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• Tennis Tournament Comes to Vallart a
The ATP Futures Tournament will take place September 3 to 8, with qualifying starting on September 1. About 32 single players and 16 teams of doubles with a ranking around the top 200 in the world will be competing for a $10,000 USD winning prize. The Continental Plaza will be the site for this tournament, which is considered just lower than a Challenger.

• Photo Exhibition at Vallarta's City Hall
City Hall is presenting a photographic exhibition September 24 to October 4 on the City Hall patio. The subject matter will be Puerto Vallarta, and all exhibiting artists are photographers who live in this town. Participants are requested to submit four photographs with a similar format, details of which are available at City Hall’s Cultural Department. It will be extremely interesting for both locals and visitors to see Vallarta through the creative inspiration of its own townsfolk.

• Weddings Popular in Vallarta
If Mexico is among the 10 most-visited countries in the world, Puerto Vallarta is becoming one of the most popular destinations in Latin America for weddings. Local estimates indicate that more than 4.000 weddings are held each year, which, along with the accompanying wedding party, means about 10.000 people a year come here for a wedding. The figures come as no surprise to many, given the idyllic scenery Puerto Vallarta offers such a romantic event.
Most couples choose a simple ceremony on the beach or a traditional service at Our Lady of Guadalupe; however, the choice of settings includes boats to balloons with Vallarta rapidly learning to cater to any fancy. However, in addition to honeymoon suites and beautiful settings, there is a unique feature here in Puerto Vallarta: the music of an authentic mariachi from Jalisco, where this type of music was born.

• Vallarta Fishing Tournament in November
Jalico’s 46th International Sailfishing Tournament is scheduled for November 17 to 19. The dates include the Mexican long weekend of November 20th, allowing more visitors to participate. There are many surprises in store for this year’s event, with car and cash prizes for each category: sailfish, marlin, dorado and tuna. The entry fee is $ 7,500 pesos, which must be received by October 31st, though the President of Vallarta’s Fishing Club has announced credit terms will be considered to encourage local participation, as well as counseling and advice for new participants. The opening get-together will take place at the Velas Vallarta Hotel on November 16 at 6 pm.

• November Arts Festival in Vallarta
From November 2 to 18 Vallarta glows with cultural events. This year, City Hall has organized a number of entertaining activities, which include concerts, dance performances, exhibitions, recitals and a festive opening night. Events take place in different locations around town, details of which are published in City Hall’s free brochure available at most hotel racks, downtown shops and tourist booths.

• Fox Participates in Tourism Planning
Last week, Mexican president Vicente Fox came to Nuevo Vallarta to hold a meeting with nine governors from the states of Aguascalientes, Colima, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Querétaro, San Luis de Potosí and Zacatecas. Plans, proposals and conclusions were put forward about how to promote and develop all these tourist destinations. Concerning the area of Banderas Bay, the government intends to start a marketing campaign to promote Vallarta as a single destination, where the states of Jalisco and Nayarit will be particularly active working together for this area.

• Elizabeth Taylor Cultural Center Proposed
Robert Roessel, owner of Santa Barbara Restaurant on Olas Altas, has embarked on a new enterprise to give Puerto Vallarta a cultural center where artists can exchange ideas and exhibit their work. This much-needed cultural center for artists, who currently depend exclusively on galleries for the exhibition of their work, has already received approval from the head of the Cultural Department at City Hall and financial support is being sought from different sectors. The center will be called the Elizabeth Taylor Cultural Center to honor Hollywood’s memorable actress, who forms part of the history of this town ever since she came to Vallarta to film The Night of the Iguana. Robert Roessel was also in the movie business, working with director Goerge Roy Hill for years, organizing film lectures at Warner Brothers and founding the Berkshire Film Society.

