La Michoacana, The Ice Cream Flavor of Mexico: If you’ve visited various parts of Mexico or even different areas of our city, you know that La Michoacana seems to be everywhere. But what are these large, colorful shops all about?
Hot Tips for Cool Summer Survival: Those of us who have lived in Puerto Vallarta for a while may take some of these tips for granted. But for the newcomer—first, congratulations!—hot, humid and rainy summers in Puerto Vallarta can be a lot of fun, as long as you are properly prepared!
Puerto Vallarta On Screen: An Update: When John Huston arrived in Puerto Vallarta in 1963, along with his film crew and actors from “The Night of the Iguana,” no one imagined the impact it would have on tourism development in the region. What important projects have been filmed or recorded recently?
Painting with Frosting: For Zulem Angel Mendoza, each cake is a painting, a work of art where the canvas is the cake, the brushes decorating tips, and the paint colored frosting.
Petroglyphs in the Region: These stone carvings were a means of communication between indigenous communities and their gods, a physical manifestation of the rites performed to ask for more rain and a better harvest.
La Malagua Inaugurates Isla Rio Cuale Exhibit: During the second Festival Cultural Cuale in January 2010, artist collective La Malagua inaugurated their long-awaited project along Isla Rio Cuale.
Traditional Mexican Toys: Whether you find yourself shopping in a small town mercado or in a large city, chances are you will come across traditional Mexican toys, simple devices often made out of wood, recycled tin cans or woven fibers.
Getting to Know Puerto Vallarta Through Its Maritime History: In addition to its natural attractions and recreational activities, Puerto Vallarta is also rich in maritime history, as can be seen at the Naval Historical Museum located beside Los Arcos Amphitheater in El Centro.
A New Crown for Our Lady of Guadalupe: The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the oldest parish in the region and a popular symbol of Puerto Vallarta, has finally received its new crown, which was blessed in a moving ceremony held October 12, 2009.
Sculpting With Gum: Thomas Adams may have commercialized chewing gum as we know it in 1871, but gum, or chicle, as it is known in Spanish, can be traced back to Aztec times, where it was used as a teeth-cleaning method.
EntreAmigos New Bodega: EntreAmigos, a non-profit community development organization established in San Pancho to address social, economic and environmental problems arising from accelerated development, has recently inaugurated their brand new “bodega” community center at the entrance to this peaceful oceanside town an hour north of Puerto Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit.
Living Vibrantly—Embrace the Process, Love the Journey!: After years of career obligations and parenting responsibilities, many in the second half of life discover an incredible opportunity for reinvention. Dreams put on hold re-emerge in the psyche.
Handmade Books, Puerto Vallarta Style: For over a decade, Pini Salcedo and Carlos Uribe, two skilled Puerto Vallarta artists, have taken it upon themselves to partner with the aforementioned restaurants, making regular pickups and transforming the paper “tablecloths” into unique handmade books.
Puerto Vallarta as Canvas: More than two years ago, an art project was undertaken in Puerto Vallarta that uses the city’s vacant public spaces as its canvas and concepts from the controversial graffiti art movement as its tools.
Great Tips for Future Residents: Are you ready to make the big transition and relocate to Puerto Vallarta? For most of us, moving to a different city or country involves a slew of cultural, logistical, financial and medical adjustments.
Step City: The fact that a fair amount of Puerto Vallarta’s El Centro is built on a hillside means that those who live there can always enjoy privileged views of our bay.
Typical Mexican Candies, Preserving Tradition: There isn’t a market in Mexico that doesn’t sell candy typical of the region or even other regions of the country.
Make Friends, Make a Difference: Do you have extra time in your hands? Here is a partial list of charitable organizations that offer volunteer opportunities (listed alphabetically).
Tipping Tips: The notion of offering a gratuity in appreciation for a job well done can be traced back to the 18th century.
Scouting in Vallarta: The scouting movement initiated in 1907 by British Army Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell to support young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development so they can play constructive roles in society is very much alive throughout Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta is no exception.
Responsible Whale Watching Catches On: Local whale-watching evangelist Keith May couldn’t be happier.
Puerto Vallarta Zoo: Even if being kissed on the lips by a full-grown giraffe is not your cup of tea, the Puerto Vallarta Zoo (Zoologico de Vallarta) in Mismaloya offers up-close and personal encounters with a variety of species, large and small, less than 25 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Take the Puerto Vallarta Fan Test!: Congratulations! You are now in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. But have you truly been to Puerto Vallarta? Here are some must-do’s for you to consider if you wish to secure your place among the most committed Puerto Vallarta fans.
Experiencing Vallarta: Where to Stay: One of the most alluring features of Puerto Vallarta as a destination is that — unless you are traveling onboard one of the many cruise ships that dock for the day at our Maritime Terminal or are simply driving through on your way somewhere else — when the day is done and it’s time to get some well-deserved rest after exploring our town, the lodging options are as plentiful and varied as our restaurant choices.
North of the Cuale River: Often overlooked, this tranquil neighborhood bordered by Libertad and Ignacio L. Vallarta streets, along with the Rio Cuale, is home to Vallarta’s two main markets and springs to life during daylight hours.
Cravings: Plátano Macho: Not to be confused with bananas, their sweeter and smaller counterparts, plantains are a staple food in many tropical regions of the world.
A Day in Quimixto: It’s perfect for any nature lover looking to take their adventure experience up a notch while leaving behind the urban pace of Puerto Vallarta.
Beyond the Malecón: This particular stretch along Puerto Vallarta’s main access road just north of our town’s immensely popular promenade is certainly no underdog.
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.
Cravings: Churros & Hot Chocolate: There’s nothing like the smell of deep-fried churros with cinnamon in the evening air.
