The street stalls are open usually early afternoon to early evening, though some stay open into the night.

10. Photograph The Many Sculptures

There are multiple art installments along the Malecón. Many famous Mexican artist have created sculptures that are spread along the beachfront.

Some of them are even created to be interactive, like climbing the ladder at the “In Search of Reason” sculpture by Sergio Bustamante.

If you want to learn more about the art installments, mid-November through mid-April, there is a free walking tour every Tuesday at 9:30am. Learn more about it here.

11. Watch A Show At Los Arcos

Los Arcos is another art installment of four arches. However, at this installment, there is a stage and an amphitheater.

In the evenings, you’ll find shows put on by clowns, actors dressed in interesting attire and more. Some shows are not so great, but others offer a great place to get a laugh in, even if you don’t speak Spanish.

12. Venture Off the Malecón to Yambak Brewery

While we love a good Pacifico on the beach, a craft beer is nice every once in a while!

We visited all the breweries in Puerto Vallarta, and Yambak was hands down our favorite! Their passionfruit beer is something else!

This brewery opens at 4:20, and is usually open until midnight or later on the weekends. Happy Hour here is different daily — and it’s worth noting, the 2 x 1 beers on Tuesdays are not every beer, but instead only one house beer. The beer of the week that’s on the 2 x 1 for happy hour changes, so be sure to ask the bar tender before ordering 8 beers like we did one night!

Happy Hour Schedule

• Tuesday | 2 x 1 beers and some mixed drinks
• Wednesday | Fill a growler for 120 per liter
• Thursday | Pizza and a pint for 180 MXN

READ MORE | Where to Find Craft Beer in Puerto Vallarta

13. Enjoy A Margarita On A Second Floor Restaurant

There are some places in Puerto Vallarta where margaritas run under 100 pesos. However, most margaritas in Puerto Vallarta are around 160 MXN pesos.

We were super surprised to see this was the same price at the restaurants along the Malecón!

Go up to the second-floor restaurants and enjoy a margarita while you watch the busyness of the Puerto Vallarta Malecón boardwalk below, and have a better view of the ocean from above!

14. Take In The Sunset From Los Muertos Pier

Our first time in Puerto Vallarta, the Los Muertos Pier was lit up every single night. During our second visit, we only saw the pier lit up once.

With that said, this pier is a sight to see even without it lighting up at night.

Catch the sunset from the pier itself, or if you’re into photography, shoot the sunset with the pier in your shot! It’s beautiful.

15. Say, “No, Gracias” More Times Than You Can Count

The Malecón is an extremely touristy place in Puerto Vallarta. With that comes a lot of people wanting to sell you something.

Get used to saying, “No, Gracias” or no, thank you as it translates to in English. And honestly, you’ll have to also get used to just ignoring people.

Restaurant and bar workers will literally walk up to you and bombard you, and the second you give them any sort of attention, they won’t leave you alone.

It’s okay to just shake your head no and keep walking, say “no, gracias” or just completely ignore them all together as you continue the conversation you’re having with whoever you’re walking with.

It sounds mean, and it’s actually hard to do — but you have to remember, they don’t care about you.. they are salespeople trying to talk you into spending money at their restaurant or bar.

Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón Key Take Aways

It’s touristy, but if you embrace it it can be fun. While living in Puerto Vallarta, I would go in and out of wanting nothing to do with being on the Malecón and around so many people.

And that’s totally okay!

There are times you just need some space and not to get haggled! But if you just embrace the chaos, it really is a lovely place to walk in Puerto Vallarta.

Try walking closer to the actual beach instead of close to the shops. Along the beach, you won’t get bothered by as many people and you can really get lost in the romance a beach walk can bring.

Don’t let the workers get to you. The haggling can be a lot. Just say no, and when it’s too much don’t even respond at all. And then don’t listen to the comments they make under their breath sometimes after!

It’s okay to stay in your own conversation and thoughts without responding to the salespeople that will inevitably try to interrupt them.

And lastly, don’t miss these things NOT to do on the Malecón.. trust us, you’ll want to read them! (coming soon)

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