• Vallarta Soon to be Hog Heaven
Some 2.500 motorcycle fans will be coming to Vallarta in October 19 to 21 to celebrate the Harley Davidson convention and the V National H.O.G. Rally. The rally will leave Mexico City on October 18 and drive on to Guadalajara, where more riders will join the group, reaching Vallarta the following day; so locals will be able to see all kinds of models of the classic Harley Davidson running down the streets of Vallarta, as well as their fancy riders. The Sheraton will be arranging their welcome cocktail on the beach with live music, followed by a bar hop to local establishments. During their stay, the bikers will also be touring the area, visiting El Tuito, Las Palmas and Punta Mita.

• Sister Cities Set Up Cultural Exchange
María José Zorilla, head of Vallarta's cultural department, led the delegation visiting Santa Barbara, California, to arrange a cultural exchange between these sister cities that share similar settings by the Pacific ocean and economies geared on tourisism.
Meetings and discussions were held with a variety of officials, the results of which, according María José Zorilla, have been very positive and will bring fruitful results both for local artists and the tourist industry. Museum of Art director Robert Frankel is already setting up a cultural exchange between the two cities, including a Puerto Vallarta week to be held in Santa Barbara's Oak Park.

• Service Competition Winners Enter Quarter Finals
An important service competition organized by “Casa Beard” and “Club de Vatel” recently was held at Hacienda Cora, one of the prestigious members of Mexico Boutique Hotels. Café des Artistes’ Octavio Araiza and Emiliano Andrade of the Camino Real of Guadalajara were the winners and will go on to the national competition to be held October 5 at Expo Abastur Restaurant Hotel 2001 in Mexico City. More than 320 national and international companies will be represented at the expo and the winner will continue on to the Bocuse D'Or in Lyon, France.

• Three-in-one Concept a Winner
Lungomare, which means “little boardwalk” in Italian, offers an exciting new three-fold concept conceived by owner Ely Sepulveda, who wanted to create a “light” atmosphere to enjoy a sparkling, fun night. It is an Italian café, bar and ice-cream parlor all in one. With luminous light shades and modern décor, this petite establishment offers a friendly and chic space where you are bound to see and be seen by everyone. Comprising two separate floors, the little Lungomare opens up to the Malecon, where amusement is guaranteed by the constant flow of nightlife on the boardwalk .The menu is limited, but practical, with a variety of cold snacks. Sepulveda also plans to have periodic exhibitions of local painters. To celebrate its opening night on August 3, new paintings by local artist Manuel Adriá were presented.

• New Issue of Vallarta Lifestyles Now Available
The Summer/Fall 2001 issue of Vallarta Lifestyles is now available, featuring a special section on the local real estate market and a directory for home design and decoration.For subscriptions from the U.S.A. or Canada, pay only $19.95 USD. Residents of other countries please add $10 USD to subscription rate. Receive four issues per year: allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of the first issue.
To subscribe, send a check to Vallarta Lifestyles, 705 Martens CT. #78-299, Laredo, TX 78041-6010; or subscribe online. You can also find a selection of the articles from this issue online at http://virtualvallarta.com/vallarta/llifestyles/index.html.

• Annual Gourmet Festival in the Works
November is the month of Puerto Vallarta’s Gourmet Festival, which is probably the most anticipated event of the year. The finest hotels and restaurants invite prestigious chefs from around the world to present their artistic gourmet creations. During the Festival week, special gourmet full dinner menus are presented by the guest chef as well as wine- and food-tasting events. Furthermore, there are other surprises in store for this year’s festival, which will open with a reception cocktail on November 8 and close with a gala banquet on November 17. Locations and a calender of all events are expected to be published shortly, so you may make reseravations and plan ahead for this special occasion in Vallarta.

• Shop Till You Drop
Downtown Vallarta is becoming a select shopping niche of boutiques and art galleries, where you can find all kinds of handicrafts, objets d’art, as well as fashion boutiques. Recently, a new boutique called Mar de Sueños opened to the public. Located on Leona Vicario, it offers the finest Italian lingerie from La Perla and other prestigious trademarks. On Pipila, a new store promises to be the trendiest shoe store in Vallarta, and quite a treat for those women who just love buying shoes. Lucca carries shoes from León, famous in México for the quality of its manufacturing.

