Puerto Vallarta Press

Big Game Fishing Along the Mexican Mainland

By Richard Castaneda
of Cass Tours

When asked about the best area in Mexico for big game fishing, most anglers would probably reply “Cabo San Lucas.” This answer is probably due tot he notoriety that Cabo has received over the last 10 years, much of it brought on by the popular fishing tournaments that take place every year – especially the Bisbee Black & Blue Marlin Tournament.
Not many years ago, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa/Zihuatlanejo on Mexico’s mainland were popular big game fishing destinations, and as of late, are once again being mentions as the places to fish.
Puerto Vallarta: Located in the state of Jalisco, it is considered the top vacation destination on the Mexican mainland with its palm-fringed beaches, lush jungles and posh resorts.
Once a sleepy fishing village, not much was happening until Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor came to town to film “Night of the Iguana” and the rest is history. Now a bustling town of 250,000—plus residents and more than 2 million visitors annually, it has a jet set reputation.
In recent years, PV has been attracting anglers seeking giant yellowfin tuna. The two offshore banks of Corbetania at 39 miles, and El Banco at 50 miles have become well known for holding big fish — not only big tuna but giant big black and blue marlin.
Fishing these two offshore spots is best July through November but can also be good in December, January and February. Anglers can also expect to catch sailfish, wahoo, bull dorado and giant cuber snapper. Charters to the offshore banks are normally a 12-hour day.
For those seeking smaller game fish, closer to the beach is Banderas Bay which, in the late spring, summer and fall, is very productive for sailfish, smaller yellowfin tuna, dorado and roosterfish. Charters for fishing in the bay are six- or eight-hour days.
The main problem in PV is that there a no organized fishing fleets as there are in other parts of Mexico. It seems that everyone in the charter business is an independent operator making it difficult for anglers looking for a boat to find one. Most charters do business on the Internet on in relationship with one or more local hotels.
The only fleet in PV that I am aware of and that we do business with is the Miramar Fleet, which is owned and operated by Capt. Bruno, with four boats consisting of 36- to 41 –foot sportfishers. These boats are equipped with top-of-the-line fishing tackle, bait tanks, outriggers, electronics and fighting chairs. Charters include crew, lunch, drinks, all fishing tackle, bait and ice on board.

Puerto Vallarta perfect for baby and beach time

By Lisa Kadane, Calgary Herald

The first time it happened, I was reluctant to hand over my baby.

There we were, waiting for our grilled snapper to arrive, when a grandmotherly senora emerged from the kitchen, approached our table and extended her arms toward Avery.

"Hola bebe!" she said with a smile.
Exclamations about our daughter followed: "Que preciosa! Que bebe Gerber!"

Clearly smitten, the woman gestured that she wanted to hold Avery. What could we do without risking offending Grandma? I passed her over.

The woman whisked Avery away and spent the next 20 minutes showing her off to the waiters, kitchen staff and other diners.
Meanwhile, Blake and I ate our meal, enjoying adult conversation and an unobstructed sunset view of Puerto Vallarta's bustling malecon, the boardwalk bordering the beach and Pacific Ocean.

When the waiter cleared our plates, the senora returned our smiling six-month-old. We left a generous tip, poked into some shops in Old Vallarta, then made our way back to the condo we were renting.

Over the course of our vacation, the same thing happened at other restaurants three more times. Who knew eateries in the resort town offered free on-site babysitting services? (In reality, Mexican women simply love babies.)

And to think we almost embarked on an entirely different vacation.

Being backpackers at heart, when Blake and I booked our Air Miles tickets to Puerto Vallarta via Denver last year, we were still in denial that we had a baby.

The original plan was to spend a couple nights at a hotel in Old Vallarta, then board a bus for the five-hour ride inland to Guadalajara. There we would listen to mariachi bands and visit nearby Tequila to see the agave fields and tour a tequila distillery. Finally, we'd endure the six-hour bus trip to San Miguel de Allende to check out the colonial mountain town, a haven for expats.

