Vallarta Blog

The Spaniards came to Mexico in the 1500’s and conquered the Indians who had lived there for centuries. Subsequently called the Spanish colony of Mexico a third group of people came to be recognized.

They were known as mestizos. They had both Indian and European parents, grandparents and other ancestors. Today, the majority of the people in Mexico are mestizos. To be a mestizo is to be part of Mexico’s history and many mestizos are very aware of their Indian heritage.

Nearly all Mexican people speak Spanish which is the official language of the country. Interestingly, over five million Indians still use their Indian language in everyday life and can also speak Spanish. Maya and Zapotec are the major Indian languages spoken.

Being Indian in Mexico does not depend on ancestry but rather on a way of life and mindset. Most Indian villages lie in the interior regions of the Yucatan and in the rugged areas of central and southern Mexico and much in a similar fashion as their ancestors. Government programs have helped to introduce modernization and initiate mainstream Mexican life style.

Numerous Mexican farmers live near their fields in small villages where houses are perched along simple dirt roads or cobblestone streets. In many villages, one finds a Catholic church in the plaza or Central square along a few stores and government buildings and of course, an open air market place.

Nearly seventy five percent of all Mexicans now live in cities or towns. In Mexico, there are now eight cities with population over 500,000. Mexico City now boasts over ten million people.

Numerous cities and towns in Mexico began as Indian communities. When the Spaniards arrived, these became more like towns with plazas and homes with patios. In modern day, the cities are so largely populated, life in many ways mirrors life in the United States.

Families live in rows of homes built in the Spanish colonial style, and suburbanites live in apartment buildings and houses. Mexico still has its share of poor people who live in slum shacks or scantily furnished rooms.

Many people come to the cities to find work but there is not enough work for the population that is increasing rapidly as a result of a traditionally high birth rate and a sharply reduced death rate. Presently, more than half of the people in Mexico are under the age of twenty.

Almost all Mexicans speak Spanish, the official language of Mexico and nearly all other Latin American countries. Many words that are used in the USA, such as canyon, corral, desperado, lasso, macho, patio, rodeo and stampede, came from Mexico.

More than five million Mexican Indians will primarily use their Indian language in daily life. These Indian languages include Maya, Mixtec, Otomi, Trascan and Zapotec.

Mexico’s people way of life includes many old customs from their Indian past and the Spanish colonial period. Mexico changed quite rapidly during the 1900’s.

Life in the cities became quite similar to that of the USA however Mexican villagers still follow the older way of life. Today, many households consist of an average of five or six people.

In many homes, several generations of the same family still live together. Women now have jobs outside the home and the women living on farms will work the fields as will the boys whereas the city boys will have part-time jobs while in school.

People and Culture

Despite its population of 350,000, Puerto Vallarta feels — and thinks — like a small town. People know their neighbors; school chums run the city and the corner taco stand.

Although the majority of vallartenses (residents of Puerto Vallarta) are far from wealthy, most are middle class, and securely employed; few of the alms-seekers downtown are locals.

Vallartenses value nice things, but much less so than sharing and socializing with family and friends. In her book The Magic of Puerto Vallarta, Venezuelan Marilú Suárez-Murias aptly describes Puerto Vallartans as “free, proud, simple, noble, friendly, kind, and never in a hurry.”

Like many others from around the world, Ms. Suárez-Murias visited in the 1980s and opted to stay. Vallarta has one of the largest English-speaking expat communities in Mexico consisting of Americans and Canadians especially.

Expats tend to settle in Old Vallarta or the condos and private homes climbing the ocean-facing hills south of town. Small towns like Sayulita, north of PV, are also popular.

The Hotel Scene

Choosing where to stay may be half of the equation to having a fabulous vacation. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy task since Puerto Vallarta has something for every budget and personality, from cliffside condos with stairs winding down to the sea to classy little cottages surrounded by nature trails.

Gran turismo (beyond 5-star) hotels and resorts are found up and down the coast; think private beachside villa with a private plunge pool. Some of those on the prettiest beaches are in Punta de Mita and the Costalegre, but you’ll find them also in the south and north hotel zones, Marina Vallarta, and Nuevo Vallarta.

Nuevo Vallarta has mainly all-inclusive hotels. Southern Nayarit State, north of PV, has a sprinking of small hotels, guesthouses, private rentals, and B&Bs, many of them popular with honeymooners, families, and anyone looking for more intimate digs away from large crowds.

The Food Scene

First-time travelers come for the sun and sea, but it’s PV’s wonderful restaurants that create legions of long-term fans. Only a generation ago, much of the best, locally caught fish was shipped to Guadalajara; Vallartans had to buy it back frozen, or overstock and freeze fresh catches for future meals.

Likewise, a variety of vegetables was hard to find. But as the destination has grown in popularity and dozens of excellent chefs have opened restaurants, the culinary outlook has improved exponentially.

Now those who know where to look can shop locally for designer greens, baby eggplant, and an increasingly sophisticated range of ingredients.

PV’s level of culinary chic is reflected in November’s International Gourmet Festival, when dozens of guest chefs bring new recipes and ideas from around the globe.

It’s not just foreigners and Cordon Bleu-trained chefs, however, that keep the foodies fat and happy. Seaside family-owned eateries grill fish right off the boat, and tiny city cafés have great eats at bargain prices. And a number of streetside stalls are as hygienic as five-star-hotel restaurants.

The Overall Vibe

Mexico’s second-most-visited resort after Cancún, Puerto Vallarta is, without a doubt, “touristy.” From the clean streets to the English-speaking personnel and menus, business owners and tourism officials aim to help you feel at home.

But you won’t feel like a cipher or, worse, a bothersome intruder. Cancún didn’t exist before the 1970s, and employees and business owners are imported from elsewhere. In contrast, the majority of Puerto Vallarta’s tour companies, restaurants, and hotels are run by local people — proud of their city and happy to have you.

Happy, because tourism is PV’s only real industry. And though plenty of twentysomethings party all night at Señor Frogs or Carlos O’Briens, this is not a spring-break destination. A sense of decorum and pride in the city keeps things reasonably restrained.

Thinking Outside the Bay

As numerous as the activities in and around Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are the opportunities beyond its boundaries. Vallarta Adventures and smaller tour operators make things easy with day trips to the mountains, Guadalajara, San Blas, and the nearby estuaries at La Tovara.

While tour companies can design individual, overnight tours, most folks heading north or south of Banderas Bay rent a car and go on their own. But there’s plenty to keep you busy in and around Puerto Vallarta, so if your time is limited, establishing a base of operations there is usually the least hassle-free way to explore.

A Brief History

Except for small coastal settlements that subsisted on fishing and a small enterprise importing salt (used to separate silver from stone), the first European and mestizo settlers in the region were miners and mine owners far from the coast, in the mineral-laced Sierra Madre.

When mining petered out in the early 20th century, many families moved to the band of rich farmland near the coast around present-day Puerto Vallarta.

Tourism along the gorgeous, 42-km (26-mi) Bahía Banderas (Bay of Flags), really took off in the ’50s and ’60s, when a Mexican newsreel showed off its natural beauty and famous lovers Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton brought the paparazzi during the filming of Night of the Iguana, in 1963.

by Justin Burch

The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts. Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea in places, creating placid coves and intimate sandy pockets.

Playa Los Muertos is the most frequented beach in Puerto Vallarta. This sandy beach is long and wide with small waves perfect for swimming. Despite its popularity, there is usually plenty of room to spread out a towel and soak up rays. Los Muertos is a bustling place full of craft and food vendors; the beach itself is lined by numerous resorts, restaurants and bars. This is also a great place to ride a parasail and get a bird’s eye view of the city. The beach has the added attraction of being on the edge of Viejo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta’s beautiful old town.

Several other beautiful beaches lie in close proximity to the city’s Hotel Zone. Playa El Saldo, also known as Marina Vallarta, primarily caters to hotel guests. However, the beach is wide and well-maintained, offering stunning views of the city and its mountainous backdrop. Playa Pelicanos is generally quiet, making it a great place to escape the beach crowds while remaining in the heart of the city. Playa Las Glorias is the name of the sandy stretch between Playa Pelicanos and Marina Vallarta. If you’re staying in a hotel north of the primary Hotel Zone, you will find this excellent swimming beach outside your back door.

North of the city, the beach of Nuevo Vallarta offers a wider stretch of sand with fewer rocks than most beaches within Banderas Bay. As favorites of families, visitors to Playa Destiladeres and Playa Bucerias can expect mild waves (perfect for boogie-boarding or learning to surf), elegant white sand beaches and fresh seafood at charming palapa-shaded restaurants.

To the North, Punta Mita, also known as Playa Anclote, is distinguished for its row of pleasant beach restaurants and gentle slope, making it a perfect beach for all ages. With consistently low, rolling waves, Punta Mita is also celebrated as an excellent place to learn to surf. There are even a few surfing schools that offer instruction to travelers.

For those with more experience on the waves, the tiny community of Sayulita is the place of choice. A surfing mecca of international renown, the shoreline of this picturesque fishing village is home to abundant coves and beaches where surfers hunt perfect waves and day trippers relax in the sun. As Sayulita has developed over the past few years into a surfer’s town with a bohemian feel, travelers will be treated to a refreshing, laid-back attitude.

A few miles beyond the northern-most point of the bay are the beaches of San Francisco and San Pancho. Sporting a windswept and primitive feeling, with deeper, creamier sand and rougher waters than inside Banderas Bay, these beaches are ideal for travelers who want a taste of pristine nature and the open sea.

To the south of Puerto Vallarta lie such treasures as Playa Gemelas, Playa Garza Blanca, and Playa Punta Negra. Because both are slightly more difficult to access, you’ll find beautiful beaches that are fairly secluded and scarcely used, with great rock outcroppings for snorkeling. In this area, you’ll also find Playa Mismaloya, where John Huston’s The Night of the Iguana was filmed in 1963, putting Puerto Vallarta on the international tourist map.

With a rustic South Seas feel, Boca de Tomatlan is a small sandy cove at the jungle’s edge three miles south of Mismaloya where the Tomatlan River meets the bay. Boca de Tomatlan is the last beach stop on the primary road heading south from Puerto Vallarta. It is another great site for swimming or snorkeling with a couple of lovely beach restaurants where you can sit under a palapa on the beach and enjoy fresh seafood.

To the south of Boca de Tomatlan are a number of quaint fishing villages, secluded beaches and peaceful coves. Playas Las Caletas and Las Animas are elegant, rock-lined stretches ideal for quiet relaxation. Quimixto, one of the largest fishing villages in the southern half of Banderas Bay, features a number of excellent restaurants and the best surf south of Puerto Vallarta. Near the southern-most point of the bay, Majahuitas and Yelapa allow visitors to feel completely removed from civilization. Bordered by lush jungles, these beaches are the definition of tropical privacy.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: T-shirts featuring inebriated croakers dangle from the walls of Senor Frog’s, one of the hottest nite spots in the town of Puerto Vallarta, now the #2 rated tourist destination in Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta has so much going for it like para-gliding over Banderas Bay, hiking the exotic foothills of the Sierra Madre, and your Maven’s favorite, perambulating around boutiques that feature the artwork of Sergio Bustamante. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, he is the one with the colorful sculptures of suns and moons gleefully hugging one another, and women in arks.

No matter the selection, it’s almost a sure thing that you will need your lorgnette to read the prices. Mostly they’re filled with little zeroes at the end.

“Oye,” asserted the Maven (Oye is short for “oy vey” en espagnol.). The salesman called back “Ciao, Maven.” Now where is the sense of saying goodbye when we were just saying hello? It didn’t matter, for the Maven’s mind already had taken a holiday back to those balmy nights where street vendors sold gelati and watermelon on the sidewalks of Rome. And then, of course, who could forget the frisky Italiano who tried to pinch the Maven on the Via Veneto?

With a quick adios (as the Maven needed to practice her Spanish), the night really belonged to the Screaming Maven, her rebellious teenage daughter, who scraped up a party of Britney Spears’ wannabes who lived to act out the intellectual lyrics “Oops, you did it again.”

