Vallarta Lifestyles

Best Festival Graphic Designer: Vallarta Wine Fest, Jalisco and Nayarit: Both elegant and convincing, the visual concept Vallarta Wine Fest implemented during its first two years has been pivotal in bringing the event to the forefront of Puerto Vallarta’s culinary activities. The campaign was designed by Cadena + Asociados Branding, under the direction of Ignacio Cadena’s son, who anchored the concept under a unifying theme: “A Cultural Fiesta.”

Best Nautical Shopping: Zaragoza Marine: “Like being a kid in a candy store” is the feeling marine enthusiasts experience when they step into the new Zaragoza, which has been described as the most extensive chandlery (marine supply store) on the west coast of Mexico. Starting as a hardware store more than 40 years ago, Zaragoza has almost anything a maritime aficionado could desire and is a proverbial “nautical Wal-Mart.”

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.

Great Markets Around Vallarta: Colorful and chaotic, the market, also known as el tianguis, is one of the most important shopping venues in Mexico, as in many parts of the world. Whether you need hair ribbons or a lethal machete, an embroidered tablecloth or a set of tires, a live chicken or the pot to cook it in – it’s likely to be at a local tianguis.

Best New Supermarket: Mega Cormercial Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit: Now North Shore residents and visitors have a new reason to look forward to shopping for their groceries. Thanks to the recently opened Mega Comercial Nuevo Vallarta, located in Bucerias’ outskirts, they don’t have to drive all the way to Puerto Vallarta. The spacious store is an open invitation to wander around with your cart and enjoy a broad variety of offerings in the usual departments. An ample selection of wine and liquors is noteworthy.

Best Tortillas with a Twist: Flavored Tortillas at Soriana: White and yellow corn tortillas are served with most traditionally prepared Mexican meals. However, the tortilleria in the Soriana supermarket also produces “flavored” varieties of tortillas, including nopal, azul and chipotle. The young stems or pads of the nopal cactus are carefully peeled to remove the prickly spines on the outer skin, revealing the edible “fruit” within.

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 Cultural Promoter: Nacho Cadena: Local restaurateur Nacho Cadena has been organizing cultural events in Puerto Vallarta since the ‘70s. Not only are his events consistently good, his unstoppable creativity has earned him a steady following among locals who have come to expect nothing but the finest choices in cultural entertainment. “It’s taken perseverance and a quest for quality, and thanks to that, all my events are well-attended.”

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.