Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Puerto Vallarta, Mex...

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Puerto Vallarta, Mex...: Puerto Vallarta is a colorful resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is best known for its friendly Engl...

Puerto Vallarta Recognized As #5 Among The The Top 10 Small Cities In The World By Condé Nast Traveler Magazine #PuertoVallarta

#PuertoVallarta recognized with @CNtraveler 2019 #ReadersChoiceAward for the top 10 Small Cities in the World Photo: @PuertoVallarta #PuertoVallartaRCA

Condé Nast Traveler magazine today announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with Puerto Vallarta recognized as No. 5 among the “Top 10 Small Cities in the World.” “We welcome this honor with open arms in Puerto Vallarta because it represents so many of the people who have visited our great shores,” said Javier Aranda, Director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “During the voting period, we read so many kind posts in social media pushing for us; it was a testament to destination that those who visit Puerto Vallarta will return its love with this kind of accolade.” Puerto Vallarta is an international destination promoted as the “Mexican beach with the heart of a pueblo.” The city’s Historic Center, named a Jalisco Heritage Site in 2018, is rich with more than a century of history, gastronomy and architecture. Puerto Vallarta is also a popular destination for outdoor activities, including mountain biking, bird watching and paddle boarding, and it’s a special retreat for those who want to incorporate pampering and holistic healing into their getaway, will find fitness programs, spas, healthy dining, and more as Puerto Vallarta is a haven for wellness travel. In fact, Puerto Vallarta is an active city and a top destination in Mexico for wellness-minded travelers to stay in touch with their health goals while enjoying one of Mexico’s most famous beach destinations. The destination is also home to a number of events focused on wellness, one of the biggest being the annual Free Soul Festival (https://www.freesoulfestival.com/) taking place form Nov. 29 to Dec. 1st of this year. Puerto Vallarta is also home to one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing arts scenes in Mexico. With more than 30 galleries displaying works by local, national and international artists, the art on offer ranges from native indigenous art and traditional Mexican silverware, glasswork and pottery to folk art, contemporary paintings and sculptures. Art aficionados will enjoy the numerous gallery events and guided art walks that are held year-round and are an integral part of the local social scene. There are more than 12,400 hotel rooms in Puerto Vallarta, with hotels ranging from small and boutique properties to AAA 5 Diamond hotels and resorts, with more than half of all properties rated 4 stars or more. More than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted a record-breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today. Puerto Vallarta has had a long and prosperous history with the Readers’ Choice Awards, first appearing on the list as “World's Friendliest City" in 2001. More recently, in 2017, it appeared again as one of the "Best Cities in the World" and "Top Small Cities Outside the U.S." Puerto Vallarta was one of three Mexican cities listed in the "Top 40 Cities in the World" and one of just two cities in Mexico added to the "Top 20 Small Cities in the World" category. Puerto Vallarta was also the only beach city to be added to both lists. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” The 2019 Readers' Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler's website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler U.S. and U.K. print editions.

