When it comes down to it, what everyone really wants is to be happy; the rest is window-dressing. The “happy factor” is king, especially when choosing somewhere to purchase real estate. The Happy Factor in Mexico In Mexico it’s all about happiness; this country is not only one of the most desirable vacation destinations in the world, but is one of the happiest places in the world when it comes to its own nationals! The people of Mexico are by and large happier, healthier, and longer-lived than many of the world’s biggest economies, and that’s no small feat! The Happy Factor According to Mexico News Daily, Mexico is, in fact, second in the world when it comes to overall happiness; Costa Rica took the number one spot. Mexico News Daily created its article using stats from Gallup, the Happy Planet Index, New Economics Foundation, and World Happiness Report. The interesting thing is that Mexico outperformed some of the biggest economies in the world, including the USA whose economy is five times larger than Mexico’s, to …
Puerto Vallarta was once a sleepy fishing village nestled on the banks of Banderas Bay, but the filming of The Night of the Iguana, and the epic love story of Burton and Taylor brought it to the world stage. Since then Puerto Vallarta has grown into a charismatic and lively resort destination which pulls in hundreds of thousands of tourists (if not more) each season as well as people looking to retire here or make the bay their vacation home. Though you can enjoy watersports, art, music, adrenaline-pumping activities, and great entertainment here, foodies of the world will be pleased to read that the culinary scene is unparalleled. In Puerto Vallarta you can find some of the freshest, most delicious seafood in the country, if not the world. Below is a short list of some of the seafood restaurants in Puerto Vallarta that remain steadfast favorites for locals and tourists alike: Barracuda Barracuda is a great restaurant with a wonderful adjoining bar, El Solar, which serves fantastic fish entrees, ceviches, and even shrimp tacos! This …
There is no question that Garza Blanca Beach is a breathtaking slice of paradise, which is why it should come as no surprise that it also happens to be certified by the Mexican Institute of Standardization and Certification (IMNC). This desireable classification is awarded by the government-run program every two years to the beaches around Banderas Bay that have been shown to deserve the label by fulfilling all of the necessary criteria such as cleanliness and other environmental elements. Uninterrupted certification The highly regarded certification assigned by IMNC reflects that the Garza Blanca Beach complies with the stringent requirements put forth by the standard: NMX-AA-120-SCFI-2006. The objective of the program is to contribute to the safety and cleanliness of the natural environment of Mexico’s beaches through conservation and protection efforts. Garza Blanca was first awarded the certification in 2013 and since then has remained on this prestigious list, most recently recognized in 2016 for the present cycle that runs through 2018. Impressively high standards All of the beaches certified by IMNC are inspected every month …
If you’re looking for the happiest place to live and make a new life, according to the Happy Planet Index, you can’t do much better than Mexico. In fact, you could only do one better than Mexico: Costa Rica. Mexico Comes 2nd as Happiest Place to Live Yes, it’s official! According to the Happy Planet Index, an index which is called a measure of “sustainable” wellbeing by its creator, Mexico is the 2nd happiest place to live out of all 140 countries surveyed. Factors like life expectancy and general “wellbeing” were taken into consideration too. Data Places Mexico among the Top Countries Research firm, Gallup, collected data centered on a number of specific issues and factors for the index, these include wellbeing, life expectancy, ecological footprint, and equality, amongst others. Mexico was found to come 39th overall for life expectancy, 76.4 years, and 11th for overall happiness and wellbeing with the average Mexican giving a 7.3 out of 10. Performance was similar in a few other fields. In terms of “ecological footprint”, that is the …
When you live in paradise, everyday will present more and more opportunities for you to enjoy your surroundings; even more so when you become an owner of Garza Blanca real estate in Puerto Vallarta. You can be sure that your freetime will be spent creating unforgettable memories in Banderas Bay. South Shore Beaches to Visit by Boat The small beach towns like Las Animas, Quimixto and Yelapa are charming places to visit and are convenient to reach when you live on the Garza Blanca Preserve as Boca de Tomatlán, the town where you can take a watertaxi to these beaches, is just ten minutes away. Let’s take a look at these popular beauty-spots that you can visit on the southern shore of Puerto Vallarta. Las Animas The nearest of the three beauty-spots is the family friendly Las Animas beach. Here you will find a number of great lunch options, including fresh oysters and the catch of the day, plus several outdoor fun activities can be had anytime of the day. Indulge in simple luxuries, relaxing …
