Esteemed Members of the Association of Businesses within Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas

We inform you, that the authorities are announcing the closing of Highway 200 for a period of four days.

Because of the rain over these past days in our region, the Ameca River bridge falling, another bridge in the village of San Pancho, another in Monteon…with mudslidesin several areas, transit from Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara will be possible via the Highway to Mascota with light vehicles only.

Please inform co-workers, employees and all whom you know.

Governer Ney has allowed light vehicles between Bueris and Puerto Vallarta.

Follow the Governor’s Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/neygonzalez#!/neygonzalez?v=wall

and Twitter feed
http://twitter.com/neygonzalez

for up to date information

Saludos!

Lic. Adalberto Moreno Benavent.
Director General.

———————————————-
Estimados Miembros de la Asociación de Empresarios de Puerto Vallarta y Bahía de Banderas

Les comunicamos que las autoridades nos están informando que por las lluvias que hemos tenido en los últimos días, en la región. Hubo un puente a la altura de San Pancho, problemas a la altura del Monteón y algunos deslaves. Razón por la cual la carretera 200 estará cerrada por 4 días!

Les pedimos comunicar esta información a sus empleados, agremiados, y conocidos, para que utilicen la carretera Guadalajara – Mascota – Puerto Vallarta, haciéndoles la aclaración que están dejando transitar sobre la misma a vehículos livianos, y no dejando transitar vehículos de carga pesada.

Cualquier cambio que tengamos al respecto se los haremos saber con oportunidad!

Sin más les mandamos un atento saludo.

Lic. Adalberto Moreno Benavent.
Director General.

Asociación de Empresarios de Puerto Vallarta y Bahía de Banderas A. C.
__________________________________

For more updates, PV Pulse has been doing a great job.
http://www.pvpulse.com/en/puerto-vallarta-news/week-of-rain-ravages-bay-of-banderas

Keep up-to-date using Kurrently.com
http://www.kurrently.com/search/sayulita

http://www.kurrently.com/search/san%20pancho

http://www.kurrently.com/search/puerto%20vallarta

Opening of Art Careyes

Art Careyes was inaugurated on August 15th by Gian Franco Brignone in the presence of his family, Giorgio, Emanuela, Filippo and Sofia.

The beautiful new gallery was designed by architect Emanuela Bignone Cattaneo. The gallery is located in the new Plaza de los Caballeros del Sol, the cultural hub of Careyes which also includes a performance space amd an outdoor cinema.

The inaugural exhibit, which was coordinated by Viviana Dean featured the works of many talented artists associated with Careyes.

Art Careyes Dedication

For a long time the “Careyenses” artists have secretly created their art, protected by the “Tierra de los Reyes”.

Today, the Art Careyes — La Bignonesca presents a sumptuous space worthy of the artistic level of this astounding international community.

In these times of crisis, the once forgotten and inaccessible “Costa Careys” has shown its resilience one more time as shining proof ofits vivacity, wisdom and creativity.  ——  Jimmy Giebeir

Inaugural Artists of Careyes

Barbara Berger, Isaac Borsegui, Emanuela Brignone Cattaneo, Filippo Brignone, Sofia Brignone, Gabriela Casas, Alvaro Chavarin, Rodolfo Choperena, Harriet Clark, Teresa Creel de Bametche, Adam Fine, Hans Rudolf Giebeler, Susana Gomez Farley, Mayren Gomez, Irma Keever, Augusto Maghisi, Kymberly Marciano, Nicolle Meyer, Paula Matos Gil, Philippe Moelhausen, Andres Nunes, Emmanuel Peña, Pino Pivetta, Alex Pössenbacher, Miguel Pössenbacher, Diego Quiñones, Iñigo Zulueta

Visit the sales and rental opportunities in Costa Careyes
http://lapuntarealty.com/areas/costaalegre.htm

Click here to view the embedded video.

Casa Dos Estrel las, a jewel of Careyes, is a Coastal Pacific Mex i can sto ry book seven bed room villa cre ated by world renown archi tect Manolo Mestre. Crested high on a cliff, Casa Dos Estrel las is a sen sual and glam ourous trop i cal retreat with dreamy views of Careyes from every room and from the rooftops, spell bind ing 360 views of all Careyes.

Update 2: Traffic to Guadalajara is moving only through the Las Palmas, San Sebastian route. Proteccion Civil reports (as of 11:00 AM, September 7th) that only one lane is open at certain points on the road.

Update 1: Highway 200 from Bucerias to Sayulita, as well as the alternate route around Punta de Mita and on to Sayulita are still closed.

Authorities are urging people not to try to wait in line for the roads to open. The line of cars on Highway 200 is stretched back to the La Cruz turnoff by Bucerias.

Authorities are trying to help people park on the shoulders of the highway to avoid chaos and allow repair crews to fix the roads. People trying to get to Sayulita, San Pancho, Lo de Marcos and northward have the choice of taking a water taxi to Sayulita and taking a taxi from there.

Water taxis are available in Nuevo Vallarta. In Punta de Mita, pangas are available for hire, but water taxi licenses are non-existent for Punta de Mita. As far as PV Pulse knows you may need to hire the whole panga and subdivide the costs amongst your party.

Fees for the water taxis from Nuevo to Sayulita are $30 USD at Paradise Village. Stay tuned.

Click here to read the full post and all future updates
http://www.pvpulse.com/en/puerto-vallarta-news/week-of-rain-ravages-bay-of-banderas

Click here to view the embedded video.

Discover a World of Bliss in an “Inspired Tropical Retreat”

Escape and Indulge in Casa Kalika, a 5 Master Bedroom Suites Luxury Private Villa, with Spectacular Ocean Views and Contemplative Vibes…in Punta Mita, Mexico.

With its Breathtaking views of the crystal clear blue waters of the Bay of Banderas Pacific Ocean, the natural lush beauty of the Sierra Madre Mountains, the Marietas islands and the Puerto Vallarta Skyline, Casa Kalika oozes ultimate relaxation, contemplative vibes, simple yet elegant living, and is sure to be the destination of choice for the weary traveler.

Set on the Ninth fairway of the famed Jack Nicklaus golf course in the ultra exclusive Four Seasons Punta de Mita community, Casa Kalika provides guests with both a coveted location and a private oceanfront setting.

Casa Kalika — on the Jack Nicklaus golf course at the Four Seasons / St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Only a 45-minute car ride north of Puerto Vallarta´s newly expanded international airport, Punta  Mita is a private gated resort community emerging as the newest address of distinction for discriminating vacation travelers.

A safe haven for travelers, Punta Mita offers high-end infrastructure, 24/7 Security and world-class amenities such as two Jack Nicklaus Golf courses, tennis courts and eight miles of sandy white beaches with two beach clubs for private Residents.

http://lapuntarealty.com/kalika/

Another night of heavy rain caused flooding damage in Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas. The San Pancho bridge was washed away.

In a six to seven hour period, anywhere from six to ten inches of rain fell in the area, between 8pm and 4am September 4–5, 2010.

Around one meter of water flooded homes and businesses in particular areas. Numerous landslides were also reported along Highway 200 between Mismaloya and Sayulita.

http://www.pvpulse.com/en/puerto-vallarta-news/san-pancho-bridge-collapses

ONE OF TWO BRIDGES LINKING PUERTO VALLARTA AND RIVIERA NAYARIT COLLAPSED YESTERDAY DUE TO TORRENTIAL RAINFALL

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, September 1, 2010 — Marc Murphy, Director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to advise that vehicular transportation has been restored between Puerto Vallarta, the International Airport and Riviera Nayarit; Traffic is again flowing in both directions.

