Riviera Nayarit on Discovery Channel

The Riviera Nayarit is kicking off the New Year with a world-class promotion: on January 1st and 8th, the very international Discovery Channel will air two programs on birdwatching filmed on Isabel Island, declared a Mexican National Park in 1980.

At precisely 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day, the second episode of Destination America, consisting of video filmed on the birds and nature endemic to the Riviera Nayarit, will air in 98 million homes. One week later the program will air again, giving Mexico’s Pacific Treasure exposure in over 170 countries.


The program description explains how James Currie’s team scoured western Mexico’s magnificent Riviera Nayarit coastline searching for the endemic black-throated magpie-jays. They also highlight beautiful Isabel Island, home to colonies of nesting sea birds, as well as close encounters with whale sharks off the coast of San Blas.

The shows were taped in February of 2013 after the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau arranged and coordinated the many details so the international host of Nikon’s Birding Adventures and expert bird watcher could come to the destination. The natural bounty of the historical port of San Blas made it possible to film two separate episodes about the Riviera Nayarit.

Discovery Channel is an educational cable channel with ample distribution in the United States with original programming primarily focusing on science and technology, documentaries and series. Versions of the Discovery Channel can be seen in the UK, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, India and other countries. Discovery Channel aired in 1985 as the flagship television property of Discovery Communications; today it offers 29 network brands in 33 languages.

Both episodes will also air on the Pursuit Channel, a producer of amply distributed channels geared towards outdoor pursuits. It reaches some 38 million homes.

Thus the Riviera Nayarit welcomes the New Year with a promotion that goes far beyond conventional advertising, offering the world the best type of publicity available: pictures that speak a thousand words.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

So much of what you are able to experience of a destination comes down to the timing of your visit, and this is the perfect week to be in Mexico as cities across the country celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The festival is in remembrance of when the Virgin Mary left her image imprinted upon a cloth as a way of revealing herself and her identity to a Mexican peasant back in 1531 - the cloth is currently housed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in México City, where one of the largest fiestas takes place.

Across the country, Mexican Catholics participate in parades that symbolize pilgrimages, making the journey from their homes to the church on foot as an offering to the Virgin Mary. Although religious tourism isn't exactly everyone's thing, you will be very pleased to be in town during this time because of all the other things that come along with it.

The official feast - and biggest party - is tonight, December 12th, but the streets of Puerto Vallarta have been festive every night for the past week, including food vendors (think tacos and tamales on every corner,) parades, music, singing, and dancing. Not only does it make it easy to get some street grub, but it gives visitors a chance to experience a very local side of the city.

Vallarta is a big tourist destination, but these two weeks after Thanksgiving and before the Christmas holiday are pretty thin. Walking the streets at night, this celebration is clearly for the locals - not tourists - and you will feel that you are truly getting an authentic view of how the Mexican people throw down in the name of the Lord. It is also a great time of year weather-wise, as the humidity of the summer has passed and temperatures sit in the 80s with a nice breeze.

While the hustle and bustle of the city is definitely a good thing, keep this in mind when you are booking a place to stay. If you find a hotel or room for rent downtown, don't plan on going to bed early or sleeping late, as the noise from the street continues well into the night and the church bells are rung what seems like on the hour, every hour.



Por: William McGough

Humpback whales visiting the waters of Banderas Bay

Come December the sounds of Humpback whale song can be heard once again in the protected waters of Banderas Bay.
These behemoths of the deep return to the breeding and calving grounds off Puerto Vallarta in December, and stay until their newborns are strong enough to begin their migration northwards to the rich feeding grounds off Alaska in March. Their presence in the bay provides locals and tourists alike the opportunity to go whale watching.

There are several companies which offer whale watching tours in Puerto Vallarta but before we make our recommendation let’s have a look at some typical whale behavior you may to see on the incredible adventure.

Breaching - The most spectacular of all whale behavior, the whale launches itself out of the water and lands on its side sending a massive spray of water into the air. This behavior may be a warning, a way of attracting a mate, or simply having fun.

