Puerto Vallarta – Marigalante Pirate Ship History

In the town of Alvardo, Veracruz, the Marigalante pirate ship was carefully constructed. Between the years of 1980-1987, which was a 7 year span, a non-profit “Mar, Hombre y Paz” Civil Association had the pirate ship completed. Today in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the Marigalante pirate ship is the pride and joy of this beautiful tourist beach town. It has become the number one hot spot for vacationers since 1997, and you can have a great time touring this amazing vessel next time you vacation in Banderas Bay.

Become a Pirate on the Banderas Bay

You can become a pirate on the Banderas Bay when you step aboard the Marigalante pirate ship. If you are searching for adventure on the seas, then you are in luck as there are day and night tour options offered. If you choose the day tour, then you will enjoy a variety of water sports such as paddle boarding and even a treasure hunt. If you choose the night tour, then you will be treated to an amazing sword fighting pirate show, then fireworks will explode when the sun settles. What did the Marigalante pirate ship do before it made its home in Puerto Vallarta? Read below to find out!

Marigalante Pirate Ship History

The main goal of the Marigalante pirate ship to be built was so it could commemorate the historical voyages along with the 500th year anniversary celebration of the America discovery, which was to happen in 1992. The pirate ship was finally completed in 1987 and it started sailing to Santona in Cantabria, Spain from Veracruz during September. After it left Santona the pirate ship headed towards Seville, then to Guadalquivir where the pirate ship was to drop off 10,000 “Maravedis” or coins, which equaled the reward amount that should have been paid to Rodrigo de Triana who was the actual person that discovered land when he was sailing with Christopher Columbus. However, Christopher Columbus sadly took all the credit and glory, so one of the main goals was that the Marigalante pirate ship was to give Rodrigo de Triana his deserved glory and reward. Thirty-three countries and many centuries of coin collections were placed into a chest along with thirty different species of tropical wood, which is also the same species of wood that was used to build the pirate ship. You can see the chest that is on display today in “La Antiqua”, which is located in the Cathedral of Seville’s chapel in Spain.

The Marigalante Pirate Ship Begins it Voyages

The Marigalante pirate ship started its voyage to Japan and the Nao route was used as this traveling route from Mexico would commemorate 100 years of trade between the two countries. The pirate ship then traveled south to Ecuador, South America in 1992 using the Cocoa route. Later, the pirate ship traveled to Spain where the pirate ship would start celebrating Christopher Columbus sailing for the New World for the 500th Anniversary festivities.

All in all, the pirate ship traveled to 87 ports and islands around the world. The voyage covered 52,000 nautical miles (96,304 kilometers), and together it would equal nearly 2 ½ global trips. The voyage took thirty years, but these voyages has earned the pirate ship with recognitions with several museums that include Spain Ballina, Australia, and Santander has two. Today, the floating museum in Puerto Vallarta can be seen on the Marigalante pirate ship, which has also been recognized and featured in two books and two documentaries.