Bridge over the Ameca River — Puerto Vallarta — Riviera Nayarit Pacific Mexico

Yesterday at 2:30am, one of two north/south bridges just north of the airport was washed out by torrential downpours. Authorities from the Federal Government as well as the states of Jalisco and Nayarit checked the structure of the remaining bridge and pronounced it sound, again permitting the flow of vehicular traffic between the two tourism regions by 2:00pm yesterday afternoon.

The two bridges were parallel, each providing two lanes in one direction. Now traffic in both directions will travel over the one bridge until a second is built, and the bridge will be carefully monitored to assure safety at all times.

“We thank all of the parties who joined together to assure that our visitors did not encounter any travel interruptions and minimal inconvenience. ” said Marc Murphy. “We are happy to report that this situation was addressed and resolved so quickly, making it easy for travelers to visit the beautiful resorts of Riviera Nayarit.”

http://www.rivieranayarit.com/site/news_release?post_id=606

Top 5 reasons Puerto Vallarta loyalists keep coming back

1. Beaches:

PV’s beaches are hubs of activity for everything from parasailing to getting a henna tattoo under your palapa. There are no private hotel beaches because, under Mexico’s constitution, all Mexicans are guaranteed the right to free beach access.

The beaches get better the further North or South you wander. The North Shore of Puerto Vallarta is a peninsula called Punta de Mita which feature some of the most exquisite and diverse beaches in Mexico with a succulent array of sandy coves between majestic cliffs with long gorgeous stretches in-between.

The super deluxe high end market is easy to explore at this website specialized for the Punta de Mita peninsula:  http://puntademita-realestate.com

The Four Seasons and St. Regis, Punta Mita Resort is the new standard bearer and most of the development in the area is zoned for exclusive low density and high end all the way.

This means the best protected beaches inside the Bay of Banderas won’t be spoiled by overzealous Mexican developers who build thousands of timeshare hotel rooms  to churn and burn.

Beaches past La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, like El Banco, Pontoque, Los Veneros and El Anclote are amazing family friendly clean azure waters that you will surely savour.

On the South shore of Puerto Vallarta, the jungle truly meets the sea. There are only small “secret” roads that access the beaches past Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlan. From here you will need a water taxi to Playa Cabbalo with the swooning giant palms and perfect sand.

The only left surf break in the bay is at Quimixto, Las Caletas hosts Vallarta Adventures events, Majajuas is a sweey little hotel spot and the famous Yelapa is known for the chic hipster traveler who is into dress down tourism without slumming —  at Verana: http://www.verana.com

2. Mountains:

The Sierra Madre mountains that hug Puerto Vallarta and ring the Bay of Banderas glow with verdat green around the city year-round and are a constant fixture in your view. It is a not-so-subtle reminder of jsut how gorgeous this place is.

Take a day trip to the  easily accessible hills by rental car, Jeep or van.

What lies along the bumpy roads are quaint mountain villages where life slowly carries on far from the pulse of its urban neighbour. Tours of all types are available, including jungle tours with stops along the way at a typical mountain home to watch the matriarch of the family make tortillas and ending the day with a swim in the ocean and a lunch at Las Caletas.

You can also take Vallarta Adventures tours into the mountains by massive jungle truck on the Sierra Madre Expedition
http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/sierra-madre-expeditions

Or take a quick flight on a Cessna up to the quaint mountain village of San Sebastian del Oeste
http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/san-sebastian

Or explore the mountain jungles via the exhilarating canopy adventure park
http://www.vallarta-adventures.com/tours/canopy-adventure-park

3. Tequila:

You could sample tequila at any number of shops in Old Town, but for a more authentic treat take a city bus to the town of Mismaloya, a 30-minute ride from the city.

As you enter the dusty road into town, you’ll notice a brick building with a mural of a woman on– its side. Mama Lucia’s is a small family-run tequila mill where the pale amber liquor is made by hand.

Free tours are conducted on a regular basis (except on Sundays) and you’ll learn how tequila is made from the spiky agave plant right through to the distillation process.

Mama Lucia’s makes and sells traditional tequila as well as orange, almond, chocolate and coffee flavoured tequila-based liqueurs in the accompanying gift shop.

That brand is not available anywhere else.

Click here to read more about the Mama Lucia tequila distillery

4. Culture:

Unlike some tourist destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is not a planned resort town, says Veronica Rivas of the Mexico Tourism Board.

Mexicans live, work, play, and go about their daily lives, right alongside the tourists.

“It’s different, Rivas says, “because you really have a sense of Old Mexico. You don’t feel you’re in a huge city. It’s more than just staying at a resort, you meet the real people.”

For a taste of Mexican culture and history, set out on a unique cocktail sunset cruise. This one has the distinction of an adventurous tropical destination.

After a two-hour boat ride, disembark in the dark in Los Caletas, a dreamy beach destination by day.

Torches light the way along the trail where you’ll be seated for a dinner of Mexican cuisine by candlelight.

After dinner, you’ll be led to a lushly treed, open-air theatre and the show begins. Fire, drumming and modern dance tell the story of Mexican Aztec warriors and ancient cultures and customs.

The tropical setting draws you into the story of ancient Mexican civilization.

On the boat ride home, a rollicking party atmosphere breaks out and everybody’s dancing and, yes, drinking more.

5. Art:

Art permeates Puerto Vallarta, from its contemporary sculptures by local artists along the Malecon to dozens of galleries around town, offering traditional to ultra-contemporary works.

In its 12th year, the Old Tow– Art Walk is held Wednesday nights from October to May.

With more galleries than any other Mexican coastal city, this tour runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

Peruse the sculptures, paintings and bead work while enjoying cocktails and meeting some of the artists. (pvscene.com)

Puerto Vallarta Art Walk
http://www.vallartaartwalk.com/

Participate in the Art Walk
http://www.virtualvallarta.com/puertovallarta/read/readartandgalleries/lets-go-on-a-downtown-art.shtml

Now that most of 2010 is done and we’re staring down the barrel of fall and early winter, I figured it might be worthwhile to revisit some of the predictions that I made for Inman News waaaay back in December 2009.

Those end-of-year and beginning-of-year predictions always make a fun read, but I’ve also always been a little peeved by the way they get tossed out and then so often forgotten.

Since I’ve written one, I figure it’s my obligation to do a check-in and see how it went (or didn’t).

My main thrust is in how people are using technology. It’s not enough for new tech or ideas to come to fruition if no one is using it yet. My belief that we are in the early days of a significant change in the way people distribute and consume information is at the heart of many of the predictions I made those many months ago.

Some of the events and data support this, some maybe not so much.

Let’s see how I did.

Click here to read the full article
http://www.inman.com/buyers-sellers/columnists/gahlorddewald/2010-real-estate-tech-predictions-revisited

Virgin America will be running non-stop flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Cabo (SJD) and from Los Angeles (LAX) to Cancun (CUN) beginning this winter.

In addition to special three-day fare sale, Loopt Star members can check in at select locations in San Francisco and Los Angeles to get a free ticket for a friend when they purchase one ticket for themselves today.

This is how it works:

Loopt Star members can check in at LAX, SFO or at one of the special Virgin America taco trucks between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. PT today.

