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Malecón Extension Authorized The proposed extension of the popular Malecón in Puerto Vallarta will connect the ocean walk downtown with the South Side and its many restaurants and businesses. With an infusion of $9.5 million pesos, the extension of the Malecón from Los Arcos Amphitheater to the new pedestrian bridge over the Cuale River has been approved with a three-part funding program, including municipal, state and federal levels. Officials meet this week to work out details of the project, stalled in previous attempts due to the strategic location of the Naval Military Hospital right at the corner across from Los Arcos. A stairway already leads to Isla Rio Cuale from the pedestrian bridge, where the recently inaugurated museum offers tourists a glimpse into the culture and history of the region.
Beaches Certified Clean Puerto Vallarta has received the cleanliness certification for its beaches from SEMARNAT (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, the national organization of the environment and natural resources). In total, 176 beaches in 17 states received the certification in December, based on tests of contamination levels, a program begun in April 2003. Since its inception, national and local awareness has helped reduce by 16 the number of contaminated beaches nationally. Evaluation of the water is continual, despite the certification, based on varying conditions. Marine biologists specializing in measuring contamination levels represent educational institutions of Guadalajara and Nayarit to guarantee the safety of our local beaches for tourists as well as local residents.
Celebrate New Year's in Vallarta With New Year’s celebrations around the corner, Puerto Vallarta dresses in its holiday best for visitors from destinations around the world. Incoming flights are full, while the highways are evidence of vehicle traffic from points across the country. Even the Aerotrón terminal located next to the international airport has received more private planes than ever before. Nearly every hotel and restaurant has special events planned to celebrate the event, with package prices to attract visitors and local residents. Downtown is traditionally the most popular place to view the fireworks show along the Malecón, offering security and even post-midnight bus transportation to many neighborhoods.
Paco Rentería Helps Red Cross A thundering fundraiser by internationally renowned musician Paco Rentería at Hotel Dreams recently brought in $6,825 pesos for the local chapter of the Red Cross. In the program co-sponsored by Red Cross director Luis Reyes Brambila and Eduardo Segura, general manager of Hotel Dreams, the guitarist performed his traditional Nuevo Flamenco as well as new songs from his current world tour, “Gitano,” in which he presents New Age, Big Band, Swing and a fusion of Rumba Flamenco with Samba. Donations from the audience of nearly 300, many of them long-time fans of the musician who has performed in Vallarta since he began as a young man, will go toward building a new Red Cross hospital with proper emergency surgery facilities. Spanning the area from 150 km south to 150 km north of Puerto Vallarta, the Red Cross also seeks further funding for much-needed additional ambulance service. In the last year, service calls have increased by 100 to the tune of 16 calls per day, says public relations representative Adán Castellanos.
Health Tourism Offering the option of “health tourism” in Puerto Vallarta, the not-yet-completed Cornerstone Hospital was inaugurated recently to introduce the state-of-the-art concept to the Vallarta public. Based in Texas, Cornerstone promises accessible medical attention with the best equipment available at reasonable prices. Planned to serve both the foreign and Mexican communities, bilingual doctors will begin service early in 2005. One of the major reasons for the decision of the directors to locate the hospital in Puerto Vallarta was the climate, considered optimum for rehabilitation in what could be termed “health tourism.” Founded in 1996 in Texas, the institution promises to revolutionize the medical system, thereby cutting hospital stays for patients by providing the very best care available. In affiliation with internationally recognized institutions such as the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and the Hospital Civil in Guadalajara, Cornerstone is hosting a medical conference in February that will be attended by specialists in medicine from around the world. Cornerstone Hospital is centrally located in the Hotel Zone behind Plaza Caracol at Tules 136.
Parking in the Parks As necessary as additional parking has become to growing Puerto Vallarta, the oft-proposed project of municipal parking has continually met with opposition from vendors at the stands located primarily in Hidalgo Park. Although relocation has not yet begun, the current proposal calls for the construction of two major parking lots to begin January 3. The second location in Benito Juárez Park is already a parking lot operated by DIF, with a combined total of 462 parking spaces at a cost of approximately $60 million pesos. Due to holiday vacation time, architect Enrique Fernando Rivas Villanueva of the Urban Planning Department was unavailable for comment.
Calle Corona Closes Rejoicing was heard with the authorization of closing Calle Corona in downtown Puerto Vallarta by the business owners located there. Mayor Gustavo González Villaseñor visited the street when first elected when the association, represented by Artemisa Hicks of Galería Corona and Luis Fitch of Taberna San Pascual and Los Xitomates and other business owners, petitioned for permanent closure. The block-long section of the street between Morelos and Juárez, lined with galleries, restaurants and cafés, has been the scene of recent street fairs, hosting the Sister City Association during the visit of the Santa Barbara chapter. During this temporary closure, December 20 - January 6, the businesses plan to host evening events.
Spotlight Shines The spotlight is shining brightly for local theater group Spotlight Productions, under the able direction of Kathleen Hennen. Just opened is the Abba revival, “Abracadabra,” based on the music of the Swedish pop group from the Broadway hit “Mamma Mia.” You’ll recognize the soulful “Fernando,” the hot “Does your Mother Know,” or the melodic “I do, I do, I do,” starring Hennen, Cathy Overly and newcomer Kim Warren. Evening performances at La Petite France at 8 pm Friday and Sunday offer diners a special 10% discount when dining prior to the show. To flesh out their season, the ensemble cast also revived “The Last Time I Saw Paris,” a medley of songs and dances related to the romantic city, which played to sold-out audiences during the summer months. And soon to open is the comedy “Steel Magnolias,” so popular with the public two seasons ago. For tickets and information, call 221-5157 or La Petite France at 293-0900.
Museum Reopens The Rio Cuale Museum reopened this past week after a major remodeling of the building and a restructuring of the concept. Curator Otto Schonduve presented the archaeological/artistic/historical exposition with the reminder that “the soul of Mexico is located in her pueblos.” One side of the museum houses a spiffed-up permanent collection, while the other side will feature special exhibitions, the first one including an exhibition of Huichol art. As an important attraction for tourists, the museum will be more accessible from downtown once the extension of the Malecón is completed in 2005. The museum is free to the public and will host student groups during the school year.
United Airlines Flies to Puerto Vallarta for the First Time uerto Vallarta greeted United Airlines’ maiden flights from San Francisco and Denver this week, increasing travel options for tourists arriving from the United States. Airport officials greeted passengers and United representatives with mariachi, refreshments and other amenities. Upon arrival, United’s GM in Mexico City Carlos H. Bragado declared that Puerto Vallarta “is a very popular destination among US travelers.” As far as the possibility of adding flights originating elsewhere in the US, he mentioned that this is a strong possibility that will depend on the success of these initial routes.
Whale Watching Season Officially Begins Although some early “birds” began arriving mid November, whale watching season officially began this week. By the time it ends in mid January, an estimated 250 whales migrating from as far as Alaska will have entered Banderas Bay. While Puerto Vallarta visitors can benefit from this spectacular perennial phenomenon from the shore, many tour operators offer a closer look. The Wildlife and Natural Resources Department (Semarnat) suggests caution when choosing a whale watching tour operator. Only a select few (23 in Puerto Vallarta) can obtain an official permit, and only after undergoing a special training program.
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