Puerto Vallarta Kids and Family

Cravings: Candied Fruits: Candied fruit, or fruta cristalizada as it is known in Mexico, is manufactured using the techniques imported by the Spaniards in the 1500s. A laborious process of repeatedly submerging fruits in scalding water and sugar syrup gives entirely new personalities to commonplace pleasures such as pineapples, figs, orange and lemon peel, even squash.

Best Nature Contributor: Petr Myska: Originally from the Czech Republic, Petr Myska arrived in Vallarta for the first time in 2000. He was joyously overwhelmed with the multitude of plants and animals he encountered in our diverse ecosystem; however, he found it challenging to identify many of them, as there were no comprehensive field guides available.

Best Way to Occupy Your Green Thumb: Vallarta Orchid Society: Did you know that there are about 240 indigenous species of orchids growing wild in the greater Puerto Vallarta area? TJ Hartung, founder of the Vallarta Orchid Society, does. This society was inaugurated in 2006 with the goal of educating people about orchids, as well as rescuing and preserving the existing orchid species in our area.

Best New Bussines Idea: Klaudio’s Car Wash: Is it possible to be too busy to take your car to the car wash? Manuel Antonio Flores and his son Klaudio think so. With a truck outfitted with all the necessary bells and whistles, from water tanks to pressurized pumps, they have established Klaudio’s Car Wash. Coming to you anywhere on the bay, they offer your car a day of beauty without ever leaving its parking space.

Best Do-It-Yourself Class: Tile Mosaic at A Broken Art: Tile mosaic artist Christy Beguesse found her niche. Just this season alone, approximately 300 individuals walked through her Bucerias studio doors, participated in either a half-day or a two-day course, leaving with a finished project in their hands. “The most empowering part,” Beguesse glows, “is having learned that a couple of my students went back home to Canada and opened their own mosaic art studios!”

Worth Visiting: Banderasnews.com: In a very short time, Banderasnews.com has become a popular website specifically pertaining to Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding area. In addition to the standard links, such as entertainment, weather, restaurants, events calendars, real estate and photo galleries, there are also some unique and possibly unexpected links for you to explore.

Best New Publication: "Vallarta Lifestyles" Digital Edition: In view of the environmental impact of printed materials and the quickly diminishing supply of trees in our world, the virtual edition of “Vallarta Lifestyles” invites you to experience magazine reading in a new and “green” way.

Best Reason to Go for a Swim: PV Lifeguards: Twenty guardian angels are now looking after the well-being of residents and tourists alike who turn Puerto Vallarta’s most popular beaches into their daily playground. Established in 2006, thanks to a partnership between federal and municipal governments, the program includes an increasing number of lifeguards from the local firefighter squad undergoing intense training.

A Grand Gesture of Sponsorship: Toyota Vallarta: The new “Toyota Vallarta” dealership near Las Juntas recently made a grand community gesture by sponsoring the WesMex Regatta, the Vallarta Yacht Club’s premier youth sailing event. This event featured three Olympic-class boats: Optis sailed by 8- to 14-year-old children; as well as 420s and Lasers, sailed by young adults.

Best Example of Neighborhood Empowerment: Pat may and Her Sewing Group: Hidden away in the traditional Mexican town of Jarretaderas, just minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, is an unsung hero named Patricia May. For the past six years, she has been bringing bolts of donated fabrics, sewing machines and notions from the USA to give to local women. Every Saturday afternoon, they meet at May’s house for a sewing class, where they learn new skills.

Best Public Art Installation: The Art of Chase: “Recuerda Quién Eres” (Remember Who you Are), reads the message in a colorful mural located on the right just as you enter El Centro from the north. It was created by Chase, a successful Belgian artist, along with his talented colleague, Blue. In just 10 days, these graffiti artists transformed four previously neglected public walls around town, covering their rough surfaces.

Best New Maritime Adventure: Sea Lion Encounters: The Vallarta area is well known for animal adventures such as swimming with dolphins and whale watching, but you may not know that you can now interact with sea lions and even go snorkeling with them.These grand whisker-faced creatures are extremely social, comical and mischievous by nature. They love to interact and play with humans, and being close to them is an exhilarating experience.

Best New Animal Conservation Group: Guacamayas Siempre: Guacamayas are as emblematic in Mexico as bald eagles are in the United States. Can you imagine Mexico without the guacamayas (Military Macaw)? Well, neither can Bob Price, founder of the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens, or any of the other members of the newly formed conservation group Guacamayas Siempre (Guacamayas Forever).

Destination Weddings in Puerto Vallarta: Imagine getting married in the balmy breeze at sunset on the Mexican Pacific. The invited guests are hand chosen, numbers are limited and everyone looks bronzed and happy. In fact, you are the entire focus of the weeklong event. Can you picture a more romantic way to get married?