Puerto Vallarta – the Huichol Say It With Yarn

Your Puerto Vallarta Luxury Villa Rental could not be much farther from the traditional world of the Huichol. The People, as they call themselves, are native to western Mexico and have been living in their current setting around Bolanos Canyon since before Europeans came to the New World.

The Huichol have managed to sustain many of their old ways – in fact, it seems that many aspects of Huichol culture are flourishing today. Their religious practice and agricultural economy continue to support them spiritually and physically. And their art, which is coveted by all kinds of people, helps them to support their traditions.

As you browse the local galleries, take a moment to look for works created by Huichol artists. Their detailed beadwork is widely recognized, and as you work your way through the best in local folk art, make sure to take a look at their yarn paintings. The staff at your Puerto Vallarta Luxury Villa Rental may recommend you begin with Galeria Piramide (Basilio Badillo 272).

While this lovely art form may not be unique to the Huichol, they have perfected it. They find inspiration for their intricate designs in their religious practices. Huichol artists traditionally made yarn paintings to support religious celebrations, and today you may see yarn pressed onto ceremonial masks or prayer bowls.

Puerto Vallarta – A Class Act After Dark

Everybody who’s ever been here (or who’s planning a visit) knows that Puerto Vallarta is a great destination for a dream vacationer: you get to stay in a Mexico Vacation Villa Rental; you can fiddle around Banderas Bay all day long; and the nightlife is a blast. What may be surprising is the number of opportunities to enjoy the performance arts around town.

The hard truth is that karaoke isn’t usually considered fine art (although it sometimes turns into slapstick comedy). If you’re up for live music in a theatrical setting, though, you can catch a performance by the Santa Barbara Theater. This enthusiastic group, who do their thing at Olas Altas 351, perform musicals in English during their season (winter months).

Dance lovers really ought to set aside an evening and take in a performance of the Grupo Folklórico Municipal Xuitla. This world-class (and world traveling) group of young dancers can often be found performing somewhere in town. A night spent in their company may have you testing your own skill in the privacy of your Mexico Vacation Villa Rental.

And if you just want to enjoy a cultured stroll in the night air, you can spend the evening taking in the work of talented artists. During the winter season, local galleries host the popular Old Town Art Walk from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. (October through April).

Puerto Vallarta – Just Right for Romance

You did exactly the right thing if you had romance on your mind when you booked your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa Rental. This is Mexico’s Pacific coast, the land of palm trees, sea breezes and mythic sunsets. You won’t have any problem setting the mood, whatever it may be, with this setup as your backdrop.

You can go any number of ways to put together a romantic evening, or morning, for that matter. For example, why not share a pitcher of fresh-squeezed orange juice on the balcony outside your bedroom as you put your heads together and plan your day’s adventures. Then return to the same spot in your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa Rental with your favorite beverage and watch as night falls over the city and the bay.

As for those plans you were making over breakfast, consider a visit to one of the area’s intimate, secluded beaches. Las Gemelas, near the town of Mismaloya, is actually two coves, each with its own beach (it means “the Twins”). The water is very gentle on the sand here, perfect for floating hand in hand. Take the Mismaloya bus and step off at the El Presidente Hotel.

If you’re exploring town, hold hands and take a romantic. Puerto Vallarta evenings are ideal for lovers. Walk along the Malecon and critique the sculpture; enjoy the quiet paths on the east end of the Isla Cuale; or simply walk along the beach in the moonlight. This is your romantic getaway – use your imagination.

Puerto Vallarta’s Airport is All Good

Does this sound like you: you found a House for Rent in Puerto Vallarta online, and it is gorgeous. The balcony looks out on Banderas Bay, the private pool is as clear a blue as you have ever seen. So you made a reservation. Only then did you realize you’re really not certain where Puerto Vallarta is on the map or how to get there.

Not a problem – just book a flight direct to Puerto Vallarta Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. It’s the easiest way to get here, and probably the fastest, as well. And the airport itself is a modern marvel that will set your mind at ease about the wisdom of your trip the moment you get here.

One of the nicest aspects of the airport is the layout. You’ll find virtually every amenity you’d find in a huge international airport, but this one serves a much smaller area, and as a result, it’s not going to swallow you up. Do you need a bite of something before you head toward that House for Rent in Puerto Vallarta? Sit down in one of the airport restaurants. Are you looking for a token of your arrival? Hit the airport shops.

Flights arrive here from the US, from Canada, and even from the UK. And this international airport lives up to its name – the professional staff who work there know just how to help you get your visit off to a good start.