Of course, we'd then be faced with a marathon 11-hour bus journey back to Puerto Vallarta. With a baby.

It was at that stage of planning I realized the insanity of our itinerary. We were no longer 20-something travellers with nothing but time and a small backpack. At 16 pounds, our infant nearly outweighed my rucksack of yore. We also had her car seat, stroller, playpen, two suitcases and two carry-ons to lug around on our imagined beach-culture-tequila tour of Mexico. And we only had nine days.

So instead we decided to stay put in PV (as frequent-visiting gringos call Puerto Vallarta), and booked a condo over the Internet.
That way we could cook some meals, Avery would have her own room and we could watch TV -- or play cards on the covered balcony -- when she was sleeping.

The condo complex, called Selva Romantica, is built high on Old Town's characteristic tree-covered hillside, a steep three-block walk up from Los Muertos Beach. Its vista affords many of the units splendid views over the Bahia de Banderas, Mexico's largest bay, and the city's whitewashed buildings with their red-tiled roofs.

The complex has an infinity pool situated to capture those views, which is adjacent to a small workout facility. This meant one of us could go for a quick swim or stationary bike ride during bebe's siestas.

The unit also had a rooftop washer and dryer, an important consideration when someone in your travelling party is prone to spitting up on her sundresses (in a humid climate, no less).

Beyond the accommodation and childcare-while-dining perk, Puerto Vallarta did not disappoint as a baby-friendly destination.

The town's wide boardwalk, called the malecon, borders the sea and is perfect for strolls and people watching. For forays into the tightly packed craft shops, or walks along the busy cobblestone streets and at-times uneven sidewalks, we opted to transport Avery in a front carrier.

Although the beach was handy, we decided the pool was a better option after just one ocean excursion -- Avery was scared of the waves.

Our only day trip was to Yelapa, a small seaside community on a pretty beach 45 minutes south of Old Vallarta by water taxi (it cost $20 per person; babies free).

The holiday was decidedly more relaxed than pre-baby adventures. For parents with the travel bug, however, PV is a good place to go and do nothing but still feel like you've travelled. It has culture, good ethnic food and interesting architecture. Even though it's the second most-visited Mexican resort after Cancun, it doesn't feel that touristy.

Halfway through the trip we discovered a street taco stand two blocks from our condo, and thereafter visited it religiously for lunch and even a couple of dinners.

Eating a dripping chicken taco while seated on a concrete half-wall along a cobblestone street in Mexico took me back a decade—and made me feel like a real traveller.

If only the taco guy had offered to hold Avery while I stuffed his delectable creations into my mouth.

Taste Tour

Puerto Vallarta offers a full menu full of culinary adventures—plus superb shopping, outstanding art and cast-your-cares-away beaches

