No doubt you can see it from your luxury villa rental Puerto Vallarta – that huge expanse of water that starts at the city’s doorstep and disappears beyond the western horizon. If you paddle your kayak far enough, in fact, you’ll bust out on the open Pacific Ocean. It’s a long paddle, but it can be done.
Most folks are satisfied to stay within the confines of Banderas Bay, however, and enjoy this special feature of Mexico’s Pacific coast. You’ll find all kinds of things to do in the water; some activities are educational, some recreational. You can experience a dolphin encounter in the company of a marine biologist or slip into a mask and fins and explore the wildlife on your own.
You decide how close you want to get. Don’t like water? Admire it from the patio at your luxury villa rental Puerto Vallarta. Or, dive right in and swim with the big fish. Either way, much of Puerto Vallarta’s allure is the bay.
Science types find the bay irresistible. Geologists want to know how it was formed, the contour of its underwater mountains, and the types of rock down there. Marine biologists have an eye for the things that live in the bay – sharks, dolphins, whales.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Celebration of the Past in Puerto Vallarta
Many travelers find that one of the most rewarding parts of traveling to a distant land is the opportunity to experience something new. A trip to Mexico’s resort city of Puerto Vallarta, together with a stay in a Puerto Vallarta vacation rental, offers ample opportunity to enjoy a variety of colorful and fascinating celebrations.
Among the most intriguing holidays observed in Mexico is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This annual holiday, celebrated on November 2, is really a celebration of life more than anything; families come together to pay homage to those who have passed on.
They might set up an altar at home or they might visit their loved ones at the cemetery. Either way, they’ll likely prepare a special treat for them, probably including a favorite dish and special drink, offered in the soft glow of candles and colorful bouquets of marigolds.
The point of Dia de los Muertos is to rejoice in life, a process that should come naturally when you’re staying in a Puerto Vallarta vacation rental. Sugar skulls for the children and a family feast round out the day. It’s a chance for folks to remember those they love in a special and personal way.
Among the most intriguing holidays observed in Mexico is Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This annual holiday, celebrated on November 2, is really a celebration of life more than anything; families come together to pay homage to those who have passed on.
They might set up an altar at home or they might visit their loved ones at the cemetery. Either way, they’ll likely prepare a special treat for them, probably including a favorite dish and special drink, offered in the soft glow of candles and colorful bouquets of marigolds.
The point of Dia de los Muertos is to rejoice in life, a process that should come naturally when you’re staying in a Puerto Vallarta vacation rental. Sugar skulls for the children and a family feast round out the day. It’s a chance for folks to remember those they love in a special and personal way.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Pottery from Mata Ortiz in Puerto Vallarta
Many of the nicest Puerto Vallarta villas feature fine art as part of the décor, and much of that artwork is created by local and Mexican artists. Some of the nicest work is created from clay – that’s right, pottery.
You’ll see all sorts of pottery as you comb the galleries and shops in town – the unique pleasing shapes and distinctive colorful glazes help to identify where each piece was made. Some pottery can be relatively inexpensive. If you are purchasing pottery as an investment in art, however, consider spending a bit more and look at some of the work that comes from the town of Mata Ortiz.
In Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find only one or two shops that sell the genuine article, including the Mata Ortiz Art Gallery at Lázaro Cárdenas 268-A. The Galeria de Ollas at Corona 176 also deals in work from Mata Ortiz. Take your time in selecting a piece; keep looking until you find one that touches you in a special way.
Mata Ortiz pottery is enjoying a rebirth in popularity in the United States; collectors prize the hand-coiled pots for their modern designs derived from centuries old cultural traditions and processes. That combination of ancient and contemporary adds just the right touch to many lovely Puerto Vallarta villas, and it’s a touch that you can find for your own home.
You’ll see all sorts of pottery as you comb the galleries and shops in town – the unique pleasing shapes and distinctive colorful glazes help to identify where each piece was made. Some pottery can be relatively inexpensive. If you are purchasing pottery as an investment in art, however, consider spending a bit more and look at some of the work that comes from the town of Mata Ortiz.
In Puerto Vallarta, you’ll find only one or two shops that sell the genuine article, including the Mata Ortiz Art Gallery at Lázaro Cárdenas 268-A. The Galeria de Ollas at Corona 176 also deals in work from Mata Ortiz. Take your time in selecting a piece; keep looking until you find one that touches you in a special way.
Mata Ortiz pottery is enjoying a rebirth in popularity in the United States; collectors prize the hand-coiled pots for their modern designs derived from centuries old cultural traditions and processes. That combination of ancient and contemporary adds just the right touch to many lovely Puerto Vallarta villas, and it’s a touch that you can find for your own home.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Marina Vallarta or Maritime Terminal?
If you chose well, you can see Banderas Bay from your Puerto Vallarta villa rental. You can watch the water change from black to gray to golden at sunrise and reverse the process at day’s end. You can see the sails of tall ships and pirate ships from your patio. When your curiosity gets the best of you, it’s time to get yourself down to the water’s edge and check it out.
Marina Vallarta is a bit of a different world than El Centro in the city. Okay, it’s not that different – you can shop for treasures, dine on everything from ceviche to Italian gourmet dishes, get a massage or a manicure. It’s a quiet, lovely residential area on the north end of town.
When you’re looking for a bit of quality outdoor time, space to walk and talk, Marina Vallarta is the place to come. You might find that the relative quiet of the beaches north of the golf course is more your speed than the party at Los Muertos Beach. Or you may just want to test the sand at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club.
