One of the best family plans in Puerto Vallarta needs no tickets or reservations: just lace up your sneakers and head out for a walk by the sea. From Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments, on Playa Camarones, the Malecón is just a few minutes away on foot, and from there begins a route full of sculptures, street shows, local treats and corners to explore, all the way to Playa Los Muertos.

It’s about 3 kilometers with the ocean always on your right. With kids, photo stops and an ice cream or two along the way, plan on an hour and a half to two hours. Here is the route, stop by stop, with ideas so both grown-ups and little ones can enjoy it.

Starting Point: Buenaventura Grand and Playa Camarones

Walking out from the hotel is one of the perks of staying at Buenaventura Grand: no need to worry about parking or transportation. Head south along Playa Camarones and in just a few minutes you’ll reach the start of the Malecón, next to the traditional Hotel Rosita.

The Malecón: An Open-Air Museum for Little Ones

The Malecón is a wide, flat pedestrian boardwalk along the bay, ideal for walking with kids and even with a stroller. Its bronze sculptures turn into a game for the little ones: who can spot the next one?

• El Caballito: a boy riding a seahorse, the symbol of Puerto Vallarta. Perfect for a family photo.
• La Rotonda del Mar: 16 sculptures by Alejandro Colunga shaped like fantastical chairs and sea creatures. Kids love sitting on them.
• In Search of Reason: two figures climbing a ladder toward the sky, ideal for sparking the imagination.

Along the way you’ll often find artists creating sand sculptures, rock balancers, musicians and vendors selling traditional sweets, corn on the cob and ice cream. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see the Voladores de Papantla spinning down from the top of their pole, a show kids never forget.

Los Arcos, Plaza de Armas and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Halfway along the Malecón you’ll find Los Arcos, the seaside stage where open-air shows are held, especially on weekends. Right across is the Plaza de Armas, with its gazebo and shaded benches, a good spot to rest. One block away rises the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, with its famous crown atop the bell tower.

Naval Museum

Continuing south you’ll come to the Naval Museum, an interesting stop for curious little ones who love ships and stories of the sea. After that, the Malecón continues along a quieter stretch, with benches and an open view of the ocean.

The Cuale River and Its Island

The walk crosses the Cuale River on a pedestrian bridge by the beach. It’s worth a detour to Cuale Island, a green, shady spot with trees, suspension bridges kids love to cross, craft stalls and the municipal market. It’s a great place for a break and to pick out a souvenir of your trip.

Arrival: Playa Los Muertos and Its Pier

The finish line is Playa Los Muertos, Vallarta’s most traditional beach and a gathering place for families all year round. Its main attraction is the pier, renovated in 2013, which reaches out into the sea and ends in a sail-shaped structure. Walking to the tip and watching the sunset from there is the perfect ending, and at nightfall the pier lights up in color.

Boats and water taxis leave from the pier to the beaches on the south side of the bay, such as Las Ánimas or Yelapa, an idea for planning another family adventure in the days ahead. Nearby, in the Las Pilitas area, you’ll find Rafael Zamarripa’s original Boy on the Seahorse sculpture, placed there in 1968.

Tips for Walking with Kids

• Comfortable shoes: the Malecón is flat, but the Romantic Zone has cobblestone streets; if you bring a stroller, make it a sturdy one.
• Water, a hat and sunscreen: the Vallarta sun is strong even in the afternoon.
• Planned stops: the Plaza de Armas and Cuale Island are good spots to rest in the shade.
• A game along the way: ask the kids to count the sculptures or find their favorite for a photo.
• No-stress return: if the little ones can’t go any further, take a taxi or ride-hailing app back to the hotel.

A Walk That Becomes a Family Memory

Walking from Buenaventura Grand to Playa Los Muertos is an easy way to discover Puerto Vallarta as a family: art you can touch, street shows, local flavors and a sunset to share. And when you get back, the hotel is waiting to close the day with a good dinner and rest for the whole family.