Quick Tour and Swim at the Beach in Puerto Vallarta

In Puerto Vallarta, you can swim at the beach and have lunch right on the sand, which is just one of the many activities that you can do here on a one-day visit.

This adventure was part of a Norwegian Cruise on the Joy, sailing from Los Angeles with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan, Mexico.

*View from the cruise ship at the port.*

Start of the Day

We arrived at the cruise terminal, and I tried to get an Uber. The only option was a ride on the back of a moped, which wasn’t possible for three of us. I decided we should try our chances with a cab. We walked past the shops and down to the Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, where we found a cab. The fare was the same as an Uber.

He took the main road to it, and when it turned to cobblestones near the start of the Malecon. I was able to take some pictures of a few of the statues along this pedestrian walkway.

The Boy on the Seahorse

The Boy on the Seahorse statue, created by Rafael Zamarripa, has been swept away by the sea before, but it always survives. It’s as if the brave boy goes out to sea but always returns.

Nearby are the stone arches of the Los Arcos Amphitheater.

Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Next, we walked to the left, away from the ocean, through the Plaza De Armes, with a white gazebo decorated for Christmas, during the time we were on the cruise.

Then, along a lane to the front of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, or the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

*The crown on top of the steeple of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.*

The church’s wrought-iron crown replicates the one worn by Carlota, a Mexican empress, and was replaced after an earthquake.

Inside the church, you can check out murals, dioramas, and stained glass.

*One of the many murals in the area near the church.*

Next, we walked south of the church along Hidalgo, where you can spot one of the many murals that decorate the streets of Puerto Vallarta.

Isla Cuale Flea Market

Then we made a left onto Encino, and on the right, you come to a swinging pedestrian bridge that leads to Isla Cuale Flea Market on an island in the middle of the Rio Cuale.

Here, vendors sell crafts like rugs, blankets, pottery, and souvenirs. I found a hand-painted shell magnet as a keepsake.

*A Day of the Dead figure found in the market.*

My son posed next to a Day of the Dead figure holding a Mexican flag, with a guitar at its feet.

Back to the Malecon

Next, we climbed the steps to the Rio Cuale Pedestrian Bridge and then headed south along the Malecon.

Along the way, we came across a bust of Elizabeth Taylor, who once lived in Puerto Vallarta. She starred in the movie The Night of the Iguana, which was filmed here in the 1960s before the area became a tourist spot.

When the Malecon ended, we continued along Olas Atlas Beach into the Romantic Zone, an area known for its many hotels.

Olas Atlas Beach

There are plenty of restaurants along the beach. I found one decorated with bright red flowers.

My son wanted to play in the water near the Los Muertos Beach Pier.

This striking, sail-shaped pier juts out into the ocean, and you can sometimes spot sea turtles nearby. Boats also dock at the base of the pier.

La Palapa

After enjoying the waves, we walked a bit further down the beach to have lunch at La Palapa restaurant.

The restaurant dates back to 1957, the oldest one on the beach. This was almost out of town at the time it began. The restaurant has a covered seating area, and you can also eat right on the sand under an umbrella. There are also restrooms for restaurant patrons. Old photographs line the hallway to the restroom.

I came here to have a Puerto Vallarta delicacy of aguachile. It includes fresh, raw shrimp tossed in a lime-chili sauce, then mixed with red onions and cucumber.

For our appetizer, we had fresh smoked octopus. This was an excellent meal for us.

Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m., Daily

Address: Púlpito 105-3, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

After lunch, we walked left along Pulpito, then down Olas Altas to check out the area. Then we hailed a cab near Parque Lázaro Cárdenas to head back to the cruise terminal.

Final Thoughts

We only had a short time here on our own, so I hope to come back someday to stay a few nights. I would love to explore the craft market on the island in the middle of the river more. Also, I have read that there are more beaches on nearby secluded islands that you can reach by ferry. I would like to check those out. Although it was worth getting a lay of the city before we spend a longer vacation here.