By Susan Kaye

If the phrase "Mexican cuisine" inspires in your mind images of cheese-smothered enchiladas and bean burritos with shredded lettuce, think again. And, consider a trip to Puerto Vallarta. This outstanding Mexican resort has evolved in the past ten years into a culinary epicenter, outpacing the country’s other beach destinations. It would be effortless to book yourself for three weeks of fine dining experiences in Puerto Vallarta, never repeating a venue.
Puerto Vallarta’s diverse cuisine alone with its terrific shopping and its vibrant arts community, sets it apart from other Mexican resorts. In the past decade it has added noteworthy restaurants, a number of first-class art galleries and a bevy of tempting boutiques. Along with its sizable North American community, there is a growing population of artists-in-residence and art aficionados.
The town—in the middle of the Bay of Banderas coastline—has mushroomed from a fishing village to a city of 350,000, and the clutch of whitewashed adobe homes climbing the hills by the sea has largely been taken over by second-home owners. Still, the city retains its cobbled streets and red-tiled roofs, a romantic Old Town by any standard. Couples linger on the malecón, a seaside promenade studded with fine sculptures (there’s more public art there than in any Mexican double the size). By day visitors and locals effortlessly mix on Los Muertos Beach. They gather again on Thursday and Sunday nights, when the concert band strikes up in the ornate handstand and everyone snacks on elote, grilled ears of corn slathered with mayo and sprinkled with chile powder.
You can stay in Puerto Vallarta itself; in the marina area 15 minutes away from downtown, which has large hotels as well as all-inclusives; in Nuevo Vallarta, a good 30 minutes from town; or in Punta Mita’s options range from small and funky properties to the Four Seasons.
I’ve stayed in all four areas and enjoyed each enough to return for more. Puerto Vallarta itself is farthest from the majority of the area’s golfing opportunities but wins hands-down for shopping and dining; Nuevo Vallarta is closest to the newest courses; Marina Vallarta has good beaches and easy access to town.
Whenever my husband and I are on a plane bound for Puerto Vallarta, we list the restaurants we want to revisit No Matter What. Inevitably, our appetites stretch longer than our vacation, but favorites that we find ourselves at year after year include Trio, Los Xitomates, Archie’s Wok, Daiquiri Dick’s, La Palapa, River Café and the totally unpretentious but delicious La Casa de los Pancakes.
"We’re the center of gourmet dining outside of Mexico City," chef Luis Fitch tells me. Last year, Fitch was one of two Mexican chefs to receive the Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. (Six downtown restaurants hold this prestigious international award.)
Finch’s restaurant, the chic Los Xitomates, puts a global spin on Mexican food. I always start with the tortilla soup (with chile pasilla, avocado and crème fraiche). For entrees, a favorite is fresh red snapper with heart-of-palm sauce spiced with fresh ginger and chile.
We also make lists of the art galleries and handicraft and jewelry shops we don’t want to miss (actually the latter two categories make only my list). Among the dozens of boutiques, check out the jewelry at Viva, run by Texan who buys from hundreds of designers worldwide and also carries her own line of espadrilles.
Art galleries run the gamut in Puerto Vallarta, from those representing pottery from across Mexico to individual artists selling their own works. Gary Thompson, owner of of the avant-garde Galeria Pacifico, says, “Puerto Vallarta is the biggest art center outside Mexico City. In terms of number of galleries we’re ahead of Guadalajara with its millions of residents.”
In the high-season winter months, semimonthly Art Walks coincide with show openings. The second and forth Wednesday nights have become a party that covers downtown: A dozen top galleries throw open their doors till 10 p.m. during this self-paced, self-guided event. With drinks, and often food and entertainment, as well as the presence of artists, the festive evenings celebrate the vital role that art plays in the city.
After a couple of days of re-exploring out favorite haunts, we’re ready for some serious beachin’. That’s when we hire a boat to Yelapa, a spellbinding beach that’s private, but always fun. Once we’ve snorkeled Yelapa’s waters (maybe alongside a manta ray), settled on out beach blankets and devoured a lunch of grilled fish, we signal the “pie ladies” who walk amid the sun umbrellas selling their homemade wares (best choices are banana and coconut cream).
If your vacation stretches long enough, you may actually want a break from beaching and shopping and fine dining. I signed on for Vallarta Adventures’ day trip to the whitewashed town of San Sebastian. Hidden in the folds of the Sierra Madre to the east of Puerto Vallarta, this town was founded 400 years ago by gold-hungry Spaniards. It mushroomed thanks to the activity of 28 mines and seven opulent haciendas. Then it languished for centuries. Although San Sebastian is only 45 miles east from Puerto Vallarta, a road trip can take hours. Vallarta Adventures offers the alternative of a 15-minute flight in a little prop that swoops in on San Sebastian’s gravel airstrip. The ride itself, skimming the green-glade mountains, equals the pleasure of lunching in a moody hacienda and stopping for coffee at another hacienda where beans are grown, handpicked, sun-dried, and roasted over an open fire in the courtyard.
San Sebastian is a trip through time, as is an hour-long sunset boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to Las Caletas. When the boat pulls into Las Caletas, guests make their way to dozens of candlelit tables readied along the cove. Since there’s no road to this village–or any electricity—the evening is one of those magical experiences where life is reduced to the sound of the waves and the winking of the stars. The cuisine, though, is far from elemental, as a massive Mexico buffet has been brought in by boat from the neighboring village of Quimixto, where there is electricity (but still no road).
It’s clear that wherever you are along Puerto Vallarta’s wide bay, you can always enjoy great food. Even when you’re on a beach where no road leads in or out.

