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Puerto Vallarta was a thriving
Mexican village with an economy of fishing,
agriculture and mining. Tourism is now its main
industry due to its climate, beaches, scenery and
cultural history. (Coolcaesar,
Wikimedia Commons.)
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The Bay of Banderas, with PV as its
center, has a 100 kilometer coastline around which tourist
resorts and activities are located.
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Puerto Vallarta boomed as
a tourist destination in the 1970s and 80s with development
of transportation infrastructure and global-brand
accommodations.
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Marina Vallarta is a modern planned
development with upmarket resorts, shops, restaurants, a
luxury marina and a golf course.
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The Muelle de Cruceros
serves as a pier for water taxis and fishing boats.
Adventure tours and vendors are active in this area.
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The Church of Our Lady of
Guadalupe with its iconic crown anchors the central plaza
and downtown core. It celebrates its 100th anniversary this
year.
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The Cuale River divides
the downtown area and the romantic zone. Three pedestrian
bridges offer views of local homes lining the river, an
island with a cultural center and museum, and children
enjoying the water.
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The cobblestone streets of PV are lined
with interesting shops and restaurants.
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The waterfront esplanade, the Malecon,
runs along a 1.6 kilometer stretch of Los Muertos
beach. Locals and tourists gather to sample street food and
view street performances.
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The pleasant walk on the Malecon affords
views of the beach, the architecture and the numerous
sculptures, such as this Nature as Mother.
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The arches on the Malecon
were brought from a hacienda in Guadalajara. They serve as a
backdrop to an open air theater.
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The Friendship Fountain (1987) |
Vallarta Dancers (2006) |
The Boy on the Seahorse (1976) |
Since the 1970s Vallarta has added at least
30 sculptural creations along the Malecon and throughout the
city.
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A lot of street art
adorns the walls and store fronts, many with themes about
natural beauty, human diversity and indigenous wisdom.
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In the Parque de
los Azuelos, mosaic-tiled pillars and benches commemorate
people, places and events.
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Papantla flyers perform
acrobatics while rotating on ropes down from a high pole.
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Indigenous dancers and
drummers perform on the beach.
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During the Day of the Dead holiday
on November 2, family and friends gather to
remember and pray for those who have
died and to support their spiritual journey.
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Our Lady of Guadalupe (a
vision of Mary appearing in 1531) is an important religious
and national symbol.
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Devotion is shown by pilgrimages and
processions during the Lady of Guadalupe Festival from December 1 to 12.
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Sand sculptures on the
beach attest to the growing concern about the environmental
impacts and challenges of tourism in the region.
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