Cautiously, the Maven entered the premises of Senor Frog’s, only to be greeted by an earth shattering blast of mariachi music, as grown men blared notes from their trumpets. “Wow, that guy is hot,” remarked the young Screaming Maven to which your Maven spoke back, “Yes, it is quite hot in here.” From there the evening slowly disintegrated, as the Maven searched for anyone over the age of eighteen.

No use the Maven putting on her faux diamond lorgnette to peer at anyone or anything, when clearly this was going to be a long evening that somehow reminded her of “The Night of the Iguana,” a movie that put Puerto Vallarta on the tourist map in the 1960s. Everyone remembers it was Liz Taylor who followed Richard Burton to the movie set every day, and refused to leave until all scenes between Burton, Ava Gardner, and a frisky iguana were over. Today it’s Liz Taylor who trails Michael Jackson everywhere, and no one discusses iguanas any longer.

But why dwell on the past when a bevy of volunteers from the audience had rushed to play one of those witty dart games. Vaguely, with all the cigarette smoke shortening your Maven’s air supply, did her mind retain a memory of eating Shepherd’s Pie at a pub in Winchester with everyone playing darts and churlishly singing Elton John songs, wondering if he really had a shot at soccer once he retired. Are you daft? Yet here at Senor Frog’s, once the game was announced, the Maven heard a girl bellow out, “Go for it!” It took some time to realize that she was really someone’s mother. “I want to play” she whined, and then made a run for the stage.

“Break three balloons and you win a prize,” the game show host explained to the contestants. The award? Either a papier-mache piggybank or a miniature bottle of tequila. Raise your hand if you know which one might have been chosen. One. Two. Three. The mother missed and had to surrender the darts, but decided to run around the stage until the host wrestled with her. The music blared. Tequila flowed.

Just then the Maven had had enough and flagged down the waiter who took one look at the Britney Spears impersonators and began dancing with all of them. However, noting the Maven was about to have a breakdown, he motioned for a server who came up quickly and whispered something in the Maven’s delicate ear. “Momento,” the Maven responded, and noticed how impressed he was with the Maven’s impeccable Spanish. As your Maven reached for the ear trumpet lodged in her Louis Vuitton bag, the man spoke into it. This is what he said, “WHAT DO YOU WANT, MAVEN?”

There went the waiters again beginning the beguine with the teenagers or whatever it is they’re dancing these days. Having had enough by this time, the Maven tapped the senor on the back. When he turned around, he had such a pleasant little look on his face that the Maven couldn’t resist asking him to take her picture, por favor. After all, who would believe your five star Maven at Senor Frog’s? “Si” he calls out, and disappears into the crowd with the Maven’s famed Hasselblad. All was not lost as your Maven thought back to when the last waiter had snapped her picture. Of course. It was Monsieur Abdul in the Sahara Desert as your Maven mounted a camel and rode gleefully into the Moroccan sands. As the reverie faded, though, the Maven found herself frantic about locating her Hasselblad, and thought perhaps she should call 911, only who would answer?

Inexplicably, the head waiter returned with the camera, put it on the table, and then took from his pocket a handful of pink balloons that he made into a pink poodle. Without warning, he placed the doggie balloon hat on the Maven’s head! Now everyone screams, “GET THE CAMERA!”

Before we know it, we’re heading out the door and how many more times can the Maven say adios? The young Screaming Maven approaches. “We’re coming back to Senor Frog’s. Promise you won’t be with us.” The Maven promises. And with love & knishes.

(source: camerontours.com)

The architecture in Puerto Vallarta may be part of the reason so many people are attracted to this city.It has an old “city style” that will relax you and make you wish you never had to leave this tropicle paradise.

walls adorned by flowerpots blooming with bougainvillea, geranium, hibiscus, copa de oro and splendid ferns, Vallarta is a city full of colorful culture.

Puerto Vallarta is a city full of contrasts. You will find modern architecture alongside colonial architecture, the jungle and the sea, recreation and peace In the downtown area.

Without a doubt, one of the strongest draws of Puerto Vallarta is the beauty of its colonial streets, which are a perfect blend of old and new. You need only take a walk along the Malecon to fully appreciate this.

Caballito de Mar – A bronze statue of a sea horse made by Rafael Zamarripa, it is emblematic of Puerto Vallarta. There are two statues; one located on the Playa de los Muertos (the original), and the other (a reproduction), at the intersection of Diaz Ordaz and Morelos streets.

 Edificio de Correos – Located in the city center between Morelos and Mina streets, the postal building is an old house built in a traditional style with a courtyard that is still in its original state.

 El Faro – Inaugurated on Aug. 15, 1932, this lighthouse is located in the Vallarta Marina. In 1979 it was declared a historical monument.

 Statue of John Huston – The image of the famous director stands in the middle of Isla Rio Cuale, an island that divides the city into two parts. The bronze statue was made in 1988 by Carlos Ramirez to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the filming of “The Night of the Iguana.”

 Fuente de los Delfines – You can find this dolphin fountain next to open-air theatre Aquiles Serdan. James Bottoms built this modern styled bronze structure in 1987. It symbolizes the fraternal bond between Santa Barbara, California, and Puerto Vallarta.

 Glorieta de la Pareja – Located on the Malecon and sculpted in bronze in 1984 by Ramiz Barquet, this statue depicts a human couple.

Travel agents now have the opportunity to become Puerto Vallarta specialists with the new PV Pro Specialist Program. This easy to use, interactive on-line program offers travel agents information and tips on the destination along with perks, incentives and ongoing support to help them sell travel to Puerto Vallarta.

This new interactive program gives travel agents an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge on all that the destination has to offer, from its vast array of accommodations, to its internationally acclaimed restaurants, exciting activities that include everything from snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, to eco-tours and canopy tours, ATV excursions, mountain biking, horseback riding, and whale watching, just to name a few!

PV Pro was developed by Destination Ventures; a company that specializes in helping travel agents sell travel to Mexico. Travel agents interested in becoming a Puerto Vallarta specialist can register on-line for the free PV Pro program. The program offers agents numerous benefits including an on-going support program, in addition to perks and incentives to help them better sell the destination. Some of the benefits include:

Certification: Three “Continuing education credits” from The Travel Institute (US) and CITC (Canada), towards earning professional designation as “Certified Travel Counselors.”

Sales Materials: Access to sales materials on the interactive online campus in PDF format that can be easily downloaded and printed, ready to hand out to clients

Online Interactive Forum: An innovative online chat room that allows “students” to connect with other agents selling Puerto Vallarta to share tips and ideas on planning itineraries as well as expand their destination knowledge.

Consumer Leads: All Puerto Vallarta specialists will be listed on the official Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board website giving consumers an opportunity to find a PV pro in their area.

Quarterly Newsletter: An electronic newsletter containing valuable news and information on Puerto Vallarta will be e-mailed to all specialists.

Points Program: Graduates can earn reward points for every booking they sell to Puerto Vallarta by registering the details online. Points can be used towards FAM trips to Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the more popular and fastest growing tourism destinations in Mexico. A destination that’s rich in culture and steeped in tradition, Puerto Vallarta conserves all of the charm and character of an authentic Mexican town and is home to numerous cultural festivals from music, theater and film to culinary arts, traditional indigenous cultures, and colorful religious processions; as well as sports tournaments including championship golf, some of the best game fishing in the world and nautical regattas. Also, its internationally acclaimed restaurants offer some of the finest culinary delights in Mexico.

In celebration of the Summer Solstice, the Art Walk association prepares Art Walk in Puerto Vallarta, for the next June 20th, from 7 to 10 PM.

Art lovers will be happy to know a special summer edition of Art Walk in Puerto Vallarta is scheduled for June 20th, on the eve of the summer solstice.A coordinated exhibition with the best authors from each gallery Participating in this event.

Vallarta Art Walk’s Founder Barbara Peters of Galería Vallarta says the Old Town Art Walk Gallery Association decided on the summer Art Walk because “the many visitors expressed disappointment that there were no more Art Walks after the end of March. Next season, we will have weekly cocktails through the end of April 2008.”

Galleries will be open for the summer Art Walk from 6:00pm-10:00pm with refreshments served. Peters further explained, “Because of the evening rains during the summer season, it is difficult to plan events that require walking around the Centro area, but generally we do not have rains in June.”

For a full list of galleries participating in Summer Solstice Artwalk Vallarta contact Barbara Peters of the Galeria Vallarta. 

Also in Vallarta on Thursday, June 21 surfers from across the globe will unite to celebrate International Surfing Day. The annual observance, now in its third year, was established to inspire waveriders everywhere to take a day to share and acknowledge their mutual love of surfing and our beach and ocean environments.

“This is a great opportunity for us surfers to celebrate our sport by simply doing what we love to do most – going surfing,” says Evan Slater, renown big wave surfer and Editor of Surfing Magazine.  “It’s also a great opportunity to remind everyone about the need and importance to protect our oceans, waves and beaches.”

As in previous years, the Surfrider Foundation is hosting beach clean-ups and other events in locations throughout the world. “This year we are hosting over 75 beach clean-ups worldwide, including events in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Australia, Japan, Mexico, France, United Kingdom, Peru and elsewhere,” says Surfrider Foundation Executive Director Jim Moriarty.

For more information contact the Surfrider Foundation.

by Keith A. Fitzpatrick

 Many people come to the Puerto Vallarta area to Surf and enjoy the beaches,this is an over view of surf spots in the area, ideas for surf lessons and advice on the sport here in the Bahia de Banderas.

Over the last decade, the allure of surfing has helped transform the sport from a cottage industry into a multi-billion-dollar lifestyle market, with more people falling under its spell and taking to the water each year.

And the Puerto de Vallarta bay area has become a favorite vacation spot for wealthy and middle-class Latinos, who are rapidly buying up real estate along its glorious coastline.

Of course, they are taking up this Hawaiian tradition–the “sport of kings” in increasing numbers People of almost any age can practice the sport, as long as they can swim and are reasonably healthy.

In fact, surfing is gaining popularity among the X-generation’s wealthy elite, who are taking the fast track to surfing “nirvana” by starting out with surf instructors or hiring surf coaches to hone their acquired skills–often in the Puerto Vallarta/Banderas Bay area. The growing number of surf professionals there usually have novices up and riding during their first lesson.

Mexico’s Pacific coastline offers world-class surf and enthusiasts travel it in search of the perfect wave–on “surfari,” often camping in the wilds or staying in small towns near surf breaks. A “surfari” is not for newcomers to the sport, however.

A novice surfing a remote area alone would be akin to a mountaineering novice scaling Everest solo. The safest, easiest type of surf trip involves hiring a surf instructor or coach with local knowledge and years of experience, and more enthusiasts do precisely that in Mexico each year.

While most surf destinations are seasonal, offering only one or two locations with consistent waves three to six months per year, Banderas Bay (home to Puerto Vallarta’s international airport) has up to 300-plus days of surf, good weather, spectacular views, Caribbean colors and warm, crystal-clear water.

North of Puerto Vallarta on Highway 200, 20 different surf breaks pepper the coastline from Nuevo Vallarta (8 miles away) to Punta de Mira (22 miles away), which have up-market hotels. For surfers there is something for everyone–from small beginner waves to intense, experts-only reef breaks.

Although most of Banderas Bay’s beachfront access is privately owned and land access often difficult, help is at hand. Local surf legend, Dave Sinclair of Coral Reef Surf Shop in Bucerias (12 miles north of Vallarta on Highway 200), is not only a surf history encyclopedia and marvelous raconteur, but also an excellent source of help and information.

With 46 years’ surfing experience, his knowledge of the area and advice on where and when to surf is matched only by his knowledge of surf instructors and launches for hire to satisfy all budgets and tastes.

 by Jubal

 While on vacation here in Puerto Vallarta, why not consider going to one of the many health spas and treating yourself to a real relaxing experience. With many choices of professional high quality service spas in Vallarta, you can find one that suits your needs and your budget!

Just imagine; a day off from the children,a possible recovery from a hard week of partying, or just a good start to a vacation or some time for yourself,getting a massage or one of the many treatments available could be the best thing to help you enjoy your vacation that much more. Here is a write up on one of the many spa resorts Puerto Vallarta has to offer.

Feeling bedraggled and bemused? Consider a few hours of pampering at Contacto Natural Health Spa and Resort, for a quick pick-me-up. Tucked away in the jungle just ten minutes south of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica, Contacto Natural is the ideal place to forget your troubles and get back to basics, with the help of one of several soothing treatments offered.