Susan Kaye has been traveling to Mexico for decades—she’s made almost 100 trips there. Her favorite beach resort remains Puerto Vallarta.

DISCOVERING A NATURAL PARADISE BLESSED WITH ECOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND BEAUTY

PRESS CONTACT
Walter DeMirci / Nathalie Pilovetzky
Tel: 212-633-2047
walter@latitudepr.com
nathalie@latitudepr.com

Puerto Vallarta is located in Mexico’s largest natural bay, the Bay of Banderas. The horseshoe shaped bay, known for its exquisite deep waters and rich biodiversity is a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club, a select club regrouping the world’s most impressive coastlines. Banderas Bay shelters numerous diverse ecosystems, including tropical lagoons, rainforests, mangroves, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and spectacular mountains, making it a prime ecotourism destination.

Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins are a common site in the area’s waters, but for those visitors who would like an up close encounter with these fascinating animals, the town is also home to one of the best dolphin education and research facilities in the region. Banderas Bay is also the birthplace of the magnificent Humpback Whales. Every year, from December to April, humpback whales migrate to the area to breed, and visitors can watch in the whales play in the calm waters of the bay. The Olive Ridley marine turtle is also protected under a government sponsored conservation program. From July through November, Olive Ridley Turtles come to lay their eggs on Puerto Vallarta’s beaches. A hotel and government sponsored initiative invites children and adults to partake in the protection of this beautiful species in an annual nighttime ceremony in which the baby turtles are released into the ocean.

The Sierra Madre Mountains are also a center of many ecological wonders, with its wide array of vegetation and wildlife including tropical flora, fauna, amphibians, reptiles, deer, hares, and mountain lions. Visitors also have the chance to explore high above the forest floor in a canopy tour offering up-close views of the areas native birds, including woodpeckers, parrots, yellow winged cacique, and parakeets.

From the highly educated eco-tour guides to the government sponsored conservation programs for endangered species, Puerto Vallarta exemplifies a responsible ecotourism destination. Every September, the community joins together for its annual beach and underwater clean up and awareness day, an event which is organized by the local Center for Marine Conservation. A collection of rich ecosystems, and incredible diversity, the following is a compilation of just a few of the locations that Puerto Vallarta has to offer its eco-friendly travelers.

MARIETAS ISLANDS MARINE RESERVE
The Marietas are a series of uninhabited islands along the coast of Puerto Vallarta. They are a haven for a wide variety of sea birds, including frigates, egrets, herons, sea gulls, pelicans, brown boobies, and the notorious bright blue footed boobies, making the Marietas a sort of “Mexican Galapagos.” The Mexican government has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that the islands retain their natural unspoiled beauty, and hence, land tours of the islands are prohibited. Instead, guests may choose to go kayaking, snorkeling, or scuba diving with the giant mantas, sea turtles, and colorful tropical fish around the perimeter of the islands; watch for the humpback whales which visit the islands during the winter, or explore the deep rocky caverns of the islands with bilingual eco-guides.

LAS CALETAS ISLANDS
In the southern section of Banderas Bay lies Las Caletas, a hidden cove made famous for being a favorite retreat for renowned film director John Huston. Las Caletas is a secluded paradise, with a spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains, beautiful beaches, and even a tropical reef. What’s more, Las Caletas offers visitors an endless number of activities, including snorkeling, sea kayaking, bird watching, and hiking through jungle trails to lovely orchid gardens.

EL MORRO
Heading slightly west of the Marietas Islands, visitors can travel to El Morro, a series of rock formations, high above the surface of the ocean. Experienced divers can enjoy such activities as wall diving, or explore the many caves and tunnels that surround the area as well. A prime diving site, and as a sanctuary for a number of species, including octopus, sharks, sea horses, dolphins, yellowtails, moray eels, and manta rays; El Morro is a must-see location for all experienced divers.