• Solar Eclipse Best Viewed in Vallarta
In addition to a warm climate, beautiful beaches and golf courses, as well as magnificent scenery, Puerto Vallarta is also blessed with curious natural phenomena such as the whales and giant turtles that visit these shores each year to breed.
For the year 2002, a new experience is in store for those visiting this exciting town on Banderas Bay. On June 10, Vallarta will be the privileged site for the first solar eclipse of the year. The areas for viewing the eclipse will extend from Indonesia across the Pacific to just 30 km south of Puerto Vallarta, where the eclipse will become complete, ending with a spectacular ring of fire in the final seconds of its earthbound journey. To witness this surprise of nature is undoubtedly a lifetime experience, particularly in bewitching Mexico, where its indigenous cultures strongly believed that this moment was magical because the “Sun ate the Moon” and anything could happen after such an extraordinary occurrence.

• New Chef for River Cafe
The innovative River Café, located in a particularly beautiful spot by the River Cuale, is news today as it has recently secured a new chef, Freddy Gustavo Ochoa, from Argentina. Freddy, as he likes to be called, intends to put his culinary expertise and zeal into this challenging experience. Though he intends to travel round the world, he promises to leave his hallmark here in Vallarta. His enthusiasm and love of his trade is overwhelming, “he cooks with passion” and wants to make any gastronomic experience a moment to remember. At present, he is working with his staff preparing his new menu, which will be a creative fusion of Mediterranean, Mexican and Asian cuisine.

• Investment Boom in Vallarta
In the following months, Puerto Vallarta will receive investments of 100 million dollars, which will boost Puerto Vallarta’s economy and provide employment opportunities. Several commercial projects are in progress such as a new Commercial Mexicana location and WalMart store, as well as the extension of the Plaza Caracol and Gigante commercial areas. Furthermore, real estate development is underway in the Amapas area and Bay View Grand has initiated a new construction phase.

• Exhibtions and New Gallery
Art lovers in Vallarta can enjoy a very interesting exhibition at Galería Timari on Leona Vicario. Javier Arévalo is a highly acclaimed artist from Guadalajara whose work makes up part of the most important national and international museum collections. He has received twenty-five awards and on three occasions was awarded the Adquisition Prize from the Mexican Plastic Arts Yearly Hall. At Galería Rosas Blancas on Juárez, local artist Manuel Adriá showcases some of his paintings from his two latest exhibitions. Full of imaginative and surprising talent, Manuel is originally from Barcelona, Spain, and worked with Dalí before he came to live in Mexico.
Mireya and Rodolfo Niño have opened their new gallery, “Galería de Mireya y Rodolfo”located on Libertad. During their opening celebration party held last week, the gallery exhibited original art work by Rodolfo Niño, who uses glass for his naïf inspired paintings. Rodolfo has described his technique as “glass-fusion”, for he transforms the painted work into different glass shapes where colors fuse together.

• Pacific Rim Summit in Vallarta
Although initial predictions forecast Cancun or Cabo San Lucas as the site for the 2002 Pacific Rim Summit, according to officials at the federal Secretary of the Economy department in Mexico City, Puerto Vallarta is likely to be the final choice. Governor of Jalisco, Ramírez Acuña, has played a very important role in lobbying for Vallarta as the best candidate for this important political meeting, which will bring together 24 Heads of State. This event has been locally compared to the historical meeting between President Nixon and Mexico’s President Diaz Ordaz, which was held in 1980 and brought about a series of general infrastructural developments such as the opening of Vallarta’s airport, the Compostela-Vallarta highway and the Marina Terminal.
Several projects are being planned in Vallarta, among them the construction of a Convention Center, the Guadalajara-Puerto Vallarta highway and remodeling the downtown image. No doubt, the celebration of the Pacific Rim Nations’ Conference will speed decision-making and civil works and open Vallarta to the world not only as a tourist destination but also as a modern city with the capacity to host such an important political event.