Velas Resorts Announces Black Friday And Cyber Monday Offers

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Whether guests are looking to arrange a festive escape, plan a special holiday for 2019 or snap up a spontaneous last minute sunshine break, Velas Resorts has announced that it will be offering additional savings and added values for Black Friday and Cyber Monday bookings on future travel. Additionally, spa credits, airport transportation, suite upgrades, unlimited golf, up to two kids complimentary, access to the resorts’ renowned hydrotherapy, and more are included at select resorts. For Christmas bookings, select Velas Resorts will be including savings on the insuite trees available for guests. Velas Resorts consists of Casa Velas and Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, and Grand Velas in Los Cabos, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit.  At Casa Velas, an adults-only boutique hotel and ocean club in Puerto Vallarta, the Black Friday promotion features discounted suite rates starting at $232 per person per night for travel in 2018 and 2019. Up to $50 in spa credits, 25-minute massage, suite upgrade, $60 credit towards a private beach dinner and more are also offered over select dates. Additionally, a dinner for two at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is included with a 3-night minimum stay. Unlimited golf at Marina and Vista Vallarta Golf Clubs, complimentary city and cultural tours, and nightly activities are also included when staying at Casa Velas. At Velas Vallarta, an all-inclusive family resort on the beach in Puerto Vallarta, the Black Friday promotion features discounted suite rates starting at $160 per person per night for future travel. Up to a $500 resort credit per room, kids (ages 4 – 17) at 50% savings, early check in or late check out, and a private dinner for two with a bottle of sparkling wine on the beach are also part of the Black Friday promotion. The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya will have rates starting at $436 per person per night for the Black Friday promotion. Kids stay free, airport transportation (value of $90 each way), a $50 credit in the SE Spa, early check in, discount for teens and more are available on select dates. The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit’s rates during the Black Friday promotion start at $336 per person per night. A $50 spa credit for adults as well as 10% off in the resort’s boutique and $50 of golf credit are also included. The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Los Cabos’ rates start at $540 per person per night. During the Black Friday Promotion, a $50 spa credit, 10% off in the resort’s boutique, and access to the Water Ceremony, as well as suite upgrades are offered. Additional inclusions vary based on travel dates and resort property. For full details on Velas Resorts’ Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, visit https://blackfriday.velasresorts.com/. About Velas Resorts: Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Los Cabos have earned 52 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for their services and facilities include Virtuoso’s “Best Spa,” Forbes’ “Coolest All-Inclusives,” Forbes’ Four Star Award, and TripAdvisor’s Hall of Fame, among others. Properties include the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas in Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a privileged natural setting with flowering, landscaped gardens beside a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, offering a sophisticated all-inclusive resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. In Puerto Vallarta, Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel and ocean club located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course, and Velas Vallarta, a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay. Velas Resorts feature spacious accommodations, spas, a unique culinary experience at a selection of restaurants, 24-hour in suite service, fitness centers, personal concierge service, wedding inspections for couples, state of the art conference centers, extensive family programs, fully stocked mini bar and more. Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, operates Velas Resorts with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. For reservations or more information, call 1-888-407-4869, email reservations@velasresorts.com  or visit https://www.velasresorts.com.

Puerto Vallarta’s Historic Center Declared A Cultural Heritage Of The State of Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta – Puerto Vallarta’s Historic Center is now a protected Cultural Heritage of the Mexican State of Jalisco. The declaration was made by the state’s Department of Culture on July 21 via the official journal of Jalisco and makes the center of the city a protected area, with all the rights and privileges of a heritage protected by state and federal laws. The recognition includes the area from the beginning of the Malecon — where the oldest hotel in Puerto Vallarta, the hotel Rosita, stands — and continues to the cobblestoned Romantic Zone and up to the historic Conchas Chinas neighborhoods. Each area is of special historical significance to Puerto Vallarta,Jalisco and Mexico, as well as the essence of the port city, which is in the midst of celebrating its centennial.   According to the State of Jalisco, this proclamation is a step to further preserve the architectural elements of patrimonial value and image and essential characteristics of the typical town on the seashore, one of the unique qualities of Puerto Vallarta, known as the “most Mexican” beach destination.    “Puerto Vallarta’s historic center is the heart of our city and a major attraction to our visitors and, like all world heritage sites, it must be recognized as an irreplaceable part of our legacy,” said Javier Aranda Pedrero, Director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “We applaud the actions taken by Jalisco’s Department of Culture and welcome everyone to enjoy this iconic part of the city.”   The center of Puerto Vallarta is much loved by the people of Vallarta and appreciated by visitors, as it retains authentic characteristics of a traditional Mexican town, in its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. Of particular interest is the Church of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the city’s central plaza, Los Muertos Pier and colonial homes that date back hundreds of years. Puerto Vallarta’s historic center is a place full of life where neighbors coexist and mix with tourists who enjoy strolls along a boardwalk lined with sculptures, paintings and other works of art.   At dusk, the center is full of locals out for a stroll, heading for church services or dinner. Mixing with them, visitors can soak in the most beautiful sunsets on the Pacific; gaze at bobbing sailboats and the emblematic Marigalante pirate ship; and dig into roasted corn, mangoes with chili, cakes, tuba water and many other appetizers and desserts. All these attractions are located on the boardwalk and neighboring downtown streets, which for many reasons already was — official proclamation or not — a cultural heritage jewel of Jalisco.  About the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board is responsible for promoting the destination in national and international markets. Nestled between the rugged, tropical Sierra Madre Mountains and Banderas Bay — Mexico’s largest natural bay and second largest on the American continent — on Mexico’s balmy Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is easily accessible from the U.S. and Canada. The city enjoys a warm tropical climate year-round, with average daytime temperatures of 80°F and cooler evening temperatures in winter months. Located 4 miles from downtown Puerto Vallarta, Gustavo Diaz International Airport receives more than 4 million visitors annually. The destination is home to 300,000 residents and offers an estimated 12,400 hotel rooms, with more than half in 4-star-plus properties.

TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico And The Exclusive Casa Vilas Luxury All-Inclusive Boutique Hotel.

Puerto Vallarta is a colorful resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, in Jalisco state. It is best known for its friendly English speaking people, beaches and Gay friendly nightlife. Its charming cobblestone center is home to the beautiful Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe church, craft shops, pharmacies, restaurants and bars. El Malecon is a beachside promenade with nearby restaurants. Stars including Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor brought early fame to the area when they filmed John Huston's "The Night of the Iguana". Casa Kimberly, adjoining homes that they shared have been converted to a boutique hotel. www.casakimberly.Com  

The Gustavo Diaz International Airport, served by most major US and Canadian airlines, is located just minutes from the Casa Velas where we stayed. We observed transportation from most of the major hotels, Cabs rides can be purchased at the official taxi kiosk in main airport atrium, otherwise you could be roped into a timeshare presentation. To learn about Puerto Vallarta's new public transportation system please view our post here: http://travelorereport.blogspot.com/2018/04/puerto-vallarta-changes-entire-urban.html

We were hosted by the intimate adults only Casa Velas, an intimate luxury all-inclusive boutique hotel and ocean club  reminiscent of a Spanish hacienda. The hotel features a private ocean club and is just minutes from the beach. The hotel is only 15 from the popular downtown area, art galleries and "El Malecon" (the boardwalk). There are only 80 spacious suites, some with private pools and Jacuzzis.  The hotel offers guests complimentary golf at three nearby signature-designed 18-hole courses.

ABJA Spa at Casa Velas encompasses treatment rooms for singles and couples, a hydrotherapy area, garden-view fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and a beauty salon. A novel service is a handbag bar where guests can enjoy use of a "loaner" designer handbag at no extra charge.















Emiliano, the AAA Four Diamond rated a la carte fine dining restaurant, is in the hands of one of the area's leading chefs serving Mexican and international cuisine. Guests can also enjoy dining privileges at the sister resort, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, with three gourmet specialty options as well as full access to Velas Vallarta.  Forbes Travel Guide has awarded Casa Velas Four Stars, the only boutique hotel on the Mexican Pacific coast to receive. A member of SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World), it has been in the top two (five) in TripAdvisor for Puerto Vallarta since 2010.  For more information please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit  https://www.hotelcasavelas.com.




Canopy River in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta offers Ziplining on a 11 line course with mountain hiking,  mule riding, Tequila tasting, and ATV tours. They follow all rules of environmental protection and are part of a Select Group advised by the Mexican National Forestry Commission. Four Elements Nature Park just 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. We found their operation to  be one of the best and safest adventure courses we've experienced in our world travels. Please visit: http://www.canopyriver.com/en 

Mike's Charters and Tours offers yacht sailings for fishing expeditions and visits to their beach club along with unlimited margaritas and very good fresh ceviche.

https://youtu.be/pjYFYzpaeGU

For more details please visit: https://pvmikesfishing.com


When seeking a creative and flavorful meal we recommend Azafran Restaurante Bar with a very nice outside cafe great for people watching. For more details please visit: www.azafranpv.com

For more details about planning your visit to Puerto Vallarta please visit: visitpuertovallarta.com/ 

Puerto Vallarta 'May Fest 2018' Celebrates Centennial With Music, Art, Culture, Exhibitions and Sports

