Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – With the COVID-19 pandemic dominating the world’s news and social media channels, it can be difficult to find out what’s happening in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, so here’s a look at some of the latest local news and headlines.
Mayor Announces Plans to Extend Malecón
Puerto Vallarta Mayor Arturo Dávalos Peña recently announced plans to extend the Malecón north from the Hotel Rosita to the Sheraton Hotel in the city’s Hotel Zone. This will add an approximate one kilometer stretch to the north end of the existing boardwalk, and bring more tourism to the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood. “The continuation of the Puerto Vallarta Malecón from Hotel Rosita to the Sheraton Hotel, where we are going to reactivate the entire 5 de Diciembre neighborhood and Paraguay Street in particular, which will become a very important economic area,” the mayor said. The mayor also announced that the municipality intends to add hydraulic concrete along the Highway 200 from Palmares to Boca de Tomatlán, because “it costs us a lot to maintain that section,” which is currently made of asphalt. In the same report, Arturo Dávalos Peña proposed to build a new section for the Boca de Tomatlán Malecón, and a new Malecón in Mismaloya, where the movie “The Night of the Iguana” was filmed in 1964.
New Artisan Market in Puerto Vallarta
The new Magic Market and Festival by Puerto Mágico offers a bright clean covered space to browse the over 100 local producers including clothing, art, jewelry, fresh produce, prepared foods, drink and desserts. From 5:00–10:00 pm every Friday, the newest market in Puerto Vallarta gives visitors the opportunity to support local artisans while enjoying family-friendly entertainment including traditional dancers, musicians and more! Located in the new Puerto Mágico cruise ship terminal, across from Galerias Vallarta on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, the large open space has plenty of fresh air and room to move freely amongst the vendors while maintaining social distancing. Visit the Magic Market and Festival Facebook page to learn more about the individual artists and vendors as well as each week’s entertainment program.
Cruise Ships Return to Puerto Vallarta in November
According to the president of the Mexican Cruise Association, Arturo Musi Ganem, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines have confirmed their return to the Mexican Riviera, with calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas, in the second half of November. The first shipping line that announced its return to the Mexican Riviera was Norwegian Cruise Line, whose Norwegian Bliss, the winner of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Hot List Award, is scheduled to arrive at Puerto Vallarta’s new Puerto Mágico on Wednesday, November 24, 2020. Carnival Cruise Line also reported that the new Carnival Panorama – which made its inaugural cruise shortly before the pandemic – would be returning to the Mexican Riviera in mid- to late- November. Musi Ganem said the rest of the cruise lines that regularly sail the Mexican Riviera are expected to return to their pre-pandemic schedules in January and February of 2021. He added that all international cruise ships on this route will have all health security protocols in place, including medical-grade air-filters, continuous disinfection of public areas, passenger and crew health screenings and lower passenger capacity, to reduce the risk of contagion from the coronavirus.