The annual fiestas in La Cruz began this past April 25 with a series of activities that culminate on Tuesday, May 3, the day in which the catholic church celebrates Día de la Santa Cruz, or Holy Cross Day. Traditional fiestas take place on different dates in just about every town surrounding Puerto Vallarta, offering an ideal opportunity for visitors and locals to acquaint themselves with time-honored traditions celebrated, for that matter, all over Mexico. What is there to do? We checked with our friend and colleague Elsa Alba of Villa Bella, a scenic bed and breakfast inn located with a privileged view of La Cruz and the rest of Banderas Bay.

"Aside from the traditional festivals, performances and live musicians taking place every day, there will be a formal procession, a perfect photo-op, at noon on May 3," she commented. "Special masses are celebrated daily at 7 pm, followed by festivites organized by the municipality, which usually include traditional mexican food and drinks, vendors offering traditional Mexican crafts, amusement rides, firework displays and much more."

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is located 15 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, in Riviera Nayarit.

Source: Elsa Alba