Enchanting traditions and authentic beauty are some words to describe the charming Pueblo Mágicos of Mexico. Though the most popular of Mexico’s tourist destinations are the coastal areas of Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas, the various villages and towns that make up Mexico’s collection of curated Pueblo Mágicos have their own unique appeal and charm that never fail to get the nod of its visitors. Stunning beaches and lots of water activities attract tourists to Mexico, but there’s no denying that there are magical towns that speak of the country’s rich culture, traditions and history. What are Pueblos Mágicos? A program that was started in 2001 by the Mexican government, the Pueblos Magicos initiative aims to give credit and promotion to the different villages and towns that showcase Mexico’s natural wonders, diverse cultures and great history. Visiting Pueblos Mágicos is both educational and entertaining as it lets you discover the reality behind Mexico’s real treasures such as its lovely landscape and kind hearted people. San Sebastián del Oeste, Puerto Vallarta’s Pueblo Mágico …
There is a growing number of snowbirds and full time residents in Banderas Bay who enjoy coming to Mexico and learning more than “Hola” and “una cerveza/margarita, por favor!” for their Spanish vocabulary. Indeed, learning at least some basic Spanish can make all the difference when choosing to make Puerto Vallarta your home away from home whether for a few weeks of the year or longer. Tips for learning Spanish in Puerto Vallarta There are a few ways to learn Spanish, depending on the level you wish to acquire. Join In The easiest way to learn some Spanish is to immerse yourself in the local culture in Puerto Vallarta not just within the comfort zone of your expat pals where English will dominate your conversations. Volunteer with local charities that visit the elderly, help out at the Los Mangos library, attend art openings and other cultural events, take a community yoga or zumba class (rather than the bilingual classes at your gym) and force yourself to communicate as much as possible in Spanish. Getting a …
Your trip to Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay would not be complete without a visit to the beautiful Malecon. The picturesque boardwalk stretches for over a mile and provides astounding views of the vast Pacific Ocean as it is embraced by the beloved Banderas Bay. The pedestrianized icon of Puerto Vallarta is peppered with bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and jewelry stores tempting visitors to their wares, as well as imposing sculptures and street artists. Safe and Friendly A safe and friendly area of the city for adventuring tourists to explore at their leisure and locals to hang out in, Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon is one of the most important icons of the city, alongside the bell tower of the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the rocky arches known as Los Arcos. A brisk morning stroll or a romantic walk at sunset are just two ways you might enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s malecon. Renovations of 2011 If you have been to Puerto Vallarta before, then you might be interested to know that the Malecon underwent …
When it comes to experiences nothing quite beats swimming with dolphins for making unforgettable memories with friends and families. These are some of the brightest, most curious and friendliest of all the oceans mammals and there are literally hundreds of companies in Puerto Vallarta who can give you the opportunity to get to know them better. In fact, this is an enduringly popular activity all across Mexico. Swimming with Dolphins in Puerto Vallarta We know it’s as important to you as it is to us that the dolphins you have the pleasure of spending time with are happy, healthy and well cared for. This is why we recommend that you choose to avoid places where the dolphins are kept in small swimming pools, where they are cramped and poorly treated. It is recommended to use companies that specialize in the care of such animals – companies who have large spaces for them to swim in, or even companies that take you out to swim with wild dolphins. What to expect If you go for an …
If you have yet to fall in love with the charm of Mexico and all the magical culture and opportunities that Puerto Vallarta holds, here are some comments from full and part time residents to tempt your heart strings, collected from the page of one of Puerto Vallarta’s popular Facebook groups “PV Everything you need or want to know .” If you are pondering the idea of spending more time in Puerto Vallarta, see why so many others have moved to Banderas Bay either full or part time. Here are some of the things people had to say when asked for one reason to come to Puerto Vallarta: “The fabulous weather, the wonderful people, the delicious food, Happy Hour drinks, the cost of living… oops, I guess that was more than one!” “Peace” “The People” “Being away from the snow and getting away from stressed out [North American] culture” “Mountains and ocean” “Medical care” “Just come down. Your inner spirit will let you know quite quickly if you have found your Nirvana. My inner spirit yelled …