• Proposal to Spruce Up Downtown
Inspired by his love for his hometown Vallarta, architect Salvador Cachi Pérez recently submitted a project to improve the visual image and urban infrastructure of the town center to the municipal authorities. Despite some criticism, the project has begun to receive acceptance from different sectors.
The most debated proposal is the extension and widening of the Malecon, which would reach from the Sheraton hotel in the north to Conchas Chinas in the south, including an esplanade from the seahorse sculpture to the naval clinic. This would also entail reconditioning the beaches along the boardwalk with staircases and areas for scheduled activities, such as the seasonal baby turtle release, to exhibit the wildlife of the bay to our visitors.
Other important improvements include two underground parking areas on Cárdenas Square and Parque Hidalgo Square, refurbishing the Main Square and the hotel Rosita area, building a double crosswalk from the Cuale Island to the beach, as well as an open-air theater for public entertainment and a recreation area for children with parks and paddling pools.

• Antiques at the Café des Artistes Gallery
As well as offering painting exhibits, the Café des Artistes Gallery is now offering antiques, a new concept in Puerto Vallarta and a complementary field to the already successful interior décor market. Omar Alonso, manager of this gallery, is a lifetime antique lover who has decided to invest his effort in this new enterprise by acquiring 223 objets d’art from around the world. The exhibit showcases a beautiful arrangement of antiques where you may find anything from French stained glass pieces from the 17th-century to a classic Madonna.

• Another Luxury Hotel for Punta Mita
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts announced they will be making a $290 million USD investment in Mexico with two new properties. The locations chosen are Punta Mita to the north of Vallarta and the Yucatan. Rosewood is a very prestigious chain of ultra-luxury hotels with nine low- density hotels and six resorts. The project will be completed by 2004 and both properties will feature a world-class spa, international cuisine restaurants and 61 suites. Punta Mita is becoming increasingly popular as a first-class destination ever since the Mexican Dine Group invested in the area with the construction of the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel and the challenging and beautiful Punta Mita Golf Course designed by Jack Nichlaus.

• New Tourist Info Booths
The Municipal Tourist Office, in coordination with Profeco Puerto Vallarta (Consumer’s Advocate Office) and the state tourist office, Setujal, are installing new information booths in the Romantic Zone on Plaza Lazaro Cárdenas similar to the one placed in front of the Hotel Rosita on the Malecon. At the booths, tourists will be provided with brochures on activities and general information on their visit to town. The booths will be open from 9:00 a. m. to 6:00 p.m. Tourists may also find useful information at the Tourist Office located on the southeast corner of the City Hall, open from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.

• Aero California Now Serves Vallarta
The Mexican airline Aero California began their flight service to Puerto Vallarta International Airport on July 6. This new service will connect Vallarta to Mexico City every Friday and Sunday aboard their DC-9- airplanes. The airline's executives, who recently visited Vallarta for the promotion of this new flight, announced a further extension of the route to Los Angeles, which is scheduled to begin August 16.

• Cuban Music Popular in Vallarta
Cuban music and dances are becoming increasingly popular in Vallarta. There are several places that offer the best entertainment inspired by the traditions and ambiance of this island. Among them is La Bodeguita del Medio, a replica of the original bar from La Habana, which offers live music every night, while you sip a delicious “mojito” or smoke an authentic Cuban cigar. For late-night entertainment, Mirage is the best place to go in town, for its attractive Cuban group Coco Hache will make you jump to the dance floor and dance the night away to the hot rhythms of merengue and salsa.

• More Sculptures for the Malecon?
The sculptures of Vallarta are part of the town’s contemporary artistic legacy and have become extremely popular among tourists. Each one has its own little history and caused controversy when they were first installed, such as the famous "In Search of Reason," which was thought to be dangerous for children because of its ladder. Today, there is a new debate regarding whether to install a new project between Los Arcos and the Sea Horse. At City Hall, Maria José Zorilla, Head of the Culture Department, has rejected the proposal because she feels the Malecon is already saturated.

