The Mexican culture as reflected in the very popular vacation destination of Puerto Vallarta can be experienced best by taking a walking tour. Puerto Vallarta Walking Tours offers eight such walks. Their aim is to immerse you in the local culture for a couple of hours so you feel more comfortable being here as you explore on your own.

An experienced guide will take you to different neighborhoods where you may see examples of Spanish Colonial architecture, hear the history of how Vallarta came to be, meet and talk to local artisans and vendors, taste a fresh hot tortilla while strolling an open market, or even make chocolate based on an ancient Mayan recipe.

Have more time? Visit a pre-Hispanic rural pueblo, a cowboy town, or snorkel and hike as you spend a day away on the water.

Visit PuertoVallartaWalkingTours.com to see all tour details and photos. Most walks are flat. A couple are not suitable for people with mobility challenges. Two are wheelchair friendly. All are suitable for children 12 and older.

PVWT is owned and operated by Sandra Cesca, an American who has lived in Puerto Vallarta full time since 2008 and started her walking tours in 2009. She is certified by the Department of Tourism and personally knows all of the people you will meet while walking Puerto Vallarta.

She is also a cultural photographer and uses many of her photos on her websites so you can see where you will be walking and what you will see and do. Find reviews from her many clients on Trip Advisor where she has a Certificate of Excellence.

Sandra lives in Puerto Vallarta full-time. Her photos and articles can be found on puertovallartawalkingtours.com; sandracescaphotography.com; Instagram and Facebook. She can be contacted at sandra.learn.vallarta(at)gmail.com; or sandra.cesca.photography(at)gmail.com.

•   B E L O W   T H E   F O L D   •

Mexican Vanilla Extract: Pure or Imitation?
Sandra Cesca

Vanilla beans cultivated around the world originally came from Mexico. When Cortés came to conquer Mexico in 1519, he sent samples of the vanilla orchid back to Spain, where they eventually spread to other countries. But how can you tell if vanilla extract is pure or imitation?

---

The Era of 'Yucatan Green Gold' in Merida, Mexico
Sandra Cesca

Sotuta de Peón, once one of the largest hacienda plantations for the production of natural fiber rope, was established in the 1800s just outside of Merida, Mexico. Today, it is a living museum, having been restored from its abandoned state over 25 years ago.

---

Puerto Vallarta Walking Tours: A Palapa for your Pleasure
Sandra Cesca

Walking around Puerto Vallarta you will see many palapas, especially along the beach, where they serve as sun protection. So what is a palapa? It's an open-air thatched roof structure that is commonly constructed by local craftsmen using natural materials from the jungle.

---

Puerto Vallarta Walking Tours: Mexico's Nopal Cactus
Sandra Cesca

Dulce Maria Morales sits at our daily market removing the spines from nopal (prickly pear) cactus to prepare them for sale. When I first came to Mexico, I asked her what to do with these lovely green pads. Now, after many meals which have included various preparations, I love this food.

---

Meet the Mexican Willy Wonka in Puerto Vallarta
Sandra Cesca

The always smiling Jesus, whose nickname is 'Willy Wonka,' and I became friends at least 10 years ago when I started to bring people to one of his family's Puerto Vallarta 'dulcerias' to taste his many yummy products. Caramelized nuts, not chocolate, are his specialty.

---

El Tuito: A Satisfying Adventure into Rural Mexico
Sandra Cesca

I first met Marta several years ago, after hearing about her famous breads, cakes, and cookies in the small Mexican town of El Tuito. I have visited her many times since because her butter cookies are to die for. If you ever visit Puerto Vallarta, I will happily take you there.

---

Discover The Miracle of 'Milagros' in Puerto Vallarta
Sandra Cesca

I was walking by this shop in downtown Puerto Vallarta when I was attracted to the hundreds of wooden shapes hanging on the walls. Turns out they were 'milagros,' which means 'miracles' in Spanish, and they have been used for over 4000 years as a way to express gratitude.

---

Discovering Indigenous Art in Puerto Vallarta
Sandra Cesca

Mexico has long been known for its talented artists and craftsmen. Some techniques date back hundreds of years. Many shops and galleries in Puerto Vallarta carry these beautiful, handmade pieces, some examples of which can be seen on some of my walking tours.