The catch of the day is on the menu at Garza Blanca Signature Residences in more ways than one. Not only can you eat fresh fish every day at one of the gourmet restaurants or in the privacy of your residence, but when you make Garza Blanca your home, you can also join other likeminded Signature Residences owners in their love of fishing. Whether joining one resident who loves to grab a buddy and take out his rod heading to Los Arcos rock formation to catch lunch, or doing what one family from La Vegas loves to do by renting a 120 foot Azimut yacht, fishing can become a way of life in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta If you had visited Puerto Vallarta fifty years ago, you would have found a quaint, sleepy fishing town whose main income revolved around subsistence fishing. This was pretty in keeping with the majority of the towns along Mexico’s 9,000 kilometer coastline. Today, however, Puerto Vallarta is a bustling, vibrant coastal tourist hotspot which draws in art lovers, nature …
Homeowners at Garza Blanca Signature Residences in Puerto Vallarta already know that their second home is a place of high calibre. So it should come as no surprise that things are always improving with more and more luxurious extras to make homeownership at Garza Blanca all the more fulfilling. The elegant five-star resort on Puerto Vallarta’s south shore is about to introduce a team of wine stewards to serve its gourmet restaurants and is currently in the process of training both new members of staff as well as current employees who have shown a flair for wine pairing. What does this mean for you? The already impressive wine service is set to get even better! Fully Trained Wine Stewards at Your Second Home in Puerto Vallarta By the spring of 2016, all guests and homeowners at the Garza Blanca Resort and Spa will be able to benefit from the expertise of fully trained wine stewards in the Blanca Blue Restaurant and Lounge, BocaDos STK, Aquazul and Hiroshi restaurants onsite at the resort. In the meantime, …
When bar-trained trial attorney, Sandeep Vishwa, told his boss in no uncertain terms where he could stick his job in 2013, little did he know that his second round of backpacking starting in Nepal would lead him to make a life in our beloved Puerto Vallarta, bringing with him a concept that takes ideas from all his globetrotting adventures, incorporating them into one space. Thanks to Deep’s wanderlust and vision, locals and visitors to Puerto Vallarta can now enjoy a taste of the exotic with the brand new Shisha Bar and Lounge opened December 2015 in PV’s old town, where you can enjoy a drink and an optional puff or two on the hookah with your friends, family or partner. Shisha Bar and Lounge Aided by two local designers Mario Perez Sainz and Rafael Sotomayor and bar manager, Rene Rivera, Deep has created a space where everyone is welcome, “an equal rights bar” where even in its short time since opening, patrons have included clients aged from 18 to 80! The concept is inspired by the …
A short taxi or bus ride from Garza Blanca’s Signature Residences will get you to one of Puerto Vallarta’s best kept secrets; the Vallarta Botanical Gardens is one of the best days out on Banderas Bay. Your Life in Paradise Just Gets Better As you make your way from Garza Blanca Signature Residences to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore, you’ll notice that the air becomes much cooler. This is because you’re actually going up into the mountains. There is only a small sign at the entrance so it’s fairly easy to miss, but you’ll be greeted by a member of staff at the entrance gate. There is a small fee to enter the park, but it’s entirely worth it! The Vallarta Botanical Gardens are a registered charity; all the money goes directly to their upkeep as well as research and education programs. What to do when you get there When you leave the parking area you can choose to go straight to the main building where you will be able to …
Many Garza Blanca Signature Residences homeowners make a point about being in their Puerto Vallarta home for the holidays to enjoy the popular Christmas traditions in Mexico. A nation that has many rich customs and traditions, Mexico knows how to celebrate Christmas in style. It is generally less commercialized compared to Canada and the United States, but just the same, Santa Claus figures and Christmas trees are common sights. Christmas Traditions in Mexico As you walk down Mexico’s streets during the Christmas holidays, you will see many wonderful sights, from statuesque Christmas trees in town plazas, brightly sparkling Christmas lights and other hanging decorations. Life size nativity scenes are also a common sight, and in Puerto Vallarta, you may get to see some incredible sculptures made from sand as you walk down the Malecon. What sets Mexico apart from other countries is that Christmas is celebrated on December 24th on what is known as Noche Buena, and December 25th is the day for relaxing and eating the leftovers from the night before. On Noche Buena, …
