Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - How about a new way to experience Puerto Vallarta's Old Town? Sounds inviting, right? Come and join El Diablo and his friends on a tour of downtown Vallarta by Night for a really unique experience... a magical and mysterious way in which to feel and get to know the city.

Have fun while exploring the downtown streets, the Rio Cuale Island, the Market, the Presidencia (City Hall) and the many other mystical places to be discovered in the downtown area on a new night tour conducted by the "Histrionic" Theater group of Zacatecas. Led by "The Devil" and his family of followers, who will share amazing stories, legends and anecdotes along the way, this fabulous tour is quickly becoming a success, since its something very different to do in Puerto Vallarta.

Proposed and promoted by the head of the Municipal Tourism Board, Ramon Gonzalez Lomeli, who expressed that he has been working on activities to bring tourists into the city's center, this entertaining and fun night tour, called Legends of Vallarta, starts off at the Seahorse (Caballito) statue on the Malecón and takes you on a tour through the shadowy streets and some enigmatic places in El Centro, every day except for Tuesday.

There are two tours daily. Departures are scheduled at 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm starting from the Malecón's famous Seahorse. This is, for the most part, a walking tour, however, sometimes a ride on the Viva Tequila train is included.

The Histrionic Theater Group from Zacatecas is responsible for conducting these tours, which consist of four stage actors, plus the main character, Emmanuel Arzate, who plays "El Diablo," an archetypal figure who shares spine-chilling stories of certain beings who continue to pay penitence for past deeds and haunt certain places around town.

After seeing a successful presentation of a similar tour at the International Tourism Fair in Zacatecas, Municipal Tourism director Ramón González invited this theater group to perform a night tour here in our city. With the help of local historian and chronicle researcher, Jose Manuel Encarnacion, the tour was adapted to highlight the history and legends of Puerto Vallarta.

As the tour weaves it's way past the Church of Guadalupe through downtown, participants of all ages are captivated by El Diablo's wit and sarcasm as he fascinates the group with stories of "La Malinche." As he interacts with his "family of followers" (tour participants) along the way, other legends begin to take shape.

From the streets of downtown Puerto Vallarta, the tour takes you to Playa de Los Muertos ("The Beach of the Dead"), where another legend was born; then heads across a swinging bridge to the Rio Cuale Island, where the weeping willows and stray cats are part of the Rastras de Los Arboles Llorones ("The Scraping of the Crying Trees") story. The dim light of the street lamps and restaurants help create the perfect atmosphere and stage for this particular performance.

You'll also enjoy the legends of La Carambada, where the actors end up being the spectators; La Coqueta and Los Hermanos Manzanares among other stories, which are sometimes the same, sometimes different, but all inspired by Puerto Vallarta and its past.

This unique tour has been running for just over a month with the hope that it will continue to be a success so it can become a permanent part of the family-friendly activities available in PV. I personally can not find a better way to experience the Old Town neighborhood than through the Downtown Puerto Vallarta by Night tour.

The stage actors who work with 'The Devil' are: Monica Mata 21, Andre Robles 19 and Armando Pereida 20. Young and inspiring people ready to make your night memorable.

Tickets for the Downtown Puerto Vallarta by Night tour are for sale at the Tourist information module near the Hotel Rosita located at the north end of the Malecon. Adults $150, children $100 pesos. If by any chance you don't make it on time to buy your tickets at the module just catch up with the tour when its taking off, you can pay them directly, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a different experience in PV.