During the first twelve days of December, the traditional Pilgrimages to the Virgin of Guadalupe take place Puerto Vallarta.
Thousands of faithful Vallartenses take to the streets of downtown Puerto Vallarta to give thanks for the favors they received during the year that is coming to an end.
The procession starts at 31 de Octubre Street continues along Juarez Street up to the altar of the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, located front of the main square. Every day, starting on December 1, a different contingent begins its route at 5:00 the afternoon , successively, every five minutes until after 10:00 at night.
Each one of them, the faithful chant prayers praises to the “brown virgin”.
The Fiestas Guadalupanas Puerto Vallarta are characterized for uniting the same celebration people different contexts who have their faith common.
The participation is many varied, hotels restaurants, to schools, unions, shopping malls, hospitals, airlines, transportation companies the municipal government.
The pilgrimages you can enjoy elaborate carts alluding to the apparition of the Guadalupana to the indigenous Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac, a Catholic tradition. The contingents of these floats also stand out for their colorful arrangements of fresh flowers, groups of folkloric dancers, mariachis live band music.
The route is also filled with candles rosaries, flowers handmade banners with the effigy of the Virgin, while carrying their faith gratitude as a flag.
These festivities are quite an event for locals visitors alike, especially to hear “Las Mañanitas” to the Virgin of Guadalupe; a celebration with live mariachi music during midnight the early morning of December 12 inside the Parish Church as well as through the streets of Downtown Vallarta.
The Fiestas Guadalupanas of Puerto Vallarta have been recognized since 2018 as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of Jalisco”, for materializing the collective identity of the community for representing a living form of a historical everyday life.
Another characteristic of the pilgrimages is that during those twelve days, vendors people general go out to make the popular vendimia along the streets of downtown Vallarta. You will find a great variety of traditional Mexican food such as tamales, atole, tostadas, tacos, sopes, elotes, etc. that are offered to all attendees, both locals foreigners.
It is undeniable that these pilgrimages are a factor of social integration, a tourist attraction for thousands of international visitors an engine of the local economy.
Get ready for these traditional Mexican festivities get to know a little more of the culture customs of Puerto Vallarta.