Puerto Vallarta Walking Tour: A Guide to the Historical El Centro

Travel along the cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta’s Old Town, which echo with a history as varied as its people. On this walking tour, I’ll introduce you to the Spanish conquistadors, revolutionaries, and indigenous Huichol who made this city what it is today. With my help, you’ll trace its transition from a tropical fishing village frequented by pirates and miners in search of their fortunes, into one of today’s top tourist destinations.

As we walk, you’ll see several important landmarks, including a statue of the judge who the city is named after, Ignacio Vallarta. You’ll also get a glimpse of the bridge that Richard Burton used to cross to get to Elizabeth Taylor’s room when she stayed at the Casa Kimberly’. Our tour starts and ends on the Malecón Boardwalk, home to 30 bronze sculptures in a striking seaside sculpture park. I’ll show you where people gathered to gossip and buy goods over 100 years ago at the Plaza de Armas, Central Mercado, the former farmer’s market that now caters to tourists, and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which took over 40 years to complete.

Along the way, I’ll answer questions like:

• Who was Catrina and the Lady of the Dead
• What is the meaning of Gringo Gulch
• Why is peyote important to the Huichol people
• Who invented chocolate
• Who were Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata
• How did Puerto Vallarta get its name
• What was The Night of the Iguana
• What are the flying Valedores

Join me on this hour-long walk, where you’ll become acquainted with the history of the city, and some of its artisans too. I recommend stopping halfway through your walk for an organic coffee, mango smoothie, or dark chocolate truffle at the Vallarta Cigar and Chocolate Factory.