Moving to a new country can be scary and very challenging for growing families. A new culture can open doors to a whole new world for children showing them a different way of life, and most rewarding of all, giving them the chance to learn a new language. If you are considering relocating to Banderas Bay, you might find it reassuring to read there are a number of moms groups for expats in Puerto Vallarta that can make your transition all the more smoother. One moms group in particular that is dedicated to supporting moms in Puerto Vallarta is Mamas in PV. Mamas in PV A great resource available to expats in Puerto Vallarta as well as those who have yet to relocated is the Facebook group: Mamas in PV (https://www.facebook.com/groups/MamasInPV/). This moms group consists of over 2500 active moms from all over the world with one thing in common: a love of raising their family in the tropics. What can be expected when joining this Facebook group? #1 you must be a Mom! All …
So, you’re a US resident who’s been considering moving to the sunnier climes of Mexico for some time… you’ve done some research into the areas you like, the job opportunities, and even the cost of living. You might even have vacationed in or near the area you want to move to. So you should be sorted, right? Ready to jump in feet first? Here are some more things to consider about life in Mexico compared to the USA to help you make a smooth transition. Here are some things you should know about life in Mexico before you make your move: Slower Pace of Life The pace of life is much slower than people from the bigger American cities might be used to. The atmosphere is much more chilled out, and there’s not such a rush attached to everyday activities. This could be a wonderful thing for some, especially retirees or those with young children, but those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of big cities might find it a little frustrating from time to …
International Living (IL), which is well-known for publishing reliable statistics on relocation and global retirement, has declared Mexico to be the number one country in which to retire in 2017 for United States expats. International Living’s statistics rated a variety of different factors that considered residency, cost of living, getting visas, and adjusting to the local lifestyle. Mexico is the Best Place to Retire There are already over one million American expats living in various locations throughout Mexico, many of whom are concentrated in the major tourist hotspots such as Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. With so many factors that make Mexico the best place to retire, it comes as no surprise to us at Garza Blanca Real Estate that Mexico has been awarded such a coveted position by International Living. Mexico Beats Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica and More for the No.1 Spot Retiring abroad is a trend that is not looking to slow down, particularly amongst the baby-boomer generation. Projections for the future predict that in the coming years it will only …
Puerto Vallarta (PV) is a city that hardly needs introduction; it has come far from its beginnings as a tiny fishing village, and a film set for The Night of the Iguana. These days Puerto Vallarta is the glittering jewel in the crown of Banderas Bay, a perennial tourist hotspot, and all-round city of culture, art, and cuisine. PV Restaurant Week With that in mind it is hardly surprising that in 2005 Puerto Vallarta Lifestyles Publishing group began the now annual tradition of the Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Week following in the footsteps of the London and New York Restaurant Weeks! In a relatively short amount of time the popularity of this event has grown year on year since its advent. Locals, expat residents, snowbirds and tourists from all over the world wait anxiously for it to come around each year. Two Weeks Not One! Restaurant Week in Puerto Vallarta is actually more like two weeks, and general falls sometime in May; this is one of the best times of the year to experience the city …
The Aquazul has been wow-ing visitors and owners at the Garza Blanca Resort for years with its wonderful menus, and this year, just in time for the popular spring and summer season, a brand new lunch menu has been launched which combines all the favorites from the previous menu with some mouth-watering additions. To quench your thirst there is also a new cocktail menu inspired by the poolside moments which really make vacations special. New Lunch Menu The Aquazul’s new lunch menu will be available between 11am and 6pm, and can be enjoyed at any of the pools. The menu itself has some of the old favorites to enjoy, so if you have a hankering for guacamole, chips, and dip, or you really fancy a club sandwich, you can have one! There is a whole new range of Chef’s Specialties to try now, however, and so you should consider trying them. We highly recommend the Pita Salad with fried shrimp, lettuce, and spinach, the Tuna Bagel, or the delicious ceviche. Ceviches are dishes made with …
