Sometimes the most beautiful and exciting part of a vacation destination is its culture, people, and cities. When you visit Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, you are sure to enjoy the beaches, the water activities, and the luxury resorts, however; a mustn't-miss on any trip is downtown. Downtown, there is plenty to see with the overhead wires being converted to underground cables so that the old world charm shines through. Consider, though, that there are other things to do and to see in downtown.

If you are going to visit Puerto Vallarta, then make sure you don't miss the boardwalk or Malecon as it is often called. You can stroll down the boardwalk and take in the scenery of the bay. You can also enjoy the beach and a perfect view of the world famous Puerto Vallarta sunsets. The area also features a variety of bars, restaurants, and local shops so that a trip to the boardwalk can be an all-day experience. Start with breakfast at the ocean and end with a dinner and a sunset over the bay.

If you want to get a glimpse of Puerto Vallarta's most famous symbol, then make sure you pay a visit to the Parish Church. Called Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, this gorgeous old church can be seen on many post cards and photos regarding Puerto Vallarta. It is one block from the town's main square on Hidalgo making it an easy side trip as you spend the day in downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Speaking of the city square put in some time in the main plaza to really experience Puerto Vallarta. There, you can sit back and try some locally made ice cream, people watch, or feed the pigeons among the locals. Have a seat on one of the many benches to take in the atmosphere of the town, or simply stroll around and enjoy the architecture of the city.

Finally, no trip to downtown Puerto Vallarta is complete without a visit to the Cuale River. This river walkway is reminiscent of the one in San Antonio. As you go down the walkway, you can enjoy a number of shops, bars, and restaurants for the sake of entertainment. Don't forget to stop by and see the statue of John Huston, the film director. The river separates the downtown area and is worth the time if you truly want to experience what urban Puerto Vallarta is about.

As you can see, there is more to Puerto Vallarta than initially meets the idea. Sure, the beaches and resorts are amazing, and the water sports are a great way to fill the day. However, consider the fun day you can have experiencing the people and culture of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Enjoy old architecture, people watching on the plaza, the views of the boardwalk, and strolling down the river while you explore the shops, restaurants, and bars that make downtown a cultural Mecca. You can spend all day downtown and still not see everything, but you will most definitely leave with an appreciation of the culture of the city and the culture of old world Mexico.