You check in using the Loopt Star iPhone app, so download the app if you don’t have it already (it’s free).

In addition to two-for-one fares to Mexico, the taco truck will also be offering two-for-one tacos for $1.

All proceeds will go to the San Francisco Animal Care and Control Chihuahua rescue program.

The L.A. taco truck will be at the Border Grill at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard.

In San Francisco, the taco truck will be at Los Campadres at 100 Folsom Street.

Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton being sinful in Puerto Vallarta

PV, as it’s known to its loyal visitors, it’s obvious this city that wraps around Banderas Bay on Mexico’s Pacific Ocean still has one foot firmly planted in the past.

History plays a predominant role in Puerto Vallarta’s enduring popularity as a vacation spot. On any given tour, you’ll be reminded again and again about how in the early ‘60s the city was transformed from a sleepy town into a tourist mecca after director John Huston filmed the Oscarnwinning movie The Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton and Ava Gardner.

But what was going on behind the scenes of that lusty, emotionally charged movie was what really splashed the city on to the world tourist scene.

“Our claim to fame is infidelity,” a tour guide quipped.

He’s referring to the fact that Burton bought Elizabeth Taylor (both still married to other people at the time) a sprawling 22,000nsquarenfoot love nest in 1964 where they notoriously had loud lover’s quarrels and canoodled in sin.

(The city’s Catholic nuns were not pleased; they regularly protested outside the home, until Burton made a generous donation to a local Catholic school.)

Taylor sold the villa in 1990 after Burton died, and it’s now a bed and breakfast called Casa Kimberley (currently Hacienda del Puente), where tours are offered. (http://haciendadelpuente.com operated by Hacienda San Angel — http://haciendasanangel.com)

View from Hacienda San Angel

Titillated by the tempestuous love story and the saucy stories of Hollywood stars cavorting in this seaside town, the North American masses came and PV’s bustling tourist trade was born. They’re still coming 45 years later.

Though there are no specific figures on Canadians visiting Puerto Vallarta, from January to July 2007, there were 716 flights from Alberta to Mexico, according to the Mexico Tourism Board.

Just as the nuns went away with their hush money, this is indeed a city of dualities.

To this day, the charming former fishing town bumps and grinds with the modern world.

On the northern edge of Old Town, a Burger King sits across the street from a modest home where cows roam in the yard. At dawn, men with their large nets pull in a catch of fresh fish as tourists jog along the beach listening to their iPods.

And along the palm treenlined Malecon (boardwalk), young families and tourists stroll through the festivalnlike atmosphere, where acrobats, Huichol Indian bead crafters and spraynpaint artists practise their craft after the sun sets.

Long a destination for gay travellers (gayguidevallarta.com), PV’s “rainbow” bars are full every evening. Straight tourists and locals head to other pulsating nightclubs to party until 4 a.m.

Though PV is not a new tourist destination, it has the distinction of loyal fans. Those smitten often return year after year, even decade after decade. From 2000 to 2006, more than 129,000 Canadian tourists spent more than 30 days in Mexico.

Mark Callanan — Photos of Puerto Vallarta Mexico and beyond

As many as 700,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens call Mexico home yearnround and Puerto Vallarta is in the top five cities where people reside.

It’s not as pristine and shiny as Cancun or Miami, so what is it about this cobblestoned and whitewashed city that keeps people coming? It could be as simple as what my tour guide told me:

“Puerto Vallarta is what it is. It is for you.”

Click here to read the entire post
http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/Holiday+spot+born/2679626/story.html

Surfing Punta de Mita — Photo by Ed Fladung of www.qualitypeoples.com

Waxedweb

The beach is most notorious for one thing … surfing.

Millions of people around the world look forward to that time of year when the weather is perfect, water is just right, and work can be put aside.

Of the millions many will be planning an exciting trip to Punta Mita to surf near the shores of Mexico.

Punta Mita is aware of how important the sport is to all tourists and has focused much of its tourist attractions on the popular activity.

An ultimate surf vacation in Punta Mita is easy to plan with accommodations galore.

Lodging

It is not hard to find a private beach club in Punta Mita that is right on or near the shore giving surfers quick access to surf the waves.

Many of these beach clubs are reasonably priced, perfectly located, and dedicated to making your stay stress free so you can focus on what you came to do, surf.

In addition to surfing you may enjoy the spas and other onsite recreational activities at the club.

Surf Gear

To go surfing on vacation you are going to need surf gear. It is impractical to travel with your gear, or maybe you don’t have any, so it is another part of the vacation that you must plan ahead of time.

When visiting Punta Mita you must not forget the exclusive luxury of Puerto Vallarta located nearby. There are many surf shops located around the city.

The shops can help you find everything you need to make sure you are totally prepared.

Click here to read the entire article
http://waxedweb.com/surfing-in-punta-mita/

More surf photos by Ed Fladung
http://www.qualitypeoples.com/experiments-4

a review by kjmedia
Lunch.com

And you thought the rhyming stayed in Mexico:

Just got back from spending three nights in Mexico at the gorgeous Four Season’s resort in Punta Mita…

For the wedding of senor @jrjohnson and @Savvygirl, his now better half senorita

The resort shuttle from the airport was ready when we got there, the driver holding a sign, donning a most welcoming smile on his face…

Of course, he had a cooler of ice cold Modelo’s for those looking to immediately start their Mexico style drinking pace

Our driver showed amazing composure as he swerved out of the way as an oncoming speeding driver was trying to pass directly into a crazy blind spot…

It was seriously a matter of inches, the driver’s cool and poise was unreal, skills he was clearly born with, this reaction was not something that can be taught

We safely made it to the grounds of the Four Seasons, where just pulling in you had the feeling of being on vacation…

The stresses and big city hustle bustle you left behind, suddenly a distant sensation

This premier resort, 26 miles from Puerto Vallarta, featuring panoramic ocean views of Mexico’s Pacific, has been overindulging its guests since 1999…

With the cold towels in the lobby, the on call golf carts to get you around and the variety of fresh juices by the pool, they’re always making sure you’re always feeling more than fine
Click here to read the full post

Just 59 cliff-hugging villas are set on 30 acres of manicured jungle.

Impressive resident amenities include a private beach club, tennis, gym and captivating spa facility.

Casa Manzanilla — Puerto Vallarta luxury real estate for sale — Real del Mar — Punta de Mita — Riviera Nayarit — Pacific Mexico

Casa Manzanilla sits high above the nearby town of La Cruz and you’ll enjoy stunning views of the ocean.

This four bedroom four bathroom residence is decorated in vibrant colors, and has a private infinity pool and hot tub on the oversized patio, and a dedicated media room inside.

The two-level home measures 4,848 interior square feet, 4,631 patio square feet with a huge palapa living area.

Click here to view a full virtual tour of Casa Manzanilla
http://www.lapuntarealty.com/manzanilla/

Casa Vela — Puerto Vallarta luxury real estate for sale — Real del Mar — Punta de Mita — Riviera Nayarit — Pacific Mexico

Casa Vela is a 4.5 bathroom home between rock and jungle in the center of Real del Mar overlooking the beach club walkway.

With nearly 6,000 square feet of interior space, Casa Vela features 4 bedrooms and dedicated media room.

There are two master bedrooms, each with king beds. The third bedroom includes a king bed, and the fourth bedroom features two queen beds.

