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 …
The beautiful seaside city of Puerto Vallarta in Mexico is well known for its artistic flair, made most evident by the various exhibits, galleries, and sculptures found throughout the town. Each of Puerto Vallarta’s art galleries has its own unique style and personality with works exhibited by popular Mexican artists as well as international artists. You can expect to see great paintings, exceptional ceramic art, sculptures, and more when you visit these galleries. Decorate your home or add to your art collection Puerto Vallarta’s galleries cater to both the serious art collector as well as the window shopper and are ideal locations to find something fabulous to decorate your home in Banderas Bay or purchase as a wonderful souvenir. The renowned weekly ArtWalk on Wednesday evenings is a great place to start your exploration of Puerto Vallarta’s art galleries, enjoying a wide range of galleries that open its doors with a glass of wine or canapes. Here are just some of Puerto Vallarta’s art galleries to tempt you: Omar Alonzo Art Gallery The architecture of …
If you are on the lookout for an exclusive and secluded hideaway to escape to for a day trip when you stay at your Garza Blanca home away from home, then you might consider the Casitas Maraika Beach Club. This club is a gem, found on the southern side of Banderas Bay in the foothills of the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains. Casitas Maraika Casitas Maraika is the only business in the immediate vicinity so you won’t need to worry about having a hard time staking out your spot on the beach, or getting a good patch of water to swim in. Though Casitas Maraika Beach Club is accessible only by boat trip, or through a hike on foot, the food, excellent service, and frosty drinks (as well as the truly stunning views) make it more than worth the effort. Getting to Casitas Maraika is really half the fun; here are the very best ways to get there! Hiking to Casitas Maraika If you take a taxi or bus to the nearby Boca de Tomatlan you …
The Blanca Blue restaurant located at Garza Blanca Preserve in Puerto Vallarta has been enjoying the talents and inimitable presence of Chef Mario Castro this past year. This young chef originally from Oaxaca grew up in the USA and has been wowing residents and guests every day during his tenure here so far. His latest contribution to Blanca Blue Restaurant is the unveiling of his new Tapas Mestizas menu. This delicious new menu will be available in the raised area of the restaurant next to the luxury wine cellar to complement the main menu served at Blanca Blue. Blanca Blue’s Tapas Mestizas Tapas are part of a Spanish culinary tradition which sees groups sharing small savoury dishes and enjoying different bite-sized recipes over the course of a meal. Chef Castro has taken this sociable and fun tradition and married it with the punchy flavours and ingredients of Mexican cuisine. That’s why it’s called Tapas Mestizas; Mestiza/o is a word used to denote someone who has a mix of Spanish and Native Mexican blood, and that …