Centro and the Malecón

Centro and the Malecón have the old town streets, the seafront walk and busy evenings. The main streets are safe and crowded, the uphill streets are quiet after dark, and street sellers are constant.

Centro is the historic core of Puerto Vallarta. It runs along the Malecón boardwalk, with its sculptures, restaurants and street performers, and climbs cobbled streets toward the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It feels more Mexican than the Zona Romántica, with a plaza, local shops and families out walking in the evenings. The Malecón is busy, lit and patrolled until late, so it works well for an evening walk. Street vendors and timeshare sellers are frequent along the boardwalk. The side streets heading into the hills are quieter and darker after dark, so stay on the main roads or take a taxi. Staff at Malecón restaurants and bars usually speak English, but less so further from the waterfront.