3,000 square feet of exterior space boasts a private pool and hot tub, carport.

Click here to view a full virtual tour of Casa Vela
http://www.lapuntarealty.com/vela/

Chosen for his work saving the endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtles in the Mexican resort town, Puerto Vallarta, Aranda Mena teamed up with Aviana Productions, a Mill Valley California media consulting/film company to produce a video that highlighted his non-profit, environmental work.

Aviana provided video of turtle hatching-and-releasing that CNN will use in the piece. CNN flew its own crew for interviews and location shooting.

The CNN Heroes franchise with Aranda Mena begins airing Thursday, August 26 and will air dozens of times over the next week, on CNN, CNN International, and CNN En Espanol. The news network estimates it will be seen by millions of people.

“We used video storytelling to highlight Oscar’s dedication and work ethic,” said Jon Duncanson, of Aviana Productions. “From that point everyone from donors to major news networks can see what the client is doing and determine if they’re interested in becoming involved.”

Aviana donated its services to the sea turtle charity.
http://avianaproductions.com/

Aviana principal partners Jon Duncanson and Sylvia Gomez are former award winning television journalists who earlier this month won a prestigious national Aegis Award. Last month they helped engineer a surprise come-from-behind victory in the governor’s race in Sinaloa, Mexico. It was the most extensive use ever of Internet-based media to raise voter awareness of a political candidate in Mexico.

Oscar Aranda’s website is http://vallartanature.org/oscar.html

a review by jrjohnson
Lunch.com
in the Wedding Planning community
Aug 23, 2010

A fabulous wedding at Casa Siete — El Banco — Punta de Mita Riviera Nayarit Pacific Mexico

This was a once in a lifetime experience for me and my family so we decided to go REALLY big for it and the location, Casa Siete, was a huge part of it. We just got back last night and has such an amazing time!!

We just had our wedding at Casa Siete on Aug 21, 2010. When we planned our wedding we wanted it to be a family vacation and we wanted everyone to be in together under one roof.

With 25 people (including infants) that required a BIG place. So we flew down to Puerto Vallarta and took an afternoon and toured 8 homes in the Punta Mita area. (Side note, we also looked at a couple homes in Maui as well, but you just can’t find anything over as big or as a nice as what we found in Punta Mita.)

We toured homes in two developments near the Four Season in Punta Mita because we needed the hotel capabilities in case we had more than the 25 family members come down. The two developments were Rancho and El Banco. Rancho is larger and more developed. El Banco only has lots for 11 homes and currently only 5 are built. We settled on Casa Siete because it was much more our style than the other homes.

It has multiple pools including one with rocks to jump off of and another designed exclusively for pool volleyball including lines in the water… it was awesome. It has a game room, great open palapa area and stunning views.

Also it has a lawn overlooking the water which is perfect for a ceremony. But the one thing that really put us over the top was the staff. When we toured the place we met them and they were so nice and so professional in addition to being highly recommended from the realtor that showed us the place.

The house and the staff lived up to everything we hoped it would be. Walking back into the house after an awesome surf session and seeing the my nephews playing in the pool, while my inlaws napped in the palapa, while my cousins sunned themselves, and Jaime Patino (the general manager) asked me if we were ready for lunch now… well… you get the idea.

http://www.lunch.com/Reviews/d/Casa_Siete_El_Banco_Punta_Mita-1582851.html

Casa Siete in an achievement in lifestyle design, a study in family vacation bliss and a symphony of refined Pacific Mexican architecture.

On a 35 ft. cliff over looking the Marietas Islands and Punta de Mita within the luxury resort development called El Banco, Casa Siete is
one of the finest new homes in all of Mexico.

Spread across most of the massive estate, this 8 bedroom villa is
25,000 sq ft under roof and another 25,000sq ft of paths, pools, and
out door living areas. With nearly 1,000,000 cubic feet of volume,
Casa Siete draws you to water and sun.

http://www.lapuntarealty.com/casa7/

————————————————————————–

Explore Punta Mita Mexico — Riviera Nayarit luxury residential real estate and vacation rentals

By Mark Conley
San Jose Mercury News

“If the tide pushes up, punch it,” said my seafaring golf guide, Arturo Castro, one early July day in Punta Mita, Mexico.
The statement could’ve just as easily been uttered a few miles down the coast at Castro’s favorite surf spot, La Lancha, while helping this visiting surfista negotiate the unfamiliar elements.

But at this moment the head pro was speaking of my golf cart, which was straddling an eight-foot wide cobblestone isthmus leading to the green of hole 3B at Punta Mita’s Pacifico course — known as the world’s only island green carved from natural topography.

Like some of the surf spots I had already sampled on my first visit to Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit, a 40-minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta, hole 3B was tantalizingly hazardous. A beauty that could quickly turn beastly.

And for me, now sitting in my nonamphibious Club Car, midisthmus, ocean creeping, it already had. My Titleist ball had been meekly donated to Poseidon and his warm, crystalline Pacific off the tee box. I had resigned myself to enjoying the spectacular scenery and just hitting another from the drop zone when we got to the green.
Sure enough, there came the tide. It was time to punch it.

Surf Riviera Nayarit — Punta de Mita — Sayuita — San Francisco — Chacala

There are myriad Southern Hemisphere destinations to indulge in surf-and-turf nirvana (Hawaii, for starters). But there may not be a more enjoyable combo locale than the largely untapped 190-mile stretch of coast that lines the Mexican state of Nayarit.

It is a comfortable, mellow-vibed land of uncluttered surf lineups and wide-open fairways, with amenities ranging from posh to funky and everything in between.

It begins with Punta Mita, a 10-year-old, 1,500-acre private community at the north end of Banderas Bay. Its gorgeous peninsula is surrounded by ocean on three sides, which made it a desirable home to the luxurious Four Seasons and recently opened St. Regis — and their accompanying Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses.

And while you’ve got to be a guest of one of the resorts (let’s say, um, not exactly recessionary challenged) to play the otherwise private courses, a good public option sits right up the road at Litibu Campo de Golf, a new Greg Norman course set to host a Canadian Tour tournament in October.

Click here to read the entire article
http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_15817376?nclick_check=1

Explore Riviera Nayarit
http://www.puntademita-realestate.com/tourpuntamita/

Golf at Punta Mita

Tale of the Whale — Pacifico golf course by Jack Nicklaus — Four Seasosn / St. Regis, Punta Mita Resort, Riviera Nayarit, Pacific Mexico

The Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at Punta Mita has been winning praise for a decade now, frequently topping polls as the best course in Mexico and occasionally showing up near the top for all of North America.

A second—and very different—course also designed by Nicklaus opened here in 2009, It’s certainly hard for any pair of courses to match the stunning panoramic scenery that’s the backdrop of many holes here, especially in the winter when whales are migrating past.

I missed whale watching season, but I blamed my triple-bogey on hole 15 of the Bahia course on being distracted by the surfers catching big waves just offshore.

The 7,104-yard, par-72 Pacifico course features eight ocean-side holes, plus the signature Tail of the Whale island hole, which is 199 yards from the coastal tee box. The second Bahia course opened in November of 2009 with a more challenging set of undulating greens.

Here five holes run along the ocean and two more have ocean views. This 7,035 yard, par-72 course is closer to the St. Regis resort and straddles several newer housing developments.

