| | |  Entertainment | Restaurants & Dining | September 2009 
La Palapa Restaurant Celebrates 50 Years
 Vallarta Tribune
September 25, 2009
| | La Palapa was the first beach front restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, its "palapa" opening in 1959. Featuring fresh seafood, exotic drinks and live music, it is still Vallarta's favorite. For more information or to make your reservations, call (322) 222-5225 or visit LaPalapaPV.com. | |
La Palapa, the iconic gold standard of Vallarta tradition, turns 50 this year! Originally the brainchild of the late Rodelinda Perez and her husband Guy Dickey, La Palapa was the first beach front restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, its "palapa" opening in 1959.
Imagine a time before Night of the Iguana found its way to this untouched tropical village, a time before bridges were built over the Rio Cuale, a time when only the jet setters with private planes could experience the peace and tranquility of this undiscovered paradise.
Hosting celebrities and movie stars, along with the common folk, La Palapa soon gained a reputation for consistently providing fun, music, great food and plenty of "coco locos." Many a customer made lifelong friends here over the years, who still get together at La Palapa's beach club or under the palapa every chance they get.
This popular spot has seen many changes over the past half century. It has been a cantina, a pizza place and a disco – the dance floor merely flattened sand on the beach and the dancers wearing little more than bikinis. La Palapa even faced down Category 5 Hurricane Kenna! And when the waves wiped out the dining room it was reborn faster than anyone could have imagined, with more beauty and resilience than ever.
Many members of the Perez family have contributed to La Palapa's success. Some in the kitchen creating dishes, others in the boutique designing and making traditional clothing, creating the architectural design, or simply serving the clients as managers, waiters or bartenders.
Some 20 years ago, Alberto Perez, Rodelinda's youngest brother, took ownership of the business, and transformed it into an award-winning venue in every respect. The cuisine a fusion of classic Mexican flavors with a tropical theme, today this landmark restaurant is more vital than ever. Hosting breakfasts, lunches, dinners and special events, a tropical jazz combo plays in the evening as candlit tables and tiki torches sparkle over the ocean waves.
When you are in Puerto Vallarta, La Palapa is a must. You can always expect warm friendly service – which, like everything else here, just keeps getting better over time.
Located at Pulpito #103 on Playa Los Muertos in the heart of the Romantic Zone, La Palapa Restaurant & Beachclub is open daily from 9 am-11 pm. For more information or to make your reservations, call (322) 222-5225 or visit LaPalapaPV.com. |
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