Visit the Maritime Museum in Puerto Vallarta

The fascinating Puerto Vallarta Naval Museum and Naval Historical Center aims to exhibit and preserve Mexico’s rich culture and history. Since its opening in 2006, it has devoted itself to educating visitors on the wide-reaching positive effects of Mexico’s Navy on this country. You can find this great historical venue right next to Los Arcos on Puerto Vallarta’s famous Malecon boardwalk. The colonial-style building also once served as the Port Authority office, the local Navy Headquarters, and the Navy Hospital in the past. Are you a Villa La Estancia homeowner in Riviera Nayarit and want to head down to PV for the day? If so, escape from the sun’s hot rays, and go explore this great historical place and the nautical treats it offers.

Mexico and Its Maritime History

The museum will take you as far back as pre-hispanic times when Mexico’s maritime history began. You can learn more about Puerto Vallarta and its rich past as a port city. The exhibits include the city’s former encounters with the Nao ships which came here all the way from China. The museum also highlights important history on the port’s trade with other ports, documented sea journeys, and an account on how the bay was defended during wartime. There are also five exhibition rooms inside the museum that display amazing artifacts that belong to its permanent collections of maps, photos, paintings, and documents. You will discover a deeper understanding of how the naval history of Mexico has evolved through time. There are displays of a variety of naval uniforms used by sailors throughout the years which seem to come alive as you tour the museum.

Real-life Navigation Exhibitions

Your dream to become one with the seas will become reality as you explore the detailed scale models of old and modern vessels, as well as the forts and topographic layout of Mexico’s prominent ports. Sailing the open seas will be more exciting as you watch the museum’s audio-visual exhibitions and a special five-screen navigation simulator. You get a chance to see what it feels like to maneuver a large ship across different environments and conditions. The navigation instruments and charts on display will also awaken the sailor spirit within you.

One of Mexico’s most important historical events occurred on April 21, 1914, when a group of young men defended the port of Veracruz against the naval school during the second North American Intervention. You will also explore the long-held custom of how sailors kept themselves entertained while at sea. They placed terrifying, mythological creatures within navigation charts to give fellow sailors a good natured scare and to keep everyone alert.

Times to Visit

Villa La Estancia homeowners, residents and visitors may visit this great historical spot throughout the year and at a fraction of the cost. Its entrance fee is only 45 pesos for general admission and 30 pesos for children, students, teachers, and senior citizens. Persons with disability and children below 6 years of age may enter the museum for free. It is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Villa La Estancia homeowners should take advantage of the chance to enjoy the nautical and historical experiences found only at the Naval Museum in Puerto Vallarta. Ships ahoy!

What to Expect from a Vallarta Lifestyle

So, what is it that foreigners do once they make the move to Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit to join the full-time community there? The list of potentials is endless, to be honest, as there is really something for everyone here. Get to know the Vallarta Lifestyle:

The Beach | Vallarta Lifestyle

The beaches and coves around Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are, not surprisingly, at the top of this list, and for good reason! There is such variety in the beaches of Banderas Bay that you can be absolutely certain of finding the right beach on which to practice your favorite sport (whatever that may be!). Whether you wish to find stunning scenery to photograph, amazing coves to explore, or you want to swim, surf, paddle board, snorkel, scuba dive, or even freedive you can be sure to find the perfect place to do it all when you live in Puerto Vallarta. Get ready to put your hiking boots on, however, because there are simply not enough days in the year to see all that Puerto Vallarta’s coastline has to offer.

Vallarta’s Farmers Markets

During high season (October to May) you will find that Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit is the hub for some really lovely farmers markets! On Sundays there is a market in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle which benefits from stunning ocean views and access to some of the freshest seafood in town. Don’t forget to watch the street performers when stop to grab a bite to eat! On Saturdays from 9:30am to 2:00pm you will find the Old Town Farmers Market in Puerto Vallarta. This market has everything from street food and live music to art, clothing, jewelry, crafts, and locally grown produce! You can find the Old Town market at Lazaro Cardenas Park (adjacent to Los Muertos Beach).

