The Malecón is Puerto Vallarta’s half-mile seawall promenade. Twelve blocks long, it runs from Hotel Rosita at 31 de Octubre Street in the north to Los Arcos Amphitheater at Zaragoza Street in the south. The center of public life in Vallarta, the Malecón is also the place to see some of the town’s most famous sculptures.
“The Millenium” by Mathis Lídice, 2001
The first sculpture on the north end of the Malecón, “The Millenium” spirals upwards and represents the evolution of life. At the bottom of the piece, you’ll find two of the basic components of life – a DNA double helix and a dividing cell. As you follow the spiral up, you’ll see an octopus, fish, frogs, and lizards. The first human depicted is a sword-wielding Charlemagne, king of the Franks in the 8th and 9th centuries. Next is Nezahualcoyotl, the poet-king of Texcoco in 15th century Mexico. At the pinnacle of the sculpture is a female figure, a dove in her outstretched hands – perhaps signifying Lídice’s hope for a peaceful future?
“La Nostalgia” (“Nostalgia”) by Ramiz Barquet, 1984
One of the most popular sculptures in town, Barquet’s “Nostalgia” is a tribute to his relationship with his wife, the painter Nelly Barquet. The two planned to marry when they were young, but they lost touch, married other people, and each had children. After twenty-seven years, Ramiz and Nelly finally met again in Mexico and married. The sculpture depicts the silhouettes of two people sitting side-by-side and looking in the same direction toward the city.
“Naturaleza como Madre” (“Nature As Mother”) by Tapatio Adrian Reynoso
Perhaps the most abstract piece on the Malecón, this sculpture’s organic curves depict a crashing wave with human features (arms and a face) perched on top of a spiraling snail shell. “Nature As Mother” is widely said to represent the cycle of life and death. Interestingly, when looked at from the side, the sculpture as a whole also resembles a pelican or other water bird.
“El Sutil Comepiedras” (“The Subtle Rock-Eater”) by Jonas Gutiérrez, 2006
“The Subtle Rock-Eater” by Guadalajara sculptor Jonas Gutiérrez is a surreal sculpture made of bronze and obsidian. It depicts a male figure whose clothes appear to be melting. With his right hand, the figure holds a few stones, and with his left, he’s about to drop an egg-shaped stone into his mouth.
“La Rotunda del Mar” (“The Rotunda of the Sea”) by Alejandro Colunga, 1997
Also from Guadalajara, self-taught painter and sculptor Alejandro Colunga has created what is certainly the most surreal piece on the Malecón. “The Rotunda of the Sea” consists of a number of high-backed bronze chairs that mix fantastic human features and nautical imagery – one chair is topped with an octopus, others are humans with an old diving helmet and what looks to be a periscope. Facing all of the chairs is a bench with two giant human ears. This installation is not only interesting to look at, but it’s also a great spot to take a break, sit down, and watch the sea.
“In Search of Reason” by Sergio Bustamante, 1999
This third surrealistic piece on the Malecón is another that makes people stop and look. It features one of Bustamante’s famous triangular-headed, robed figures standing with its arms outstretched at the bottom of a tall ladder. Near the top of the ladder there are two smaller figures reaching out to the sky. Many people speculate that the figure on the ground is the mother, calling out to her two children on the ladder. It’s not uncommon to see people climbing this sculpture and having their picture taken.
“Caballeo del Mar” (“The Seahorse”) by Rafael Zamarripa, 1976
The first sculpture to appear on the Malecón, “The Seahorse” is also the most famous. Depicting a waving boy riding a giant seahorse, this sculpture has become a symbol of Puerto Vallarta.
“Triton and the Nereid” by Carlos Espino, 1990
Mexico City sculptor Carlos Espino’s focus on the human form and classical mythology can be seen in this piece, which depicts Triton (son and herald of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea) reaching out to a Nereid (a Greek sea nymph).
“La Fuente de la Amistad” (“The Friendship Fountain”) by James “Bud” Bottoms, 1987
Puerto Vallarta and Santa Barbara, California have been sister cities since 1972. Santa Barbara sculptor James Bottoms created this fountain with three leaping dolphins as a gift to PV. Mr. Bottoms chose dolphins for the sculpture because the Chumash Indian word for dolphin, alulquoy, also means “to go around, to protect, and to go in peace.”
“Angel de la Esperanza y Mensajero de la Paz” (“Angel of Hope and Messenger of Peace”) by Hector Manuel Montes García, 2008
The Malecón’s newest sculpture stands near Los Arcos Amphitheater and depicts an angel holding his hands out and looking up at the sky. The sculptor, Hector Manuel Montes García, is a native of Puerto Vallarta. A plaque under the piece says, “Always with the hope of goodness and equality for everybody, wisdom, love, and peace for humanity.”
Are you interested in other public sculptures around Vallarta that aren't on the Malecón? Check out our article Other Sculptures.
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