I personally recommend the Fangoterapia (mud massage). Be forewarned, however, that you will be asked to don a disposable paper bikini that does little to camouflage past dietary excesses! Gratefully, a luxurious terry robe is also provided, offering momentary coverage for the short trek from changing room to treatment center.

The massage is preceded by a vapor medicinal, in the Spa’s domed, circular steam room, where one sits on built-in concrete benches before a central stone cauldron that intermittently hisses and issues cleansing herb-laced steam. A quick cold shower is next, after which one is invited to sit and relax for ten or fifteen minutes, while sipping cold mint tea and munching on a mixture of peanuts and dried peas. This “pause” or time-out, if you will, somehow heightens one’s awareness of ambient sounds, smells, sights and sensations.

One becomes gratefully present to the ubiquitous rooster crowing, the dog barking, the crackle of car tires against pebble-strewn roads, the tingle of a gentle breeze against one’s skin, the rough-hewn log planks that serve as walls in the sitting room, the earthy smell of burning incense riding the air, the resident Chihuahua (Camilla) who pokes her head in, sniffs and wanders off, the surrounding melodic dialogue of nature—chattering, peeping, tweeting, trilling.

Lying on the massage table, now oblivious to the cares of the world that precipitated the visit here in the first place, one is no longer self-conscious, much less concerned about the bikini-turned-thong paper underwear riding up into bodily crevices. The sound of recorded flutes in the background, the scent of menthol wafting from the masseuse’s hands beneath one’s nostrils and the distant memory of a simpler life transports one to another dimension.

For the next forty-five minutes one is gently scrubbed with a juta (loofah), rubbed down with a natural herb-infused mud that is eventually baked dry with the aid of a high-intensity overhead light, treated to a neck and head massage, wrapped mummy-style in a light-weight blanket and ultimately left alone to savor the experience.

All too soon (eternity would not be long enough!), one is escorted back to the same simply appointed changing room and offered a delicious hot cinnamon-apple tea to sip on after cleansing one’s mud-caked body with a welcomed hot shower. The final amenity—a lovely atrapasueños—dream catcher—cradled in a long crimson leaf alongside a delicate red blossom, is presented at the time of payment ($45USD–not including tip).

Contacto Natural is a little bit of heaven on earth, offering a variety of services from pedicures ($25USD for 50 minutes), body waxing ($70USD for 70 min) and an avocado body treatment ($60USD for 60 min) to hot stone therapy ($60USD—45 minutes), Aztec sweatlodge ($25USD for 2-3 hours—minimum of six people) and Reiki ($US40 for 60 minutes).

Combination packages of several treatments and vegetarian meals are also available, as well as long-term stays ranging from three days to a month for individuals and groups The grounds are lush with vegetation, the facilities rustic and unpretentious, the staff friendly and accommodating, the cost of services/lodging reasonable and the location perfect for a retreat designed to nurture body, mind and spirit.

MUD MASSAGE
Contacto Natural
El Naranjo 123, El Nogalito
Road to Mismaloya Km 5
Tels. (322) 221-5419
(322) 221-6010

Details:
The Spa is located in El Nogalito, the turn-off for which is posted on the highway to Mismaloya. Subsequent signs guide you to Contacto Natural, where you will most likely be greeted by Cimba, a huge but friendly Great Dane. If you are without transportation, the Spa can provide a pick-up service. Whatever service/package you decide on, I suggest you don’t wear makeup, leave your jewelry at home, and allow plenty of time to enjoy the experience.

Living here in Puerto Vallarta for the last couple of years I have learned the importance of the different kinds of chiles used in Mexican food. Like many people who have never experienced real Mexican cooking(Taco Bell, and Tex Mex dont even come close), the only chile I knew of was the Jalapeno, small,green and HOT!

Now two years of enjoying  the best Mexican food I have ever eaten in my life has opened my eyes to the different taste and style each chile brings to a recipe! Here is a list and small decription of the main chiles that are used in many fine Mexican dishes. I hope you enjoy, test but be warned, some of this can be excrutiatingly spicey if used in overabundance. With that said I will leave it to you with a Buen Provecho!

The Poblano chile is the kind we use for Chile Rellenos. It is dark green, about the size of a bell pepper, but tapered at one end. It can be mild or fiery hot. To prepare these chiles, if you have a gas stove, lay the chiles over the open flame and char the skins well, turning with tongs occasionally. The better charred, the easier to remove the skins. Drop the charred chiles into a plastic bag, close the bag and let stand for 30 minutes to one hour. Take the chiles out of the bag, and under running water, remove skin, veins and seeds. If you are preparing for Chile Rellenos, slit one side carefully, remove seeds and veings and leave stem intact. If you have an electric stove, this same procedure can be used by charring the chiles under the broiler.

The Serrano is the hot one! It is about 1 1/2 inches long and bright green. You can find these canned, but don’t expect the same flavor or results if used in one of our recipes. We use fresh ones. If you are back North and don’t have access to a serrano, use any small green hot chile rather than a canned one.

The Guerro is the one we know as the California or Anaheim chile. It is very mild in flavor, medium size, tapered and pale yellow green.

The Chipotle is an even hotter chile pepper. For some reason we seldom find this fresh in Vallarta, but we do have it both dried and canned. It may be just as well as it is said that this chile can singe your eyebrows or the hair on a man’s chest. Caramba! The flavor of just a tiny piece of one is exquisite. We used the canned ones and keep the left-overs in a jar in the refrigerator.

The Ancho is a commonly used dried red chile in our recipes. It is a mild flavored one, about the size of the pobano, dark red in color and has a wrinkled skin when dired. In different parts of Mexico, you may find these big dark red chiles called by another name, such as tenir. Chiles tend to cross fertilize to the point where even the expert has difficulty distinguishing one from the other.

The Mulato is often used when ancho is called for in a recipe. Our chile lady says “Es mas or menos igual”, in English, “It’s about the same”. It is deep brown, longer and more tapered than the ancho and a bit more pungent.

The Guajillo is a dried red chile that gives more color than taste to our recipes. It is about 4-5 inches in length, narrow with a smooth skin and is a “must” for Ray Cote’s Pozole. All dried red chiles are best used if deveined, seeded and soaked in just enough hot water to cover for about one hour and then put through the blender with the soaking water before adding to your recipe. You may see a similar chile called guayon. As far as we can tell, they are interchangeable like the mulato and ancho.

The Cola de Rata, the rat-tail chile, you probably know by another name, chile del arbol. You will find it both fresh and dried in our markets. It is that skinny one, about the size of your little finger. Dried ones are often toasted and stuck at random into a plate of refried beans.

The Chilaca looks very much like the guajillo and guayon.

The Pasilla is the same color as the ancho, and has a bit more bite to it. It is about seven inches long and thin.

The Jalapeno is an old friend to most of us. Rarely do you set a Mexican table without a small bowl of canned jalapenos, the same as gringos put the black pepper mill on the table. Jenny McGill, our Consular Agent, knows Mexicans who have traveled to China, Russia and other parts of the world with chiles in their purses or luggage to compliment their foreign dishes. She even knows the wife a a Mexican Ambassador to Iceland who selected and packed her four-year supply of chiles before she thought about packing the silver or looking for warm clothes to wear.

The Pequin is a tiny red dried bullet and is super potent! Jenny says she used to grow these in her front garden just to keep the door-to-door salesmen away. Some of our recipes need the pequin to impart the original flavor of the dish. Just crumble the dried pod between your thumb and forefinger and add to the other ingredients.

Hailed by critics as Mexico’s Art Mecca, Puerto Vallarta has seen a major growth in its exciting cultural life within the last five years. Over 30 art galleries have opened throughout downtown, Marina Vallarta and Vallarta’s South Shore.

There’s an exciting arts event almost every day of the week in Vallarta, as well as exciting special events free of charge to the public. Puerto Vallarta’s cultural arts community is lead by the Department of Culture, the Puerto Vallarta Convention & Visitors’ Bureau, The University of Guadalajara, Buenaventura Hotels and Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and joined by art dealers, gallery owners, visitors and artists from all over Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta will celebrate the 6th Annual Mexican Film Festival March 15-21, which draws great Mexican actors, directors, producers and screen players each year.  A series of classical films are exhibited on an oversized screen at Los Arcos in the center of town. Premieres are presented at the local Cinema Bahía.

Downtown gallery owners organize an Art Walk Show every Wednesday from November-April and take turns hosting visitors for a cocktail party. Galleries in Marina Vallarta arrange Art Walk Shows each Friday.

First Thursday in Puerto Vallarta showcases lively music concerts and dance presentations. The event takes place on the first Thursday of each month at a local hotel or at the open-air, seaside amphitheater next to City Hall.

Library Los Mangos also runs a Film Video Session every Friday at 6:00 p.m., where great films from a range of eras are shown to the public, free of charge.

Each Sunday at 8:00 p.m. from January-April, Xiutla, a renowned folkloric ballet group, performs at Los Arcos, the Amphitheater across the street from Puerto Vallarta’s Main Plaza, downtown.

The stunning Los Arcos open-air amphitheatre at the Main Plaza features a lively local band on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the spring. Visitors can enjoy salsa, jazz, folklore, Mexican, Italian, modern and ballad concerts.

The Main Church, an architectural masterpiece, offers classical concerts and choir music. Stroll by local hotels and hear the melodies of octet and strings quintets, the mystical rhythms of Eastern or Medieval music, and classical mariachi in traditional Jalisco style.

Library Los Mangos opened a fascinating monthly exhibit, whereby artists can take their imagination to fly, which draws Vallarta’s greatest art aficionados and connoisseurs. Workshops in art, music, etching, sculpting, clay, theatre, painting and drawing are offered at Isla del Cuale Oriente for extremely reasonable prices, where visitors are encouraged to attend.

Visitors may witness the creative literary works of Vallarta’s most talented writers during the Poetry and Short Story Festival, which takes place in late March-early April. Local writers submit their poems and other works for presentation and award, which is attended by the top nationally renowned literary figures.

Puerto Vallarta’s May Cultural Festival has emerged as one of the best national recommended festivals. The festival is set to take place May 17-31, 2002, and all events are free of charge. International artists perform using a myriad of artistic mediums and attract a growing number of visitors each year. The Festival de Arte closes with a fantastic fireworks display in the Main Plaza, simultaneously celebrating the anniversary of the city.

Visitors who love and appreciate cultural experiences and fine art are encouraged to experience Puerto Vallarta’s festivals and weekly events first-hand. The variety of international events designed for the cosmopolitan visitor are complemented by the flavor of traditional Vallarta by the sea.

Located on the Western Pacific coast of Mexico in the state of Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta’s charm remains largely undiscovered, along with its cobblestone streets, stunning beaches, plentiful marine life, lush Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, fine Gourmet Festival, new golf courses and vibrant art culture.

Weather I am going out for a night on the town or looking to enjoy a good dinner with my boyfriend, Viejo Vallarta Restaurant  is one of my top places to go.With great service and great prices,  I am never to shy to ask for another of anything!

Be it beer,Liqour,or wine you fancy ,they have a full  bar of all. With the most reasonable prices on the Malecon,its hard to beat a night out dancing to their in house band,live every night of the week!

The best location for chilling out sipping a cold one and people watching on the Malecon. Being located directly behind the pole for the Paplanta Flyers provides a spectacular, above crowd view of the show . Viejo Vallarta makes for a great  spot to watch the evening events of the Malecon and to catch a memorable sunset.

Both floors of Viejo Vallarta are devoted to Mexican food and culture. The lively bar opens at 11 a.m. and the dining room at 6 p.m.  Fabulous murals cover the walls celebrating the Mexican people and their history.

The view is absolutely stunning:  the Malecón of course, with its never-ending parade of people and the whole Bay of Banderas at your feet. Sunsets at Viejo Vallarta are a must. And while the atmosphere, the drinks and the great view are important, what keeps locals and tourists’ coming back again and again is the food.

The top floor of Viejo Vallarta is dedicated to fine dining. The extensive menu is a series of mouthwatering color photographs of each dish offered. Soups and salads, chicken mole, fajitas, Sonoran beef, a 34 ounce (!) T-Bone steak and giant shrimp just to name a few. Classical Mexican cuisine served with a variety of tasty sauces is offered every evening from 6 p.m. to midnight.  