The Punta Mita Club de Golf feels like a best-of-the-best exclusive country club: only Punta Mita homeowners, villa renters, and guests of either the Four Seasons or St. Regis are allowed to play. From arrival at the well-equipped locker rooms to a drink afterwards at the course-side restaurant, everything is first class.

Attendants provide cool scented towels, water, and practice balls and a refreshment cart continuously circles the course. At the 9th hole on each course, an attendant comes to the cart with a cold mango drink, restrooms are air-conditioned, and you can order a hot snack or a beer.

Click here to read the full article
http://www.luxurylatinamerica.com/mexico/puerto_vallarta_golf.html

Explore the Punta Mita Resort
http://www.puntademita-realestate.com/tourpuntamita/

Villa Vista Magica — San Pancho ( San Francisco ) Riviera Nayarit, Pacific Mexico

http://www.lapuntarealty.com/vistamagica/

http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/2010–08-05-vacation-rentals-ban_N.htm

You’ve doubtlessly heard of — and perhaps been to — Puerto Vallarta. Well, just north of there, along central Mexico’s Pacific coast, is the state of Nayarit. The coast runs from the tony all-inclusive resorts of Nuevo Vallarta (very near to Puerto Vallarta in the southern part of the state), through the elite and fabulously expensive Punta Mita and up through a series of seaside enclaves catering to all classes of tourists, ending in the sleepy town of San Blas. This coastal region has recently been designated “Riviera Nayarit” and has all the makings of an up-and-coming luxury destination — and if you’re in the market for a vacation home, this area could be your best investment. Let me take you through a couple of the highlights, from the famous polo field in the hipster community to the exclusive resort where the governor likes to stay (no really, he was there when I was, and it wasn’t his first time).

Click here to read the full article at Luxist.com
http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/18/riviera-nayarit-mexicos-new-riviera-destination/1#c29952768

Explore Riviera Nayarit and the Punta de Mita peninsula
http://www.puntademita-realestate.com/

A Song for San Pancho
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYaNP_0gwQU

Play the Greg Norman Signature Gofl course at Litibu — Open to the public

On March 6, President of Mexico Felipe Calderon Hinojosa visited the touristic development, Libitü, for the second time in a week. One of Litibú´s greatest attractions is without doubt the PGA-level golf course, which the President inaugurated this day. It was designed by the legendary Greg Norman on an area of 168 acres with an investment of 225,399,079 pesos and will be open to the public.

Accompanied by the Governor of Nayarit, Ney González, along with the Secretary of the Marines, Francisco Saynez, and the Secretary of Tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo, the President boasted that the tourist complex inaugurated today has an investment by the Federal Government of nearly 800 million pesos.

Get to know the newest active addition to the Punta Mita and north Shore – the Litibu Golf Course & Club. This Greg Norman-designed 18-hole course has been getting rave reviews for its playability from our friends in the area, since its inauguration in March of this year. The PGA-qualified course plays 7,022 yards over more than 68 hectares of land, with 331 meters running along the ocean’s edge.

While some services are still being added r refined, the Litibu Course will ultimately feature a Clubhouse, Pro Shop, Snack Bar, practice tee, driving range, rentals of carts, clubs, and equipment, as well as sale of golf equipment and clothing.

Grand opening special pricing is now in effect, with greens fees for 9 holes priced at $1,000 MN, or 18 holes priced at $1,200 MN. Cart rental runs an additional $270 MN for 9 holes/$340 MN for 18 holes, and equipment rental is $230 MN.

Hours of operation are daily, from 7:30am until 6pm. The Golf Club is located in the Litibu development, on the road connecting Punta de Mita to Sayulita (Carr. Punta de Mita – Higuera Blanca, Km 2; Higuera Blanca. Reserve by calling 329/2918–4091, 322/298‑4091, or email campodegolflitibu@fonatur.gob.mx.

Amore — Punta Mita Mexico

This exotic vacation villa is sited on two acres of Punta Mita’s finest beachfront and features unmatched amenities and impeccable construction. Without peer in class and service, Casa Amore estate exudes the feel of a five-star resort, with incomparably luxurious accommodations.

The one-of-a-kind beach villa boasts 11 bedrooms, including two opulent master suites, plus staff quarters, all spread across a main residence and guest house. Nine of these suites offer king-sized beds and most have en suite baths.

Many of the main living areas look out over the swimming pool and spa, toward the glimmering ocean beyond.

The primary home is higlighted by a dining room with seating for up to 16 guests, a gourmet kitchen equipped with a wood-fired pizza oven, a grandly scaled wine cellar, a breakfast terrace, private offices, and a family room wired for the ultimate media experience.

The interior floor plan flows seamlessly, open to the outdoor living areas.

Whole-house wireless broadband Internet and stereo surround sound systems provide ideal convenience. Zoned air conditioning and a state-of-the-art water filtration system ensure perfect comfort.

http://lapuntarealty.com/amore

We won’t bore you with that all-too familiar real estate cliche that begins with the word “location” — but suffice to say that home buyers across the nation face some very different options.

A few examples: A home buyer in foreclosure-addled Florida can get a home with a price that’s advertised as being actually lower than 1999 levels. For the same price, the eager home shopper in New York City can get a studio apartment, albeit one in a building with a doorman, an art deco lobby and access to a roof terrace.

In the interest of seeing just how far your real estate dime goes in different cities across the country, we decided to compare similarly-priced home listings in major cities like Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Baltimore. Not surprisingly, there was a huge variation.

Courtesy of Trulia, one of the most comprehensive real estate sites one the web, below we’ve compiled some of the most appealing homes you can buy for $400,000 .

Which city offers the best value? Check out the homes below. And visit Trulia for more information on these and other homes.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/24/the-best-homes-for-400000_n_658146.html

Luna Creciente overlooks the massive rocks of Los Arcos, Mismaloya

Poised on an oceanfront cliff above the Pacific Ocean, Villa of the Crescent Moon offers luxurious, private accommodations with an extraordinary view of Banderas Bay and Los Arcos Islands.

This beautiful private villa is a sublime holiday rental for those looking for intimate and elegant surroundings.

Enter the villa and down the dramatic marble spiral staircase to the living room and terraces, serenity and beauty meets the eye.

Spacious conversation areas are oriented toward the elegant pool and ocean beyond.

For that special sunset cocktail party or an intimate moment, descend to your own ocean side palapa and enjoy the sounds of the waves as they break on the rocks below.

Villa Luna Creciente Mismaloya Puerto Vallarta Jalisco Mexico

http://lapuntarealty.com/lunacreciente

one hyde park

A six-bedroom penthouse at London’s posh One Hyde Park development (above) has just sold for a record-breaking £140 million, or about $220 million, making it the most expensive piece of residentialreal estate in the world (in terms of current listings and sales). The massive deal eclipses the paltry $150 million asking price for The Manor, Candy Spelling’s monstrous mansion in Holmby Hills, California, previous holder of the World’s Most Expensive title. While the identity of the buyer remains a closely-guarded secret, speculation is centering on oligarchs and oil sheikhs, the London Telegraphreports. The palatial penthouse stretches across two floors and boasts bullet-proof windows, a panic room and stunning views across the Serpentine lake in Hyde Park.