FYI, the facility known as the Maritime Terminal is different than Marina Vallarta. The large watercraft (yachts, ships) are mostly to be found at the maritime terminal. So if you’ve booked an evening away from your Puerton Vallarta villa rental, spent in the company of pirates or on a guided bay cruise, head for the terminal.
Marina Vallarta is a bit of a different world than El Centro in the city. Okay, it’s not that different – you can shop for treasures, dine on everything from ceviche to Italian gourmet dishes, get a massage or a manicure. It’s a quiet, lovely residential area on the north end of town.
When you’re looking for a bit of quality outdoor time, space to walk and talk, Marina Vallarta is the place to come. You might find that the relative quiet of the beaches north of the golf course is more your speed than the party at Los Muertos Beach. Or you may just want to test the sand at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club.
FYI, the facility known as the Maritime Terminal is different than Marina Vallarta. The large watercraft (yachts, ships) are mostly to be found at the maritime terminal. So if you’ve booked an evening away from your Puerton Vallarta villa rental, spent in the company of pirates or on a guided bay cruise, head for the terminal.
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Bus Goes Everywhere in Puerto Vallarta
Did you know you can get along just fine without a car while you’re staying in a villa rental Puerto Vallarta? It’s true – the busses can take you just about any place you want to go. It’s a great way to get around: you don’t have to wonder where you’ll park the car and you’ll get to see the city while someone else does the driving.
Ah, you say, but I want to spend a day in _____ (you fill in this blank). It’s pretty hard to name a place in the region that doesn’t have bus service. Whether you’re headed north to Sayulita for some surfing or south past Conchas Chinas, you can hop on a bus that’s going that direction.
They probably don’t stop directly in front of your villa rental Puerto Vallarta, but busses run along the city’s major routes; stops are clearly marked by square blue signs. If you want to get to the downtown area, catch a bus marked “El Centro.” To get to the beaches on the south end of town, take a bus marked “Tunel,” just know that your route will take around the restaurants and shops in town.
One of the nicest things about riding the bus – the price. You can get to almost any destination for just a few pesos.
Ah, you say, but I want to spend a day in _____ (you fill in this blank). It’s pretty hard to name a place in the region that doesn’t have bus service. Whether you’re headed north to Sayulita for some surfing or south past Conchas Chinas, you can hop on a bus that’s going that direction.
They probably don’t stop directly in front of your villa rental Puerto Vallarta, but busses run along the city’s major routes; stops are clearly marked by square blue signs. If you want to get to the downtown area, catch a bus marked “El Centro.” To get to the beaches on the south end of town, take a bus marked “Tunel,” just know that your route will take around the restaurants and shops in town.
One of the nicest things about riding the bus – the price. You can get to almost any destination for just a few pesos.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Laptop Lovers Find a Place in Puerto Vallarta
It seems a shame that you thought you needed your computer with you on holiday. It’s not a problem, though, because folks who stay in vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta have access to a variety of internet connections around town.
No one will ever understand how you can sit and stare into that screen when Banderas Bay is just a stone’s throw away. It’s your call though, and if that’s what it takes to make you a happy camper, go for it. There are a couple of wifi hot spots in town, not far from the vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta; you might find them comfortable as your home away from home.
No one will ever understand how you can sit and stare into that screen when Banderas Bay is just a stone’s throw away. It’s your call though, and if that’s what it takes to make you a happy camper, go for it. There are a couple of wifi hot spots in town, not far from the vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta; you might find them comfortable as your home away from home.
- You can surf the web and enjoy the occasional adult beverage when you might visit one of the local bars that offers an internet connection. Que Pasa (Aquiles Sedan 625) and PV Café.com (Olas Altos 250) can both get you set up; all you need to do is purchase a beer or margarita.
- Early risers who want a cup of coffee with their internet can stop in at Dee’s Coffee Co. (Rodolfo Gomez 120 in the Zona Romantica); visitors recommend the cinnamon rolls, too. And if you must, you can visit Starbucks in the Peninsula Plaza.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Gringo Gulch's Interesting Past - and Present
Stay in one of the vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta and eventually you’ll start to hear some buzz about Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and their love nest in a part of town known as Gringo Gulch. In days gone by, in this neighborhood, wealthy folks from north of the border built their villas and started a little colony of gringos.
The Zaragosa neighborhood (the real name for Gringo Gulch) has transformed into a family community. It features traditional-style homes built of adobe, and most of them boast covered patios that lure people outside to enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s wonderful evening breezes. Today, this is a place where real people – and their children and relatives and pets – live real lives.
Zaragosa is a lively place, and tourists continue to drop by to get a feel for how the upper crust once spent their days and nights. In fact, a number of vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta are located here, which is nice, because the area is close to a couple of popular restaurants, the Café Roma at Encino 287 and Club Roxy at Ignacio L. Vallarta 217. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by for a beverage, a meal and some conversation.
The Zaragosa neighborhood (the real name for Gringo Gulch) has transformed into a family community. It features traditional-style homes built of adobe, and most of them boast covered patios that lure people outside to enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s wonderful evening breezes. Today, this is a place where real people – and their children and relatives and pets – live real lives.
Zaragosa is a lively place, and tourists continue to drop by to get a feel for how the upper crust once spent their days and nights. In fact, a number of vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta are located here, which is nice, because the area is close to a couple of popular restaurants, the Café Roma at Encino 287 and Club Roxy at Ignacio L. Vallarta 217. If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by for a beverage, a meal and some conversation.
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