November 27, 2025

Puerto Vallarta Beats to the Rhythm of Faith During Fiestas de Guadalupe

Every December 1st and for twelve consecutive days, Puerto Vallarta awakens to the rhythm of dancers and drums, to the echo of prayers and praises: "On a lovely morning, from on high/the Virgin of Guadalupe descended to Tepeyac."

The parish church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the destination of a pilgrimage made by hundreds of faithful, who set out in the early hours of the morning. Some bear resplendent bouquets of fresh flowers and are accompanied by groups of folk dancers or live Banda music. The more simple people carry candles, rosaries, and homemade banners with the image of the Virgin, all with the same devotion.

For both locals and visitors, witnessing Las Mañanitas (a traditional Mexican birthday song) to the Virgin of Guadalupe is quite the occasion; a celebration accompanied by live Mariachi music, from midnight until the early morning hours of December 12.

The reflection of faith in people's faces is evidence of the reason behind the Guadalupe pilgrimages being much more than a tradition. The Fiestas de Guadalupe are the beating heart of Puerto Vallarta, a city that beats to the rhythm of faith.

A Vibrant Display of Devotion

Puerto Vallarta transforms into a vibrant tapestry of faith, color, and music during the first twelve days of December. The streets of the Historic Center come alive with pilgrimages to the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of Mexico's most deeply rooted religious traditions.

In a route that begins at 31 de Octubre Street, where the little town of Puerto Vallarta used to end, the faithful sing prayers and praises to “La Virgen Morena” (the "Brown Virgin".) The route continues along Juarez Street in El Centro to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish altar, located in front of the main square.

Puerto Vallarta's hotels, restaurants, schools and trade unions are all enthusiastic participants in the Fiestas de Guadalupe celebrations. But also: malls, hospitals, pharmacies, soccer and Charro teams, airlines and other transportation companies, the city government and generally all tourism related companies.

The atmosphere is a distinctive mix of devotion and joy, featuring dancers in pre-Columbian attire, Banda music, live mariachi performances, floats, and entire families walking together in a display of faith. The Fiestas de Guadalupe festivities are a time when the whole community comes together with a shared spiritual purpose, making it a "second Christmas" for many locals.

The Guadalupana processions are imbued with profound religious significance, yet they also serve as a testament to the cultural and tourist heritage of Vallarta, offering a glimpse into the profound faith of its people.

An Expression of Faith and Identity

The origin (and destiny) of Puerto Vallarta is closely linked to the cult and devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe. According to the official history, the founder of the city, Don José Guadalupe Sánchez Torres, arrived with his family in what is now Puerto Vallarta on December 12, 1851.

He named the city “Puerto Las Peñas de Santa Maria de Guadalupe.” It was not until the year 1918 that the name Las Peñas was changed to the current name of Puerto Vallarta.

Señor Guadalupe Sánchez was also responsible for the construction of a place of worship entirely dedicated to the "Brown Virgin", according to the oral history of the city. The faith, devotion, and gratitude of Puerto Vallarta people to the Virgin of Guadalupe have only grown and consolidated over the years.

Two Pilgrimages Not to Be Missed

This year, more than 350 processions are included in the program of the Fiestas Guadalupanas of Puerto Vallarta. Every day, starting at 5:00 pm, and every five minutes until after 10:00 pm, a different contingent starts the procession from 31 de Octubre Street.

Families of Old Town Vallarta Pilgrimage

Do not miss the Families of Old Town Vallarta Pilgrimage, which starts at 7:00 pm on the first day of December. This procession gathers members, descendants and friends of Puerto Vallarta's original families.

The pilgrims, according to the customs of the time when Puerto Vallarta was a small pueblo whose main economic activity was agriculture, usually wear typical clothing made of blanket cloth. The young people belonging to the most traditional families are responsible for representing their ancestors' old trades: fishermen, porters, muleteers, bakers…

It is worth mentioning that a few decades ago, the Families of Old Town Vallarta Pilgrimage did not exist as such. The procession was the result of the migration of traditional families from the Historic Center and the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood to other areas of the city. However, their Guadalupan zeal has persisted over time.

The Families of Old Town Vallarta Pilgrimage represents a tribute to the Puerto Vallarta of yesteryear and to all those who helped the city grow and develop.

The Grand Pilgrimage of the Favored

The Grand Pilgrimage of the Favored is another one of special importance. With up to 20,000 people participating, it is the largest of all the Guadalupana processions in Puerto Vallarta. The pilgrimage begins in the morning of December 12 and continues for several hours.

The origin of the Pilgrimage of the Favored goes back to a "miracle" attributed to the Virgin of Guadalupe in 1946. According to oral tradition, after a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, a group of 35 believers from Puerto Vallarta were returning home.

The vehicle in which the pilgrims were traveling lost its brakes and plunged into a cliff while descending a hill. Faced with what the locals believed to be imminent death, one of the people, mixed with devotion and crying, invoked the Virgin: “Virgin of Guadalupe, Virgin of Guadalupe!”

“As if the car had been stopped in midair, it stopped and got stuck in the rocks and sand of the hill,” said Señora Josefina Munguía, one of the survivors, according to testimony given by her daughter, Señora Inmaculada Ávalos.

It was then decided that from that year on, a Pilgrimage of the Grateful, led by those who survived such an event, would take place every December 12th. The priest of the church, in turn, requested that a book be kept in which all the favors received by the Guadalupana would be recorded. Thus originated the name "De los Favorecidos" (Of the Favored), which remains in force almost 80 years later.

The Grand Pilgrimage of the Favored is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12 at 11:00 am. For the pilgrimage schedule (in Spanish), please refer to: Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Puerto Vallarta on Facebook.

Intangible Heritage of Jalisco

The faith in Guadalupe is an essential part of cultural identity in Jalisco. In Puerto Vallarta, this practice has evolved into a cultural and tourist experience that is not to be missed.

Very popular are the various antojitos mexicanos stalls offering tamales, atole, tostadas, duritos on Juarez Street and in the main square during the docenary. Other stalls selling Mexican handicrafts, fresh flowers, and typical clothing are also set up near the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish to delight locals and visitors alike.

The Jalisco Ministry of Tourism identifies the pilgrimages in Puerto Vallarta as one of the most emblematic religious celebrations in the state, comparable to the Fiestas del Señor de los Rayos in Temastián and the Romería procession in Zapopan.

In 2018, the Government of the State of Jalisco recognized the Fiestas Guadalupanas of Puerto Vallarta as "Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of Jalisco." This is because they materialize the collective identity of the community and represent a living form of historical everyday life.

Pilgrimages to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta are also a factor of social integration, attracting thousands of international visitors and driving the local economy.

The Fiestas de Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta celebrate religion, identity, spirituality, and community. For visitors, they offer a chance to experience Mexico at its most authentic, a place where faith, joy, and hospitality come together.