While Garza Blanca Preserve is named after the beautiful white herons that bless the south shore and the beach at the resort in particular, garzas are not the only birds honored at Garza Blanca Signature Residences. The beloved brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), which calls our sandy front-yard home, holds a special place in our hearts. Watching pelicans as they dive for fish or bob up and down on the water’s surface enjoying the year round sunshine becomes a daily meditation for many Garza Blanca homeowners and hotel guests, with some residents actively involved in their conservation. There are only eight pelican species in the world. The brown pelicans are native to the Americas, breeding from Anacapa Island, California to Chile and from Maryland to Venezuela and Trinidad. They can also been seen after the breeding season as far north as Columbia and Nova Scotia. Of all the species, the brown pelican is the only one whose habitat is strictly marine. They tend to prefer shallow inshore waters such as estuaries and bays, which is why …
Interview with Joe Sanchez from Nemi Eco Villa So much is happening on Puerto Vallarta’s south shore: New 5-star hotels, gorgeous residential condos, stunning beachfront homes, trendy beach clubs and gourmet restaurants to mention just a few. The trend also seems to be moving towards more sustainable living and environmentally conscious development. In this vein, Nemi Eco Villa caught my eye as it is an luxurious eco friendly, small density project made of shipping containers. Read more about how Joe Sanchez and family have made their dream a reality on our south shore! Where are you from and how long have you been in Puerto Vallarta? I was raised in Chicago but my family is from Mazamitla and Ciudad Guzman, both are towns here in Jalisco. I spent my summers in Guadalajara, and many family vacations in Puerto Vallarta. From a young age I had plans of relocating to Puerto Vallarta, knowing it would be a good fit with my background. In June of 2007, my wife and I thought Puerto Vallarta would be a …
Is it time to trade your white Christmas for the white sands of Garza Blanca? Santa is always overheated in Puerto Vallarta with more than 320 days of sunshine each year and temperatures that average around 82ºF (28ºC). Not a chance of snow or frost, unless you count the effect of your frozen margarita on your tongue. But children never fear (and that includes the big kid inside), Santa arrives bearing gifts nonetheless, alongside the Three Kings, who have their own day on January 6th in Mexico to commemorate the biblical story that tells of the Three Kings delivering gifts to the baby Jesus, which is the time when Mexican children traditionally receive their main presents. Just because the sun is shining outside, doesn’t mean to say that tradition is thrown out of the window. Garza Blanca Signature Residences homeowners still enjoy setting up their Christmas tree in the tropics and placing decorations to provide that traditional feel. Here are some tips on how to put a new touch on your Christmas in Puerto Vallarta: …
One of the advantages of homeownership at a 5 Star resort like Garza Blanca in Puerto Vallarta is that you have everything on call: room service, maintenance, fine dining, spa treatments and more. However, a great on-site benefit that you might not have taken into consideration is the small store next to Garza Blanca’s lobby, where you can buy all kinds of essential vacation items such as sunscreens, hats, souvenirs, jewelry and more. Myskova at Garza Blanca’s The Shop Boutique The Shop Boutique at Garza Blanca is pleased to announce its most recent concession of beach-inspired fashion items from Canadian-born designer, Kim Martin, founder and owner of the Myskova Beach Boutiques in Mexico. With stores on Puerto Vallarta’s famed Malecon boardwalk, Kim Martin’s Myskova brand has already been a great success in Banderas Bay, providing chic beachwear and stylish causal solutions for women looking for an original yet comfortable look at the beach. A Little about Kim Martin Kim Martin grew up in a family of designers and sewing geniuses, spending her childhood in Canada …
by Nicole Martin For snowbirds travelling to Mexico this winter and year round PV homeowners, deciding which wine we should pair with our meals and dinner parties welcoming our new found friends can be a daunting task, especially as you may not be able to find the labels you are used to at home. Add to that all those wonderful new Mexican flavors you will be adding to your dishes, and you might be stumped over which wine to serve. Never fear, Garza Blanca Resort’s expert sommelier, Miguel Jauregui shares his top tips for wine pairing in Puerto Vallarta to suite your budget and lifestyle. How can one pick a good wine in Puerto Vallarta? There are so many options in Puerto Vallarta for great wine. Contrary to what people might think, Mexico is a great wine producer too. The first thing to consider is what type of wine you want to serve with your meal: white or rose can be a great option for the warm weather. Likewise, when it is really hot, you …
