Bahia de Banderas, known for its clear, blue waters, is a great place to sit in the sun, exercise on the beach or look for wildlife along its 40 miles of coastline. If you have a snorkel, the waters of Bahia de Banderas are home to a beautiful reef filled with bountiful tropical fish, stingrays and brilliantly colored coral. If you visit the Bahia de Banderas between December and April, it is also a great spot to view dolphins and whales that come to these waters to breed and give birth to calves.
The Los Arcos Amphitheater has recently become one of Puerto Vallarta's key landmarks. It is located downtown, right near the Malecon, the main square and social hub of the city. The amphitheater is flanked by Los Arcos, a row of arches that now symbolize Puerto Vallarta. The amphitheater is used for open-air cultural performances and festivals. Each weekend there is a concert or another type of performance happening at the amphitheater, as well as on holidays. The events at the amphitheater are free for the public to attend.
La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe is the most important church in all of Puerto Vallarta. At the end of every December, an elaborate 12-day festival is held here. Construction on the church began in 1929 and lasted 12 years. If you are a fan of churches, you should make visiting La Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe a priority. Inside, you will see ornate columns with highly detailed molding. An earthquake damaged the church's original crown, which was designed after the tiara of the mistress of the Emperor Maximilian. The crown's replacement is still a source of controversy in the city.
