English 
Spanish 
The Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe is the crown from the center of Puerto Vallarta, being a tourist icon of the city.
The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe began its construction in 1903. Under the orders of the first priest of the parish: Francisco Ayala. As a curious fact, it is said that the body of this father rests under the foundations of the church.
The place was chosen because since 1883 there already existed a small chapel in honor of the Guadalupana. A simple brick façade that over time and progress sought to impose itself with its mixture of different types of architecture: neoclassical, baroque and renaissance.
Due to the Cristero war, construction was stopped for several years, it continued with the upper dome and the organ choir, celebrating the 420th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin of Guadalupe according to the Mexican Catholic tradition. Today it is one of the busiest tourist spots in the city.
Learn more about this Vallarta icon!
Our Lady of Guadalupe is a tribute to the Basilica of Mexico City. Inside the parish there is an oil painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe made by the artist from Guadalajara, Ignacio Ramírez. In addition to beautiful paintings, Saints, Virgins and Christs.
The parish has different pieces of religious art that decorate its walls and its white marble altar. The confessionals are carved in wood. Each element of La Parroquia de Guadalupe demonstrates the faith of the parishioners.
Construction finished in 1960 and its original crown was the final touch in 1963. Among the people of Vallarta it is known as the Cathedral, but it is important to distinguish that to have that title you need to have a designated bishop.
The Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe stands with its great crown
The original design of the crown was made of concrete material and it is erroneously said to be a replica of the jewel of the monarchy used by Empress Carlota, wife of Maximilian of Habsburg, Emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1967. The reality is that the The design was the creation of different parish priests and that Carlota never wore a crown, but rather an empress tiara.
With erosion and the passage of time, it suffered evident damage, it was restored until 1981. In 1995, with the earthquake that occurred in Colima and which had an aftershock in Puerto Vallarta, the great crown was completely damaged. A second fiberglass version was placed in the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, but due to the weight and type of material it was crushed.
In 2009 Carlos Terres he took care of the new crown respecting the original design but adding new elements. This is the crown we currently have.
During the first days of December are dates of great celebration and joy. Pilgrimages are made through the main street of the center to the parish, prior to the celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Dances, music, good food, lights and games are the main features of the celebration.
Our Lady of Guadalupe with her great crown has its doors open to Vallarta residents and tourists throughout the year.
During the rest of the year the bells ring constantly, in this beautiful Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe various ceremonies are held. Weddings, baptisms, communions and much more. Local and foreign people reaffirm their faith. There are bilingual masses for our tourist friends.
- El Vallartense, a gastronomic experience in the Pata Salada style - 1 September 2023
- The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Garden wants you to fall in love with it - 17 May 2023
- Plaza de Armas, the second most visited place in Vallarta - 2 May 2023