Spy Hopping - When the whale raises its head out of the water, normally vertically to have a look at what is going on around them. Whales on the move will turn on their side with one eye out of the water to have a look.

Fin Slapping - The whale lies on its side and smacks its huge pectoral fin on the surface of the water repeatedly.

Lob Tailing - The whale raises its fluke or tail out of the water and slams it down onto the surface of the water. It is usually a repetitive movement considered to be a sign of aggression or perhaps a way of foraging.

Hopefully on a whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta you get to see all of this typical whale behavior but be warned - seeing a whale is not always guaranteed and if you do see one they might not be in the mood to perform.


By: Friendlyrentals

Why living in Puerto Vallarta is the best choice

Thinking of moving or retiring to somewhere warm? Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is an exceptional place to live. Those who regret the move are few and far between - the rest of us are loving life! Here are just a few reasons why:

1. The Climate
This is a no brainer. With an average temperature of 79° F /26° C and 300 sunny days a year, we have it made. Of course, June through October is just a smidge humid, giving everyone something to talk about, otherwise what excuse would we have to be loitering in the produce refrigerator at Costco?



2. The Views
Beaches, mountains, jungle, charming red tile-roofed homes meandering up the hillsides from the sea, from Mismaloya to Punta de Mita, there is a feast for the eyes waiting around every turn. Take in the sunset from a hillside restaurant or stay on the beach all day until the sky is aflame with color. A grand spectacle of nature is on display every evening, and it doesn't cost a thing.

A home of your own with a view of the ocean need not be a fantasy. All those hillsides make for great views in wide variety of price ranges. Properties with ocean views can be found as low as under $100,000 USD, and the $200-300,000 range is teeming with ocean view inventory. Start your search HERE.



3. The Whales
People sometimes overuse adjectives. For example:
"How was Zumba class this morning?"
"Amazing!!"
If you are fortunate enough to witness an adult whale breaching, it will leave you amazed. An adult humpback whale is over 40 feet long and weighs up to 75,000 pounds, one of the largest animals on the planet. See this magnificent animal launch it's entire body out of the sea, pivot mid-air, and crash back into the sea with thunderous splash, and know what it is to be amazed. Contact Superior Tours Vallarta to book your Puerto Vallarta whale watching tour.

4. Medical Services
"#4" circa 1992 would likely have been a list of bars that offer free drinks on ladies night. Times have changed. Now I appreciate how fortunate we are to have excellent doctors, dentists, state of the art hospitals and medical facilities here when we need them. As well, there is a wide array of all types of medical services from alternative treatments like acupuncture and reiki to elective procedures like face lifts and botox, all at a fraction of the cost.



5. The Restaurants
Puerto Vallarta is home to the best restaurants of ANY tourist destination in Mexico. Anyone who wishes to challenge that statement feel free to send an email to betty(at)tropicasa.com. and I am up for the challenge. I will gladly supply you with an extensive list of restaurants in all price ranges, including cuisine from just about any region. Within a ten-block radius in downtown you can find Trio, Joe Jack's, Archie's Wok, Daiquiri Dick's, Salud, La Palapa, Vitea, and Kaiser Maximilian just to name a few, and the list goes on.



6. The Lifestyle
You like to indulge in a massage? How about $30 USD for an hour-long full body massage? You like to golf? 6 world-class golf courses are available. Tired of doing housework? Hire a housekeeper, as an added bonus - you'll likely be speaking Spanish with her in no time. Even a day at the beach is better in Mexico. Arrive to cozy chairs under a palapa and a friendly waiter brings you margaritas.

Want more from life than just margaritas and massages? Nurture your altruistic spirit. There are a number of charitable organizations in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay that welcome volunteers. Get started HERE.