The new owners will also have access to 24-hour room service from the neighboring Mandarin Oriental hotel, spas, squash courts a private wine–tasting facility and protection from security guards who are former members of the SAS, the UK’s elite special forces unit. One Hyde Park, which boasts 86 properties starting at around £20 million, is comprised of four hexagonal tower blocks due to be completed by December. Back in 2008 when the project was in its infancy my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported that Sheikh Hamad, the foreign minister of Qatar, had agreed to purchase an apartment there for a rumored £100 million, or around $196 million. More recently we revealed thatBritish supercar maker McLaren will open a luxe new showroom in the development as well. Take a look at the images after the jump.

http://www.luxist.com/2010/08/11/220-million-london-penthouse-now-worlds-most-expensive/

In the competitive world of luxury travel, hotels will try anything to woo customers–from wine baths, pet psychics, and caviar facials to gourmet cooking classes, revolving rooms, and other extravagant extras. Below, ShermansTravel.com has assembled a list of the latest out-there accoutrements. See even more on their Amenity Watch blog. Text and photos courtesy of Sherman’s Travel.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/12/7-most-outrageous-hotel-a_n_675729.html

Click here to view the embedded video.

San Francisco, or San Pancho as it is more commonly referred to, is a quaint Mexican village nestled between the verdant Sierra Madre Mountains and jungle and a long stretch of pristine Pacific coast.

In close enough proximity (hour drive) to the international airport at Puerto Vallarta, yet full of small town appeal, San Pancho is being proclaimed as one of the next great destinations in the so-called Riviera Nayarita, and as another desirable alternative to the more commercialized vacation typical of resort areas like Puerto Vallarta.

History

Before the arrival of the Spanish, and still somewhat today, the mountainous region that nears San Francisco and is known as the Sierra Madre Occidental was sparsely populated by indigenous groups like the Cora and Huichol.

As the Spanish put down roots and began to develop ports at San Blas to the north and Puerto Vallarta to the south, the region began to increase in population but still at a much slower pace and cut off from urban centers like Guadalajara.

The presence of Franciscan-order priests also took hold, with many presiding along with landowners over huge latifundio estates and peons.

Long after Mexican independence, in 1931, as part of sweeping land reform following the Revolution, the land that comprises modern-day Sayulita and San Francisco was transferred to communal ejido ownership.

San Francisco remained a sleepy communal village, surviving on subsistence fishing and some mango and tropical fruit cultivation, until the small town struck the fancy of the Mexican President Luis Echeverría in the 1970s.

First charmed enough by San Pancho to make it the site of his family vacation mansion, Echeverría then directed a flow of federal funding to San Francisco to be put towards his dream of making it a “self-sufficient” “Third World village”.

While the President’s vision did not come to fruition, since funding ended as did his presidential term, the town still benefits today from the cobblestone streets and full-service hospital that came out of his efforts and facilitate both visiting and living in San Pancho now.

Today

With only approximately 1,600 full-time residents, San Francisco still displays the characteristics of a more traditional Mexican town—with men on horseback riding through the streets, or roosters running free in a neighbor’s yard for example.

Yet even for such a small village, the population is still reasonably diverse. Drawn by the tranquil pace of life, the months of unwavering sunshine, and the tropical coastal atmosphere, San Pancho is also home to a growing number of ex-patriots hailing from the United States, Canada, or even Europe or southernmost Latin America.

Spectacular Villa Vista Magica is a jungle retreat unlike anything on this stretch of coastline outside of Puerto Vallarta

The result is an eclectic cultural mix that—along with the beautiful natural environs—is creating even more of a draw for visitors and new residents.

Alongside the interesting cultural mix of a fine art gallery or hidden haute-cuisine restaurant, San Pancho is also brimming with art and social responsibility activity.

An art collective organizes various art expositions and events throughout the year, and a community volunteer organization mobilizes recycling education and efforts and youth activities in the town.

Various environmental organizations also work to educate about and protect for instance the local jaguar habitat or the nesting turtle populations on San Pancho beaches.

While recently certain development projects have been planned and commenced in and around San Francisco, the peace and tranquility in the town is still uncompromised.

San Francisco (San Pancho) is a unique spot, where pristine white beaches meet jungle green, and old Mexico meets a new international fusion.

Las Huertas golf course — San Pancho Riviera Nayarit, Pacific Mexico

Please visit our website for more information about San Pancho (San Francisco), Riviera Nayarit, Pacific Mexico

http://www.puntademita-realestate.com/sanpancho/

Villa La Estancia 1202 — Flamingos Beach — Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit

With 25 years of experience, the Villa Group has developed some of the most desirable beach location throughout Mexico´s best destination.

Villa La Estancia is the number 1 rated resort in Nuevo Vallarta. Cabo style luxury Condominium-Hotel resort offering all services and amenities you would expect from a five star resort!

Twenty-Four Hours a Day You’ll Have Our Friendly and Attentive
Need Assistance Soliciting a Deep Sea Charter? or Simply Need Nightly Turn-Down Service?

Just Call on Our Professional Staff. Our Internationally “Gold Key” Rated Concierge and Housekeepers Are Here to Make Your Life Easier in Any Way They Can.

This  2,166sf, 2bd, 3full bath Villa is the closest one from the beach and equivalent unit in phase II is offered by the developer for $400K more than the asking price of this unit!!

Amenities Include:

A Fully Equipped Executive Fitness Center with Sauna/Steam Room featuring a new 17,000 Square Foot World Class Spa Boasting a Stunning Array of Treatments and Specialties Using an Exclusive Line of Desert and Tropical-Inspired Products Native to the Area.

http://lapuntarealty.com/laestancia1202/

Taking it´s inspiration from the beautiful San Angel Hotel in Mexico City, this newly constructed Villa in prestigious Conchas Chinas in Puerto Vallarta is amazing.

With over 8000 square feet of room for complete enjoyment, 5 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, an infinity pool with tremendous views and a full time staff and winding stir case, this Villa is certain to delight even the most discriminating of travellers.

This two story Villa is a delight — built around a central downstairs courtyard, the main level offers tremendous bay views from the Living Room, Dining Room and bedroom.

Upstairs are 4 additional bedrooms, 3 of which offer sweeping views of the Banderas Bay.

Lush furnishings and quality decor are just the most obvious indications of the quality and pride of ownership this home displays.

Casa Serafines features over 8000 square feet of luxury living in prestigious upper Conchas Chinas.

Enter into an open air courtyard featuring a magnificent water fountain and lush tropical plantings. Relax in the living and dining room each with wonderful views of Banderas Bay.

You and your guests will enjoy the five king bedroom suites each with private bath. One bedroom suite is located on the main entrance level.

For your afternoon enjoyment, relax at the heated infinity pool and beautiful poolside terrace.

Casa Serafines has a full staff of three to cater to your every wish.

Covered garage parking, dramatic spiral staircase, courtyard terrace and incredible traditional Mexican details.

Conchas Chinas
5 Bedrooms
5.5 bathrooms
Contemporary hacienda style
Infinity swimming pool
Breathtaking views of the bay, beach and city lights
Quality mexican craftsmanship
2 car attached garage
746 approx sq. meters
Amenities:
5 Bedrooms 6 Baths, Infinity Pool, Air Conditioning, DSL Wireless Internet, BBQ

http://www.lapuntarealty.com/serafines/

Travel Weelky

Even though Mexicana has filed for bankruptcyand suspended some flights, there are some positive signs for Mexico tourism and the airlines that serve the country’s major resort areas. Other airlines, including a new entrant, are planning new service to major resort areas.

Alaska Airlines is adding flights from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta and San Jose (Calif.) to Los Cabos.

