El Púlpito (The Pulpit) and landmarks, Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta
Introduction
El Púlpito (The Pulpit) is a natural rock formation in the southern part of Los Muertos beach. Some locals mistakenly pronounce it “pulpito” (small octopus). This landmark is not only a great little trip, but it also has some interesting history.
El Púlpito and Las Pilitas (Pulpit and the Small baptismal fonts) are two separate rock formations found, one of them, Las Pilitas, on the southern end of the Romantic zone’s Los Muertos Beach, and the other, El Pulpito, is a rock outcropping that is actually the southern limit of Playa Los Muertos.
El Púlpito video
El Púlpito, a bit of history
By Prof. Carlos Munguia Fregoso (1938-2005)
Official historian of Puerto Vallarta
The fine sands of Los Muertos Beach extend from the end of Francisca Rodríguez Street -Hotel Marsol- all the way to the rock formations known as Las Pilitas and El Pulpito. During the last century, the beach was used to load ships with metals produced by the Cuale and San Sebastián mines: “The gold from the mines, plates and ingots were moved by land and at Los Muertos Beach, they awaited the arrival of the ships that would transport them to their destination.”
Las Pilitas is the group of rocks at the end of the beach where the bronze seahorse statue by Zamarripa, El Caballito, stands. This representation of a small boy riding on the back of a seahorse has become one of Puerto Vallarta’s symbols. El Púlpito is a rock promontory, fifty or sixty feet tall, that extends into the water and whose sheer face rises straight up out of the foam created by the waves that continually break along its base.
According to tradition, don Guadalupe Sánchez Torres, the founder of Puerto Vallarta, sat on the top of El Púlpito and cried after receiving the news that the port had been degraded from an international port to a coastal trade port (cabotage) on May 10th, 1924. The heartbroken don Guadalupe died three days later at the age of 93.
What is The Pulpit?
El Púlpito is a small 60-foot tall headland, mostly rock, now covered with a lot of local vegetation and trees so you can’t see much of the rock itself that gave it its name.
In older photographs, it’s clear why they called it that way. At the time Puerto Vallarta was (and still is) a very catholic town, so it is understandable that these geological formations would be baptized with a religious reference (see, I did it again ;-)).
El Púlpito, Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta
If you walk south along Los Muertos Beach, you’ll pass by the pier, the various restaurants and many hotels. Once you are at Las Pilitas, you’ll start seeing more details of The Pulpit and you may notice there are stairs going up into the vegetation.
In the photo below, you can see this path up the hill. You can walk up and cross over to Las Amapas beach that is just south of El Púlpito or you can go all the way up to the big boulder that is the summit of this little hill.
Path leading up to El Pulpito from Los Muertos Beach
If you look at the older photo from 1956 (below), you’ll see that green trees and other vegetation have started to take over the hill and now covers the summit. You can no longer see much to the north when you are up on the summit, you can see south though and the view is nice, though a bit scary as there is no guardrail and it’s windy and the ground is not levelled.
El Púlpito (The Pulpit) 2020, Los Muertos Beach, Puerto Vallarta
If you are a bit reckless (to say the least) you could get up on the crowning boulder (the pulpit itself)… [disclaimer, I do not recommend it!] I didn’t because it’s quite scary with the abrupt cliffs on all sides and no protection… and the wind… hmmm… time to go Mr. Coward!
Where is it?
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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