The key addresses in Puerto Vallarta — verified and regularly updated. Clicking takes you straight to the location page.
The beating heart of Puerto Vallarta: The approximately one-kilometre-long El Malecón beach promenade leads along the Bahía de Banderas through the old town. Lined with bronze sculptures, street performers, bars and restaurants, it's the perfect place for an evening stroll – especially atmospheric when the sun sets over the Pacific.
Puerto Vallarta's signature landmark: The parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its crowned bell tower, can be seen from almost anywhere in the old town. Construction began in 1903, and the striking tower crown was not completed until the 1960s. A visit to Calle Hidalgo is worthwhile for this sight alone.
Located directly at the southern end of the Malecón: The four mighty stone arches of the Los Arcos Amphitheater form a striking backdrop on the main square in front of the Guadalupe Church. Free concerts, dance and theatre performances take place regularly on the open-air stage – a lively meeting place right in the centre.
The most famous and popular beach in the city is located in the middle of the Zona Romántica. Playa Los Muertos is lined with beach bars and restaurants. At the southern end around the "Blue Chairs" area is the famous Gay Beach – a central meeting place for Puerto Vallarta's queer community.
Gay attractions in Puerto Vallarta tell a lot about a city that has become Mexico's most gay-friendly city over decades. It all started in the 1970s with the film world: director John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana here, based on a play by the openly gay playwright Tennessee Williams, bringing a first creative scene to what was then a small town. Over the years, a visible community grew out of this openness. In 2013, the state of Jalisco introduced civil partnerships for same-sex couples, followed by same-sex marriage from 2016.
The heart of the queer city today is the Zona Romántica south of the Río Cuale. Its center is Playa Los Muertos, known for years as a gay-friendly beach and often called Blue Chairs, after the blue loungers of a house of the same name. At the southern end of the beach is the striking pier of Los Muertos with its curved shape, a landmark and at the same time a pier for water taxis. Right next to it is the Mantamar Beach Club, which has shaped the city's beach scene since its opening at the end of 2013. In May, Vallarta Pride is the highlight of the year, with parades, street parties and parties across the neighborhood. The following places will take you to the most important stations in queer city history.