Puerto Vallarta On Screen: An Update: When John Huston arrived in Puerto Vallarta in 1963, along with his film crew and actors from “The Night of the Iguana,” no one imagined the impact it would have on tourism development in the region. What important projects have been filmed or recorded recently?
Traditional Mexican Toys: Whether you find yourself shopping in a small town mercado or in a large city, chances are you will come across traditional Mexican toys, simple devices often made out of wood, recycled tin cans or woven fibers.
Getting to Know Puerto Vallarta Through Its Maritime History: In addition to its natural attractions and recreational activities, Puerto Vallarta is also rich in maritime history, as can be seen at the Naval Historical Museum located beside Los Arcos Amphitheater in El Centro.
A New Crown for Our Lady of Guadalupe: The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the oldest parish in the region and a popular symbol of Puerto Vallarta, has finally received its new crown, which was blessed in a moving ceremony held October 12, 2009.
Living Vibrantly—Embrace the Process, Love the Journey!: After years of career obligations and parenting responsibilities, many in the second half of life discover an incredible opportunity for reinvention. Dreams put on hold re-emerge in the psyche.
EntreAmigos New Bodega: EntreAmigos, a non-profit community development organization established in San Pancho to address social, economic and environmental problems arising from accelerated development, has recently inaugurated their brand new “bodega” community center at the entrance to this peaceful oceanside town an hour north of Puerto Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit.
Sculpting With Gum: Thomas Adams may have commercialized chewing gum as we know it in 1871, but gum, or chicle, as it is known in Spanish, can be traced back to Aztec times, where it was used as a teeth-cleaning method.
Handmade Books, Puerto Vallarta Style: For over a decade, Pini Salcedo and Carlos Uribe, two skilled Puerto Vallarta artists, have taken it upon themselves to partner with the aforementioned restaurants, making regular pickups and transforming the paper “tablecloths” into unique handmade books.
Great Tips for Future Residents: Are you ready to make the big transition and relocate to Puerto Vallarta? For most of us, moving to a different city or country involves a slew of cultural, logistical, financial and medical adjustments.
Typical Mexican Candies, Preserving Tradition: There isn’t a market in Mexico that doesn’t sell candy typical of the region or even other regions of the country.
Make Friends, Make a Difference: Do you have extra time in your hands? Here is a partial list of charitable organizations that offer volunteer opportunities (listed alphabetically).
Tipping Tips: The notion of offering a gratuity in appreciation for a job well done can be traced back to the 18th century.
Scouting in Vallarta: The scouting movement initiated in 1907 by British Army Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development so they can play constructive roles in society is very much alive throughout Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta is no exception.
Puerto Vallarta Zoo: Even if being kissed on the lips by a full-grown giraffe is not your cup of tea, the Puerto Vallarta Zoo (Zoologico de Vallarta) in Mismaloya offers up-close and personal encounters with a variety of species, large and small, less than 25 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Take the Puerto Vallarta Fan Test!: Congratulations! You are now in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. But have you truly been to Puerto Vallarta? Here are some must-do’s for you to consider if you wish to secure your place among the most committed Puerto Vallarta fans.
Experiencing Vallarta: Where to Stay: One of the most alluring features of Puerto Vallarta as a destination is that — unless you are traveling onboard one of the many cruise ships that dock for the day at our Maritime Terminal or are simply driving through on your way somewhere else — when the day is done and it’s time to get some well-deserved rest after exploring our town, the lodging options are as plentiful and varied as our restaurant choices.
Los Mangos Public Library: More Than Just Books: Serving an average 200 users per day, the Los Mangos Public Library has evolved over the past decade to become one of Puerto Vallarta’s most important community centers.
Manuel Lepe Promotes the Rights of Children Once Again: Once again, UNICEF has selected a painting by deceased Puerto Vallarta artist Manuel Lepe to promote the rights of children, as it did in 1979 and 1984. This time the selected painting, titled La Procesión II, features children participating in the December pilgrimages to Our Lady of Guadalupe church.
Homemade Ice Cream: While most of us have been succumbing to this sublime favorite for eons, producing ice cream at home or in small quantities has been a labor-intensive task until recently. Smaller, electric ice cream makers that rely on small canisters that can be placed in the freezer ahead of time to facilitate production have taken the place of old-fashioned hand-cranked machines that required ice chunks and salt for cooling.
Viva Mexico!: First-time visitors to Mexico often marvel at our country’s vast heritage. It is no wonder that so many tourists from the United States and Canada head south and often choose to relocate here. But unless we pay close attention, we frequently fail to realize the extent to which Mexico has permeated the world. Read on and you’ll realize that, even if you haven’t been to Mexico before, Mexico’s been closer to you than you think.
