Vallarta Taco Tour Blog

Do Mexicans Really Celebrate 5 de Mayo in Vallarta?

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:29:44 GMT

Do We Really Celebrate 5 de Mayo in Puerto Vallarta? The Truth From a Local

Every year on May 5th, bars across the United States fill up with margaritas, sombreros, and people celebrating what they think is Mexican Independence Day. But if you ask anyone here in Puerto Vallarta what they did for 5 de Mayo — most of them will look at you with a confused smile.

So what is actually going on?

First — What Is 5 de Mayo Actually About?

5 de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862, where the Mexican army defeated French forces in a surprise victory. It was a significant moment in Mexican history but it was a single battle — not the end of the war, and definitely not Independence Day.

Mexican Independence Day is actually on September 16th — that is the date that Mexicans celebrate with real passion, fireworks, parades, and parties that go all night long.

So Do People in Puerto Vallarta Celebrate 5 de Mayo?

Honestly — not really. Not in the way you might expect.

In Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, May 5th passes like a fairly normal day for most locals. You might see some decorations in tourist-facing restaurants and bars catering to American visitors who expect a celebration, but walk into a local neighborhood, a family taqueria, or a street food market and you would have no idea it was a special date.

The vendors I visit every day on our taco tours? They're open, they're cooking, and they're doing exactly what they do every other day — making incredible food for their community.

Where Did the Big 5 de Mayo Celebration Come From?

The massive 5 de Mayo celebration that most people know actually originated in the United States, particularly in California, where Mexican-American communities began celebrating it in the 1860s as a symbol of resistance and cultural pride.

Over time it grew into a commercial holiday heavily promoted by beer and spirits companies in the US — and the rest is history. Today it is far bigger in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston than it ever is in Mexico itself.

What Do Locals Actually Celebrate?

If you really want to experience authentic Mexican celebration culture in Puerto Vallarta, here are the dates that actually matter to locals:

September 16 — Mexican Independence Day. This is the real one. The Malecon fills up, the Grito de Independencia happens at midnight, fireworks light up the bay, and the entire city comes alive. This is the celebration you need to witness at least once in your life.

Day of the Dead — November 1 & 2. One of the most beautiful and misunderstood celebrations in Mexican culture. Altars, marigolds, food offerings, and a genuine connection to family and ancestors. Nothing like the commercialized version you see in movies.

Christmas and Posadas — December 16-24. Nine nights of neighborhood processions, traditional food, piñatas, and community gatherings that feel nothing like a commercial holiday.

Semana Santa — Holy Week before Easter. Beaches fill up with Mexican families from across the country and the city has an energy unlike any other time of year.

The Takeaway

5 de Mayo is a fun excuse to drink a margarita if you're in the United States — and there's nothing wrong with that. But if you're in Puerto Vallarta on May 5th expecting a massive street party, you might be surprised by how quiet it actually is.

The real magic of Mexican culture and celebration is found in the everyday moments — a family gathered around a taco stand on a Tuesday night, a vendor who has been making the same recipe for thirty years, a neighborhood that comes alive every evening when the sun goes down.

That's the Mexico we show you on our tours. No margarita required.

Is Puerto Vallarta Really Safe? A Local's Honest Answer

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 05:58:26 GMT

Is Puerto Vallarta Really Safe? A Local's Honest Answer

This is probably the most searched question by anyone planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta — and honestly, it deserves a real answer, not a tourist board press release.

As someone who walks the streets of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit every single day leading food tours, I'm going to give you the most honest answer I can.

The Short Answer

Yes. Puerto Vallarta is safe for tourists. It consistently ranks as one of the safest destinations in Mexico and one of the most visited cities in Latin America for a reason — millions of people come here every year and have an incredible time without any issues.

But like any city in the world, context matters.

What the Headlines Get Wrong

When people read about Mexico in the news, they picture a country that is uniformly dangerous from border to border. That's simply not accurate. Mexico is enormous and incredibly diverse. What happens in one state or city has very little to do with what happens in Puerto Vallarta.

Think of it this way — would you cancel a trip to New York City because of crime statistics in a completely different part of the United States? Probably not. The same logic applies here.

What You Should Actually Know

Puerto Vallarta's tourist areas — the Romantic Zone, Downtown Malecon, Hotel Zone, and Nuevo Vallarta — are well patrolled, well lit, and full of travelers and locals living their daily lives side by side.

The city has a very established tourism infrastructure that has been built over decades. The local economy depends on tourists feeling safe and coming back. That creates a real incentive for the community to maintain safety in visitor areas.

What About Bucerías and Riviera Nayarit?

Bucerías, Mezcales, Valle Dorado and the surrounding Riviera Nayarit towns are even more relaxed than Puerto Vallarta. These are smaller communities where locals know each other, families walk the streets at night, and the pace of life is slower and more authentic.

When I take guests through Bucerías on an evening food tour, we walk through the same streets where local families are eating dinner, kids are playing, and vendors are setting up their stands. It feels exactly like what it is — a safe, welcoming Mexican town that happens to have incredible street food.

Common Sense Goes a Long Way

Like anywhere in the world, basic common sense applies. Stick to well-lit areas at night, don't flash expensive jewelry or large amounts of cash, use reputable transportation, and travel with people who know the area.

The best way to explore any destination safely is with a local who knows where to go — and more importantly, where not to go.

The Bottom Line

Puerto Vallarta is safe. Riviera Nayarit is safe. Millions of tourists visit every year and return home with nothing but great memories, great photos, and a serious craving for tacos.

Don't let fear-based headlines stop you from experiencing one of the most beautiful, delicious, and welcoming places in the world.

Come hungry. Leave happy. We'll take care of the rest.

The Best Churros in the Riviera Nayarit Are Hiding in Bucerías

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:54:22 GMT

If you think the best churros in Mexico are in a fancy tourist spot, think again. The real ones — the ones that actually make you close your eyes when you take the first bite — are found in the streets of Bucerías, Nayarit.

Why Bucerías and Not Puerto Vallarta?

Bucerías is one of those towns that hasn't been fully discovered by mass tourism yet. That means the food is still made for locals, not for Instagram. The vendors here have been frying churros the same way for decades — fresh dough, hot oil, and a generous roll in cinnamon sugar that sticks to your fingers in the best possible way.

In Puerto Vallarta you'll find churros too, but many of them are made for tourists — overpriced, sometimes pre-made, and sitting under a heat lamp waiting for you. In Bucerías the churro comes straight out of the fryer and into your hand. That's the difference.

What Makes a Bucerías Churro Special?

It's simple. The vendors here are cooking for their neighbors, not for visitors. When your customer base is local families who eat churros every week, you can't cut corners. The dough has to be right, the oil has to be hot, and the cinnamon sugar ratio has to be perfect — or the locals won't come back.

That accountability to the community is what makes street food in Bucerías so much better than what you find in more touristy areas.

When and Where to Find Them

The best time to find fresh churros in Bucerías is in the late afternoon and evening when local families head to the main square. That's when the vendors fire up their fryers and the smell of cinnamon and fried dough fills the air around Plaza Bucerías.

You won't need a map. Just follow your nose.

The Local Experience You Can't Google

This is exactly the kind of thing you discover when you explore Bucerías with someone who actually lives and eats here. The best churro stand isn't on TripAdvisor. It doesn't have a website. It's just a local vendor who has been showing up to the same corner for years because the community keeps coming back.

That's the magic of Bucerías — and that's exactly why we include a churro stop on our evening street food tour.