Puerto Vallarta in the old days.

[juanjo]

As some of you are aware, I moved to Puerto Vallarta permanently last year after being a part-time resident for many years. I am currently stuck in the US as I came north last month to assist my sister. I can't wait to get back south. But I thought I would post a few pictures of PV from the late 1950s and 1960s. I know some of you have been there and so I think that for those who have, the contrast with been notable.

This is the Centro Escolar 15 De Mayo which is just south of the Church downtown at the corner of Hidalgo & Zaragoza. The building is still there although somewhat renovated. In the left foreground is where the Burger King is on Zaragoza and Juarez

 

[juanjo]

This is the main drag through downtown headed south. Where those trees are now is Los Arcos where the little amphitheater is. You can see the Naval post [now museum] on the corner closest to the water. Heade towards the left of the trees is where the Plaza De Armas and the city offices are.

 

[juanjo]

Here is the view north along the Malecon. If you look closely you can see a lighthouse next to the building. If you have ever seen Night of the Iguana, this is the road where Burton drove like a bat out of hell through the curve and south towards the river.

 

[juanjo]

This is where the paved road ends at the Rio Cuale, heading south into what is now the Zona Romantica and then down to Mismaloya.

 

[juanjo]

Here is the Church of Nuestra Senora de Guadeloupe located downtown. Church has obviously just let out.

 

[juanjo]

This is Inturbide Street just before the Plaza De Armas looking up the hill from the Malecon. Walk up this hill 4 blocks and find my house. You can just barely see a corner of it.

 

[kgmets]

As some of you are aware, I moved to Puerto Vallarta permanently last year after being a part-time resident for many years. I am currently stuck in the US as I came north last month to assist my sister. I can't wait to get back south. But I thought I would post a few pictures of PV from the late 1950s and 1960s. I know some of you have been there and so I think that for those who have, the contrast with been notable.

This is the Centro Escolar 15 De Mayo which is just south of the Church downtown at the corner of Hidalgo & Zaragoza. The building is still there although somewhat renovated. In the left foreground is where the Burger King is on Zaragoza and Juarez

View attachment 22317

Very interesting and nice pics. If that Burger King was a McDonald's, Mikeyank might be interested in visiting!

 

[kgmets]

This is Inturbide Street just before the Plaza De Armas looking up the hill from the Malecon. Walk up this hill 4 blocks and find my house. You can just barely see a corner of it.

View attachment 22322

Interesting language note: every year for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I stay at the Place d'Armes Hotel just off of Jackson Square, which until after the War of 1812 was known as Place d'Armes. Your Plaza De Armas is Spanish, and my Place d'Armes is French, but both translate as the same Square of the Military. But it sounds better in Spanish and French. Kind of like Boca Raton in Florida is better left untranslated to the English "mouth of the rat!"

 

[Repareur]

Thank you for sharing. I traveled in Brazil, Peru and Mexico as a kid. I remember Acapulco in the old days.

 

[juanjo]

Very interesting and nice pics. If that Burger King was a McDonald's, Mikeyank might be interested in visiting!

No issue. There is a McDonald's joint about a 10-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas at the north end of the Malecon. Although I prefer Derby Burger for my hamburgers when PV. How does Mikeyank feel about strippers?

 

[juanjo]

I forgot to post this last night as it shows the construction of the first bridge across the Rio Cuale. The money for that bridge came in no small part due to the filming of the Night of the Iguana. BTW, for those who have visited the pair down at Playa de Los Muertos, the original pier there was build by Huston for the film crews to ferry equipment and supplies easily to Mismaloya. The pier that is there now is the third one.

 

[tampa24]

I'm not sure how I'd feel about hanging out at a beach called Playa de los Muertos. I hope they'd have extra lifeguards on duty there so that it doesn't live up to its name. haha

Is it a nice beach or a mediocre one?

 

[juanjo]

I'm not sure how I'd feel about hanging out at a beach called Playa de los Muertos. I hope they'd have extra lifeguards on duty there so that it doesn't live up to its name. haha

Is it a nice beach or a mediocre one?

It is a nice beach. It is also where the gay beach clubs are all located. BTW the name comes from a battle fought there around 300 years ago when some pirates landed and tried to attack the town. The town fought back and killed the landing party. They buried the dead pirates on the beach, hence the name.

 

[tampa24]

It is a nice beach. It is also where the gay beach clubs are all located. BTW the name comes from a battle fought there around 300 years ago when some pirates landed and tried to attack the town. The town fought back and killed the landing party. They buried the dead pirates on the beach, hence the name.

Thanks you for the response Juanjo! And thank you as well for the explanation on the history of the beach. I figured there had to be a fairly good story behind the beach getting its not so tourist-friendly name. lol

If its a nice beach and one of the gayer ones, I think I would enjoy hanging out there. haha

 

[juanjo]

Thanks you for the response Juanjo! And thank you as well for the explanation on the history of the beach. I figured there had to be a fairly good story behind the beach getting its not so tourist-friendly name. lol

If its a nice beach and one of the gayer ones, I think I would enjoy hanging out there. haha

It is a fun place to be, albeit crowded on weekends and during high season. The key is come early, stake out a palapa and so long as you buy the occasional beer, soft drink or chips from the waiters, you can sit there all day. The scenery can be very nice.

 

[SFPS01]

It is a nice beach. It is also where the gay beach clubs are all located. BTW the name comes from a battle fought there around 300 years ago when some pirates landed and tried to attack the town. The town fought back and killed the landing party. They buried the dead pirates on the beach, hence the name.

And the lifeguard don't give mouth to mouth, its dick to mouth........I spent a lot of time there back in the late 70's. That when a decent hotel was $30 a night during the xmas/new years holidays and the only way to Yalalpa was by boat. It all sure has changed.

 

[kgmets]

And the lifeguard don't give mouth to mouth, its dick to mouth........I spent a lot of time there back in the late 70's. That when a decent hotel was $30 a night during the xmas/new years holidays and the only way to Yalalpa was by boat. It all sure has changed.

I can see how a hot lifeguard giving dick to mouth would make a gay sunbather a lot happier than the traditional mouth to mouth.

 

[kgmets]

It is a nice beach. It is also where the gay beach clubs are all located. BTW the name comes from a battle fought there around 300 years ago when some pirates landed and tried to attack the town. The town fought back and killed the landing party. They buried the dead pirates on the beach, hence the name.

Years ago I was at a Club Med in Martinique where two beaches were side by side: the first beach where bathing attire had to be worn was a great swimming beach, but the nude beach next door had water infested by Portugese men of war, the biting stinging fish. No guys went swimming at that beach as they feared for the safety of their dicks!

 

[juanjo]

And the lifeguard don't give mouth to mouth, its dick to mouth........I spent a lot of time there back in the late 70's. That when a decent hotel was $30 a night during the xmas/new years holidays and the only way to Yalalpa was by boat. It all sure has changed.

Well, you still need to take the water taxi to get to Yalalpa unless you want to take a long but scenic hike.