Downtown Puerto Vallarta To See Massive Improvement Thanks To New Government Initiative

Last Updated 2 months ago

Puerto Vallarta’s thriving downtown area – El Centro – is set to receive a major facelift in the coming months thanks to new government investments to tackle aging infrastructure and dirty streets. 

While Puerto Vallarta is most famous for its iconic beaches and vibrant nightlife, the coastal destination is also home to historic buildings and bustling commercial areas.

With travel numbers projected to soar in December and throughout next year, officials are seeking to massively boost Puerto Vallarta’s tourism appeal and enhance travelers’ experience when visiting the city’s sprawling downtown area.

From improving crumbling facades to sprucing up city parks, here’s the latest on what’s being done to upgrade Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area.

New Government Efforts To Tackle Cleanliness 

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most appealing city destinations in Mexico this year for American travelers as evidenced by the city’s skyrocketing travel numbers.

With just several weeks to go before the start of the extremely busy winter season, hotels and resorts across the Pacific city are already filling up with travelers. And with Puerto Vallarta trending with foodie and cultural visitors, a growing number of tourists will be heading to explore the city’s stunning downtown area.

@hannahware180 Downtown puerto vallarta has everything 😍 #downtownpuertovallarta #puertovallarta #puertovallartajalisco #thingstodoinpuertovallarta #puertovallarta☀️🍹 ♬ hotline bling – hellaxgay

Locally referred to as El Centro (the center), Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant downtown area encompasses a large section of the city, including the famous mile-long Malecon esplanade as well as countless historic sites located in the heart of the city. 

And with more travelers expected to flock to enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s diverse attractions, city officials and experts recently announced a host of new efforts to improve the hotspot’s downtown area to improve the visitor experience.

@hannahware180 Theres so much to do downtown! Churches, restaurants, the malecon, stores, the main plaza, statues🙌🏼🇲🇽 #puertovallartadowntown #downtownpuertovallarta #puertovallartajaliscomexico #puertovallartavacation #puertovallartamexico #thingstodoinpuertovallarta ♬ PRETTY BOY FLOW – STURDYYOUNGIN

According to Christian Salvador Cázares, the head of Puerto Vallarta’s tourism department, authorities intend to beautify city streets, renovate large sections of the city’s iconic esplanade, and bolster cleanliness, among other measures.

The far-ranging measures were announced amid growing concern over Puerto Vallarta’s aging appearance and rising levels of littering. For a city that is widely considered one of the most significant in Mexico from an international tourism perspective, authorities would be right in asserting that more needs to be done to improve cleanliness and accommodate ever-growing visitor numbers. 

@katyahommpv Downtown Vibes!! 🌴⛱🌊🍹☀️🏝👙 El Centro (Downtown) is the most famous area of Puerto Vallarta throughout the world. That image of the typical Mexican town, with its cobblestone streets, tile roofs and the crown of the Guadalupe Cathedral standing there, as an eternal vigilante between the Sierra Madre and the Pacific Ocean, has traveled all around the world, and it is what distinguishes PV from all the other beach destinations in Mexico. Equally residential, touristic and commercial, El Centro is, without a doubt, the heart & soul of Vallarta. #puertovallarta #puertovallartamexico #malecon #katyahomm #katyahommproperties #downtown #centro #elcentro ♬ original sound – katyahommpv

Construction workers have already implemented several improvements to the Malecon esplanade, although over the coming months, more work will be done on upgrading large sections of the popular attraction.

Meanwhile, city cleaners have begun to remove swathes of graffiti across downtown Puerto Vallarta to improve the appearance of the historic area in time for the upcoming record-breaking winter season. 

@meganelisevarela This property and city are such a dream! A relaxing alternative to Cabo and other party cities ☀️ #MegSD #MarriottPV #PicturePerfectPV #PuertoVallarta #VisitMexico #MexicoTravel #Mexico #TravelMore #LadiesWhoTravel ♬ original sound – Megan | San Diego Travel Food

Officials have also revealed a new project to build murals around Puerto Vallarta, where local artists can display their work in line with city guidelines. 

Another major goal of the ongoing city-wide improvements is to repaint facades and restore old landmarks. Puerto Vallarta is famous for its centuries-old architecture, especially around the cobblestone streets of the Romantic Zone. 

@bobyg63 #beach#peurtovallarta #mexico ♬ Vacation – Dirty Heads

Puerto Vallarta’s old town is recognized as a cultural heritage site due to its historic and cultural significance. Combined with the city’s stunning coastline and breathtaking mountain ranges, Puerto Vallarta stands out as one of the most versatile destinations in the Mexican Pacific region.

This winter, the coastal hotspot is expected to shatter a number of tourism records as travelers from around the world flock to the city to enjoy its quaint beaches and luxurious accommodations. And next year, Puerto Vallarta is set to continue growing in popularity.