May Fest takes place May 26 to 31 with concerts by Grammy Award winners La Santa Cecilia and Coachella darlings Bomba Estereo   Puerto Vallarta – A series of artistic, cultural and sports activities make up May Fest 2018, as Puerto Vallarta continues celebrating its centennial as a municipality and 50 years as a city. Organized by the Culture Institute of Vallarta, with the full support of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, the Ministry of Culture of Jalisco and the Municipal Council of Sports, the May Fest 2018 main stage will be located next to the city’s original lighthouse, now on the Malecon seaside promenade.   The lineup will feature a number of local acts, such as the award-winning Xiutla folkloric ballet, the Salty Feet Jazz Orchestra, the Alas singing school and performance trio La Boquita. International performers will take the main stage, as well. Grammy-winning group La Santa Cecilia — which earns critical acclaim for its mix of genres such as cumbia, bossa nova and boleros —  be the closing act the night of May 26, while Colombian group Bomba Estereo, will close out the night of May 30. May Fest 2018 will conclude Thursday, May 31 with the cutting of a double-anniversary cake to the sounds of a mariachi band. Closing honors will go to Mexican superstar Pepe Aguilar, to be followed by a pyrotechnic show and performance by Sonido Satanas, a native Guadalajara group whose mix of cumbia rhythms with other musical genres never fails to get listeners on their feet and dancing.   Other activities also will take place across Puerto Vallarta’s neighborhoods. The Marina hosts the Centenary Expo from May 18 to June 3, with international exhibitors from Algeria, Cuba, Peru, Colombia, Uruguay, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, Russia, Tunisia, Egypt, Panama, Thailand, Iran, Ghana and Ecuador. Visitors will be able to purchase crafts and sample regional and international cuisine. The Museo del Cuale on Cuale Island, meanwhile, will reopen during the festivities with an exhibition of the archaeological remains of a Galeón de Manila, or Manila galleon (also known as La Nao de China, or “China Ship”), which illustrates the anthropological, commercial and cultural ties of Puerto Vallarta and the Far East. The exhibition has the backing of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the San Diego Fort Museum. And, starting May 25, two photographic installations recalling key social, economic and cultural events that have shaped Puerto Vallarta since its founding will be shown on the Malecon. Puerto Vallarta will celebrate its birthday the entire year. Major local events are joining in on the festivities; the MEXorc Regatta in March featured a Centennial Race from Los Arcos to the Malecon, Vallarta Downwas held for the second edition and Vallarta Pride hosts a traditional Mexican feria, or fair, complete with clowns and churros in late May. This year has seen the inauguration of many new events, such as thePuerto Vallarta Open, which took place earlier this month. Other events are being worked on and will be confirmed as the months proceed. For more information about May Fest 2018, go tohttp://www.puertovallartaalcien.com. For more information on Puerto Vallarta, please visitwww.visitpuertovallarta.com

