Will you be flying to Puerto Vallarta for a vacation to Mexico in the near future? If you are, then you will want to make the most of every day you are here in this amazing town. There are many different things to do in Puerto Vallarta. In fact, there are a few important monuments that you will want to make sure you visit. These tops spots include the Rio Cuale Museum, the Puerto Vallarta Naval History Museum, and the La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. All of these monuments are near the Malecon in the downtown region of Puerto Vallarta. Continue to read below to learn about things to do on your vacation to Mexico in Puerto Vallarta.
Naval Historical Museum
At one time, pirates and smuggler ships regularly stopped at Puerto Vallarta. Currently, the Naval Historical Museum in Puerto Vallarta is a lovely colonial building. The museum has 5 rooms that display numerous pictures, paintings, and photos along with many important documents and maps related to naval activity in the Banderas Bay region. The Naval Historical Museum also once served as the Naval Clinic. On your vacation to Mexico, you can learn about Puerto Vallarta’s history and development at the museum. Actual Naval cadets oversee the tours to answer and explain all the gadgets, compasses, and old and new sea vessels. You can experience a seafaring experience with the 5-screen navigation simulator. Vacationers in Puerto Vallarta can see how it feels to experience different ocean conditions, and learn how to use the instruments and navigation charts. The Naval Historical Museum is open throughout the year from Tuesday-Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. The entry cost is only 45 pesos for general admission, and there is no admission fee for senior citizens and children.
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, is just a couple of steps from the Naval Historical Museum. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most recognized buildings in Puerto Vallarta. Visitors can see the church standing out high above in Puerto Vallarta’s skyline. The church receives thousands of visitors year-round, and the peak season for the church begins on December 1st. The “Our Lady of Guadalupe Festival” lasts from December 1st through December 12th. During your vacation to Mexico in PV, make sure you tour this beautiful and historic building. When you are touring the church, you will want to look at the beautiful confessionals that have been hand carved along with the marble altar created by artist Ignacio Ramirez. The church’s impressive crown is one of the most important features of this building, which can be seen from many miles away. Carlos Terres sculpted the structure after an earthquake destroyed the original crown. There is no admission fee to tour the church, and it is open year-round.
The Rio Cuale Museum
A lesser-known, but important monument in Puerto Vallarta, is the Rio Cuale Museum. The museum was organized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History. You can reach the museum with ease as it is located in the middle of Old Town and Downtown Puerto Vallarta. Vacationers can learn about the rich heritage and history of Mexico at the museum, specifically about the Purepecha (Tarascans), which were creative people that came from the Michoacan northwestern area in Mexico. They have art and ceramic displays along with different hunting and tools that were used during actual excavations in Jalisco, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nayarit. The exhibits focus on the culture and traditions of the people from 5000 to 2000 B.C. There is no admission fee for the museum, and it is open from Tuesday-Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place for a great vacation to Mexico. There are many different things to do in Puerto Vallarta. Make sure you try to visit the three important monuments discussed above on your next vacation to Mexico in PV!