Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – The public consultation on the future of Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón drew strong participation over the weekend, with more than 5,000 residents, merchants, and visitors taking part from November 21 to 23. The exercise was designed to gather community perspectives on whether the city’s iconic waterfront walkway should remain pedestrian-only or be reopened to vehicular traffic.
Voting stations were placed at key locations across the municipality, including Plaza de Armas, Lázaro Cárdenas Park, La Isla Shopping Plaza, Plaza del Pitillal, and several neighborhoods, schools, and health centers. Participation remained steady throughout the weekend, with unofficial tallies showing 1,064 votes on Friday, 2,000 on Saturday, and approx 2,500 on Sunday.
The consultation offered participants an opportunity to weigh in on a crucial decision. When interviewed, participants expressed differing viewpoints. Some residents indicated that they voted to reopen the road, believing the years-long closure negatively impacted local businesses and the flow of tourism.
Others strongly preferred the continued pedestrian-only status, valuing the safety and leisure atmosphere it provides. Despite the differing opinions, participants welcomed the opportunity to help shape a decision that affects the city’s daily life and long-term planning.
According to José Juan Velázquez Hernández, general secretary of the city council, the Jalisco Electoral and Citizen Participation Institute (IEPC) collected the 40 ballot boxes placed at 20 sites across the city on Sunday evening. Due to a road blockade announced for Monday, the council has not yet received detailed results from the institute.
Although the consultation was supervised by IEPC Jalisco, Velázquez Hernández explained that it is not legally binding under the terms of the Jalisco Electoral Code. Instead, it serves as a civic participation effort to guide future public works and policy decisions related to the Malecón. The exercise successfully met the required threshold of at least 0.5 percent of the city’s nominal list, which amounts to 1,426 participants.
City officials expect to release the full results by Thursday or Friday, marking the next step in a process that has already encouraged widespread community involvement.
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