Garza Blanca Signature Residences hosted a visit from of group of very special children this past Saturday November 7th. Coordinated by Garza Blanca’s hotel staff and activities team, 25 children with cancer supported by the Canica Charity spent the day at Garza Blanca resort. The delightful children had a very busy agenda enjoying the resort, including spending time with the chefs, fun on the beach, learning how a hotel functions and getting a peek behind the scenes to find out just what happens inside a five star resort. There were, of course, lots of other special treat along the way. Canica is a local charity that supports low income children who have cancer, helping their families and offering the necessary support to those unfortunate to live with this illness. The charity has various programs, including recreation activities, camps, therapy, nutrition advice, food supplies and, most importantly of all, a center where families can unite and support one another during what is one of the most difficult times for families and individuals to endure. Garza Blanca´s real …
This past November 5th, Garza Blanca Signature Residences Real Estate Division held another successful complimentary wine tasting at Blanca Blue Restaurant, located on the beachfront at Garza Blanca resort, Puerto Vallarta sponsored by TPF Wine Company with their Sommelier Miguel Jauregui Ramirez. On this occasion, Real Estate Director, Nicole Martin was delighted to welcome special guests from the board of directors of the Eagles Wings Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for various charities in Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, as well as notable Puerto Vallarta realtors and business owners. The free wine tasting hosted by the Signature Residences real estate division takes place each Thursday afternoon, by reservation only, inviting locals and visitors to come and experience Garza Blanca resort while networking and trying some great wines. This week was a special session, welcoming various board members from the Eagle’s Wings Foundation including Jack and Dolores Underwood, Bill and Judy Brine, Deb and Ron McPherson, and Gert and Heidi Baumann, all of whom joined Garza Blanca’s sommelier to sample a variety …
Garza Blanca has long been a favorite destination for snowbirds who want to feel the sun’s warmth, hiding away from the biting cold of the winter months back home. Whether you see Garza Blanca in Puerto Vallarta as a perfect getaway escape or are planning to move to Mexico’s friendliest city on a long-term basis, Garza Blanca Signature Residences provides snowbirds with the most luxurious options in Banderas Bay. Why Snowbirds should choose Garza Blanca Signature Residences in Puerto Vallarta? One of the main reasons why snowbirds choose Garza Blanca Signature Residences in Puerto Vallarta is the tropical weather. In Puerto Vallarta the sun shines throughout the year, including the winter months, and the chances of rain are minimal during the winter and predictable during the summer. Life under the sun in Puerto Vallarta provides much relief against the discomfort snowbird wish to avoid in the US and Canada due to freezing cold temperatures and short days. Furthermore, what makes Garza Blanca Signature Residences particularly appealing to snowbirds is the fact that the luxury sea …
Today when one hears the word “wellnesss,” what often springs to mind are skinny thirtysomethings detoxing on green juices in silent retreats in India, no alcohol, raw food diets and loads of exercise including sweaty bikram yoga performing the Russian splits while doing a water fast; oh, and did I say, no alcohol, unless you are rubbing it on your war wounds from a session of cross fit! However, despite the seemingly prohibitive nature of this recent trend towards healthy lifestyles, wellness comes in all shapes and sizes, for all budgets, ages and preferences. And where else but on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore can you dedicate yourself to your kind of wellness! Take a look at these top treats for relaxation on the South Shore. Your Kind of Wellness on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore If the idea of a day spa appeals to you and your kind of wellness, the brand new Spa Imagine located on the 15th floor of hotel Mousai at the heart of Garza Blanca Preserve is the crown jewel of luxury …
Garza Blanca Signature Residences is pleased and very grateful to report that the city of It would seem that the mountains which envelop the bay once again protected the area from the potentially catastrophic effects of the category 5 hurricane. Category 5 Hurricane Patricia Hurricane Patricia has been classified as one of the most intense storms to have ever made landfall in the Americas, with wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour and one of the lowest ever recorded pressures. As such, its potential landfall in or very near to Banderas Bay was met with a lot of apprehension and well organized precautionary procedures. In preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Patricia, Puerto Vallarta was issued with a curfew from 2pm on Friday October 23rd prior to the predicted time of landfall and Garza Blanca carried out its own hurricane protection procedures for guests and residents who had chosen not to evacuate. Fortunately for Banderas Bay, Hurricane Patricia’s trajectory took a turn, making landfall more than 150 miles south in a relatively unpopulated area …
