Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – On May 31, 2024, Puerto Vallarta will celebrate two significant milestones: the 106th anniversary of its establishment as a municipality and the 56th anniversary of its designation as a city.
Nestled along the stunning Pacific coastline, Puerto Vallarta boasts a rich history. Its natural harbor and expansive bay stretch from Punta de Mita in the north to Cabo Corrientes in the south. This area was once home to numerous pre-Hispanic settlements that provided valuable resources to Spanish explorers.
In the early 1800s, Puerto Vallarta was largely isolated, with economic activity centered in the mountain towns of Cuale, San Sebastián, and Mascota. These towns, rich in silver mines, lacked salt, which was essential for processing silver.
The village that would become Puerto Vallarta was founded in 1851 by Guadalupe Sanchez, a resourceful boatman from Cihuatlán. He established a trading post on the banks of the Cuale River to supply salt to the mountain mines. Sanchez named the settlement “Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe” to commemorate his arrival on December 12, the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. In 1911, the villagers petitioned for municipal status, and on May 31, 1918, the State Congress granted their request, renaming the municipality Puerto Vallarta in honor of Jalisco’s governor, Don Ignacio Luis Vallarta.
Every year on May 31, Puerto Vallarta celebrates this historic milestone with a vibrant array of festivities. This year’s celebrations began on May 13 with the inauguration of a traveling photographic exhibition. This exhibit traces Puerto Vallarta’s evolution from its origins as Puerto Las Peñas to its present status as a major tourist destination. The exhibition, which started in Plaza Principal, is touring various municipal delegations and will return to El Centro on May 31, just in time for the city’s founding anniversary.
On May 28, the central patio of the presidency will host a photography contest titled “Puerto Vallarta… What Defines Us as Vallartense de Corazón?” showcasing local pride and identity. On May 29, a new mural will be unveiled at the Lighthouse on Matamoros Street. The following day, May 30, will feature “Puerto Vallarta, Two Meetings with Its History,” an event in the central patio of the municipal presidency, alongside the Jazz World Music Festival at Los Arcos del Malecón.
The grand celebrations on May 31 will fill the streets with joy and color. The Anniversary Parade will proceed from the Sheraton Hotel to Los Arcos del Malecón, culminating in the main event in the El Faro area. The evening will open with a performance by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, followed by live entertainment. The celebrations typically end with a spectacular Pyromusical display over Banderas Bay.
Visitors in Puerto Vallarta during late May can look forward to a memorable experience, with the city’s anniversary celebrations coinciding with Vallarta Restaurant Week, which runs through June 10, and Vallarta Pride 2024, concluding on May 26.
The BanderasNews Team extends heartfelt congratulations to Puerto Vallarta on its double anniversary. We are proud to be a part of the community and we wish our beloved city, its citizens and visitors a safe and joyous celebration filled with lasting memories.