Charity and volunteering

There are few better ways to make friends than through passion for a shared cause, and in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit there are plenty of wonderful charitable causes which would benefit from your time and attention. There are animal shelters, orphanages, and old people’s homes; there is also “children of the dump”, a women and children’s refuge. There are also some schools for disabled children which could benefit from your experience and help. What better way to make friends than by giving back to the community in which you now live, laugh, and love?

Movie Theatres

Puerto Vallarta has almost as many movie theatres as gas stations (well, maybe not quite), and they’re generally reasonably priced as well as utterly charming. Thanks to this variety you can be sure you’ll find one that suits you to a T fairly quickly! At the Isla shopping center, for example, there is a VIP cinema which features in show waiters who will attend to your needs through each showing. If you have kids, on the other hand, there is the cinema adjacent to Pitillal which has a slide running all the way from the top row to a pre-show kids area.

Live Theater

If you’re a lover of live theater you should definitely get involved with Act II entertainment (found on the corner of Basilio Badillo and Insurgentes Street). They are always on the look out for fresh talent, and besides the viewings are affordable; even if you don’t want your shot at stardom you can enjoy the productions they put on! The theatre itself also has a lovely piano bar which is a great place to kick back, have a drink, and meet new people for those who enjoy a bit of luxury.

Taking a road trips

When you live in Banderas Bay, there are plenty of place to explore. Hire a car or take to public transport and explore the many wonderful colonial towns, lakeside villages, and seaside cities which pepper this landscape.

Share with us what do you like the most of the Vallarta Lifestyle!

Puerto Vallarta Sculptures on the boardwalk - Nostalgia

The Malecon – A Stunning Boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico boasts an amazing feature that is beloved by many people including locals and visitors: The Malecon. This famous boardwalk has a beautiful view of the ocean overlooking Banderas Bay, and it is a mile long. It makes up a wall which protects the many restaurants, shops, and bars from Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The Malecon is considered to be the focus of the downtown section of Puerto Vallarta and is enjoyed by locals and tourists everyday of the year. When you become an owner at Villa la Estancia Residences, a Sunday stroll on the Malecon will become part of you personal story too. Just think, you can look out to sea and watch the sunset without getting sand in your shoes.

Anyone who visits Puerto Vallarta should definitely visit to the Malecon, and it is one place that you will return to time and again. You can never tire of the Malecom. There are several restaurants, shops, bars, and nightclubs as well as other attractions. It is possible to see the sun set as you eat your dinner on the boardwalk or walk hand in hand with an ice cream or frozen yogurt. Banderas Bay’s Malecon is surely one of the best places to view a sunset, second only to the comfort of your own balcony at Villa La Estancia Residences.

2011 Renovations

If you haven’t visiting Puerto Vallarta in a few years, then you might be interested to know that in 2011, there were renovations done to the Malecon, which has made it all the more beautiful. Pedestrians can now enjoy an even better experience at this locale, with beautiful surroundings of tropical plants, palm trees, and bugambilia. The indigenous tribes of this area also are honoured with artwork on the streets to represent sacred Huichol symbols. They depict nature, the cosmos, and animals. This is a wonderful sight to behold.

Art and Theater

Speaking of art, there are sculptures all along the boardwalk that have been created mainly by the local Mexican artists. You might wish to go on a guided English-speaking tour to learn more about the sculptures, which tell you a lot about the artistic heritage of Nayarit and Jalisco states in Mexico. You can request additional information at Galeria Pacifico. Free performances are held at the outdoor amphitheatre that is near Our Lady of Guadalupe church and the plaza. Street performers, merchants, and artisans entertain and sell their items at this location.

The New Pier on Los Muertos Beach

Travel towards Old Town and you will also find a brand new pier, from where you can go on a water taxis to travel to idyllic beaches which may only be accessed by boat.