Essential Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide: What to See & Do

Puerto Vallarta is a coastal city defined by contrasts. Once a fishing and farming community, it is now known for its lively arts scene, film history, and dramatic setting between the Pacific Ocean and the Sierra Madre Mountains. Its broad bay, tropical valleys, and historic cobblestone streets give the destination a relaxed yet culturally rich character.

Puerto Vallarta’s History

Long before tourism arrived, Indigenous communities depended on the region’s waters and fertile land. In the 19th century, the settlement known as Las Peñas began to grow as timber, minerals, cattle, and tropical crops created new opportunities for trade.

The town was later renamed Puerto Vallarta in honor of Jalisco statesman Ignacio Vallarta. Over time, it developed from an isolated coastal outpost into one of Mexico’s best-known seaside destinations.

Puerto Vallarta and Film History

Film and celebrity attention played an important role in the city’s transformation. The 1964 movie The Night of the Iguana brought Richard Burton to the area, followed by Elizabeth Taylor. Their celebrated relationship and adjoining homes—including the famous “Lover’s Bridge”—helped introduce Puerto Vallarta to an international audience.

The Malecón: Puerto Vallarta’s Open-Air Gallery

One of the best places to experience Puerto Vallarta’s character is the Malecón, a seafront promenade lined with imaginative sculptures. Works depicting sea creatures, human figures, and playful forms transform the waterfront into an open-air gallery.

The iconic sculpture of a child riding a seahorse is especially popular for photographs and reflects the city’s welcoming spirit.

What Makes Puerto Vallarta Special?

For travelers researching things to do in Puerto Vallarta, the city’s appeal lies in its combination of history, public art, ocean views, local traditions, and mountain scenery. A former village identity remains visible beneath its modern coastal energy, creating a destination that connects the Pacific with the Sierra Madre and the past with the present.