No visit to Puerto Vallarta is complete without exploring the iconic Malecón boardwalk. The 12-block boardwalk lines the coast for a one-mile stretch and it’s an ideal place to stroll with your friends or family. It’s a great spot to exercise in the morning, or to people watch during the day and at night. The Malecon boardwalk has tons of shops, restaurants, bars, and unique bronze sculptures. Not only does Puerto Vallarta have amazing beaches, tours, and natural beauty, it’s also a wonderful place to enjoy art in various forms and expressions. In town, you can find numerous art galleries featuring works by various local and foreign artists. If you want to book a vacation to Puerto Vallarta, call Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 which has all-inclusive vacation packages on sale right now. Meanwhile, read about the Malecon boardwalk where you can appreciate art in an open-air environment.

Puerto Vallarta Malecon Boardwalk

The Puerto Vallarta Malecon was renovated back in 2011 to be exclusively for pedestrians and bikers only. The iconic Los Archos (The Arches) located near the main plaza are replicas as the originals that were built during the colonial period and brought to PV from a hacienda in Guadalajara was damaged in 2002 by Hurricane Kenna. The Malecon boardwalk is lined with numerous sculptures made of bronze, stone, and other durable materials. A few of the most famous sculptures include the Caballero del Mar, The Millennium, La Nostalgia, La Rotunda del Mar, En Búsqueda de la Razón, Triton and the Nereid, and  Bailarines de Vallarta. These impressive sculptures are an important part of Puerto Vallarta’s history and rich heritage. The sculptures are creations from local, national, and international artists. Read more below about some of the most noteworthy sculptures on the Puerto Vallarta Malecon boardwalk.

Caballero del Mar by Rafael Zamarripa, 1976

Firstly, the Caballero del Mar is arguably the best-known symbol of Puerto Vallarta. Also referred to as “The Boy on The Seahorse,” this sculpture is one of PV’s most popular and recognizable landmarks. It is also the first sculpture to be erected on the Malecon almost half a century ago back in 1976. This iconic statue depicts a naked boy wearing a cowboy hat and waving his hand as he rides a giant seahorse.

La Nostalgia by Ramiz Barquet, 1984

Next, another one of the noteworthy sculptures along the Malecon is called “La Nostalgia,” and features a man and woman sitting side by side as they gaze out towards town. Sculptor Ramiz Barquet created the bronze piece in honor of his wife and fellow painter Nelly Barquet. The two met when they were younger, but lost track of one another and ended up marrying other people and raising families of their own. However, after 27-seven years since they last saw each other, the lovers were reunited by luck at the very spot where this sculpture rests. When Ramiz proposed marriage to Nelly, he vowed to create the sculpture as a tribute to their wonderful love story.

Triton and the Nereid by Carlos Espino, 1990

In 1990, the Triton and the Nereid piece was added to the Malecon that is centered around the mythical Greek figure Triton, the son of the sea god Poseidon. Triton is depicted as having the body of a human and the tail of a fish, and Triton’s graceful body extends as he reaches out his left hand to a Nereid or sea-nymph.  Ocean waves are lifting up the mermaid and she gently reaches back towards Triton with her right hand. Her left arm and hand are raised as she tries to tame her wind-swept hair. According to Greek tradition, mermaids were viewed as friendly to sea-farers and many sailors believed they helped them fight storms as well.

La Rotunda del Mar by Alejandro Colunga, 1997

Fourthly, “The Rotunda of the Sea” is a series of 8 monumental high-backed bronze chairs. The whimsical sculptures contain elements of exaggerated human anatomy, nautical imagery, surrealism, and fantasy. One piece is composed of two gigantic human ears that are perched atop one bench, and other sculptures feature strange and haunting creatures. Many of Colunga’s works are based on folk stories he heard as a child. Take a moment to sit down and enjoy the stunning Banderas Bay views by the La Rotunda del Mar statues.

En Búsqueda de la Razón by Sergio Bustamante, 1999

Next, another of the most popular sculptures on the PV Malecon is a surrealistic bronze ladder called, “In Search of Reason.” This sculpture includes two carefree children climbing high on a ladder as they reach out to the sky. Down below, their mother calls out to them as if to remind them to be careful. Some people view the statue as the mother asking the children to come down, while others believe she is encouraging them to be fearless and to reach for the sky when it comes to their hopes and dreams.

The Millennium by Mathis Lídice, 2001

Next, another important sculpture located at the north end of the Malecón is known as “The Millennium.”  This impressive sculpture is said to represent the passage of time throughout the millennium. Look for the DNA double helix at the bottom of the sculpture and follow it up as cells divide representing the evolution of life including marine forms of an octopus, fish, frogs, and lizards. The first millennium is represented by a sword-wielding Charlemagne, and the second millennium is led by Aztec poet-king Nezahualcoyotl. The future is represented by the final figure which is a partially-suspended wise woman with outstretched arms lifting upwards to the sky as she releases a dove.

Bailarines de Vallarta by Jim Demetro, 2006

Lastly, the sculpture “Vallarta Dancers” depicts a life-sized dancing couple wearing colorful and traditional folkloric costumes that are native to to the state of Jalisco where Puerto Vallarta is located. Performing the Jarabe Tapatio which is also known as the Mexican Hat Dance, the artist was inspired to create this sculpture after seeing a dance performance of Puerto Vallarta’s famous Xiutla dance troupe.

During your next visit to Puerto Vallarta, take time to check out the wonderfully unique sculptures that line the Malecon boardwalk. It’s just another reason why there’s simply no place like Puerto Vallarta. Remember, Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 has special travel deals on sale right now. They only work with the top resorts in Puerto Vallarta and other tourist hot spots in Mexico including Riviera Maya, Islands of Loreto, and Cabo San Lucas. Why not contact them today to book a dream vacation to Puerto Vallarta so you can stroll the iconic Malecon boardwalk yourself? Amazing Mexico at (866) 883-0573 has travel specialists ready to take your call right now that will help you pick the perfect vacation package to suit your needs and budget. 2025 is here so why not start the year off right with a dreamy getaway to paradise? You and your family deserve a treat!