The
boardwalk
By
The Editor - July 2004. Leer
en Español
As a witness to the history of the city of Puerto Vallarta and to the
life of its inhabitants, since 1937 when it only stretched from where
the Dolphin fountain stands today up to the seahorse in front of the
old lighthouse, our boardwalk is the most important of all the main attractions
of the city, keeping many anecdotes and probably many secrets amongst
which might me one of some lovers admiring the sunset on a summer afternoon,
maybe promising each other eternal love.
In the book "The Hidden Paradise of Puerto Vallarta", written by the
chronicler of the city, Mr. Carlos Munguía Fragoso, it is documented
that in days gone by, the village of Vallarta woke up very early when
the church bells rang to announce the 6 o'clock mass. This way another
day started and the boardwalk watched silently, amongst others, the passing
of the person in charge of the slaughter house hauling a horse, carrying
the meat of a cow that had just been sacrificed a few moments before
and which he offered from door to door. In those hours some women, carrying
their baskets, headed off to the market that was improvised on the sidewalk.
A little bit later the metallic hammering of a knife on wood generated
a very well known sound announcing the passing of the barefooted fisherman
who offered the fresh early catch of the day.
 The arrival of a ship at the harbor was a big
event and it was announced by loud hits on a piece of ingot hanging
on a pole in the "watchtower" hill.
In those days the ships were loaded with corn, beans and tobacco in front
of the boardwalk. Also during that time the dogs barked at the donkeys
that crossed the streets with their load of rocks and sand destined for
some constructions on the hill.
In the afternoon the young kids getting out of school, were running
to play on the beach at the end of the boardwalk. The chief pastime was
throwing stones into the ocean until the ocean got angry and bathed the
youth with a huge wave.
After sunset when the few electrical bulbs were lit up, poorly illuminating
the streets, announcing the arrival of nightfall while the crickets and
frogs were singing their traditional serenade, some adults got their
equipales or chairs out to sit down to talk and to watch their children
who were playing in the streets.
 Of course a romantic atmosphere can still be felt at present, causing
the visitors to fall in love with our town, however the former life of
the inhabitants of Vallarta does not manifest itself in the streets anymore
like previously. Today instead of donkeys with their load, automobiles
are passing by the streets contributing to the general urgency to arrive
somewhere on time. The barefooted fisherman can be seen once in a while
in some of the suburbs close to the hills and popsicles are still be
sold, only now they are sold by the younger generations offering them
in picturesque stands.
Lots of things have changed the life of the people of Vallarta, and
the boardwalk which forcibly has been enlarged as well, is still a mute
witness of progress and its consequences.
 At present a continuous activity has redeveloped in front of the boardwalk
converting it into the most famous promenade of Mexico! The restaurants,
bars, boutiques, jeweler's shops, galleries, cafes, arts and crafts shops
and many other businesses have turned the boardwalk and its surroundings
into a pleasant and enjoyable walk.
Finally, alter several years of waiting, the boardwalk has been extended
one more time and at present it spectacularly crosses the island and
the Cuale river in front of the ocean, joining downtown with the romantic
zone.
 The promenade of the boardwalk by itself is a very local attraction,
being decorated with varied sculptures. In the mornings you may enjoy
a succulent breakfast on one of the terraces of the restaurants in front
of the boardwalk while observing how the city wakes up. A little bit
later you may have a chat underneath the shadow of a palm tree or you
may take some photos. During dusk the boardwalk is the preferred place
of everyone to observe the world's most fascinating sunsets. The sunset
is followed by the hum announcing the birth of the night life. At that
time the whole atmosphere is invaded by joy and sensuality. One can start
to listen to the mixture of music and the sounds of people murmuring.
The nightly enchantment of the boardwalk is unique. As a matter of fact
the best folkloric and cultural spectacle that a visitor can enjoy during
his visit of Puerto Vallarta is to sit down on a bench observing what
is going on.
The most popular action spot in Vallarta is its boardwalk, up to the
point that since the present administration the main avenue which runs
along the boardwalk and some adjacent streets have been established as
pedestrian zone during the weekends.
The history of Vallarta is written in each of its corners and on the
boardwalk filled with lively and dazzling colors, history manifests itself
daily.
The Editor
Business directoy in the Puerto Vallarta Boadrwalk
Hotels:
 |
Hotel Rosita |
[322] 223-2000 |
|
Hotel Molino de Agua |
[322] 222-5917 |
|
Hotel Rio |
[322] 222-0366 |
Restaurants & Bars :
|
McDonald's |
[322] 222-1391 |
|
La Bodeguita del Medio |
[322] 223-1584 |
|
Carlos O'Brian's |
[322] 222-1444 |
|
Paradise Burguer |
[322] 223-2941 |
|
California |
[322] 223-1531 |
|
La Chata |
[322] 222-5530 |
|
La Dolce Vita |
[322] 222-3852 |
|
Hard Rock Café |
[322] 222-2230 |
|
Mogambo |
[322] 222-2486 |
|
Club 69 |
[322] 222-2486 |
|
Zoo |
[322] 222-4945 |
|
Las Palomas |
[322] 222-6793 |
|
Hilo |
[322] |
|
Tequila's |
[322] 222-2733 |
| |
Visit their web
site www.tequilaspv.com |
|
La Fabula Pizza |
[322] 223-1430 |
|
Viejo Vallarta |
[322] 222-0589 |
|
No Name Café |
[322] 223-2508 |
|
La Cantina de los Remedios |
[322] 222-2030 |
|
Bar Océano |
[322] 222-0959 |
Travel and Tours Services Agents & Real Estate:
|
Exotic Tours |
[322] 222-8653 |
|
Paradise Village Real Estate |
[322] |
Shops, Boutiques & Galleries :
|
Habano Room |
[322] 223-2817 |
|
Soleil |
[322] 223-1060 |
|
Vallarta Mart |
[322] 222-2858 |
|
Souvenir Outletl |
[322] |
|
Beach Company |
[322] |
|
Rollings Stone |
[322] 223-1769 |
|
Popo's |
[322] 222-0925 |
|
Cuiza |
[322] 222-6769 |
|
Piel Morena |
[322] 222-6769 |
|
Huichol Collections |
[322] |
|
Sergio Bustamante |
[322] 223-1405 |
|
Origenes |
[322] 223-1455 |
|
Museo Maya |
[322] 222-3531 |
|
Galeria Huichol |
[322] |
|
Corporación Malecón |
[322] 222-6470 |
|
Foto Rey |
[322] |
|
La Surtidora del Puente |
[322] |
|
Zapateria 3 Hermanos |
[322] |
|
Gusse |
[322] 223-2644 |
|
Zapateria Monalisa |
[322] 222-3515 |
|
Basking Robins |
[322] |
|
No Name Boutique |
[322] 222-1320 |
|
Lob |
[322] 222-2454 |
|
Boutique Veronica |
[322] 222-5573 |
Jewerly :
|
Joyeria Regina |
[322] 222-2487 |
|
Pacific Diamond |
[322] 223-5758 |
|
Rosa de Plata |
[322] 223-0845 |
|
Vallarta Jewerly |
[322] 223-3895 |
|
Seven Silver |
[322] 223-0365 |
|
Joyeria Olé |
[322] 222-6877 |
|
Pacific Jewerly |
[322] 222-4810 |
|
Joyeria Patricia |
[322] 223-2644 |
|
Silver Taxco |
[322] 222-0115 |
|
Joyeria Piscis |
[322] 222-1420 |
|
Joyeria Aries |
[322] 222-6727 |
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