Los Arcos on the Malecón

Los Arcos are four stone arches facing the sea where the Malecón passes the main square, the Plaza de Armas. They form the backdrop for the open-air theater, known as the Los Arcos amphitheater or Ágora Aquiles Serdán, whose tiered seating looks toward the stage and the bay. Along with El Caballito, they're among the most recognizable images of Vallarta.

The original arches were brought in 1970 from a colonial hacienda near Guadalajara, part of the city's spruce-up for the meeting between presidents Gustavo Díaz Ordaz and Richard Nixon. Hurricane Kenna knocked them down in October 2002. The municipality of Zapopan donated a replica, made by sculptor Martín Distancia with his assistants Manuel Palos and Martín Yépez, which was in place by December that year. During the 2011 Malecón redesign the arches were repositioned.

The amphitheater is a downtown gathering spot, with free shows, music festivals, clowns and folk dance performances that draw whole families. And when nothing's on stage, there's always the view: at sunset the sun drops into the bay framed by the arches.

Getting there: They're on the Malecón, across from the Plaza de Armas and a few steps from City Hall and the Guadalupe church.

When to go: At sunset for the classic shot of the sun between the arches. Weekend evenings and holidays are your best bet for catching something on stage.

Cost: Free (shows at the amphitheater are public and free)

Tips: There's no fixed schedule, so ask around the square or check City Hall announcements to see what's on. For a photo of the arches without people, go early in the morning.

Accessibility: The arches are right on the flat Malecón. The amphitheater has tiered steps for seating.