Thursday, December 12, marked the 173rd anniversary of Puerto Vallarta’s founding, commemorating its journey from the humble settlement of Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe to one of Mexico’s most iconic tourist destinations.
The story of Puerto Vallarta began in 1851, when Guadalupe Sánchez Torres, along with his wife Ambrosia Carrillo and a group of friends, established the settlement in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe, whose feast day is celebrated on December 12. Among the community’s first prominent settlers were Cenobio Joya, Apolonio de Robles, Cleofas Peña, and Martín Andrade.
Originally a small fishing village, Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe saw its first major transformation in 1886, when it was declared a police station of the municipality of Talpa under Decree No. 210 by the State Congress. Two years later, in 1888, it was incorporated into the municipality of San Sebastián.
On May 31, 1918, the settlement’s status was elevated to a municipality and it was renamed Puerto Vallarta in honor of the prominent Jalisco jurist Ignacio L. Vallarta. The proposal for the name change was led by Deputy Dr. Marcos Guzmán and was made official through Decree No. 1889.
Fifty years later, on May 31, 1968, Puerto Vallarta was officially declared a city. This recognition, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of its status as a municipality, was granted by Decree No. 8366 of the State Congress, cementing its place as a key player in Jalisco’s development.
Over the years, Puerto Vallarta’s growth from a modest fishing village into a world-class tourist destination has been remarkable. Its beautiful beaches, stunning mountain landscapes, and rich cultural heritage attract millions of visitors from around the world.