• Trio Reopens New and Improved
After a short summer break, Bernard Guth and Peter Lodes reopened their restaurant, Trio, not only with air-conditioning, but also with a lighter summer menu and new energy. Their appetizers include a shrimp fennel orange salad or a poppadella with artichokes and as a main course you might try their braised lamb with wilted greens and lemon grass au jus or their Atlantic Salmon grilled with a ragout of mango and jalapenos, sauted barley and escarole.

• Vallarta in the London Travel Fair
In an attempt to make Puerto Vallarta known in Europe, the Secretary of Tourism for Jalisco confirmed yesterday that this city would take part in the London Travel Fair in November. This travel gathering is one of the most important in Europe, and it will be the first time Vallarta participates in such an event. Though Vallarta receives Dutch, German and English tourists, Europe is still a target market for further promotion. Other endeavors to attract European visitors have recently been made with Poland, and Finland has announced they will have a weekly charter landing here in the coming season.

• Vallarta Youngsters Instructed in Principles of Tourism
In a new program designed to promote the proper attitude toward visitors from other countries, dozens of local youth were officially recognized as Guardians of the Ecological Tourism Heritage. As part of the ceremony held at the Continental Hotel, they were given 10 principles to practice: greet visitors in a warm and friendly way, treat visitors as you would want to be treated, offer quick and friendly service or help, pursue education, be informed about the town so you can offer accurate information, care for the public areas, tell friends that it's everyone's responsibility to help visitors, don't overcharge or promise things you can't deliver and, most importantly, smile.

• New Archaeological Site Near PV
During the recent construction of a new soccer field in Colonia El Mangal near El Pitillal, thousands of pre-Hispanic pottery fragments were discovered. Apparently, the rains had helped to unveil the treasure. Archaelogists say that some of the potsherds date back to the Classic period between 600 and 1000 A.D., but they have to unearth and classify all the fragments to make an accurate assessment of this discovery. With this purpose, diligent María José Zorilla, Head of the Culture Department at City Hall, has already contacted Eneida Baños Ramos, an archaeologist from the National Institute of Anthropology and History, who was working in Nayarit, so that she may take charge.

• Sea Turtles On the Way
Nature always surprises everyone in Vallarta and the annual arrival of the sea turtles is one of the most celebrated occurrences in Banderas Bay. July is the month when the eggs start hatching and the baby turtles are seen toddling along the shores making their way into the ocean. Many local hotels organize activities for guests to enjoy this striking and exciting moment, which has become a kind of tradition here in Vallarta. Children particularly enjoy watching these little creatures and are encouraged to take part in their release. Organizers claim that it serves a good purpose, as they will cherish this little memory and it helps them develop an affectionate relationship with the environment. In order to ensure the protection of this species, ecological groups, the Navy and hotel owners participate in the release programs.

• Nature Center Proposed for El Salado
The CUC (University Center of the Coast), always an active member of this community, has stepped forward to propose a solution for the polemical protected area of El Salado. They claim that the use of this area has to be carefully planned, as it is the last green area Puerto Vallarta owns. Therefore, their suggestion includes adding more land to this area, strictly supervising the construction area and creating a nature center devoted to the biodiversity of Banderas Bay, with organized didactic routes to learn about the flora and fauna of this region. Dean Jeffrey Fernández Rodríguez has also claimed that the University of Guadalajara has an important part to play in this issue and is prepared to assume responsibilities and contribute to the planning for this important green area.

• Nourishing the Body and Mind in the Romantic Zone
An original establishment called Rendez-vous has opened in the Romantic Zone. Its originality lies in the combination of atmosphere it has managed to create by selling books and exhibiting paintings, drawings and other handicrafts. The artist on exhibition at the moment is Philippo LoGrande, with a collection of Guadalupe paintings.
Although, they originally started selling books, it has gradually extended its field of scope to include breakfasts and lunch specials as well. The new menu offers daily specials such as Roast Leg of Lamb with mint sauce or Roast Beef Special at very reasonable prices. Their enthusiastic owners, Carole Oury and Brenda Martin have created their own bohemian space where you can enjoy a bit of everything from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• High Season for Fish
In addition to tuna, sailfish, black and blue marlin are also plentiful. The summer is the best time for fishing and it looks like the season is just starting.
200 yellowfin tuna arrived at Corbeteñia reef, located 36 miles off the coast. This one, which weighs 280 pounds, was caught by Captain Steve Torres Soto on the High Maintenance run by Master Baiter's Sportsfishing & Tackle on June 12. Steve catches as many huge yellowfin tuna per season as all the other boats combined. In addition to tuna, sailfish, black and blue marlin are also plentiful.