What's not to like? Even the frustrating moments could be considered lessons in patience. And someday, through a kind of cultural osmosis, you may be blessed with the gift of not minding very much if the Telmex guy didn't show up for a week, or the Wi-fi service on your smart phone is spotty. The day may come when "mañana" for you is a loose term used to refer to any number of days to come and when "al rato" (loosely translated "in a bit") is as specific a time frame as you require. We should all be so lucky.

Puerto Vallarta's celebration: 50 Years of 'Night of The Iguana'

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - If ever a movie transformed a town, Night of the Iguana was the one that turned Puerto Vallarta from an anonymous fishing hamlet into a magnet for tourists and a regular stop for luxury liners sailing the Mexican Riviera.

Fifty years ago, when John Huston filmed Night of the Iguana with Richard Burton and Ava Gardner in a picturesque cove just south of town called Mismaloya, Puerto Vallarta was just a sleepy little fishing village on Mexico's Pacific Coast.

But Liz Taylor came to keep an eye on her lover Richard Burton while he was filming with the voluptuous Ava Gardner. The publicity buzz about Burton and Liz’s torrid affair and the movie put Puerto Vallarta on the tourist - and the paparazzi's - map.

When the director arrived (legend claims his plane skimmed the runway several times, before managing to shoo cows off the landing strip,) the rustic fishing village had just 12,500 inhabitants. Today, (according to the 2010 census,) Puerto Vallarta is a world-class vacation destination with a population of 255,725, (making it the 2nd largest city in the state of Jalisco,) and tourism accounts for 50% of the city's economic activity.

To celebrate the impact that the making of this film has made on our city, the Centro Universitario de la Costa in Puerto Vallarta (CUC), in conjunction with private citizens and governmental authorities, will present a series of conferences, lectures, and film screenings, as well as photo, audio, and video exhibitions relating to the 1963 filming of the movie from November 25 through 29, 2013.

Some of the Night of the Iguana Tribute events scheduled to take place include:

• A variety of movies starring the main protagonists of the film (John Huston, Richard Burton, Liz Tylor, Deborah Kerr, Gabriel Figueroa, Ava Gardner, Sue Lyon, and Emolio "El Indio" Fernández) will be shown at mini-auditoriums set up on the CUCosta campus, as well as at Los Arcos Amphitheater, and the Cuale Cultural Center.

• William Vaidovits, Jorge Sánchez, Ernesto Rodriguez, Ivan Trujillo, David Martin del Campo and Pavel Cortés will hold roundtable discussions on the film and its cultural and historical significance at Biblioteca Los Mangos.

• A Talk / Coffee with Nelly Wulff, Jan Lavender, Laura Quiroz, Luis Reyes Brambila, Marcella Lepe, and Sergio Toledano - Vallartenses who witnessed the filming of the movie and its aftermath will be held at Biblioteca Los Mangos.

• Since John Huston is a legend and Puerto Vallarta is honored to be part of his past, a 'John Huston International Film and Literature Chair' will be created at the CUC.

Regardless of its artistic and entertainment value, one of the most remarkable features of "Night of the Iguana" is its journalism. The movie does an extraordinary job of capturing sense of place. The jungle, beaches, tropical heat and humidity, and the blend of outsiders and locals are all very accurately represented. Shot 50 years ago, the film is an invaluable peek back in time at Puerto Vallarta and its surrounding areas.





By: Marie Callan

Top 10 de las mejores playas de Puerto Vallarta

Si estarás en Puerto Vallarta para estás vacaciones de invierno, te damos amplias opciones para que descanses plácidamente del frío de tus tierras y llegues con un bronceado envidiable a tu ciudad.

Las 10 mejores playas de Vallarta:

1. El Salado

Muy cerca del aeropuerto y de la Marina Vallarta, esta playa de 1.5 kilómetros se encuentran los hoteles de gran turismo que ofrecen a sus huéspedes campos de golf.

2. Playa de Oro

Es la playa más al norte del puerto y está rodeada de hoteles de gran turismo. Su gran extensión de arena la hace ideal para tomar el sol.
3. Las Glorias

Se ubica en la avenida principal, el Boulevar Francisco Medina. Aquí se pueden practicar diversos deportes acuáticos, torneos de voleibol y alquilar lanchas.

