Hop-On-Hop-Off City Bus Tour in Puerto Vallarta

The Malecón, Puerto Vallarta's Seafront Promenade

The Malecón is the most famous address in Puerto Vallarta: a pedestrian promenade of about a kilometre that runs along the ocean through the old town, with palm trees, fountains and a long line of bronze sculptures that have become symbols of the city, including the much-photographed seahorse rider. On one side are cafés, shops and colonial-style buildings; on the other the waves of the Bay of Banderas, one of the largest bays in Mexico.

From the bus you see the whole sweep of the waterfront and the open-air amphitheatre of Los Arcos, where street performers gather in the evening. If you hop off here, allow an hour to walk the promenade and look at the sculptures. The best time to visit the Malecón is late afternoon, when the light turns golden and the city waits for one of the Pacific sunsets that Puerto Vallarta is known for.

Downtown and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Just behind the Malecón rises the old centre, a hillside of whitewashed houses, red-tiled roofs, cobbled streets and bougainvillea. Its landmark is the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, built in the first half of the 20th century, with a slender brick tower topped by a large open-work crown. The original crown was damaged in an earthquake in 1995 and replaced with a lighter copy, which is now the most recognisable silhouette in Puerto Vallarta.

Around the church you find the main square, the city hall and small streets full of craft shops and local cafés. The church is free to enter outside services, and visitors are welcome to step inside respectfully. In December the area fills with pilgrims and processions for the feast of Guadalupe on the 12th, a colourful moment to see local traditions. A city tour of Puerto Vallarta is incomplete without this view of the crown against the green jungle hills.

Río Cuale and the Zona Romántica

South of the centre, the small Río Cuale flows down from the mountains to the sea. In the middle of the river lies Isla Cuale, a shady island linked by footbridges, with craft stalls, sculptures and quiet paths under tall trees. It is a pleasant break from the heat and an easy place to buy embroidered textiles, silver jewellery and colourful handicrafts.

Across the river begins the Zona Romántica, the old town of Puerto Vallarta, with narrow streets, art galleries, restaurants and boutique hotels. Its focus is Los Muertos Beach, the liveliest beach in the city, and the modern Los Muertos Pier, whose tall sail-shaped structure glows at night. Many travellers ask whether the Zona Romántica is worth visiting: it is, especially for an afternoon on the beach followed by dinner in the lanes behind it. Hopping off here gives you time to explore on foot.

The Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta

North of the old town, the road follows the shore through the Hotel Zone, a long line of resorts, shopping centres and beaches facing the bay. The bus gives you a clear picture of how the modern resort has grown along the coast, and of the jungle-covered Sierra Madre mountains that rise straight behind it.

The route continues to Marina Vallarta, a planned district built around a large yacht harbour, close to the airport and the cruise ship terminal. Its waterfront boardwalk is lined with restaurants, ice-cream shops and moored sailing boats, and a small lighthouse tower offers views over the marina. It is the starting point for many boat trips in Puerto Vallarta, such as excursions to the Marietas Islands and Los Arcos, so the bus tour is also a handy way to discover where they depart. The best time to enjoy the marina is early evening, when the boats come back in.