• Joint Promotion of Vallarta
After a long series of meetings and negotiations, which have lasted years and produced a lot of debate between the states of Jalisco and Nayarit, the Governors have come to terms with the benefits of joint promotion. The Governor of Jalisco, Francisco Ramírez Acuña, and the Governor of Nayarit, Antonio Echevarría, have signed an agreement of cooperation to promote all the towns and villages that lie along the coast of Banderas Bay.The area will be referred to as Vallarta and will be promoted as a single destination.This joint effort will bring further financial support and additional resources to promote this area and increase administrative cooperation between states.

• New Bookstore Downtown
A few cafés and the Librería Limón used to be about the only places to buy reading material in Puerto Vallarta until the opening of a new bookstore, "Libros, Libros/Books Books". Its main appeal for this bicultural community is that it offers a wide selection of books in both English and Spanish.
In an air-conditioned and modern ambiance with two spacious floors, books on a wide variety of subjects, as well as 80 monthly and weekly magazines, videos and Mexican music CDs are available.
The location is also quite handy on Calle 31 de Octubre, around the corner from McDonald's Malecon.

• Mega Project in Punta Mita
Grupo Dine Coorporation, one of the most important developers in Mexico, has announced a mega project for the Punta Mita area of Costa Vallarta, with an investment of half a billion dolars.
Located at the north end of Banderas Bay, Punta Mita is an enchanting peninsula that has been transformed into the most exclusive resort in Mexico.
The first phase of this project included the splendid Four Seasons Hotel, which has become a favorite among celebrities, and the Four Seasons Golf Course, which was designed by Jack Nichlaus and boasts one of the most challenging golf holes in the area.
Adjacent to these two major projects, Dine is creating a development for the most luxurious and exclusive residential properties on the Mexican Pacific coast. The company has several styles of dream homes designed by their own architects. As builiding a house can become a daunting hurdle in a foreign country, the company has also carefully planned this process making the deal more simple and attractive for foreign buyers.

• Wal-Mart Coming to Puerto Vallarta
After Sams' big success, a new Wal-Mart department store is expected to open in November. Both stores are owned by the Wal-Mart Corporation, which has announced that the building will be located next to Sams on a 40,000 square meter plot. Wal-mart will be offering employment to 450 locals.

• Golf Discounts in Summer
Summer is a great time to play golf in Costa Vallarta. Although temperatures rise, the courses are less crowded and many reduce their prices. A survey of the local courses yielded the following rates for green fees, including golf cart and balls.
Marina Vallarta Golf Club: US$85.
The new and magnificent Vista Vallarta Golf Club: US$105.
Flamingos Golf Club:$US 85.
The Mayan Palace in Nuevo Vallarta is constructing a beautiful18-hole golf course which is scheduled to open in December. However, general manager Abel Santos has announced that nine-holes will be available for golf-players and professional residents in Vallarta in July, so that they may become familiar with its grounds before its official inauguration.

• Giant Mantas in Costa Vallarta
Costa Vallarta is well-known in Mexico for its unique wildlife. As well as humpback whales, giant sea turtles and dolphins, Costa Vallarta is home to another spectacular natural phenomenon, the giant mantas that live in the bay.
Though commonly feared, giant mantas are completely harmless. To make people aware of the mantas' true nature, the School of Biologists of Puerto Vallarta has begun an informative campaign including the different species that inhabit the bay, their behavior patterns and locations.
Many species feed mainly on planktom. The average length of the species that inhabit Banderas Bay is 2-1/2 meters, though some may reach 7 or 8 meters. Mantas are very common to the south of the bay near Cabo Corrientes and around the Marieta Islands. Tourists often see them in their snorkelling tours to these areas. Some even caress and ride on these magnificant creatures as if they were dolphins.