4. Playa de los muertos

Se ubica en el corazón de Puerto Vallarta. Está rodeada de restaurantes, bares, antros, galerías y comercios de artesanías. 

5. Playa Dorada

Esta playa de olejae semifuerte se encuentra rodeada de restaurantes y bares.

6. Mismaloya

A 30 minutos de Puerto Vallartam esta caleta es de las más famosas del municipio ya que aquíRichard Burton filmó 'La noche de la Iguana' en 1964. Además, en invierno es uno de los sitios para ver ballenas.

7. Boca de Tomatlán

Las olas más tranquilas de toda la bahía están en esta playa rodeada de selva y de restaurantes cuya especialidad es el pescado zarandeado.

8. Las Ánimas

Para llegar aquí se recomienda viajar a Boca de Tomatlán y ahí tomar un taxi acuático. Uno de los principales atractivos de este lugar es conocer la cascada, una caída de aproximadamente 30 metros de alto que desemboca en una laguna.

9. Quimixto

Es un pequeño pueblo donde el visitante podrá disfrutar de la comida mexicana pero con sabor casero. En sus aguas hay una gran variedad de peces y corales.

10. Yelapa

En luna llena los pobladores de esta playa organizan fogatas en la playa de arena dorada.

Puerto Vallarta has 2 of the 9 coolest hotel rooms in the world!

From the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico to the W Singapore and the Alpina Gstaad in Switzerland, the nine hotels with the coolest suites have been named by US lifestyle magazine Elite Traveler.

Whether you're a high flyer, a the party animal, water lover, or Hollywood actor, there's a suite for every type of traveller.

With a pricetag of up to $16,200 per night, they don't come cheap. But even if you can't check in to them, you can still check them out:

High Flyer

Peacock Suite, ITC Gardenia, Karnataka, India

Pricetag: $10,000 per night

Highlights: You own helipad, butler service and spectacular views through large bulletproof bay windows!

Party Animal

Rock Star Suite, Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Pricetag: $2624 per night

Highlights: Celebrity memorabilia including Shakira's silk nightgown and Madonna's black bustier adorn the room. It's the ultimate party pad.

Spa Lover

The Alpina Gstaad, Panorama Suite, Switzerland

Pricetag: $10,852 per night

Highlights: Spectacular views of the Swiss Alps, use of a $175,000 Range Rover, private spa and jacuzzi, fireplaces.

Space Seeker

Presidential Villa, Royal Begonia Luxury Collection Resort, Sanya, China

Pricetag: $10,286 per night

Highlights: 1513 square metres of outdoor space on top of 667 square metres inside, outdoor pool, jacuzzi and rainforest showers.

Part-time DJ

Extreme Wow Suite, W Singapore, Sentosa Cove, Singapore

Pricetag: $4500 per night

Highlights: Your own DJ spinning booth and all you need for a spot of cocktail-making with friends in the zany suite.

Privacy Seeker

Redentore Terrazza Suite, The Gritti Palace Venice, Venice

Pricetag: $16,200 per night

Highlights: Private elevator and 250 square metre roof terrace overlooking Venice.

Hollywood Actor

Penthouse, Garza Blanca Preserve, Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

$1800 per night

Highlights: A favourite of Desperate

Housewives actor Eva Longoria. Thisbeach suite has floor-to-ceiling glass doors with ocean and jungle views.

Water Lover

Ocean Pavilion, Huvafen Fushi, Maldives

Pricetag: $9200 per night

Highlights: Set 100 metres out on the Indian Ocean, the private overwater suites also have a sundeck jacuzzi and private pool.

Sports Superstar

The Bentley Suite, The St. Regis Hotel, New York, US

Pricetag: $10,500 per night

Highlights: Serena Williams says "there's no place like it ... the suites are beyond compare in design and luxury," need we say more?

by Kate Schneider