Opening everyday at 11 a.m., the bar at Viejo Vallarta serves up 2 for1drinks until 4 a.m. A colorful spot to take a shopping break midday and enjoy some carne asada or tacos with an ice-cold beer or cocktail.

The evenings and nights at Viejo Vallarta heat up the Malecón with live music, the locals playing pool and listening and dancing to the latest tunes from México and the United States.  

A favorite during Spring Break, Viejo Vallarta blends history with very reasonable prices. A fixture on the Malecón for more than 30 years, the view is unsurpassed, the beer is always flowing and the good times go on until the wee hours of the morning.
 

The growth of the Vallarta real estate market continues to be very strong, with sales tripling for the local real estate association’s MLS (Multiple Listing Service).

Doubling for developers compared to the 2004-2005 season, reports Mark Venegas of Venegas World Realty.

This type of growth is unprecedented for Puerto Vallarta and it doesn’t seem to have an end in sight.

“If anything, as many realtors and developers
state, there are strong reasons to believe it’s here for a while,” continues Venegas.

“This is just the beginning of something really big.     We haven’t even got going yet,” says Wayne Franklin of Tropicasa Realty and the president of the Vallarta real estate board.

In 2004 there were an estimated $300 million USD in new construction
sales and nearly $100 million USD in sales for the MLS service. “That total of $400 million is destined to be surpassed in 2005, with $250 million in sales already registered by developers and realtors as of the beginning of June,” adds Venegas.

Roughly two-thirds of this new development is condominiums. Larger projects of 150 or more units are being built around the bay, with smaller boutique projects scheduled for the South Shore as space and availability allow.

As experts in Puerto Vallarta Real Estate, Puerto Vallarta homes, Puerto Vallarta condos, rentals and new developments in the Puerto Vallarta Mexico real estate market, Venegas World Star Realty specializes in matching gay Puerto Vallarta luxury home, second home, retirement home or investment home buyers with select locations.

By buzzsugar

 FRIDA

Salma Hayek’s performance as Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is astounding.

 The film follows Kahlo’s very turbulent life: from a debilitating accident, to her troubled relationship with Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina), to her reputation as a communist and lesbian, to her untimely death.

The film beautifully captures the great passions and terrible pains that influenced Kahlo’s artwork.

MY FAMILY

Admittedly I didn’t take into account Jennifer Lopez’s performance in My Family when I recently questioned her acting talent.

The film is a heartwarming portrayal of Jose and Maria (Lopez plays a young Maria), first-generation Mexican-Americans who build a life together in California in the 1930s. As time moves steadily onward, they face discrimination, police corruption and deportation, yet they also watch as their family expands and they raise six children.

The focus shifts to their son Jimmy (Jimmy Smits) who marries a Salvadoran woman to help her stay in the country. By the 1980s, the third generation in the family is struggling to assimilate to modern American youth culture. There is rarely a dull or empty moment in this film about a family’s unconditional love for one another.

Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN

Children of Men director Alfonso Cuaron wrote and directed the riveting, sensual tale about what happens when you take two strapping young men and an older woman on a road trip near Mexico City.

Let me give you a hint at the answer: some sex, jealousy, fighting — all the good stuff. Gael Garcia Bernal plays one of the young men and he is unbelievably good-looking. The film provides an excellent — if often difficult — look at Mexico in all its beauty and heartache.

By: Jack Mitchell

The world’s finest destination for vacation is Puerto Vallarta Mexico. It is well- known for its legitimate environment located on a large bay of beautiful sandy beaches and they are filled with big lunkers.

This is the real Mexico complete with cobblestone streets and colonial architecture with beautiful weather that goes along with, and friendly people bringing their warm smiles.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the loveliest places you can spot on the globe. It combines a unique ethnic culture with today’s resort facilities, reflected in a variety and inspiring activities and convenient accommodations.

Puerto Vallarta’s geographical diversity is represented in its mountains, jungles, waterfalls, rivers and weather is not a hindrance for your fabtastic vacation. They always have a great weather that will not spoil your ultimate vacation in life.

As the Puerto Vallarta’s popularity has grown bigger and bigger, more tourist flock in, luckily it does not get crowded in the view of the fact that it is located on the huge Banderas bay (“also known as Bay of Flags”), one of the largest natural bay of Pacific Ocean.

Banderas Bay is one of the most excellent locations for sport fishing in the globe. Angler’s from around the world come back every year to find out if they can beat the last year’s big fish that had been caught.

It is a brilliant place to find bass fish, mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, Dorado, rooster tail, and red snapper for the reason that it is a 40- mile-wide bay, with a depth of two miles.

Some of the other species that can be caught in the area include Amberjack, Pargo, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Snapper, Grouper, Rainbow Runner, Red Snapper, Rooster Fish, Sierra, Spanish Macarel, Triggerfish, and many more.

One of Mexico’s hottest bass fishing lake is known as Agua Milpa, which opened in the fall of 1997.the 70,000 acre lake, one of the most easy to get to of Mexico’s hot bass fishing lake can get to by paved road in 3 hours, either your heading from Guadalajara or Puerto Vallarta or by air to Tepic, Nayarit then a short 45 minute ride to the lodge.

The largemouth bass fish lake was secluded from fishing until the fall of ’97. It is an ideal food base and has an ideal growing temperature for bass fishing making it as there own paradise.

Agua Milpa Lake is loaded with aggressive largemouth bass, averaging from 2 ½ to 10 pounds. The most numbered healthy bass fish caught was over 50 fishes for just 4 hours and the largest fish caught that time weighs six pounds.

The best fishing rigs in Mexico are the bass fishing boats and motors. They are all equipped with new or nearly new outboards, troll motors and swivel fish.

Fishing fanatics from all over the world meet on this lake to try their luck in catching the largest creatures that are hard to find. They are required to have a fishing license either for daily or annual purposes. Tournaments and most of the fishing activities are coordinated at the Puerto Vallarta Bass club located at the lake Agua Milpa

Catching and releasing fish is now starting to get known in Puerto Vallarta and in the world which make the anglers more concerned about protecting and increasing the sport fish population. Practicing good catch and release techniques provides a first class fishing experience while recognizing our responsibility to maintain our valuable fishing resources for future generations.

When properly handled and released, fish will continue to repopulate the waters for our continued enjoyments. If fishes are not released and handled properly, there will come a time that in the next generation fishes will not be transparent anymore.

Pity the children of the next generation for they may no longer see the beauty and exquisiteness of the fishes that swim in the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, bays and other aquatic forms. Still pity to them for they can no longer taste the deliciousness of these fishes.

Come and visit Puerto Vallarta if you want to have the big chance of a life time. Choose this place for your next vacation and you won’t regret the adventure you’ll have to experience and the beautiful sceneries and exotic beauties of the place.

Puerto Vallarta is a small coastal city in the state of Jalisco, in México. The city opens into the famous Bahia de Banderas bay on the Pacific Ocean.

Home to over 170,000 people, Puerto Vallarta is a favored tourist destination and spring break hotspot in the country. Sitting near the international sea route, it is also an important port of call, which is visited by more than one cruise ship at least every day.

If you are looking for unending fun and excitement to fill your vacation of holidays, this is the place where you must come to.

For a prospective tourist, the activities available in Puerto Vallarta are simply unlimited. From kilometers long pristine beaches, scuba diving expeditions, adventure tours, hiking, biking, and eco-tours, to swimming with dolphins, whale watching, 4-wheeling, parachuting, yachting, snorkeling, rappelling through waterfalls, and cultural extravaganzas, the choices are numerous and apparently never ending.

The thrilling nightlife and the city’s mouth watering restaurants serve both Mexican and Continental cuisine. Both are unparalleled anywhere else in the neighborhood or in the state itself. If to see and enjoy everything, one may have to stay on for at least a couple of months here.

For those who wish to explore out more, consider taking a guided tour to the old villages and historic sites, a jeep safari off the beaten track, bird watching in the serene environs, a cycle tour into the jungles or the remote beaches in the city outskirts, or a walk along the cobbled streets of El Centro, featuring world’s most intriguing StairMaster.

For sports buffs, there are tennis courts all around the place, and some good golfing destinations and other recreational grounds.

Apart from the reputation of a tourist hotspot, Puerto Vallarta is also a prominent health and beauty destination and a leading choice for many wedding planners.

To sum it up, Puerto Vallarta has everything to cater the tastes of all kinds of tourists, of different ages, and culture. It is both vibrant and traditional. It’s a rare gem in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is worth the trip.

Barcelona Tapas
Corner of Matamoros and 31 de Octubre DT.
222-0510
5-11:30pm; F, S: 5:30pm-1:30am Closed August and September.

 Take a party and share a dozen cold and hot tapas for about 200p per guest.

Since 2000, owner/chef Bill Carballo, from Chicago and trained in Spain, and wife Yesenia offer sizzling spicy shrimp ajillo, goat cheese, grilled garlic lemon calamari, cured Spanish ham and La Mancha cheese, rosemary chicken, saffron cream seafood, marinated pork or pepper beef brochettes, creamy garlic potato salad, marinated Spanish olives, mushrooms with chorizo, cannelloni filled with tuna and asparagus, layered vegetable torta, duck paella on saffron rice, tortilla Española [omelet torta with potato, onion and garlic], sopa de fríjol negro, crema de langosta, housemade breads and ice cream as rich, soft coconut, créme brulée, caramel fried bananas and housemade red or white sangría.

Lovely terrace up staircase on 4th floor with wide Bahía and cityscape or inside A/C 3rd floor dining room. Ask about cooking classes. No CC.

Barcelona Tapas is one of my favorite restaurants here in Puerto Vallarta.With an amazing panoramic veiw of the bay,their spanish style tapas menu is a refreshing change from the usual Mexican.From Chevre to oysters paired with the perfect bottle of wine,this is a romantic place to eat dinner for any tapas lover.

**Comments:*

***The Spanish Tortilla was insane. Next time I go back, I’ll take three orders. The roquefort salad was also the bomb. The sangria? eh, it got me good and schnockered, but for some odd reason they put vodka in it (oh let me see, to get the tourists drunk quickly?) well, it did it’s job, but I’m a sangria purist, no vodka, thank you.

All in all, it was a great meal and not very expensive. I give Btapas a big thumbs up and it’s a nice romantic place with a great view, so bring your girlfriend and tell the waiters that the guy who ‘got the cork out of the wine bottle by only using a napkin” sent you.

-qualitypeoplesblog.com

****Dinner tonight was at “Barcelona Tapas,” a place similarly situated to Pipi’s from last night, but opposite in atmosphere. This place took several flights of stairs to reach, but the view was worth it, as was the food and service. We enjoyed an incredible seafood platter for two, prefaced my some mushroom tapas that were absolutely out of this world. Lexie liked the shrimp and scallops, but was quick to discard the oysters, calamari, and octopus.

-Paul Smith,Vacationing in Vallarta.

You know that you want to spend a day out on a boat, having some drinks, and a little activity, but the question remains, how do you know which boat you want to go on? Do you choose a boat based on price, the way it looks, or just randomly point a finger and hope for the best?

There is no real formula for picking what boat is right for you, without firsthand knowledge of what the day is going to be like, its a gamble. Taking the worst boats out; The Sarape’s and Princessa Yelapa’s (over crowded and no one ever looks like they are having fun) we are left with 3 or 4 contendors.

The Vallarta Sol – My favorite. Not because its glitzy or overly anything but just because they (a)always have great service (b)serve real beer (Coronas in the 1/4 bottles) which the other boats do not do and have booth seating upstairs. The crowd is always a mixture of old, young, and families, and everyone is always friendly and fun. The day starts as you cruise the bay, take about 30mins for snorkeling at Los Arcos, go to Las Animas beach for lunch, then head off to Quimixto. The great thing about this boat is if you dont want to go to Quimixto, they wont make you and will come back and pick you up at Las Animas on the way back. The trip back is just as fun, as you round out deep into the bay, dancing, playing, and having fun until you reach the Marina. A day well spent and tickets are a reasonable ($30ish) for the trip.