Mariachi Workshop For Kids Launches This Summer At Velas Vallarta In Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Starting this summer, kids visiting Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta can now learn to be a true mariachi. Believed to have originated in Jalisco, the state in which Puerto Vallarta is found, in the 18th century, mariachi music is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Dressed in traditional mariachi clothing, children from 4-12 years old will be given guitar and maracas lessons from a local musician. The resort’s social media community manager will be available to take pictures of the kids in the mariachi clothing to share with parents. Held every Thursday, this class will last an hour and a half. Velas Vallarta showcases Mexico’s cultural customs with traditional arts & crafts workshops, a weekly Mexican fiesta, Mexican cuisine, and nightly musical performances from Mariachi Vallarta 2000. Led by Romero Figueroa, son of Felipe Romero Huerta, founder of the legendary mariachi “Los Pipianes” (1950 – 1982), the group has performed for 365 days a year for the last 12 years. Velas Vallarta’s extensive Kids’ Club program features an indoor area with cozy spots for arts and crafts, video games and movie entertainment and outdoor fun for the entire family. Activities such as tennis clinics, cooking lessons, magic comedy, bonfires on the beach, Mexican bingo, karaoke and more all included in the resort’s nightly rate. This summer, rates start at $180 per person per night in double occupancy. Kids and teens rates are $36 and $48 respectively per night. All-inclusive rates include suite accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visithttps://www.velasvallarta.com. About Velas Vallarta Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive family resort located on 10 oceanfront acres with lush gardens in Puerto Vallarta, walking distance of Marina Vallarta Golf Course, five minutes from Puerto Vallarta airport and just minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Situated on the emerald waters of Banderas Bay, Velas Vallarta features 345 suites in three eight-story buildings, a high-tech Convention Center that can accommodate up to 700 people, three swimming pools, a rejuvenating spa along with spa cabins seaside, fitness center, multiple restaurants, and an inviting lounge with live music. Nightly theme dinners and local specialties are sure to please even the most discerning palate, and room service is available around the clock. When it comes to daytime and evening entertainment, guests can choose from an exciting and original array of activities and events, from Straw Mosaics, making piñatas and jewelry, yoga on the jetty to Mexican fiestas and casino nights. The Kids' Club also welcomes children under 13 with supervised activities like treasure hunt, face painting, sand castles to crafting with beads, allowing parents to indulge in a choice of exciting or relaxing pursuits like a game of golf, a variety of excursions or pampering at the spa. In addition, the resort was one of the first in the destination with a Green Globe certification, dating back to 2008. Puerto Vallarta features championship golf courses, world-class spas and magnificent beaches, not to mention various sports and activities up in the Sierra Madre Mountains. The possibilities for rest and relaxation, or fun and excitement, are endless. Velas Vallarta was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side.

Vallarta Botanical Garden Takes 4th Place In USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice 2018

Botanical Garden in Puerto Vallarta First Outside the U.S. to Place on Top 10 List Since 2016 The people have voted, and the Vallarta Botanical Garden (www.vbgardens.org) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, placed fourth among all botanical gardens in the prestigious 10Best Readers’ Choice 2018 awards from newspaper “USA Today.” The list has been dominated by gardens in the U.S., and this achievement by Vallarta Botanical Garden marks only the second time an international garden has placed on the list. “We are proud of the unique offering the Vallarta Botanical Gardens has brought to Puerto Vallarta and its flora and fauna offerings,” said Javier Aranda Pedrero, director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “We congratulate them on being recognized as one of the best gardens in the Americas. “We invite our visitors to experience the many ecological adventures offered in Puerto Vallarta, including the Estero el Salado and Marino Los Arcos National Park,” Aranda Pedrero added. A panel of experts — including Cindy Brockway (The Trustees), Mommy Nearest, Kyle McCarthy (Family Travel Forum), Eileen Ogintz (Taking the Kids), Abby Meyer (Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S.), and Katy Moss Warner (American Horticultural Society) — voted on the top 20 botanical gardens, and then the final top 10 were determined by popular vote at the 10Best website. Vallarta Botanical Garden, in fourth place, was topped only by the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, in third; second-place garden Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, in Chaska, Minnesota; and top vote getter Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. “It is truly an honor and privilege to be part of this distinction that could have only been possible with the support of our community,” said Bob Price, founder and curator of Vallarta Botanical Garden. “The Vallarta Botanical Garden is young and small, but it has a great and growing impact that will not be unnoticed. “Your votes in this contest show people near and far that Puerto Vallarta is a botanical and horticultural world-class destination, and it deserves your visit,” he added. For the complete list of 10Best botanical garden winners, visit https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-botanical-garden/.   About Vallarta Botanical Garden Vallarta Botanical Garden is a not-for-profit organization started in 2004 with the mission to propagate, study, discover, conserve and display native plants from Mexico and from around the world. The garden sits on 20 acres of land and is home to a vast diversity of Mexican plant species, including the most visited public collection of orchids in Mexico. There are four conservatories showcasing local and exotic flowers from all over the world, plus vanilla, chocolate and coffee plantations; a museum; a rock collection; and a population of hummingbirds and other wild birds. The Los Horcones River, offering breathtaking views, runs alongside the property, which is also home to award-winning restaurant Hacienda de Oro. For more information on Vallarta Botanical Garden, please visit https://www.vbgardens.org/.