New Year’s Eve and Traditions in Puerto Vallarta

Thousands of tourists from Mexico and around the world meet in Puerto Vallarta to ring in the New Year. The innumerable restaurants, nightclubs and especially the Malecon become the meeting point to enjoy this great celebration and international tradition.

On New Year’s Eve in Puerto Vallarta, thousands of people walk along the boardwalk to admire the beautiful view of Banderas Bay and enjoy live music and street performers; the atmosphere is very cheerful and friendly. As midnight approaches everyone gets ready, looking for the best place to enjoy the fireworks that are launched from the Malecon.

Many hotels throughout the city also prepare their own fireworks, which cause the sky across the entire Bay to light up with color to welcome in the New Year. Onlookers have a chance to enjoy other municipality fireworks in the background as many towns launch their New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Bay of Banderas.

Most restaurants and bars offer special menus and entertainment for the evening, but there is no better way to spend New Year’s Eve than on the streets with all the energy and amazing street food.

Start your evening in the Romantic Zone for a large street party on Olas Altas and slowly make your way north up the Malecon to the town square to catch the fireworks, free entertainment, and numerous traditional street foods in Mexico.

Sticking with traditions, there are two things to consider. As tradition says, choosing red or yellow underwear for the night could dictate how the new year will treat you. Choose red underwear if you are looking for happiness in love, and yellow underwear if you are wishing for a little prosperity.

Another tradition is the eating of 12 white grapes at midnight, each grape representing a month of the year.  The tradition started in the early 1900’s in Spain, known as Doce Uvas de la Suerte, or 12 Grapes of Luck.

Whatever traditions or style you wish to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Puerto Vallarta is the best place to welcome the possibilities of a new year. If you are lucky enough to be in the area through the Christmas holidays, read more about Christmas in Puerto Vallarta.