Santamaria - The Santamaria got a new boat this year, a 3 level trimaran. A little more expensive (closer to $40) the boat is definitely geared towards a younger crowd. They dont serve beer in bottles (Sol in cups) but if arent picky, its just as good. Service is great on this boat, you can order as many as you want at a time and they keep coming. They play games, have contests and party down all day long. Lunch is still on the beach and you go to all the same places.

The Shamballa – I have yet to be on the Shamballa, but have heard good things and the people seem to look to be having a good time. Same thing, open bar on board, the only difference is they head to Quimixto first and then to Las Animas. Benefit here: Las Animas beach is way better and with this boat you will have more time there with less crowds. A thumbs up in my opinion. Moderately priced you are looking at about $35

Kontiki Beach – Very cool, but a little pricier. For $55 per person, the catamaran offers open bar and takes you out to Colomitos, a beautiful, beautiful place to snorkel and scuba dive. The majority of other boats dont make the effort to go out here, it is definitely worth the trip. They serve lunch on board then sail out to Majahuitas (again, simply amazing) where the beach is awesome, white and sandy and uncrowded. They offer kayaking or snorkeling here. Then again, music and fun for the ride back to the Marina. The Kontiki is less focussed on being a ‘Booze Cruise’ although it does have an open bar and more about being a fabulous day, visiting fabulous places and having a great time in the process. If you are willing to shell out the extra $20, its definitely worth a trip.

Pirates of the Bay – Great for families, goes out to Majahuitas as well, has awesome food and drinks is fun if you want to sail on a pirate ship. Is a little more pricier (close to $60) Its very fun, pirate family fun. Their night cruise is adult oriented and also very entertaining. They are worth the trip as well.

By Art Diamond’s weblog

JUCHITÁN, Mexico — For as long as anyone can remember, shopping for many items in this Zapotec Indian town meant lousy selection and high prices. Most families live on less than $4,000 a year. Little wonder that this provincial corner of Oaxaca, historically famous for keeping outsiders at bay, welcomed the arrival of Wal-Mart.

Back home in the U.S., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is known not only for its relentless focus on low prices but also for its many critics, who assail it for everything from the wages it pays to its role in homogenizing American culture. But while its growth in the U.S. is slowing, Wal-Mart is striking gold south of the border, largely free from all the criticism.

Like Wal-Mart fans in less affluent parts of America, most shoppers in developing countries are much more concerned about the cost of medicine and microwaves than the cultural incursions of a multinational corporation.

That fact is making Wal-Mart a dominant force in Latin America. Wal-Mart de México SAB, a publicly traded subsidiary, is not only the biggest private employer in Mexico — it’s the biggest single retailer in Latin America. Sales at Wal-Mex, as the Mexican unit is called, are forecast to rise 16% to $21 billion this year, representing a quarter of Wal-Mart’s foreign revenue.

International revenue soared 30% to $77.1 billion, accounting for 22% of Wal-Mart’s sales, in the fiscal year ended Jan. 31. Wal-Mex profits are forecast to grow 20% to $1.3 billion this year.

 In Mexico, Wal-Mart has been a counterweight to the powers that control commerce. One of the most closed economies in the world until the late 1980s, Mexico was dominated for decades by a handful of big grocers and retailers.

 All were members of a national retailing association called ANTAD, and cutthroat competition was taboo. At the local level, towns are still hostage to local bosses, known here as caciques, the Indian word for local strongmen who control politics and commerce.

In recent months, as rising prices for U.S. corn pushed up the price of Mexico’s corn tortilla, a staple for millions of poor, Wal-Mart could keep tortilla prices largely steady because of its long-term contracts with corn-flour suppliers. The crisis turned into free advertising for Wal-Mart, as new shoppers lined up for the cheaper tortillas.

Wal-Mart also overcame a Juchitán cacique, or local boss: Héctor Matus, a trained doctor who goes by La Garnacha, the name for a fried tortilla snack popular in town. Dr. Matus, 55, owns six pharmacies, stationery stores and general stores.

He has also held an array of political posts, including Juchitán mayor and state health minister. As town mayor from 2002 to 2004, he says he blocked a national medical-testing chain from opening in town because it meant low-price competition to local businessmen doing blood work.

But Dr. Matus couldn’t persuade local and state officials to block Wal-Mart, and he is feeling the pinch. Sales are off 15% at his stores since Wal-Mart arrived, and he is now lowering prices in response. Even so, he’s still more expensive. A box of Losec stomach medicine costs 80 pesos ($7.30) at one of Dr. Matus’s stores, marked down from 86 pesos. The price at Wal-Mart is 77 pesos ($7.20).

Dr. Matus isn’t happy about the competition. “I could still kick them out of town, because I know how to mobilize people,” he said, sitting in his living room surrounded by pictures of him with leading Mexican politicians dating back to the 1970s.

Despite his bravado, town officials say Wal-Mart is staying. “The ones who have benefited the most [from Wal-Mart] are the poorest,” says Feliciano Santiago, the deputy mayor. “I hope another one comes.”

Gisela López, the 31-year-old head of billing at the Juchitán store, benefited from the retailer’s system of promoting from within. Raised by her uneducated, Zapotec-speaking grandparents, Ms. López earned a computer degree at Juchitán’s small technical college and then left for the booming northern city of Monterrey in search of opportunity.

Lacking connections, she couldn’t find the office job she dreamed about, and took a job at one of Wal-Mart’s stores. After three months, Ms. López made cashier supervisor, and later moved over to the billing department. When Wal-Mart opened a store in Juchitán, Ms. López jumped at the chance to move home — and was promoted to billing chief in the process.

“It’s a very different place to work, because you can succeed by your own effort,” says Ms. López, whose $12,000-a-year salary now puts her in Mexico’s middle class.

Ms. López’s story of economic mobility is a rare one. Most of her childhood friends don’t have steady jobs, she said. The success stories are friends who inherited jobs from their parents at the state oil company’s big refinery in Salina Cruz, about an hour away.

Mexico design conference raises the possibility of outsourcing  much closer to home

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico, June 1, 2007 – Mexico may not be the first country that jumps to mind when one thinks of outsourcing industrial design and styling. But if the government and schools of Mexico have their wish, their design students (hundreds of them flocked to the first ever DIMe v1.0, Diseno Industrial Mexico conference), should soon be able to take on outsourcing powerhouses of India and China.

Over 400 design students gather for DIMe in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Mexico had received considerable US investment after NAFTA. Most Americans are aware of US companies with factories clustered just over the border that churn out cheap goods. It’s meant a lot of manufacturing jobs for Mexicans. Now, it seems that Mexico is setting its sights on exporting its intellectual assets, too.

To tell the story, Robert McNeel & Associates, a major sponsor of the event, invited four of us from the CAD press: Ralph Grabowski (see his blog postings about the event), Randall Newton, Al Dean and me.

The state of Jalisco, in which Puerto Vallarta is located, claims a large share of Mexico’s foreign investment. It is proudest of Intel’s Design Center in Guadalajara. Guadalajara is Jalisco’s biggest city, and second biggest in Mexico (only Mexico City is bigger).

So why would a US company consider Mexico for outsourcing? Well, Puerto Vallarta is a world class resort. My hotel had a swim-up bar….  But forget that for a moment. Mexico neighbors the US, for God’s sake! Your overseas office, design center, sweat shop — call it what you will — is just a short flight away.

Lost in Translation

The chief impediment to Mexico entering the international information/IT/outsourcing market is language. I am lucky to have some of the conference proceedings being translated but my lack of Spanish puts me at considerable disadvantage here and almost everywhere else.

 Even in Puerto Vallarta, a favorite vacation and retirement destination of many Americans, English is rare. Though spoken by many of the hotel’s front line staff, it was only Spanish with taxi-drivers, waiters, shop keepers, etc.

Where’s the Wi-Fi?

Though I stayed at a 5-star hotel, our rooms had no broadband Internet connection, a service that can now be considered standard in business hotels. Even after a company was contracted to set up wireless connection for us, my colleagues found themselves scrambling to connect. I suspect that if a 5-star hotel has this much trouble connecting its guests, coverage across the country may be spotty at best.

Also somewhat of a problem is “Mexico time,” often offered as an explanation for being late. The conference itself was scheduled for 9am but started at 10:30. Or maybe the problem was the final schedule wasn’t available till the morning of the conference.

None in the milling crowd of attendees seemed to be surprised or bothered by this, but a lack of punctuality and planning would be maddening for American managers.

Still, many US companies could benefit from tapping into a labor force that is cheap, close and sounds eager to get started. By contrast, parts of the world currently associated with outsourcing are already feeling negative effects as superheated economies have caused rapidly escalating wages and rents, employee churn, inflation, etc.

Maybe it’s finally time to take the Spanish course you had been thinking about.

Puerta Vallarta was a 3.5 hour direct flight from San Francisco. A multi-stop flight to India will take two days on each end (actual flight time can be over 20 hours). A quick check shows Guadalajara to have one of Mexico’s largest universities — hence it’s probably a good source of designers, engineers and other technical professionals.

By yesitalks.spaces.live.com

The Mexican emigration dilemna. Most Mexicans don’t stay home to make their fortune. They’ve always been sold the belief that they must be in the United States to make money.

I’ve been asking friends here about their families. I would estimate that almost every Mexican I know comes from a family that has lost 50% or more of it’s members to immigration or alienation to the United States.

Enrique and Emma had 10 kids, seven are in San Jose. Irma and Angel have three of four there. Ana Rosa’s son, Nelson, and daughter-in-law left their three year old daughter with the grandmas. It’s been a year already.

My friend, Estela in San Sebastian has nine brothers and sisters, five are in the US. Of her four kids, three are there. Even her father moved there. Her husband is there half the year. She said if I knew I would be alone as a wife, I would have stayed with my mother!! There are many tales of such heartbreak.

Now the newly inaugurated president, Felipe Calderón, made an election speech where he pledged his commitment to making jobs to keep Mexicans home working. A brilliant idea. How? We’ll wait and see.

I see many foreigners in Mexico trying to figure out how to stay here in this tropical paradise. There are many, many hungry time-share salespersons in PV. Others are starting obvious businesses that are lacking.

In Yelapa, no one had a hardware store, even a small one to sell nails, until Robin, an American woman, began one. Angel, my landlord, had always talked about it, but … There are many people who could start a Spanish school in Mexico. I should be working for them!

What’s missing? I think the obvious is a lack of money to invest. I know my personal small successes have been due to a credit union in Canada that gives all sorts of breaks to small businesses.

The Nobel Peace Laureate from India who started a bank to advance loans to small business deserved that prize. I’ve seen many Mexican families get computers and very quickly become wizards in their use. They’re bright and very open to innovation, so lack of training would be easy to overcome.

I guess one  wish would be that many of the young people who leave will return and guide the way for Mexicans who do want to stay in Mexico. I’ll certainly do my best to help them earn a good living.

Excerpt from: Puerto Vallarta Real Estate and News

Taking the Leap, but not on faith, to buy in Mexico and here in Vallarta can be the best thing that you’ve done.

A recent article in the Miami Herald discussed the experience of a lady who purchased a property in Puerto Vallarta.  She acknowledged being scared and nervous during due to the stories of fraud  and deceit.   Additionally, her Spanish, like mine, is very limited.  Since then, she has purchased two more properties in Puerto Vallarta for investments. 

To rectify my inadequacy in the Spanish language, I am taking night courses.  And in my class is a lady that purchase three condo’s from the real estate office I set up in Puerto Vallarta at the Holiday inn.  She is very happy with the investment.  It goes to show that the world is very small.

Anyway, both of these ladies decided to move forward and take the plunge in real estate in Vallarta and here are the common themes from both of their stories.

They felt comforted by the ability to buy Title Insurance Information is readily available about how to buy property and the property laws in  Mexico. The value in the deal felt good, and The excitement of taking the plunge.

Stewart Title, First American Title and LandAmerica Title all offer title policies in Mexico and actively work the market.  Stewart has seen its Mexico business triple in the past three years and has the lion share of the Mexican business. 

I consider Mitch Creekmore, the VP and Manager of Stewart’s Latin America business, a personal friend and I’ve personally worked extensively with First American Title and their escrow departments and know of the work at LandAmerica.  These are professional companies that provide similar title and escrow services to Mexico.

