Los Arcos Puerto Vallarta
Iconic archway in Guadalajara commemorating city's founding, and stunning rock formations near Puerto Vallarta for marine adventures.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Street closure for walking
Los Arcos Puerto Vallarta
Best Time
Street closure for walking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Iconic archway in Guadalajara commemorating city's founding, and stunning rock formations near Puerto Vallarta for marine adventures.
"A piece of art and history in Guadalajara, and a magical marine paradise in Puerto Vallarta."
🚶♀️ Sunday Street Closure
Enjoy a leisurely stroll as the street is closed to vehicles on Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm. 🚶
✨ Evening Ambiance
The monument looks particularly stunning when lit up at night. ✨
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.8 · 811 reviews
Type
Monument
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Grand Archway
A stately neoclassical arch built in 1942, honoring Guadalajara's 400th anniversary. A true piece of art!
Historical Plaques
Discover detailed inscriptions about Guadalajara's founding date and the creation of its coat of arms.
Nighttime Illumination
Experience the monument's magical glow after dark, offering a different, enchanting perspective.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything
Historical Context
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Sunday Street Closure
Enjoy a leisurely stroll as the street is closed to vehicles on Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm. 🚶
✨ Evening Ambiance
The monument looks particularly stunning when lit up at night. ✨
📜 Learn the History
Take time to read the inscriptions detailing Guadalajara's founding and coat of arms. 📜
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Sunday Street Closure
Enjoy a leisurely stroll as the street is closed to vehicles on Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm. 🚶
✨ Evening Ambiance
The monument looks particularly stunning when lit up at night. ✨
📜 Learn the History
Take time to read the inscriptions detailing Guadalajara's founding and coat of arms. 📜
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Los Arcos monument for its historical significance and artistic beauty, especially when illuminated at night. The Mismaloya location is lauded for its stunning natural rock formations, ideal for snorkeling and water activities. Some find the historical inscriptions a bit dense, and access to Mismaloya requires planning.
"Beautiful structure in GDL that honors when and where Guadalajara was founded... February 14th, 1542.
The other side of this masterpiece also states when the GDL coat of arms was created, by whom and when... November 8th, 1539.
Originally known as, Guadalajara, the capital of the Nuevo Galicia Kingdom.
Truly a piece of art!!!
👍👍"
MUNDO ACSR
"This used to be the far away entrance of Guadalajara, now it's a nice looking monument that marks the division of Zapopan/Guadalajara, you can easily walk to monument in Sunday when the street it's closed to vehicles from 8am to 2pm."
Miguel Ochoa Hernández
"Looks very good at night! Enjoy"
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Los Arcos in Puerto Vallarta refers to two main locations: the iconic rock formations in Mismaloya for snorkeling and water activities,
If you're referring to the monument in Guadalajara, it's easily accessible by public transport or taxi within the city. For the Mismaloya rock formations, you'll typically need to take a bus or taxi from Puerto Vallarta's main town.
Yes, the Los Arcos monument is a well-known landmark in Guadalajara and serves as a historical entrance marker. It's located in the Arcos Vallarta neighborhood.
For Los Arcos de Mismaloya, boat tours are popular for snorkeling and exploring the rock formations.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Los Arcos monument in Guadalajara is a public landmark and does not require an entrance fee. You can admire it freely.
While the rock formations themselves are natural attractions, access often involves boat tours or water taxis, which will have associated costs.
The Los Arcos monument in Guadalajara is accessible at all times as it's an outdoor landmark. However, visiting on a Sunday morning offers a unique experience with the street closure.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
At the Los Arcos monument in Guadalajara, you can admire its neoclassical architecture, read the historical inscriptions about the city's founding, and enjoy the ambiance, especially on Sundays when the street is closed to traffic.
Los Arcos de Mismaloya is renowned for snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and boat tours. You can explore marine life and enjoy the stunning sea rock formations.
Absolutely! The monument is a beautiful piece of art and architecture, especially striking at night when illuminated. The Mismaloya location offers dramatic coastal scenery for photos too.
Yes, swimming and snorkeling are popular activities at Los Arcos de Mismaloya due to its clear waters and marine life.
Many visitors recommend taking a boat tour or water taxi from Puerto Vallarta to get up close to the rock formations and enjoy snorkeling or diving.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, the Arcos Vallarta neighborhood in Guadalajara has several dining options. You can find taco spots, jazz clubs with dining,
and seafood restaurants
nearby.
While the Mismaloya rock formations are primarily a natural attraction, there are restaurants and beach clubs in the Mismaloya area, and some hotels like Hotel Playa Los Arcos offer dining with views.
📸 📸 Photography
The front and sides of the monument itself are prime photo spots. Capturing it at night when it's illuminated offers a magical perspective.
At Mismaloya, you can capture stunning shots of the rock formations against the ocean, underwater scenes while snorkeling, and beautiful sunsets.
Many visitors find the sunsets at Los Arcos de Mismaloya to be incredibly magical and worth experiencing.
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