El Malecon Beach, Downtown Puerto Vallarta

The Malecon Beach (El Malecon Beach, Boardwalk Beach, Playa del Malecón) is not one of Puerto Vallarta’s main beaches, it just happens to be right by the boardwalk and is therefore a fun addition to the downtown attractions, plus a nice stroll to enjoy while you’re there. The remodeled promenade includes paths down to the edge from the seaside walkway, so now it’s readily accessible, so it’s a nice addition.

That said, it’s not really a beach that the locals use for swimming (plus there are no lifeguards!). Despite this, you’ll find people sunbathing, kids enjoying the water and sand (not too far in), but it is not a picture-postcard beach. There are quite a lot of rocks, there are parts almost devoid of sand, you get the idea. Depending on the tides it’ll be wider or even completely covered. When the tide is low, you may be able to walk from the Millennia statue (north end) to more or less Corona Street close to the “Ladder” statue, though normally it’ll be up to Aldama Street or Abasolo.

El Malecon Beach’s south end by Corona Street

The Malecon/Boardwalk Beach (Playa del Malecón) is located in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The northern end starts off  just a few steps south of The Millennia statue and Hotel Rosita. It runs for some 1300 feets (400 meters – depending on the tides from 1100-1450 ft) alongside the Malecon/Boardwalk in one stretch to, in the best case scenario, Corona Street, where you’ll find the “In Search of Reason” ladder statue. Normally you’ll need to get up on the Boardwalk by either Aldama or Abasolo Street. The beach’s curve by Galeana street is very rocky. You won’t really be able to walk from the northern section to the last little piece of beach between Galeana and Iturbide street (if there is a beach at all – depends on the season, tide and if there has been a storm).

Playa del Malecon location map

As I already mentioned, the beach, though not a place we would recommend to swim (no lifeguards either), it is a good place to relax, watch the waves, go for a walk in the sand and edge of the water and also to enjoy a beautiful sunset and view of the Banderas Bay.

On the northern end there is a restaurant, Restaurant El Malecón, right on the beach, though I’ve never been there, it looks like a good place for a meal or a drink enjoying the beach and view. There also is the option to rent a kayak or water ski there, so that’s another option, though I am not sure taking off and landing on this beach is a good idea most of the time.

You can also enjoy the daily and regularly scheduled Papantla Pole Flyers/dancers from the beach. Do take care to keep your distance, you don’t want to get hit by the soaring flyers on their way down (they normally have a rock-defined circumference so you can easily keep a safe distance).

The Papantla Flyers have shows from around 10 AM to 2 PM and then from 6 PM to 10:30 PM every day every 15 minutes on the Malecon between Leonora Vicario and Pípila street.

You are also a few steps away from innumerable restaurants, bars and stores, so there’s no reason to worry about that. A shortlist right off the top of my head: La Dolce Vita (Italian), Paradise Burger, Bar Oceano, EL Patrón, Lobster House, Oyster Grill, Señor Frog’s, La Bodeguita del Medio, etc.

On the northern side of the beach, you’ll find public washrooms (toilets) below the Origin and Destination statue (corner of Allende street and the Malecón). There is a path right up from the beach too.

There’s no way you can miss this beach! Just go to the Boardwalk and walk/”jump off” at almost any point along the walkway. There are gently sloping paths that, ever so often, branch off the Malecon down to the beach. They are located where each street ends on the boardwalk.

Though I have not experienced it, if it’s the rainy season (June-October), be careful with the rainwater drainage exits along the boardwalk by each street, furthermore, if there is a storm warning, walking along the beach will be impossible and very dangerous.

Before Puerto Vallarta’s harbor area was inaugurated to ships in 1978, cargo ships would arrive in front of the El Malecón beach close to the Coamecates Creek (where the 31 de Octubre street is and the Millennia Statue stands – in front of Hotel Rosita).

This place was called “El Embarcadero”. An embarcadero is defined as: “Place on the shore of the sea, a river or a lake that is conditioned or used for the loading and unloading of people and goods.” The exact term in English seems to not exist, but jetty and pier are given when you search for a translation, but they actually landed the goods directly on the beach.

The beach with Hotel Rosita in the foreground (bottom left)

There are a number of hotels in the downtown area and most of them are small, budget-range and not far from the Malecon. The only one directly on the Malecon and right by the Malecon Beach is Hotel Rosita. In the past, there were two more, Hotel Océano, right on the corner of Galeana and the Malecon and Hotel Paraiso on the corner of Iturbide and Morelos. Océano is now a building with stores a restaurant and apartments. Hotel Paraíso is now mostly demolished and the ground floor is a Señor Frog’s Store.

Hotels in the downtown area

El Malecón Beach (Playa del Malecón), though not a beautiful beach, is an important part of the downtown area. In the past very much integrated with the fisherman spirit of the town, it’s now a worthy companion to the Malecon, the most popular attraction in Puerto Vallarta and the heart of the city.