You can walk the Malecón. Plenty of people do, usually at two in the afternoon, usually regretting it by the halfway point.
On a bicycle the same boardwalk becomes something else: you get the breeze off the bay, you cover the whole thing without effort, and the landmarks that are a separate outing on foot turn into one continuous ride.
This is what you see along the way, and why it is the best two hours to spend at the start of a trip.
Why the Malecón works better on two wheels
The Malecón is about a kilometre of oceanfront boardwalk, and walking the whole thing in the middle of the day is warmer and slower than most people expect. On a bicycle you cover it easily, you get the breeze coming off the bay, and you can stop wherever something catches your eye instead of rationing your energy.
It also connects better. From the boardwalk you are a few minutes from the Cathedral, the pier, the Cuale market and the Old Town streets on the south side — which on foot are three separate outings and on a bike are one relaxed ride.
The landmarks you pass
Our guided ride along the Malecón goes past the pieces of the city everyone photographs, with time to stop and hear the story behind them:
- The bronze sculptures spread along the boardwalk, each with its own history
- La Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the main Cathedral and the most recognizable building in town
- The pier, busy at almost every hour of the day
- The historic lighthouse
Your guide fills in the context as you ride — how the city grew, why the buildings look the way they do, which parts are recent and which have been there far longer than the tourism.
A stop at the Cuale market
We stop at the arts and crafts market on the Cuale island, which is where most of the souvenir shopping in the centre happens. Having a local with you helps here: your guide can point out which stalls are worth your time and roughly what things should cost, whether you are after crafts, tequila or gifts to take home.
Bring a little cash if you think you might buy something. Purchases are not included, and not every stall takes cards.
The southern side of the city
After the market the ride continues south, into the part of Puerto Vallarta where colonial-style buildings sit next to modern life. Cobblestone streets, small plazas, painted walls, laundry on balconies, restaurants that fill up at night and sit empty at eleven in the morning.
This is the part of the tour that feels least like a tour. It is just the city, going about its day, at a speed slow enough to actually look at it.
It ends with ice cream
The ride finishes with artisanal Mexican ice cream made with a traditional recipe. It is included, it is very good, and after two hours in the sun it lands exactly right.
Who this ride is for
Anyone comfortable on a bicycle. This is a relaxed city route, not a workout — no mountain climbs, no technical trails, no need to be a cyclist. It works well for couples, for friends, for families and for anyone who wants to get oriented in Puerto Vallarta early in their trip so the rest of the days make more sense.
It is a private tour, so the guide is only with your group and the pace is yours.
Tips for the ride
- Comfortable clothes and shoes — nothing special required
- Sunscreen and sunglasses; most of the route is in the open
- Cash for the market
- Your phone or camera, because you will stop for photos more than once
- Mornings are cooler and the boardwalk is emptier
Two hours, most of the city
If you have one free morning and you want to come away actually knowing where things are in Puerto Vallarta, this is a good use of it.
See the Malecon by Bicycle Private Tour, build your own route with Bike A La Carte, or just take a bicycle out on your own with our Bicycle Rental.