• New boutique downtown
The sprouting of more restaurants and shops is rather noticeable in the downtown area. Among these is a new boutique called LuLu right on Morelos between Corona and Aldama streets. It carries a wide selection of exotic and trendy clothing items, as well as a selection of shoes and different accessories. They have a nice pair of jeans for $350 pesos.
No doubt, the clothing scene is picking up an important market in Puerto Vallarta, where before most shops used to focus on beachwear.

• Windsurfing in Costa Vallarta
Although Costa Vallarta has always been known for its good surfing spots such as Sayulita and Punta Mita, it now is becoming popular among windsurfers.
Along the north shore of Banderas Bay, from Nuevo Vallarta up to Punta Mita, there are a number of good places to sail, some better, but all different. This allows choice, depending on the ability and taste of the windsurfer.
The north shore recieves a pattern of wind like a canal that rushes and gusts in over the base of the Mita Peninsula and onto the north shore. For those who like long-haul sails and hit every surfbreak, there are at least three break points along the way from Punta Mita to Bucerías. One of the favorite spots for windsurfers is Bucerías. Located a short distance from Puerto Vallarta, this is where the big winds and guns are found, particularly around mid-afternoon.
However, despite the interest in this sport, there is still a lot of work to be done to promote and sponsor windsurfing in Costa Vallarta. An association would be the first step to organize and promote this activity, which would no doubt attract a sport- and nature-loving tourist to Costa Vallarta. From a commercial viewpoint, it may also be an interesting business opportunity to consider.

• Hotel discount in the Romantic Zone
The Romantic Zone is one of the most picturesque parts of Puerto Vallarta and has seen a recent sprouting of sidewalk restaurants, shops and bars. The hotels in this area are smaller and many have beachfront rooms. We have selected one of them for its excellent service and intimate ambiance, as well as the particular good rates it is offering for this low season.
Vallarta Shores is a quaint but luxurious hotel located right on Los Muertos beach. It offers a 30% discount for its 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom condominiums, with fully equiped kitchen,terrace overlooking the bay and pool. This discount will be in effect until October 27. For further information please contact:
www.VallartaShores.com

• World Golf Championship for Vallarta
After hosting the U.S. Collegiate Golf Championship Tournament in April, the new Vista Vallarta Golf Club is now the selected golf location to celebrate the World Golf Championships. This important golf event will take place December 10-17, 2002.
With 6 impressive golf courses (2 of these under construction), Costa Vallarta is coming up in the world as one of the best golf locations. No doubt the beautiful sites on the Pacific Ocean at the foot of the Sierra Madres and tropical climate are their biggest assets, as well as the warm welcome of traditional Mexican hospitality.

• From a 100 Days to a 25 Year Plan
After the recent uproar concerning City Hall's failure to complete the Hundred Days project, a serious study by municipal and state authorities is now under way to analyze the kind of development Bahía Banderas is heading for in the next 25 years. This long-term planning is proof that our destination is undergoing changes in both the kind of tourists it attracts and the nature of what it offers them.
This study has revealed that our tourists are no longer the same kind of visitors. The figures are striking. In 1990, 75% of the tourists went to the beach, while in 2000 only 27% were beach-goers. Five years ago, only 5% of tourists were interested in cultural matters, but today the average has risen to 45%.
Also, our high and low seasons seem to have become less distinct. Our variety of real estate units, hotels, restaurants, sports activities (with golf serving as a major tourist attraction), not to mention our active community of artists and the charm and beauty of this quaint town, have all contributed to diversifying the kind of tourists we receive and making them want to return.
However, there is still a lot of work to be done. We need to absorb this expansion with an environmentally concious plan and control over speculation. Vallarta must also maintain competitive prices; although our tourists may love Vallarta, they will not return if prices become prohibitive. This responsibility and awareness falls on both municipal authorities and citizens.