Puerto Vallarta’s La Guadalupana Processions are returning this December

I was in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico a few years ago because of a hotel mistake, but the visit happened to coincide with the celebrations for the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th. Puerto Vallarta is one of the best places to be for this Mexican holiday and I didn't know it.

According to Puerto Vallarta's website, the parade of processions will return in 2022.

I will brief you on what this event is and if it is worth a visit.

What is Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe?

The full story can be found here, but I will summarize it as well: On December 12 of 1531 the Virgin Mary appeared to an Aztec man named Juan Diego and gave him a message for the local bishop with instructions to build. The bishop didn't believe Juan Diego's message until the Virgin of Guadalupe told him to collect flowers at the top of the hill Juan Diego used his coat to carry the flowers from the top of the hill to the Bishop despite the cold. The Bishop was compelled to believe Juan Diego after he found an inscription of the Virgin of Guadalupe on his coat. At the base of the Tepeyac Hill is the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where this coat is kept.

Why is the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe such a big deal in Puerto Vallarta?

When we were in Puebla last year, we found out that parades and processions aren't always seen in every town and city. In Puerto Vallarta, we saw incredible processions that included vibrant costumes, dances, floats, and reenactments, and which took over the entire historic center of the city.

December 12th is important in Puerto Vallarta because it is the day that it was founded. Puerto Vallarta has the longest Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe celebration in the world, with processions going on every night from December 1st to December 12th, but the final night is important as it is the town's foundation anniversary.

There are processions in Puerto Vallarta that go to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. The exact route is here.

If you go to the historic downtown area on the 12th though, I think it will be hard to miss.

What you’ll see at the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta:

One of the cool things about this event is that it includes both religious flairs, floats, and decorations as well as Aztec costumes and dances.

Should you go to Puerto Vallarta just for the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe processions?

One of the more interesting cultural experiences I have stumbled upon is the procession in Puerto Vallarta, which had so many interesting costumes and dances. I appreciate those experiences that exist for the locals and not just for tourists. The experience was definitely one of those.

Puerto Vallarta is not on my list as a destination in Mexico. I will have to write about the amazing road trip we took from Monterey to Mexico City a few years ago. Puerto Vallarta is not my kind of beach resort. It's just my opinion.

I was disappointed when I found out that the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe celebrations in Puerto Vallarta are unique to the area and not a nationwide event. If you already know that you want to go to Puerto Vallarta or one of the Hyatt All-Inclusive resorts in the region, then you should schedule your trip.