Head to the Mountains!: If you are new to Banderas Bay or on a short-term vacation, chances are that you will want to remain fairly close to your home or hotel, as you will find a plethora of things to do in Puerto Vallarta and its immediate surroundings.

Birds of the Bay: These are two of more than 300 different bird species that can be spotted locally. Search for them on your own or visit www.birdinginmexico.com to learn about professionally guided birding tours.

Music: Movers and Shakers: We cannot possibly do justice to the increasingly vast and varied live music scene here in Puerto Vallarta in a single installment. Like waves on the sand, every year seems to come and go, leaving behind new and memorable performances by talented performers from all walks of life.

Tequila Lingo: Most folks know that tequila is as emblematic to Mexico as vodka is to Russia. Made from the blue agave plant, not only is tequila exclusively manufactured in Mexico, but its production is also limited to a specific region of the country, mostly in Jalisco, where its origin can be traced to the town of the same name.

Mazunte, Empowering Villagers to Protect the Planet: What happens when you provide turtle hunters with an alternative, more profitable modus vivendi, one they can pursue without further endangering a protected species?

Patrick Denoun: For more than 20 years Vallarta was fortunate to have Patrick Denoun as a resident artist. Originally from France but more a citizen of the world, Patrick provided us with art that was continually evolving and fascinating, for Patrick was not one to be complacent and just paint what he knew would sell.

Elote: Widely cultivated around the world today, this grain was originally domesticated more than 9,000 years ago in central Mexico and to this day remains one of our country’s staple foods.

Tortilla Soup: The tortilla has been a staple in Mexico since, as the Mayan legend goes, a peasant made the first dozen as a gift for his king in 10,000 BC. And ever since the 16th century, when the Spaniards came to Mexico bringing their tradition of soup, as well as the chickens and spices from which to make flavorful stock, there has been wonderful tortilla soup.

Hot Spot: Pulpito Street: A funky South Side block with a bohemian feel stretching, for the sake of argument, from landmark beachfront restaurants El Dorado and La Palapa to happening Olas Altas and Picnic restaurant 21 stairs above it, this place to see and be seen offers a bit of everything.

Mary Sue Morris: A fearless visionary with a can-do attitude, boundless energy and an unparalleled sense of fun, adventure and style, Mary Sue Morris was perhaps the most dynamite business woman Puerto Vallarta has ever seen, her ultra-glamorous Viva jewelry store and Viva Girls the talk of the town.