Kids love Puerto Vallarta because there is so much for them to do here, and parents know that they will be safe and well entertained. There are lots of tours for kids: any number of cruises to see humpback whales wintering in the warm waters of Banderas Bay, swimming with the dolphins in the wild or in captivity and snorkeling tours and lessons that will take you and your parents to tropical beaches. There is even Los Arcos, a National Marine Park offshore that has coves and underwater caves to explore. And the Marietta Islands are home to hundreds of species of wildlife.
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.
Best Reason to Fly to Puerto Vallarta Today: More Options: Alaska Airlines (
www.alaskaair.com) and Mexicana (
www.mexicana.com) report that in the last year Puerto Vallarta has remained a strong and attractive tourist destination for the international market.
Best Online Development to Affect Puerto Vallarta: Google Maps: Sometime in the last few months, Google Maps updated their map and satellite image database for Puerto Vallarta and surroundings, making this popular tool much more valuable for everyone from local real estate companies to businesses hoping to be found by locals and visitors.
Best Building We’d Like to See More Of: Posada Río Cuale: It was back in 1963 that David Hernandez gave life to Hotel Posada Río Cuale, one of the original hotels in Puerto Vallarta.
Best Venues With Easy Access: What’s perfect for one may not be so good for the other when it comes to accessibility in Puerto Vallarta; however, it’s heartwarming to see the growing trend of restaurants, shops and other venues making the necessary modifications to facilitate ease of access for those using wheelchairs and walkers.
Best Neighborhood Improvement: Bucerias Main Road: Less is more, especially when it means eliminating the things that are an inconvenience when walking or driving, such as uneven cobblestones, speed bumps and pot holes.
Best Green Remodeling Project: Remodeling to better promote a business can go hand in hand with caring for the environment. Oscar’s restaurant (223-0789) has demonstrated this with its recent remodel by including the surrounding gardens that are, in essence, public spaces.
Best Green Company in Puerto Vallarta: CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa: From implementing a new water heating system that reduces smoke pollution by 503 tons of carbon emission per year to ensuring an annual average of 61,000 sea turtle hatchlings’ safe return to the ocean, there never seems to be a quiet moment for the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa when it comes to environmental issues.
Ten Green Things to Do in Your Puerto Vallarta Home: It’s easy to make your home more environmentally friendly and save money, too! Here are a few easy ideas.
Best Environmental Educators: Vallarta Adventures: We live in a throw-away world, so it is inspiring to see a large local tour operator, Vallarta Adventures, make such a sincere commitment to our environment.
Top (Best) Junior Athletes of Puerto Vallarta: Two talented young athletes supported by the municipal Sports Department have been distinguished for their achievements in various national and even international competitions.
Businesses That Donate Food to Local Children’s Charities: Support can come in many forms, but if you’re a hungry child the source doesn’t matter.
Best Letter to Find in your Mailbox: EntreAmigos Gets a New Home: After years of lobbying, San Pancho’s non-profit community development organization entreAmigos finally received “the” letter from Alonso Villaseñor, secretary of economic development for the state of Nayarit, effectively allowing them to move to an unoccupied warehouse at the entrance to town.
Most Original Fundraising Party: Make-A-Wish Las Vegas Fantasy Event: Last December, after a sumptuous three-course dinner at Oscar’s Bar and Grill, the Make-A-Wish Casino opened.
Most Original Fundraising Method: Christmas CD by Casa Infantil Mojoneras: Finding new and exciting ways to raise funds has become a challenge for charitable organizations in Puerto Vallarta. Casa Infantil Mojoneras found success through the Maranatha boys choir, who launched their second CD last November, “Christmas ... Contigo 2008,” under the direction of Carlos Santana.
