Several city tours pass by the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and guides will typically take time to explain the church’s backstory and significance. Many of these tours—which are sometimes private and customizable—also include visits to attractions such as Los Arcos, the Marina, and the Malecón. Others combine downtown sightseeing with more offbeat experiences—such as silver workshops—for returning visitors who want to see a different side of Puerto Vallarta. And even tequila fans can find a private, tasting-filled tour that also offers a glimpse of the church’s striking exterior.
Especially ornate and delightful from the outside, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a must-see of downtown Vallarta.
Several full- and half-day excursions offer stops at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The church holds English-language services on Saturdays and mass on Sundays.
Try to catch a glimpse of the bell tower at sunset, as its silhouette is picture perfect.
Situated at the heart of the Old Town, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe can be found on Calle Hidalgo (Hidalgo Street), just off the central square. All public buses that run toward downtown Puerto Vallarta will drop you within easy walking distance of the church, and taxi drivers will know exactly where to find it.
For an atmosphere like no other, the best time to visit the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is throughout December. The first half of the month sees celebrations for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe—as well as the anniversary of the founding of Puerto Vallarta—while the latter half is when Posada season and the Christmas festivities get underway. It’s open daily.
Combine a trip to see the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a whistle-stop tour of some of the city’s other principal attractions. Stroll the Malecón, try tuba (a fermented drink) from one of the vendors, and snap a photo—if you can—in front of the colorful Puerto Vallarta sign. Dip in and out of the art galleries that dominate the Zona Rosa (Pink Zone) before relaxing on the bar-lined, palapa-dotted Los Muertos Beach.