Markets, Mercados and Tianguis: A Mexican tradition that can be traced back to pre-hispanic times is the Tianguis, an open air market or bazaar usually held on the same day every week, where locals can purchase a variety of items, from fresh produce to clothing and so forth. In addition, traditional markets or mercados continue to draw customers in many cities large and small.
Take the Malecón Sculpture Tour: Puerto Vallarta features a vast collection of public sculptures, most of them installed along the city's scenic Malecón. A natural draw for visitors and locals, the sculptures can be enjoyed on your own. However, a guided sculpture tour will provide you with interesting historical and artistic insight on Puerto Vallarta in general.
Visit Art Galleries: The first art exhibitions mounted in Puerto Vallarta can be traced back to the 1950s. Ever since then, Puerto Vallarta has been a haven artists, who are consistently drawn to our destination for inspiration. It is no surprise, then, that a large number of art galleries have established locally, turning Puerto Vallarta into an ideal place for art lovers to explore.
Enjoy the South Side Shuffle: The South Side Shuffle is a street party of sorts, a "shindig" that takes place in colonia Emiliano Zapata every other Friday from 6 to 10 pm, in the vicinity of Basilio Badillo and Constitución streets. Everyone is invited. The South Side Shuffle is an "open house," whose purpose is solely to promote the local businesses and to have fun.
Eat Like Locals Do: When you spend any time at a culinary mecca such as Puerto Vallarta, it is inevitable to develop curiosity about local food. At the same time, visitors have legitimate concerns about the legendary so-called "montezuma's revenge," and rightly so! After all, who wants to spend part of their well-deserved vacation recuperating from an unsolicited stomach-related illness?
Road Trip: North: Do you have a car and a few hours to spare? Heading north from Puerto Vallarta on a road trip offers visitors the opportunity to get a sense of what life in Puerto Vallarta used to be some forty years ago. A half-dozen or-so villages can be explored along the way in one serving. And if you like their offerings, you can always return for more!
Road Trip: South: Do you have a car and a few hours to spare? Heading south from Puerto Vallarta on a road trip offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy picturesque ocean views from the scenic South Shore highway. As the highway veers towards the mountains, a temperature change is gradually noticeable. Before you know it, the road will be surrounded by pine trees!