LOS ARCOS NATIONAL MARINE PARK
Los Arcos is another popular diving and snorkeling destination for visitors in Puerto Vallarta. Located near the small village of Mismaloya, this protected park consists of towering rock arches, caves, tunnels, and reefs full of marine animals including angelfish, butterfly fish, puffers, eagle rays, sea turtles, and giant mantas. For the adventurous travelers, Los Arcos offers an amazing opportunity to dive the “Devil’s Drop” underwater cliff, an approximate 1600 foot drop to a spectacular underwater mountain range.

YELAPA & MAJAHUITAS
The small fishing villages of Yelapa and Majahuitas are two relaxing and unspoiled paradises. With their calm, glittering waters and white sandy beaches, these secluded locations offer visitors a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the wildlife inhabiting the hills of the jungle, and the sea turtles and dolphins that call Banderas Bay home.

COLOMITOS
Southeast of Puerto Vallarta lies Colomitos beach, a remote cove hidden in a valley of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Hiking through the tropical forests and over a rope suspension bridge, visitors observe iguanas, red foxes, armadillos, yellow-winged cacique, and colorful dragonflies. Upon arriving at the sparkling waters of Colomitos beach, visitors can choose from a variety of activities including snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. A hidden jewel, Colomitos Beach is an exotic and relaxing getaway for all travelers.

CORBETEÑA
A two-hour boat ride to the northwest from Puerto Vallarta, Corbeteña is considered to be one of the best diving sites in Mexico. Its remote location is a benefit for those visitors desiring a secluded diving site, away from the typical diving tour destinations. The tiny island has a variety of under water caves and walls reaching depths of up to 120 feet, and the waters that surround Corbeteña are abundant in a variety of species, including sharks, turtles, dolphins, and rays.

EL SALADO MANGROVE ESTUARY
The Estero del Salado lagoon is a paradise for birdwatchers; a beautiful expanse of white mangle, palm trees, mosses, ferns, and fauna. The estuary is also a sanctuary for fish, crustaceans, reptiles and assorted mammals. Visitors can enjoy the fabulous vegetation as they kayak down the narrow canals deep in the mangroves.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP
From Fine Collections of Contemporary Art to Regional Traditional Crafts, Indigenous Artwork and Modern Mexican Design, Puerto Vallarta Has it All

PRESS CONTACT
Walter DeMirci / Nathalie Pilovetzky
Tel: 212-633-2047
walter@latitudepr.com
nathalie@latitudepr.com

If there were one word to describe the shopping scene in Puerto Vallarta, it would be variety. From the distinctive shopping locations, to the assortment of goods available for purchase, travelers will find no shortage of delightfully unique souvenirs to choose from, most notably high-end art, intricately patterned crafts, beautiful jewelry pieces, and, of course, tequila.

Great deals are found all over Puerto Vallarta. Visitors can stroll along the malecon in Marina Vallarta, find fine clothing in exclusive boutiques, and practice their bargaining skills with the local beach vendors and merchants in the local flea market north of the Rio Cuale. The national currency is the Mexican peso but for shopping convenience many stores also accept U.S. Dollars converted at the day’s exchange rate and accept major credit cards, and the wide majority of the town’s shopkeepers speak English - making Puerto Vallarta an ideal shopping destination for travelers, no matter what their shopping preferences may be. Most stores are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but some locations may close for lunch at 1 or 2 p.m. and reopen by 4 p.m.

CONTEMPORARY ART
Puerto Vallarta is notorious for having Mexico’s most impressive and trendy contemporary art scene outside of Mexico City. Works from well-known local artists, such as Manuel Lepe, the creator of the naïf painting style often referred to as “Vallarta Art” mix with international artists who have been drawn to the natural beauty of the region and now call Puerto Vallarta home. Visitors can search for original pieces in the many galleries that rival those in large world capitals, or discover unique and wonderfully made paintings and sculptures lining the seaside promenade of Puerto Vallarta. The public is often invited to attend gallery exhibitions and art walks are regularly held, and it is not uncommon that visitors have the chance the meet the artist, and to enjoy the distinctive works ranging from watercolor and oil pieces, to acrylic and charcoal.

