Nautical Treats at the Puerto Vallarta Naval Museum

Mexico’s Navy has wide-reaching positive effects on both locals and visitors and you can witness these inside the Puerto Vallarta Naval Museum and Naval Historical Center. Since its opening in 2006, the museum has achieved its goal of exhibiting and preserving the rich culture and history of the Mexican Navy. This amazing museum is housed in a colonial-style building right next to Los Arcos on Puerto Vallarta’s popular Malecon boardwalk. This building has also served as the Port Authority office, the Navy Hospital, and the local Navy Headquarters in the past. Give yourself a nautical treat as you spend an hour or so away from the sun in this marvelous, historical place.

Mexico’s Maritime History

The history of Mexico’s maritime dates back as far as pre-hispanic times. Inside the museum, you can find documented sea journeys, important trading history with other ports, and the history of how people in the past defended the bay during wartime.  These are only some of the historical highlights of the museum. You will also learn about Puerto Vallarta’s history as a local port city, and also the city’s past encounters with Nao ships which came here all the way from China. Aside from these accounts, the museum boasts five exhibition rooms filled with amazing various collections of maps, photos, paintings, and documents. You can also have a glimpse of the variety of sailor uniforms used throughout the years of Mexico’s naval history. The museum will make the historical evolution of Mexico’s Navy come alive.

Lively Exhibitions

A five-screen navigation simulator and several audio visual exhibitions will let you experience a real-life large ship maneuver through different types of environments and situations. If you have a dream to sail the open seas, you will be delighted to see the navigation instruments and sea charts displayed all over the museum. There are also detailed scale models of old and modern vessels, including forts and topographic layout of Mexico and all its prominent ports.

History and Mystery

The museum will also help you learn more about one of Mexico’s most important historical events, the defense of Port Veracruz which occurred on April 21, 1914. A group of young men defended the port against the naval school during the second North American Intervention. You will also witness how sailors kept themselves entertained by placing terrifying mythological creatures within navigation charts to give fellow sailors a good scare and make everyone wary of these long-held customs.

Hours of Operation

You may visit this amazing nautical museum all year round, from Tuesday through Sunday. Opening hours start at 10am and close at 5pm. The inexpensive entrance fees will also encourage you to take along your friends and family with you. General admission is only 45 pesos and 30 pesos for children, students, teachers, and senior citizens. Children below 6 years old and those with disabilities may enter the museum for free.

Come and visit the Naval Museum in Puerto Vallarta and explore the marine spirit of Mexico within its walls!