In addition, a new carrier is entering the Mexico market: California-based Virgin America received DOT approval to fly Los Angeles-Cancun five times a week, San Francisco-Los Cabos five times a week and San Francisco-Cancun three flights a week starting in the fall.

It is the second international destination for Virgin America, which launched in 2007 and started San Francisco-Toronto service this June.

A spokeswoman told Travel Weekly that the Mexico routes were selected because “These are hugely popular travel markets with lots of travel demand from the West Coast. They also help us address seasonality in our still-growing network.”

Launch dates have not yet been released, she said. The airline, whose base of operations is San Francisco Airport, is known for its cabins featuring WiFi and an entertainment system with 20 films, live TV, Google Maps, an MP3 library, videogames and an on-demand menu.

Jack Richards, Pleasant Holidays president and CEO, said the entrance of Virgin in the Mexico market is “very positive news for tour operators, travel agents and Mexico hotel partners.”

Click here to read the full article
http://www.travelweekly.com/mexico/article3_ektid218470.aspx

These days, growth opportunities in the financial sector are becoming rare and seemingly impossible to find, so when the largest banks in Spain showed up in Mexico, they were not going to let this one get away. The largest Spanish lender, Banco Santander has been very bullish on Mexico this year, buying back its 25% stake that it sold to Bank of America (Mexico) at a 56% premium, representing a sizable $1.6 billion investment. Mexico’s largest Spanish banking group, BBVA, said this week that it plans to invest $2 billion to further expand their banking reach.

These massive banks’ home markets are experiencing a deep recession resulting in depressed growth and major losses in their respective local markets. Investing in Mexico’s surging economy is expected to be a key strategy for their future growth. In fact, while Spain’s banks are losing money at home, the Wall St. Journal reports that they are experiencing a 10% rise in net profit for their Mexican counterparts.

Although Spain was once Mexico’s colonial master, their financial ties still run deep, especially in the economic investment sectors. Over 3,000 Spanish owned companies have already invested $34 billion in Mexico over the last 2 years alone, bumping Spain to the position of the # 2 global investor in Mexico, just behind the U.S.

A good portion of Spain’s investment has been aimed at an 80-mile, white-sand swath of pristine coastline on Mexico’s Caribbean, known as the Riviera Maya. Huge Spanish companies like OHL (largest hotel developer in the world), Bancaja and Banco de Valencia have dumped more than $4 billion dollars into this explosive, emerging real estate market, recently dubbed “The New Spain” by the London Financial Times.

These giant Spanish banks, developers and financial firms are clearly finding their future growth strategies in Mexico. To that point, Banco Santander’s savvy Chairman, Emelio Botin, said “Mexico is a country that has a very positive outlook for growth” and all the leading indicators are proving him right.
www.investmentpropertiesmexico.com

http://www.banderasnews.com/1008/hb-mtcongress.htm

PVSR — Punta Vista Signature Residences — PH 604

You penthouse lovers seem to have the foresight, taste and resources to know when a genuine opportunity presents itself.

You must experience the best the world has to offer, therefore you must see this PVSR Penthouse at Playa Punta de Mita.

Experience the astounding scale of ocean view, grand open living spaces and the extra privacy that accommodates owners of boutique properties.

There is no comparable property in this area.

Commodiously refined with top end features and finishes complement the rich culture of Mexican artisans providing a breathtaking aesthetic experience for your family, friends, clients or business associates.

A special property like the Penthouse 604 at PVSR — Punta Vista Signature Residences will give you pause to reflect on those obvious moments of past regret.

“Why did I hesitate…?”

Live your luxury penthouse personality: satisfy your personal desires for opulence and relax high above the beauty of Punta de Mita, Riviera Nayarit, Pacific Mexico.

PVSR ph 604 photo gallery
http://www.lapuntarealty.com/pvsr604

Punta Vista Signature Residences
http://www.puntavistasignature.com

By Chris Hawley, USA TODAY

MEXICO CITY — Gruesome murders appear to be commonplace in Mexico. The severed heads of eight men found in pairs along highways in Durango. Seventeen people massacred at a birthday party in Torreon. The bodies of 55 people found dumped in a mine near the town of Taxco.
Mexicans and their American neighbors are being bombarded by news of shootouts, bombings, kidnappings and executions as drug smugglers battle each other and the government for control of the narcotics trade.

But a closer look at the latest official statistics indicates that much of Mexico has modest murder rates. The horrific violence that is jacking up the national death toll is largely in nine of Mexico’s 31 states.

Despite a wave of killings in these states, the murder rate in 2009 was still lower than it was a decade before, long before the Mexican government began a crackdown against the cartels.

“If you look at history, today we have fewer murders, both in raw numbers and rates,” said Mario Arroyo, a researcher with the Citizens’ Institute for Crime Studies, a Mexico City think tank.

The statistics show that the most deadly violence is happening in northern Mexico close to the U.S. border where smuggling occurs, and in the states where marijuana and heroin are produced. Also:

•The state with the lowest murder rate is Yucatán, the Gulf of Mexico state known for its beaches and Mayan ruins. Its murder rate of 2 per 100,000 was comparable to Wyoming and Montana.

•Washington, D.C.‘s murder rate is nearly quadruple that of the Mexican capital, Mexico City. Washington’s murder rate was 31.4 per 100,000 people in 2008; Mexico City’s rate in 2009 was 8.

Click here to read the full article
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2010–08-03-Mexico-drug-violence_N.htm

Contributing: Hawley is Latin America correspondent for USA TODAY and The Arizona Republic

Brita and Ryan — Punta de Mita, Mexico — Part I
photos by Victor Sizemore
http://www.vcsphoto.com

Last weekend I shot an amazing wedding at a private villa in Punta de Mita, Mexico which is about 45 minutes outside Puerto Vallarta.

Brita and Ryan were awesome to work with and just wanted everyone to have a great time.

They had a very lively crowd with lots of fun entertainment throughout the evening including: Mariachi, Pinyatas, a Tequila Bar, a Texas Southern Rock cover band, Neurotic City 80s singer, a rockin’ DJ, Fire Dancers, Gogo Dancers and more…

Here are some shots of the bridal party before the ceremony and this week I’ll post all the amazing details from the party! Enjoy and stay tuned for Part II.

Below are some of the amazing people who worked hard to make this event spectacular!

Brita and Ryan — Part I - http://www.vcsphoto.com/blog/?p=1067

Brita and Ryan — Part II - http://www.vcsphoto.com/blog/?p=1077

Christopher Aldama of Fiori Fresco- Event Designer and Producer
Jeannie Savage, Wedding Planner
Alex Hill of Elysium Productions

Visit Amore — Punta Mita
http://www.lapuntarealty.com/amore

Also see our staff picks of killer wedding villas along Pacific Mexico
http://www.blog.lapuntarealty.com/archives/2368

Puerto Vallarta stock photography — Photos of Puerto Vallarta Riviera Nayarit Pacific Mexico

Just past Banderas Bay and also the city of Puerto Vallarta, the Sierra Madre Mountains produce an epic backdrop to one of Mexico’s premier destinations. Within the valleys and canyons of this mountain range, a abundant rainforest acts as home to an incredible selection of plant and animal life. Although human residents are few within the Sierra Madre’s rainforest, tourists visit this charming natural environment daily for a number of unique activities. On any given day in the rainforest, you can go to a strange colonial boomtown higher in the mountains, swing from the treetops on a canopy tour and go for a simple hike through some truly amazing scenery. If you want to encounter the rainforest while in Mexico, look no further than the Sierra Madre Mountains in Puerto Vallarta’s backyard.