CRAFTS
All visitors to Puerto Vallarta should explore the town’s numerous hand-made craft stores. From the malecon, to Isla Cuale, the local flea market, and small shops; the colorful and beautiful handicrafts, including trinkets, wood carvings, embroidery, are available for all to enjoy. Catrinas, hand-sculpted clay and paper mache female figures, were a popular symbol during the Mexican revolution and a common staple in the Day of the Dead celebrations. Catrinas are named after the Mexican term which refers to a chic and elegant individual, and are often decorated with colorful painted clothing, and adorned with sequins and lace. Alebrijes is another original Mexican folk art creation that can be found in Puerto Vallarta. These winged, majestic, and sometimes frightful creatures are created from copal wood, and have their roots in pre-Hispanic culture.

WIXÁRIKA (HUICHOL) ARTWORK
Puerto Vallarta is home to the beautiful Wixárika (pronounced vee-ra-ree-ka) handicrafts known for their brilliantly colored and beaded sacred designs. The Wixárika Indians, or the Huichol people as they are commonly known, are direct descendents of the Aztecs, who live in isolated villages in the Sierra Madre Mountains in the state of Jalisco. Historically, artwork was used to honor the gods, but in more recent years Huichol handicrafts, which take the form of “yarn paintings” and beaded objects, are in high demand in the locally run shops of Puerto Vallarta. The yarn paintings are made on a piece of wood, which is first coated in wax, and is subsequently covered with colored yarn. Authentic paintings are usually made with wool yarn, but acrylic yarn pieces are very popular for their vibrant colors. The beaded Huichol crafts are created from various wood pieces, often in the shape of different animals, most traditionally deer, snakes, wolves, and scorpions, but souvenirs can also be found in the shape of iguanas and frogs as well. The pieces are first covered with wax, and artisans apply the tiny chaquira beads one by one to create the beautiful designs. The unique and supernatural images are a reflection of the visions experienced during sacred religious ceremonies.

CERAMICS and BLOWN GLASS
Puerto Vallarta also boasts a wide variety of pottery in a multitude of designs and colors. Talavera pottery, a tin and lead-glazed ceramic, was introduced to the region in the 16th century. Detailed, colorful, and authentic, Talavera potters have preserved the traditional techniques of earlier years; however, they consistently create new and distinctive dishes, vases, tiles, sinks, garden ornaments, etc.

Local artisans are also notorious for their beautifully made hand-blown glassware, a tradition that was brought to the area by glass blowers from Jalisco. Visitors have their pick of colorful stained-glass windows, door panels, mirrors, glasses, vases, amongst others. Such pieces can be found in a variety of furniture and craft stores all over Puerto Vallarta.

MASKS
Mask-making is another remnant of the traditions of the local indigenous communities. Many stores offer a variety of masks, designed to represent the Indigenous, Caucasian, and African races of Mexico. Most masks are made from carved and painted wood, and are characterized by the combination of human and animal features. Masks designed using traditional lacquer technique of pre-Hispanic origin, a patina process in which natural ingredients are rubbed in to the masks by hand, can be found even today.

JEWELRY
Mexico is a world producer of silver, and Puerto Vallarta is no exception. Jewelry and other silverware can be found throughout the area. From the fine jewelry stores offering high quality silver, gold, pearl, semi-precious stones, precious stones, ethnic and antique pieces, to the beach vendors selling a unique assortment of bracelets, rings, and earrings, visitors have no shortage of choices when searching for that perfect gift.