However, as I’ve said before, not all title policies in Mexico are created equal.  Read the fine print and the exclusions.  If the title policy only covers issues in the “Public Registry” in Mexico, don’t buy the policy – go to another company or get them to change it to all issues of title.  If there are exclusions relating to law suits or boundary issues, don’t buy the property. 

Why take the risk, there will be another great property just down the street.  All new developments should have title policies, the developer should see it as part of marketing.  So if the development can not produce a policy, move on.

Even with title insurance and escrows, buying in Mexico is easy as the process is different and the culture is very different.  I like to say that Manana does not mean tomorrow, but “not today.”  Things just take longer.  So here are some guidelines to make it easier for you.

 Work with a reputable agent, get references.
 Don’t sign anything until you fully understand it. Use a lawyer
 Never give money to the realtor or seller before you have title or a trust, use and escrow  account to hold any deposits and to make the final payment
 buy title insurance

Understand HOA and closing costs upfront, so you are not shocked (closing costs can run up to 10% of the transaction)
If the seller does not want to use a notario, run!!!!
As the buyer, you choose the notario
Never allow the seller to talk you into registering the property at a lower sales price to save on taxes, it will hurt you in the long run.

I’ve received a lot of request to share our experience, so here is some useful info.

First of all you don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, just a birth or citizenship certificate and DL. For children under 12- birth cert. and some other ID, like a medical card, over 12- a pictured ID.

I brought a Bjorn carrier for the flight to Mexico and used it during the take off and landing, and during our drive from the airport. It appeared that no one heard of car seats in Vallarta, although I’ve requested it through the hotel and paid for an extra seat. Presume nothing.

The taxis were newer and had seat belts on the back.
The hotel had a smallish crib, no blanket (and its 5-star all-inclusive Palace resort).

At the gift shop there were swimming diapers, but not all sizes available; children’s sunscreen and after sun lotions and children’s Tylenol.

You can buy everything at the supermarket in Vallarta- brand name baby food, diapers, medications… but unless you are right in town, you’ll have to take a cab. Prices are comparable to grocery stores in US and Canada.

There was a children’s pool, less than a foot deep with really warm water, which my baby definitely proffered.

I would recommend bringing your own comfortable stroller, but check with your airline- you can bring one item usually, either stroller or a seat. We were able to walk around the resort at night, have a dinner and sit by the pool while the little one slept in the stroller, instead of being confined to the room.

Nanny was available, but I did not want to leave my baby with a stranger.
Food and water was fine, no one we knew (over 100 people at the conference) have gotten sick. We ate everything- salads, dairy and even sushi. Bottled water was available everywhere. We were in Puerto Vallarta.

Lastly, Mexicans LOVE babies and they touch kids a lot- cheeks, feet… Your little one will get a lot of attention from the hotel staff and just strangers on the beach (locals and grandmas on vacation who need a baby fix). Often at the restaurant, the waitresses just took turns holding my baby while we ate. The little flirt loved it, but if your child is going through the stranger anxiety stage, this could be a problem. You may want to learn a fraise or two in Spanish to discourage such a display of affections.

So, my advice would be: don’t be afraid to travel with a baby, but come prepared. Bring everything for your little one and just couple of t-shirts and a bathing suit for yourself.

Banyan Tree in Joint Venture to Build a World Class Resort in Chamela with Golf!

Banyan Tree Holdings is investing with a Mexican partner to develop approximately 500 acres in Chamela, approximately 2 hours south of Puerto Vallarta.

The integrated resort will offer guests spectacular views of the protected islands around Chamela and will feature a world-class golf course and a high-end mix of Banyan Tree branded residences for sale.

I’ve been to the exact location and looked at it from a development perspective. It is a truly special location.

The only draw back is it accessibility to the world; however, I guess after a few spa treatments, you will not care about the journey, only the destination. Banyan Tree has partnered with the Mexico Owner and has taken minority interest of 19.9% in the development and has an option to increase its investment to 30% of the development within a year and a half.

Banyan Tree is investing $200 million USD in Mexico to develop 4 projects. Besides the Chamela project, Banyan Tree also is developing Banyan Tree Los Cabos, Banyan Tree Punta Diamante in Acapulco and Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Rivera Maya. It is a leading developer, designer and operator of luxury resorts, hotels and spas worldwide.

by chrisraymondcs.wordpress.com

Hola, amigos! My husband (Ken) and I just returned from a great trip to Mexico. This is our 2nd trip in 3 months…and 3rd trip in 8 months. Yep, we really like it there.

I’ve tried to figure out what the appeal is. Likely it is a combination of things. Being in another country where you have to adapt to their language and culture is a really good way to remove you from your day-to-day behavior, routine, even habitual thoughts. It does for me, anyway. Plus, I like getting out of my comfort zone and look at everyday stuff in a new and different way. Things I didn’t think twice about at home I have to ponder in Mexico…in another language.

I like interacting with the local people and learning their language and customs. I LOOVE the weather — warm and balmy in the winter, very warm and a bit humid (like Hawaii) right now. We like to go to the Puerto Vallarta area which is on the Pacific coast, and there is something about the sound of the waves and the ocean smell. Could be because I was born and raised in San Francisco. And now I am very land-locked in New Mexico. Yeah, the water is a very big draw.

I guess some people would call travelling to Mexico for a week here and there a vacation. But Ken and I don’t. I am really not sure what qualifies as a “vacation” — vacating from what?

When we go we are always scouting for opportunities. As an architect and developer, Ken is always looking for “projects”: land to develop and buildings to build. That is what architects/builders do. So he is not vacating anything.

As for me, I realized this time clearly that I can’t — nor do I want to — vacate what I do every day either. It’s important to me to be “poised to respond” for any calls to pray whether I am in New or Old Mexico.

Don’t know about you but when I travel there always seem to be MORE opportunities to pray because of the unfamiliarity with a different place. But this trip I was really struck by the various demands to get a spiritual perspective of a sticky situation.

Hey, we didn’t even leave Albuquerque airport before there was an urgent need…Ken left his wallet with credit cards, pesos, ATM card at home…an hour away. Not going back. I stood at the car staring at him and realized I had a choice: get stressed out or know, without a doubt, that all the resources we needed are already established in Mind, the source of all good. These resources are not parsed out over “here” and not there…they are everywhere, without restriction or limitation.

Truly, immediate peace and calm swept over me. As we walked up to the gate two ideas came to me: call my credit card company to let them know the card would be used in Mexico for a week (they were VERY glad to know) and call Ken’s bank to wire funds to another ATM card that I carried. Done. See? It’s not about money, it’s about ideas…and the ideas one needs are ALWAYS available, without restriction or limitation. Getting stressed is a bad detour that just wastes time and energy. Don’t even go there.

During the week there were SEVERAL opportunities to immediately choose to pray with the spiritual perspective, and not stare blankly at the material picture. Physical problems, confusion about plans, potential for various disruptions. But nothing was an “inconvenience” to me — I knew what I wanted to do — think spiritually.

So, all situations were addressed with spiritual logic and conviction that there is only one Mind operating. I remember one moment thinking, without a doubt, that “All is under the control of the one Mind, even God.” (Science and Health) And so it was seen.

It’s interesting when I think about it, being in Mexico gives me MORE time to pray and spiritually reflect because the daily routines and activities aren’t intruding in my mental space.

Hmmm, maybe that is the ultimate reason why I love to be in Mexico — I am not “vacating” what I like to do every day, I am immersing!

by whereiskatietoday.blogspot.com

As we have established, I did in fact come to Puerto Vallarta alone. I would like to say that I consider being alone in a foreign country a tremendous opportunity for growth, to try things and test your self-reliance. However, I know that there are some of you who worry about little Kate wandering through Mexico alone.

Thank you, I appreciate that. I love you, too. And for these peeps, I would like to assure you that I’m not really that far from home. Allow me to illustrate.

I live in ‘la Zona Romantica’; a sliver of neighborhood between the steep hills of the Sierra Madres and the Playa de los Muertos beach, full of cobble stone streets, white adobe condos, restaurants and art galleries. My building is called Villa Blanca (photo), and is an open air, white washed, and flower bedecked tribute to fantastic tropical architecture. From its’ hillside perch, its’ large windows gaze on an endless blue ocean and the northern and southern curving arms of the mountains surrounding the Bahia de Banderas.

Stone stairs lead up from the street to the iron gate, which opens to the pool level; blue tiles of all colors, lounge chairs, and a table with a green striped umbrella sit comfortably in the sun. There are four levels of apartments, with the top level, the pent-house, almost entirely open air, save the two bedrooms in the back. The roof is a blue tiled patio deck, ringed by ever more bright blossoms, with benches, a fireplace, and more chairs for taking in the breathtaking views and sunsets.

The roof is also a great place to watch, or listen to, the Blue Chairs resort down the hill and across the street. The Blue Chairs is an all-inclusive gay resort – drawing this particular crowd from all over the US and Canada.

So, point number one: I never really left San Francisco.

Blue chairs offers great activities from its’ open-air rooftop club and bar. In fact, I don’t even have to look at a calendar anymore; I can tell the day of the week by the Blue Chairs soundtrack every evening.

When I hear the MC say over the loudspeaker, “and we have…C…69!…ooooooh! 69!”, and the whole crowd cheers, I know it’s Tuesday: Bingo Night.

When I hear Shania Twain’s “Man, I Feel Like a Woman” blasting up the hill to the synchronized claps of the crowd, I know it’s Wednesday: the drag queen show. I’ve already been in fact; not bad.

If I lay out on the beach in front of Blue Chairs with the other guests, it’s a guarantee that I won’t get hit on. Well, except by the waiters. One actually said to me the other day, “you’re making me nervous, you look so good, normally all I see is gay men.”

So I look pretty hot compared to a gay man? If you meant that as a compliment, could you reach around here and put some sunscreen on that red spot on my back? Thanks…

Point number 2: I can eat like an American.

While bemoaning the fact that I couldn’t find navy beans at the local Mercado to a couple of neighbors, they sympathetically suggested, “well honey, have you tried the Wal-Mart?”

The Wal-Mart?

A thirty minute bus ride from my neighborhood and I was dropped off in close proximity to the hotel zone: the new and highly developed area of PV. Across from the bus stop, at the far edge a ginormous parking lot, stood a bright, block-like, air-conditioned Walmart. Identical to every other Wal-Mart I have ever seen.

Next to the Wal-Mart, I was surprised – and yet not surprised – to see another bright, block-like, air-conditioned building: a Sam’s club. Across the street from these two, is the large docking bay for cruise ships: essentially a mini-harbor that holds these lengthwise skyscrapers while they unload excursion hungry sailors for an afternoon, then reload and move on. As I stood in the middle of these three points, I couldn’t help but feel I had landed in the Bermuda Triangle of Globalization – my head swirled – am I in Mexico? Am I in the States? Am I in Mexico? Am I in the States?

When I entered the Wal-Mart, the twilight zone experience continued. Men’s plaid collared-shirt for $10? Check. Electronics department with the mid-aisle display of discount DVDs? Check. Yellow-smiley-roll-back-prices-face? Check. Cardboard tower of Frito Chips You betcha. bags near the soda aisle?

Can you sense the confusion? A wha? I mean, just look at this picture I snapped in the check-out line. Tell me you wouldn’t be disoriented. She’s even wearing a banana clip – a banana clip! (When my flash went off they actually turned around and looked at me – I had to stare upwards and pretend I was very interested in the ceiling structure. I didn’t get caught…this time).

I could have been back in Indiana or Ohio for all I knew, but one thing was certain, I found my Navy Beans, as well as Oatmeal, Uncle Ben’s instant rice, cheap spices and a bright pink beach towel for $5. God bless America.

Point number 3: I don’t even have to miss an episode of 24.

Ok, so I don’t really watch 24, but every time it comes up, someone tells me I have to watch it. Ergo, I wanted to include this point more as a comfort to you all; a show of support sort to speak.

