The downtown area of Puerto Vallarta is where the majority of activity happens in the bay, especially in the later hours of the day. With many restaurants, bars, nightclubs and an amazing variety of gift and clothing shops, art galleries, jewleries, and ice cream vendors spread throughout the backstreets, this is where everybody goes out for an evening walk. The malecon,or boardwalk, has amazing water views as well as the bronze statues of great artists like Alejandro Colunga, Sergio Bustamante and Ramis Barquet, which make it the perfect place to watch the pacific mexican sunsets.

Local vendors populate the malecon, selling everything from fruit on a stick to corn, mexican candy, paintings, jewelry and balloons. Local artists can be found here in the early evenings utilizing the inspiring location to showcase their talent. Fire dancers to mimes and oil painters can be found here on any given night. There are live performances held weekly at the Los Arcos Ampitheatre and at the gazebo in the main plaza adjacent to the ampitheatre on the south end of the Malecon.

The residential zone that stretches on the hill behind the main downtown streets is called "gringo gulch", receiving its name from the locals on account of the concentration of foreigners living in this area. In 1963, while filming "The Night of the Iguana", Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton bought Casa Kimberly in this area, giving it a Hollywood touch and making it internationally renowned. Today this is still a fabulous place to live, offering many small condos and quaint homes with a traditional mexican style and breathtaking views of the city and bay.

Going south towards the "romantic zone" is Playa los Muertos. Sometimes referred to as Old Town or Viejo Vallarta, this part of town is always bustling with activities.
Daytime amenities like jet skis, parachutes and banana boat rides can be found at any hour of day. Parallel to the beach is Olas Altas street, famous for window shopping opportunities and many delicious cafes and restaurants. This area is famous for attracting gay tourism from all over the world. Many restaurants and clubs, like Kit Kat, offer amazingly entertaining transvestite shows paired with gourmet cuisine.

The newest development going up in downtown Vallarta is Molina de Agua. Located next to the river and perfectly placed amongst all of the amenities the city has to offer, this project is converting an old eco-hotel into 110, 3 bedroom oceanfront condos starting at $575,000. Ocean view condos can still be found at just $120,000 and range all the way to $1,600,000 for an oceanfront penthouse with sweeping views of the entire bay.

With the addition of Peninsula, the hotel zone now has a Starbucks, Hooters and server al boutique stores for shopping. Now you have the opportunity to live in a beachfront condo with dozens of stores and restaurants just steps away from your home. There is still availability in both towers with pricing from $500,000 - $1,400,000.

The largest project coming to the area is Icon Vallarta. Developers of The Related Group are working with world renowned designer Philipe Stark to bring Miami style towers to the pacific mexican coastline. These Chic condos will start in the lower $200,000 with amenities such as a pool, jacuzzi, 24-hour valet parking, spa and gym, boat dock, mail receiving desk, concierge, dry cleaning and restaurants.