Enjoy Your Favorites in Puerto Vallarta

Go ahead and admit it – you’re having a blast in your luxury Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta, but you have these strange feelings, like you need to get in touch with your back-home self. The Mariachi music, the local arts scene, the savory cuisine are somehow leaving you longing for a piece of something from your comfort zone.

Before you book the next flight home, why not take a minute and track down those old familiar places, right here in Puerto Vallarta. Spend an afternoon or evening relaxing with a cold beverage and your favorite blast from your own past – or present. No matter what your passion, you’re likely to find some of it here.

You say you’re a football fan? Visit one of the city’s sports bars that cater to professional sports fans. Captain Ron’s Bar del Puerto, at Venustiano Carranza 276 in Old Town, offers games from the NFL and CFL. Steve’s Sports Bar, at Basilio Badillo 286, is a favorite for NASCAR fans. Whatever your game, you’re likely to find it on a screen at one of these spots.

If your eyes are starting to roll back in your head because you haven’t seen a current movie in the past couple of days, bust out of that luxury Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta and head to one of the local theatres. The theatres at Cinemark (Av. de los Tules 178), Cinéopolis (Av. Francisco Villa 1642) and MMCinemas (Francisco Medina Ascencio 2920); they feature current films in both English and Spanish.

Crocodile Smiles in Puerto Vallarta

Surely you know that song, the one that suggests that it’s best not to be too cordial toward a crocodile. Yes? Well, you might want to review the lyrics before you leave your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa Rental and sign on for a tour that actually wants to come face to face with these big guys.

Crocodiles and turtles are some of the natural inhabitants of Puerto Vallarta that make a visit to this resort city a unique experience. There’s a slight chance you’ll see a river crocodile in its natural habitat – the golf course (or the river) – but odds are a sighting will require a trip to a special crocodile farm.

That’s right, people do farm crocodiles, although it probably doesn’t look a thing like what you’re thinking. They have a distinctive and ancient past, but their future is far from certain, so people around here support crocodile farms to help protect both the animals and their habitat.

As long as you’re spending the day away from the Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa Rental, why not head to the beach and learn about the sea turtles that visit each summer to lay their eggs. Volunteers move the nests to safer ground for hatching; when the time is right, other volunteers join in a “back to the sea” movement to help the little hatchlings get their groove on by ushering them back to their watery habitat. Ask around – you’ll find them.

Gettin’ Around in Puerto Vallarta

You’ve booked a week’s stay in a Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta and you can hardly wait to get to town. The thing is, your Spanish isn’t all that good, and you’re not entirely certain how you’ll find your way around town. Don’t worry – getting around will be pretty easy.

First things first – you need to get from the airport to your place. Take it easy on yourself your first day out and take a taxi. If you feel like you need an adventure to start the trip off right, you can walk to the bus stop and hop on a bus that will probably get you close.

If you want to see the city on its own terms, get a good map of Puerto Vallarta from one of the tourist information offices (your Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta may have one) and take off on your hind legs. El Centro and the Zona Romantica are easy to explore on foot. Better yet, they’re separated by the Rio Cuale and its Isla Cuale, home to the city’s fabled iguanas.

Taxis here use a system of flat rates based on distance between zones, so you should be able to estimate the cost of your trips. Better yet, a trip on the bus will set you back just a few pesos and they travel to points outside of town, Boca de Tomatlan to the south or the surfing beaches at Sayulita north of town.

Create a Visual Memory of Puerto Vallarta

Aim . . . Focus . . . Click. You want to remember every special moment of your stay in a Mexico Vacation Villa Rental in Puerto Vallarta, and one of the best ways to do that is to take tons of pictures. Fortunately, digital cameras make that a very user-friendly task.

Banderas Bay makes a perfect backdrop for aspiring photographers – the warm glow at sunset, the glitter of sunlight playing on water. And when you turn around, you’re looking at the colorful action on the Malecón. Before you start clicking, though, think about the image you want to capture. Something special caught your eye – focus on that and let the background do its part.

To get the best results, you need ideal lighting for your shot. If you’re outdoors in broad daylight, you may need to adjust your settings to avoid washing out your subject; an indoor shot will probably need a flash. And for those shots with low light, at dawn or dusk, you may need to set up on a tripod and use a slower shutter speed.

Start your photo diary with some shots of you and the gang enjoying the good life in your Mexico Vacation Villa Rental. Then keep your eyes open for unique views as you dive into Puerto Vallarta’s activities. Every now and again, show a willing volunteer how to work the camera and get yourself into a shot or two.