In recent years, canopy tours have become a favorite adventure for tourists in Puerto Vallarta. Originally developed within the rainforests of Costa Rica, canopy tours permit thrill-seeking travelers to ride pulley lines between platforms higher within the trees. Throughout the tours, helpful guides are on hand to assist even the most timid participants make the most from the scenic encounter. As you glide from tree to tree, the guides will also point out unique plant life and provide plenty of info about the rainforest’s extensive ecosystem. Though the activity may seem dangerous, each tour is supported by an amazing array of safety equipment and open to kids six and older. Ask your concierge for tour recommendations as some tour companies will pick up outside the very best resorts and discounts are frequently obtainable to guests.

If you want to encounter the natural beauty from the rainforest at the ground level, you will find a quantity of hiking and biking tours obtainable in Puerto Vallarta. Most tour companies provide different excursions to suit all ages and skill levels. One of the most popular hiking tours usually last 2–3 hours and wind through incredible vegetation, while the advanced tours incorporate all the very best sites of the rainforest and can last all day. Along the way, tour guides will point out interesting species and assist tourists in bird and animal watching. Mountain biking tours provide similar opportunities, yet some tours also permit guests to ride in the cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta directly into the mountains.

If you are searching for some distinctive outdoor actions for your trip to Mexico and Puerto Vallarta, look no further than mountains above the city. As the rainforest and all of its activities lie just a few miles from the luxurious resorts of Puerto Vallarta, this special destination is able to provide the best of both worlds unlike anywhere else.

Casa Carolina is a romantic and stylish 6,250 ft2 five bedroom, 6.5 bathroom Hacienda uniquely classic AND contemporary.

Set in historic and cultured lower Conchas Chinas, this elegant  renaissance Puerto Vallarta style mansion is very 60’s Hollywood and is superbly maintained.

All on one level, the Hacienda is accessible from the main highway: no climbing up the steep hills of Conchas Chinas or downhill to the beach side through narrow streets.

On a large lot of 12,500 ft2, Casa Carolina boasts great ocean views from the living room and the two front master suites.

Once you drive into this fortress, you have complete privacy and peace.
Minutes away from downtown Vallarta, its restaurants, cafes, boutiques and art galleries, this home is for those who like the tranquility of a stylish and private villa with easy access to Puerto Vallarta culture.

The electrical system was completely redone a few years ago, the kitchen and master bedroom refurbished a couple of years ago and the bar by the pool is a great addition if you like to entertain.

A fully functional cantera fireplace can be found in the living room for the romantics.

The fully mature landscaping complete the setting and makes Casa Carolina very homey…

A must see for lower Conchas Chinas lovers, priced to sell at $3.2M

http://www.lapuntarealty.com/carolina

I was dismayed last year when I heard that Mexico’s president, Felipe Calderon, had proposed that his country’s ministry of tourism be abolished and that tourism interests be moved within Mexico’s equivalent of our Department of Commerce.

We’ve seen how that has worked here in the U.S., and the outcomes for the travel industry seldom reflect tourism’s economic importance. It did not strike me as a good move for Mexico, which was already facing several tourism-related challenges.

Calderon’s recommendations were ultimately rejected, but I nonetheless worried about tourism’s priority in his administration. I didn’t assume he was hostile to tourism but rather that, given the myriad dramatic issues he was facing at the time, from H1N1 to border-town drug wars, he welcomed a layer of bureaucracy between himself and yet another pressing concern.

Last month, I had lunch with Mexico’s tourism minister, Gloria Guevara, who at the time had been on the job for all of 103 days. Given the president’s apparent attempt to reduce tourism’s stature in his government, I was curious to see whether her goals would reflect Calderon’s previous efforts to reduce tourism’s profile or whether she would indicate that it would be business as usual at the ministry.

Within minutes of the start of our meeting, it became clear to me that it would not be business as usual.

It would be business accelerated.

Click here to read the full article
http://www.travelweekly.com/article_ektid218296.aspx

Vista Bahia is spacious 4000 sq. ft., 2 level Penthouse with all the amenities

This fabulous “turn key” home is finely appointed with contemporary coastal Mexican decor designed by local interior designer Katherine Nidermaier,
renown for her work designing many high end properties on the north shore including the Four Seasons Private Villas at Punta Mita.

A dramatic traditional Mexican style Palapa covers the main living and dining room with sliding glass doors that disappear to reveal the spacious private terrace with an infinity edge plunge pool. Enjoy the 180 degree views of Banderas Bay, Sierra Madre Mountains and Vallarta’s coastline. Cash bonus to buyers agent.

PDF to send to your clients
http://lapuntarealty.com/puntaesmeralda/vistabahia.pdf

Photos for use on your agent/broker website
http://lapuntarealty.com/puntaesmeralda/webgallery

http://lapuntarealty.com/puntaesmeralda/

Click here to view the embedded video.

Max: 100 guests

San Miguel de Allende by the Sea. Exquisite and expansive private beach within the gated residential community called El Banco. Papelillos

Max: 80 guests

Dreamy as can be for a bare-footed bride. Amazing three acre estate at the end end of Ranchos beach, Punta Mita Resort. Hotel des Artistes

Max: 200 guests

Gorman or gourmet, Cafe des Artises puts on a delightfully decadent event. Casa Mis Amores

Max: 200 guests

Naturally exclusive estate on sixty-six acres of jungle oasis just South of Sayulita and North of Punta de Mita. Casa Seraphines & Casa del Quetzal

Max: 80 guests

Sister villas rich in cuture overlooking all of Conchas Chinas, the Bay of Banderas and Puerto Vallarta. Todo Bien

Max: 100 guests

Sparkling and new modern villa right in the beach or Ranchos Punta Mita, next door to Villa Romance. El Destino

Max: 150 guests

The tip of the Punta de Mita peninsula is a fantastic, full service destination within the Punta Mita Resort. Rancho Huracan

Max: 100 guests

Secret, secluded and beguilingly stylish jungle refuge stands as a very private work of art, just South of Sayulita.

Casa Amore Max: 200 guests Gorgeous and ornately world class 11 bedroom villa on spectacular Ranchos beach at the Punta Mita Resort.

Villa Amanecer Max: 80 guests Dramatic cliffside villa within the gated community called Pontoquito on the North Shore of Puerto Vallarta just minutes from the Punta Mita Resort

Dos Estrellas +/-100 guests Hollywod fairy tale villa from another era with an absurdly beautiful 360 degree view of all Careyes.

Hacienda San Angel Max: 130 guests An inspiratiion: This boutique hotel has no peer in detail, style, service, location and charm.

Quinta Crescencia Max: 100 guests Close to town and created for entertaining in style. With a majestic Sierra Madre hillside view overlooking all Banderas Bay.

Villa Romance Max: 100 guests Picturesque and sublimely intimate and grassy view to maybe the best spot on Ranchos beach, Punta Mita.

China Blanca Max: 200 guests Minimalist grandeur on the cliifs of El Farallon, North Shore Puerto Vallarta, just South of the Punta Mita Resort.

Vista Magica Max: 200 guests Secret, secluded and beguilingly stylish jungle refuge stands as a very private work of art, just South of Sayulita.

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