However, there are in fact a whopping twelve stations out of seventy three on the television in my apartment that come down directly from the States in English. Want to know who sang the best on American Idol last night? I could tell you. I can watch a wide variety of shows while I’m procrastinating on Spanish homework…like I’m doing right now…

So friends, whenever you think I’ve fallen off my rocker and moved to earth’s end, just picture me spraying bulk-size Pam on a muffin tray, flipping the channels, while rocking out to the song coming through my open windows…. “We are family! I got all my sisters and me”…

Puerto Vallarta’s cobble stone streets are a pleasure to explore; they’re full of tiny shops, rows of windows edged with curling wrought iron, and vistas of red-tile roofs and the sea.

Start with a walk up and down the malecón.Among the sights you shouldn’t miss is the municipal building on the main square (next to the tourism office), which has a large Manuel Lepe mural inside in its stairwell.

Nearby, up Independencia, sits the Parish of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, Hidalgo 370 (tel. 322/222-1326), topped with a curious crown held in place by angels — a replica of the one worn by Empress Carlota during her brief time in Mexico as Emperor Maximilian’s wife.

On its steps, women sell religious mementos; across the narrow street, stalls sell native herbs for curing common ailments.

Services in English are held Sunday at 10am, and during January and February additional English services are held daily at 5pm.Regular hours are Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 8:30pm, Sunday from 6:30am to 8:30pm.

Three blocks south of the church, head east on Libertad, lined with small shops and pretty upper windows, to the municipal market by the river. (It’s the Río Cuale Mercado, but I recently overheard a tourist ask for the “real quality” market!)

After exploring the market, cross the bridge to the island in the river; sometimes a painter is at work on its banks. Walk down the center of the island toward the sea, and you’ll come to the tiny Museo Río Cuale (no phone; Mon-Sat 10am-4pm; free admission), which has a small but impressive permanent exhibit of pre-Columbian figurines.

Retrace your steps to the market and Libertad, and follow Calle Miramar to the brightly colored steps up to Zaragoza. Midway is a magnificent view over rooftops to the sea, plus a cute cafe, Graffiti (no phone), where you can break for a cappuccino and a snack.

Up Zaragoza to the right 1 block is the famous pink arched bridge that once connected Richard Burton’s and Elizabeth Taylor’s houses. In this area, known as “Gringo Gulch,” many Americans have houses.

You don’t have to be a rock star to rent one of Vallarta’s most beautiful homes, but a similar income or a never-ending trust fund might help.

Just beyond Destiladeras Beach at the north end of Banderas Bay, Casa Canta Rana www.casacantarana provides stunning views of the coast from inside a gated community. Indoor — outdoor living and dining spaces have bay and island views.

Decorated with tasteful, seductively subdued furnishings, two of the three bedroom suites share a tall palapa roof; the master suite has an indoor — outdoor shower and private patio. A maid, gardener, and pool boy are included.

Additional staff, airport transfer, and other services are provided at additional cost. For the nanny, pilot, or bodyguard on your payroll, there’s a separate apartment with bedroom, kitchen, and bath. High season (November 1-April 30) rate is $1,350 per night.

What could be better than a former president’s home, the site hand-picked for its almost incomprehensibly beautiful vistas of the sea? President Luis Echevarrí’s mansion, Villa Vista Mágica, is on a highly forested point between Sayulita and San Francisco, Nayarit.

The circular, 10-bedroom property comes with a cook who will prepare three meals a day (Mexican food from a Mexican cook). The waverunners and two Suburbans are also at your disposal.

This fabulous place costs a mere $31,250 a week (much more during holidays). To rent this — or a less-pricey property where you’ll feel equally special and pampered — contact Boutique Villas (866/823-9739 www.boutiquevillas.com).

Twenty years ago the private heaven of simple fisherfolk and their families, the spearhead-shape point at the northern point of Banderas Bay is today home to the gated, low-density community Punta Mita (888/647-0979 in U.S. and Canada www.puntamita.com.mx).

Here you find the Four Seasons (and soon the Rosewood and St. Regis resorts), as well as multiple golf courses, beach clubs, spas, and shops. Within the 1,500-acre retreat, the Four Seasons and other brands rent luxury villas whose high-season rates range from $4,000 to $10,000 per night.

Floor plans vary but there’s consistency in the large outdoor living spaces; air-conditioned common areas and bedrooms with natural-hue, high-quality furnishings; and attentive staff members, including your own full-time chef.
 

by Justin Burch

The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts. Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea in places, creating placid coves and intimate sandy pockets.

Playa Los Muertos is the most frequented beach in Puerto Vallarta. This sandy beach is long and wide with small waves perfect for swimming. Despite its popularity, there is usually plenty of room to spread out a towel and soak up rays. Los Muertos is a bustling place full of craft and food vendors; the beach itself is lined by numerous resorts, restaurants and bars. This is also a great place to ride a parasail and get a bird’s eye view of the city. The beach has the added attraction of being on the edge of Viejo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta’s beautiful old town.

Several other beautiful beaches lie in close proximity to the city’s Hotel Zone. Playa El Saldo, also known as Marina Vallarta, primarily caters to hotel guests. However, the beach is wide and well-maintained, offering stunning views of the city and its mountainous backdrop. Playa Pelicanos is generally quiet, making it a great place to escape the beach crowds while remaining in the heart of the city. Playa Las Glorias is the name of the sandy stretch between Playa Pelicanos and Marinaby Justin Burch Vallarta. If you’re staying in a hotel north of the primary Hotel Zone, you will find this excellent swimming beach outside your back door.

North of the city, the beach of Nuevo Vallarta offers a wider stretch of sand with fewer rocks than most beaches within Banderas Bay. As favorites of families, visitors to Playa Destiladeres and Playa Bucerias can expect mild waves (perfect for boogie-boarding or learning to surf), elegant white sand beaches and fresh seafood at charming palapa-shaded restaurants.

To the North, Punta Mita, also known as Playa Anclote, is distinguished for its row of pleasant beach restaurants and gentle slope, making it a perfect beach for all ages. With consistently low, rolling waves, Punta Mita is also celebrated as an excellent place to learn to surf. There are even a few surfing schools that offer instruction to travelers.

To the south of Puerto Vallarta lie such treasures as Playa Gemelas, Playa Garza Blanca, and Playa Punta Negra. Because both are slightly more difficult to access, you’ll find beautiful beaches that are fairly secluded and scarcely used, with great rock outcroppings for snorkeling. In this area, you’ll also find Playa Mismaloya, where John Huston’s The Night of the Iguana was filmed in 1963, putting Puerto Vallarta on the international tourist map.

With a rustic South Seas feel, Boca de Tomatlan is a small sandy cove at the jungle’s edge three miles south of Mismaloya where the Tomatlan River meets the bay. Boca de Tomatlan is the last beach stop on the primary road heading south from Puerto Vallarta. It is another great site for swimming or snorkeling with a couple of lovely beach restaurants where you can sit under a palapa on the beach and enjoy fresh seafood.

To the south of Boca de Tomatlan are a number of quaint fishing villages, secluded beaches and peaceful coves. Playas Las Caletas and Las Animas are elegant, rock-lined stretches ideal for quiet relaxation. Quimixto, one of the largest fishing villages in the southern half of Banderas Bay, features a number of excellent restaurants and the best surf south of Puerto Vallarta. Near the southern-most point of the bay, Majahuitas and Yelapa allow visitors to feel completely removed from civilization. Bordered by lush jungles, these beaches are the definition of tropical privacy.

By Cy Leder

FLINT TWP. – A first look inside Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant can be dazzling, even overpowering.

What you will see is handmade and hand-painted tables, chairs and booths surrounded by bright yellow and orange stippled walls. Pictures of Mexican scenes and still lifes alternate with strings of garlic, bell peppers and small pitchers.

Everything was made in Guadalajara, Mexico, and imported by owners Pablo Zaragaza and Jesus Melendas. It’s a cheerful setting for good Mexican food made fresh daily. Of the dishes I sampled, all were mild, except for the salsa, which came with warm housemade chips, and was strong with onions and jalapeno peppers.

Zaragaza, who also manages, cooks and serves food, said it’s possible to ask for mild salsa or to make any dish spicy-hot with more onions and jalapenos.

Portions are impressively large. Nachos supreme, at $6.99, is a generous mixture of taco chips, mildly spicy ground beef, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole, more than enough for two. Besides four other kinds of nachos, from $3.50 to $4.99, three delicious taco salads are made with crisp taco bowls, which make the dishes a real treat.

Four kinds of fajitas, from $8.25 to $11.99, come with pico de gallo, refried beans and Mexican rice. The beans are a thin creamy dish covered with melted Monterey cheese, and the rice is smooth, made with tomato puree. Vegetarian fajitas, at $8.25, are made with mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and tomatoes and a choice of four tortillas.

Mexican dishes include chile Colorado, beef tips in tomato sauce with red bell peppers, rice, beans, three flour tortillas and tossed or guacamole salad. Pollo poblano, at $7.99, is grilled chicken breast with grilled peppers, onions and Monterey cheese, rice and refried beans.

About 30 Mexican dishes, from $6.99 to $11.99, include five shrimp dishes, four steak dishes and six vegetarian choices. Burritos, from $6.99 to $8.75, vary from two big beef burritos to a hot and spicy burrito with sour cream.

For diners who like more variety, 30 combinations at $6.99, include tacos, enchiladas, chalupas, burritos, tamales, quesadillas and tostadas. I tried a combination of a tamale, burrito and enchilada with a side of beans and rice. The tamale was filled with pork and covered in a meat sauce, and the burrito and enchilada were lightly covered in tomato sauce. Dishes with sauces are not thick or heavy.

One or two items of almost everything, from tacos or taquitos, are available a la carte. Try a side of guacamole for $2.50 and you’ll be pleased by the chunks of avocado and the lack of filler. Puerto Vallarta has enough variety to satisfy almost everyone, and the colorful setting will help make the food more enjoyable.

Restaurant reviews in The Journal reflect the reviewer’s opinion. At least two visits are made to each site. All meals are paid for by The Journal and the reviewer makes every effort to be anonymous.

(PRLEAP.COM) Coastal Vacations Leaders from the United States and Mexican government officials are meeting this week in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. Both groups have chosen the spectacular Velas Vallarta Resort as the perfect location to rejuvenate them and inspire them to achieve more for their constituents.

The separate meetings were scheduled independently, and while the Coastal Vacations group knew they would be treated like kings at the resort, they were intrigued by the increase in visible security that coincided with their visit to Mexico.

Security measures at the resort include metal detectors at the entrance, under cover officers and numerous staff members to support the 32 Mexican Governors.

An increased police presence outside the resort includes numerous police officials and a fleet of Mexican Navy vessels that were there to protect from any possible attack from the sea.

Coastal Vacations leaders attending the event are members of a leadership group with the largest, fastest growing and most successful group in the 13-year-old top rated Coastal Vacations home based travel business program.

While the Coastal Sales Center has been successful from the start, regular meetings of their top tier innovative members have continued to improve and strengthen the group as a whole.

For compassionate top level Coastal Vacations directors who want to give their members the best success tools possible, membership with the top Coastal Vacations group is considered mandatory.

The Coastal Sales Center provides a platform for success that includes live and archived training on over 170 marketing methods, live and recorded prospect conference calls, and the support of a live, full time staff at the group’s office in Tempe Arizona. They recently introduced an entry level membership option at just $795.

This week’s conference will focus on how to make what many consider the class of the home based business arena even better.

The Mexican Government officials and Coastal Vacations leaders chose Velas Vallarta for many of the same reasons. The Velas Vallarta convention center is conveniently located in the heart of the resort.
Coastal Vacations leaders and the Mexican Governors hope this week’s meetings will be fruitful. President Felipe Calderon stopped by to help inspire the Mexican Governors.

Coastal Vacations leaders attending this week’s conference include Dean Marino of Los Angeles, California, Jeff Mills of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, Greg Stllman of Central Florida, and Matt Willis of Atlanta Georgia. As a former youth pastor, Mills hopes his group will be inspired by an even higher source than the Mexican President.

MEXICO TOURISM BOARD TO PARTICIPATE IN SEATRADE CRUISE SHIPPING CONVENTION
Mexico, the world’s top-ranked cruise destination, showcases 15 of its ports and cruise destinations from March 12 thru 15 in Miami Beach
 
Mexico City, February 26, 2007 — The Mexico Tourism Board’s Miami office will join Mexico’s top port cities and the country’s newest cruise destinations to participate in the 23rd Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention from March 12 to15 at the Miami Beach Convention Center (1901 Convention Center Drive in Miami Beach).

The Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention will feature a full slate of conference sessions focusing on trends and industry developments, as well as the industry’s largest exhibition. The trade show is organized into sections and pavilions for the convenience of cruise line executives and buyers.

Fifteen of Mexico’s port cities and cruise destinations will showcase their services, facilities and tourism offerings at one of the world’s largest cruise industry gatherings. Among the participating Mexican ports are Cabo San Lucas, Port of Chiapas, Costa Maya, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Mexico Gulf Ports (Tampico, Coatzacoalcos, Dos Bocas/Tabasco, Veracruz), Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Progreso in Yucatan. The States of Campeche, Yucatan and Tabasco will also have representation during the convention.

The Port of Chiapas, one of the country’s emerging cruise destinations which welcomed its first ship in February 2006, is making its mark on the map as more cruise lines are adding this port city to their sailing itineraries. The Port of Chiapas is part of Mexico’s continuing expansion and modernization efforts aimed at offering more cruise ship terminals, a greater variety of amenities and the world’s top selection of cruise destination activities.

Other Mexican ports such as Mazatlan are in the process of physical expansion to better serve the increasing demand of cruise lines. Currently underway at the Mazatlan port, is a dredging project at Pier 7 to increase the depth of the water to 35 feet and 5 inches to allow for the arrival of larger cruise vessels. Upon completion of the dredging project, the Mazatlan port will be able to accommodate four cruise vessels.

In March, the Port Administration of Puerto Vallarta will partially complete a project, begun in September 2005, to expand cruise ship facilities, build two new piers, and increase the receiving area to accommodate three of the industry’s largest vessels; the port currently can guarantee one pier for the larger vessels. From mid-March, the Port of Puerto Vallarta will offer three docking positions for vessels up to 984 feet long. The expansion is expected to boost the number of trips made along the Mexican Pacific.

The Port Authority of Guaymas has formalized a new project to become the new destination of the Sea of Cortez route. The Port of Guaymas has committed to build a new cruise terminal by the end of this year. To complement the cruise terminal project, a new marina complex in Guayamas’ historic downtown will be developed. The marina complex will house more than 1,000 dock spaces, a fishing club, recreational areas, cultural centers, parks, five star hotels, restaurants and other services.

In 2006, more than 6.5 million people cruised to Mexico, making it one of the world’s most popular cruising destinations. Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán are the most popular ports along the Pacific coast, while Cozumel remains the most popular port in Mexico, followed by Puerto Costa Maya.

About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico’s tourism attractions and destinations internationally. Created in 1999, the MTB is Mexico’s tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
 

When planning a vacation, the top question is usually “What will the weather be like?” Of course, we all know the weather is not 100% predictable, and this year is no exception in Puerto Vallarta.

Summer in Puerto Vallarta is also known as the rainy season. While this may sound like it is constantly rainy, it is not, nor will it put a damper on your vacation. This year has been quite dry, with less than normal average rainfall at this time.

July, August and September had averaged 13 inches per month in rainfall up until 1999, then the rainfall significantly dropped, possibly due to El Niño and La Niña weather patterns.

Unless there is a tropical depression of the Pacific Coast, most days in the rainy season are actually sunny, with average temperatures in the low 90′s F and relatively high humidity.

Last month, the rainfall was a little less than average, with a few days of higher than normal temperatures. So far, this month, the weather has been consistent with the last four years with a couple of cloudy days and a few evenings with rain.

On Sunday, August 10th the morning started out with a rain shower, which is typically abnormal, but subsequently cleared up by 10:30 AM leaving the day relatively cloudless. Sunday, August 17th, the weather changed and the day was mostly cloudy with periodic rains throughout the day. Only a few nights since the start of the rainy season have had significant downpours and/or lightening and thunderstorms.

The last four days have been cooler than average giving a respite to the higher summer temperatures. The last three evenings have been cool, with a late-night down pour or light rain shower. No significant storms are in the forecast for the next week. The best place to check for weather is NOAA weather communications website.

September’s weather is similar to August’s weather patterns with exception of a few days that the rain comes earlier in the day. On average, September is the rainiest month of the year. By mid October, the rainy season is nearly over, and the temperatures start to drop.

Another exception to the weather rule was when Hurricane Kenna came through the area on October 25th. While the hurricane did not hit Vallarta directly, there was damage to the coastal areas by the large waves and storm surge.

As the second most popular vacation destination in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is the place to go for an all around amazing experience. While the town is known for its beautiful beaches, there are numerous other attractions to draw in visitors and keep them entertained for the duration of their trip.Walk through the cobblestone streets, participate in any one of the water sports readily available, stop by a quality restaurant for some local flavor, or hit the town after hours to experience the lively nightlife. Whatever you are looking for, Puerto Vallarta is sure to be an accommodating host.

Since Puerto Vallarta is situated on the Pacific Coast along the shore of the “Bahia de Banderas” (Bay of Flags), there are plenty of beautiful beaches close to the city. There are actually over a dozen large beaches in the area that have sparkling white sand, majestic blue water, and massive palm trees that line the shore and complete the picturesque scene.

At one of the most popular beaches, Playa Los Muertos (The Beach of the Dead), you can take in the beauty of the surrounding area on a harbor cruise, fly through the air while parasailing, ride along the beach on horseback, or crash into the waves on a jet ski. The beach is close to the outlets that can arrange these activities, so be prepared for a day filled with exciting activities.

Puerto Vallarta is a gorgeous city with a colonial village feel. To truly experience the beauty of the area, plan a day where you can explore the cobblestone streets on foot. As you venture through the streets, take notice of the provincial style buildings and homes that surround you. If you are so inclined, meander into a few of the small shops that sell crafts from local artisans.

You can find great deals on pottery, silver, and fabrics, so be sure to keep your eyes open for a memento that will help you remember your trip by. One location that is a must see is the Church of Guadalupe. It is hard to miss with its obvious red brick bell tower that has a crown on top, but if you would like to go inside, make sure you are dressed appropriately since there are specified guidelines.

When searching for the perfect place to eat, Puerto Vallarta has numerous amazing options so determine what you are craving and go for it. The restaurants range from inexpensive, yet still satisfying, for the more conservative traveler to pricey and gourmet for those individuals looking for some world class fare. If you simply cannot decide what to eat, stick to seafood dishes such as lobster and shrimp since Puerto Vallarta has developed a reputation for exquisite seafood cuisine.

When you are looking to get out and experience a lively nightlife, Puerto Vallarta is sure to have something that will suit your desires. There are live Mariachi bands, blues bands, clubs for salsa dancing, sports bars, and many more.

The bars, nightclubs, and discos cater to a variety of tastes, so no matter what you are looking for, the right place is probably right around the corner. However, keep in mind that the clubs open later in Puerto Vallarta (usually after 10) and stay open until early morning ( sometimes until 4am), meaning a well-planned night schedule is in order if you want to truly experience the Mexican nightlife.

The Voladores de Papantla area Mexican tradition, they dance in order to please the Gods. A group of men are attached to a rope hanging from the top of a 50 feet pole. They come down from the pole, turning around with open arms and the head towards the earth. At the same time, one of them plays indian music with hand made wooden musical instruments.

The flute represents the voice of birds. The “tambor” represents the voice of God. This dance is also a symbol of the 4 cardinal points. The pole represents Tlazoleotl, the godess of fertility. The main dancer, the musician, dances on top of the pole and turns first to the East, the origin of the world.

Each “volador” turns 13 times around the pole. 13 circles multiplied by 4, for a total of 52 circles. According to the Mayan calendar, every 52 years make a solar cycle. And every 52 weeks make a year, that gives birth to a new sun so that life may go on.

The “voladores” risk ther lives in this spiritual gift to the gods so that the Earth is filled with joy and the new sun can come to life.”

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens is an educational research center and pleasure garden high in the glorious Sierra Madre Mountains. These gardens are easily accessible, just 12 miles south of Puerto Vallarta.

Located on 24 acres of land, our botanical collections features over 3,000 different species of plants. Our gardens are in a unique tropical dry forest ecosystem at 1,300 feet above sea level.

Against the breathtaking backdrop of soaring mountain peaks, there is much to experience: Palm gardens, Rose Garden, Tree Fern Grotto, Orchid House, Jungle Trails, Tropical Bird Watching, Agave Gardens, displays of Mexican Wildflowers and the Carnivorous Plant collection.

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens is registered with Botanic Gardens Conservation International in Surry, England. We are also members of the Asociacion Mexicana de Orquideologia. See this about wild palms in the Botanical Gardens.

We are a nonprofit institution. The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens was founded in 2004 and was opened to the public in 2005 Our Vision: to build Mexico’s greatest botanical garden here in the enchanted highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Our staff is dedicated to the research and education of plant life, as well as showing the public all the beauty that Nature has to offer. Plus providing the finest hospitality around.

The Plantation House Visitor’s Center with spectacular mountain views, is also where you will find The Plantation House Restaurant with a courteous staff, delicious brick oven pizzas, salads and other Mexican specialties. The Plantation House Vistiors Center building was designed by Santa Rosa, CA native and world renown fine artist Anthony Sbragia. Also in this area are the famous restrooms.

Located in the heart of an old growth native forest, you simply can’t miss this enchanting destination, with thousands of native and ornamental plants – just a short ride from town. By car, bus, taxi the ride alone is part of the adventure.

Elotes are one of my favourite Mexican foods to eat from the stands here in Puerto Vallarta. For anyone who doesn’t know, Elotes are corn, either served on the cob or cut off into a cup. The Mexican way to serve it which is what I love is with cream, mayonnaise and this stinky cheese (like parmesan) and of course topped with chile and lime as of most foods here in Vallarta. I prefer the Elotes on the cob as it is more fun to eat.

Here in Vallarta I usually buy them on the malecon where all the food vendors are at one end. It makes for a nice walk, strolling around enjoying the sights and bits of chaos the malecon offers, with an Elote in hand and the great taste of it in my mouth. Being a cheese and mayonnaise junky this food does me very well.

I can still recall my first Elote; I was 9 years old and it occurred in Mazatlan. On a family road trip for the better part of three months, we cruised around Mexico in our beat-up VW van. My stepfather being from southern Cali was our tour guide and took us through Mexico on a eye-opening tour of a country we knew very little of.

We arrived in Mazatlan hungry and tired and my stepfather insisted on finding his favourite Elote vendor; driving us all over Mazatlan in a fruitless search, apparently 10 years later the elusive vendor either drastically changed her location or possibly died, to this day remaining a mystery of where she has gone. Although we didn’t find this mythical Elote vendor, we settled for another vendor as they are not hard to find here in Mexico. And this was my first introduction to what would remain to this day to be one of my favourite Mexican foods on the streets of Mexico and in Vallarta.

Being handed a smoking hot corn cob, slathered in god only new what, this white chile speckled concoction arousing if not only my hunger my curiosity. With the first bite into this full flavoured cheese and mayonnaise delicacy I was hooked, and devoured several more on site. Elote rapidly moved to the top of my favourite Mexican food list.

Although here in Vallarta there are not as many Elote vendors as I have seen in other small Mexican towns, they are still here. The occasional hole in the wall on the side walks with someone’s abuela, sitting over a boiling pot or beside a grill. I remain to be a fan of the grilled variety, quite possibly because this was my first encounter, or maybe because I like to stand and watch the person grilling my Elote, turning it, shuffling the Elote around. And the best part picking out which Elote will come to be mine as I imagine the taste of it in my mouth.

I have tried to recreate this experience in my own home back in Canada but I still prefer to walk around Vallarta, looking for the stand I will get my Elote from. I am not sure if it is the way the vendors dip the Elote or what they use, but it never tastes as good as the first day I arrive here in Vallarta and go off in search of my first Elote of the season.
For a mere 10 pesos, Elote is hardly a treat I can pass up when hungry for some simple, good food and needing a change from the usual taco, quesadilla stands.

If you live here in Vallarta or travel here or anywhere else in Mexico and haven’t tried the Elote, I highly recommend it and suggest you give it a try. Who knows, it could change your life, if not merely change your way of eating and thinking of corn!