ArtWalk, showers, and a clear highway
Show this email in the shop for 10% off at Los Muertos Beach Clothing Co., V Carranza 227B.
¡Buenos días, amigos!
Midweek check-in. A proper rainy Wednesday from offshore Vance, a clear road to Guadalajara, a new bridge to Nayarit, and ArtWalk’s 30th season opens tonight in Centro. Here is what you actually need before the busy weekend.
Need to Know
🌧️ Weather: wet Wednesday, drier weekend. Tropical Storm Vance is still well offshore, about 365 km west of Cabo Corrientes, moving north and away from the bay. It is expected to weaken to a tropical depression by Thursday. Its rain bands are the story today: Jalisco’s Protección Civil has a yellow (preventive) storm alert for the coast, and the national weather service is calling for heavy rain in spots, gusts of 50 to 70 km/h, and waves up to 3 meters. Expect a high near 27°C (81°F). Stay away from swollen arroyos and hillside roads, and check the beach flag and the lifeguard before you wade in: yellow means caution, red means stay out of the break. Thursday dries out to a few scattered showers with highs near 31°C (88°F), and Friday through Sunday look dry and warm, right on time for the big Día de Muertos nights.
🚚 Highway to Guadalajara: blockades called off. Truckers' groups agreed Tuesday to lift the highway blockades after talks with federal officials, so the warnings for the Guadalajara–Vallarta road have eased. If you are driving in or picking up family for the holiday, still check Waze before you leave.
🌉 New bridge to Nayarit opens today. The Amado Nervo bridge linking Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas is officially open as of this morning. It has six lanes, three each way, plus a bike lane, and should cut 25 to 35 minutes off the usual trip between the two sides. Expect some confusion on the approaches for the first few days while everyone figures out the new route.
💧 Water: Pitillal leak. SEAPAL repaired a broken main in El Pitillal Centro that cut or lowered water in 14 colonias on Monday, including Bobadilla, La Playita, Leandro Valle, and San Esteban. If you still have low pressure, report it to SEAPAL at 073 or WhatsApp 322 105 82 26. With showers around, it is still smart to keep a few liters on hand.
🏨 Busy weekend ahead. The city expects about 95% hotel occupancy for the Día de Muertos weekend. Translation: book dinner tables now, do your Centro errands early, and plan on Uber, DiDi, or your feet for the parade nights.
🚢 Cruise days. Discovery Princess is in port today. Thursday is a double-ship day with Norwegian Encore and Carnival Firenze, so the Malecón and Centro will be extra full. Schedules can change.
🕐 US and Canada clocks fall back Sunday, Nov 1. We do not change our clocks here anymore. After Sunday, Vallarta will be one hour behind New York and Toronto, and two hours ahead of Los Angeles and Vancouver. Handy for video calls with family and any flights you are booking.
🗓️ Midweek on the calendar
Tonight, Wed Oct 28: Vallarta ArtWalk opens its 30th season. Sixteen Centro Histórico galleries stay open late, free and self-guided, every Wednesday 6–10pm through May 26. Grab a map at any gallery or at vallartaartwalk.com and wander Guadalupe Sánchez, Leona Vicario, and Corona. Bring an umbrella for the walk between stops.
Arriving today on the Malecón: the monumental catrinas are up through Nov 3. Worth a slow walk between showers.
Saturday mornings: Three Hens and a Rooster is back on Isla Cuale, roughly 9am–1pm through spring. Produce, crafts, and an easy walk from Centro.
This Saturday Nov 1: Olas Altas Farmers Market returns at Parque Lázaro Cárdenas, 9am–2pm, through April.
🍹 Eat & drink, quick bites
One new spot worth knowing now:
Nada Sagrada at Jacarandas 289 brings foldable New York–style pizza to Emiliano Zapata: thin crust, Siciliano with hot honey, Blanco with xnipec onions, plus cocktails on a patio they call a little disco jungle. Open Mon–Sat 5pm–midnight. Reserve at nadasagrada.mx.
Palabra del día
¿Mande? (MAHN-deh): “Pardon?” or “What was that?” Locals say it when they didn’t catch what you said, or when answering a call. Softer and more common here than “¿qué?”
Example: “¿Mande? No te oí con el ruido.” (Pardon? I didn’t hear you with the noise.)
Sponsor spot (open)
Your business here. Reply if you want this end slot.
That’s the midweek pulse, amigos. See you Friday.
The Vallarta Confidential crew
Fresh local intel. Straight to your inbox.