TEQUILA & TOBACCO
Mexico is notorious for its famous tequila. Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, birthplace of Mexico’s most authentic traditions, including tequila, and visitors to Puerto Vallarta will not be disappointed in the fine selection of tequila the town has to offer, including locally distilled brands. Travelers can also enjoy a tour of tequila distilleries surrounding Puerto Vallarta, or even take a trip to the town of Tequila where the liquor originates. Also not to be missed are the numerous cigar bars and tobacco shops offering the visitors the finest of Cuban cigars.

FESTIVALS / TOURNAMENTS

PRESS CONTACT
Walter DeMirci / Nathalie Pilovetzky
Tel: 212-633-2047
walter@latitudepr.com
nathalie@latitudepr.com

Puerto Vallarta has well earned its reputation as the festival capital of Mexico. From cultural and religious festivals, to international sports tournaments, and the city’s highly acclaimed International Gourmet Festival, there is a special event that’s sure to appeal to every traveler, every season of the year. The months of May and November are particularly busy with numerous world-class events. Following is a monthly guide to some of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular events:

MARCH

Nautical Festival
Puerto Vallarta’s privileged location on Banderas Bay sets the stage for an entire month of nautical festivities in March of every year. The festival’s main highlight is a San Diego – Puerto Vallarta race followed by numerous other sailing festivities including four Banderas Bay regattas. Many arts and musical events accompany the main nautical events along with a fishing tournament. All proceeds raised from the festival are donated to non-profit organizations that work towards the preservation of the ecology of Banderas Bay and with charitable organizations that contribute to improving the quality of life of children who live in the Banderas Bay area.
www.banderasbayregatta.com

MAY

International Tamal Festival
Well established as one of Mexico’s most important culinary capitals and host to an annual International gourmet festival, Puerto Vallarta also pays individual homage to one of Latin America’s most traditional food items, the tamal (from Nahuatl tamalli). Tamales are an ancient food, made throughout the Americas for over 5000 years. They are made of dough, usually with a sweet or savory filling, and wrapped in plant leaves or corn husks, and steamed until firm. Tamales were developed as a portable ration for use by war parties in the ancient Americas. In May of every year, Puerto Vallarta’s Tamal Festival presents this regional delicacy in every variety, with representatives from nine countries throughout the Americas preparing their own local variety of the tamal at the 2006 festival.

May Music Festival
A free series of musical events for everyone to enjoy, the Puerto Vallarta May Music Festival presents a week-long set of concerts in every genre from classical and jazz to electronic and rock. All performances are held at Puerto Vallarta’s famous outdoor amphitheater, more commonly known as Los Arcos on the malecon, and feature celebrated Mexican and international artists. www.culturavallarta.com

Restaurant Week
Puerto Vallarta is home to some of Mexico’s finest restaurants serving everything from regional Mexican cuisine to creative contemporary Mexican fare and the most varied international options. Visitors can sample some of the city’s best cuisine during the last two weeks of May when Puerto Vallarta’s most renowned restaurants offer special three-course prix-fixe sampling menus with discounts reaching up to 50% off regular a la carte prices.

JUNE

Puerto Vallarta Theater Month
This month-long event is a tribute to theater with a series of plays performed by some of Mexico’s top theatrical troupes being presented all over town, free of charge. All performances are in Spanish.
www.culturavallarta.com

NOVEMBER

International Gourmet Festival
In November of every year, Puerto Vallarta reigns as Mexico’s capital of culinary arts with the annual International Gourmet Festival. During this ten-day celebration that is a feast for the senses, about 20 guest chefs - amongst the finest in the world - in addition to talented local chefs offer special tasting menus in 21 participating restaurants, cooking classes and wine tastings. Past participants have included Anton Mossimann of Club Mossimann in London, winner of numerous international awards; internationally acclaimed Mexican chef Patricia Quintana; and Gerard Dupont, president of the Académie Culinaire de France (the French Culinary Academy).
www.festivalgourmet.com

Puerto Vallarta Film Festival
Puerto Vallarta became famous with the Hollywood set when The Night of the Iguana was filmed in Mismaloya, on the southern shore of Puerto Vallarta. Today, the city continues its cinematic tradition by hosting the annual Puerto Vallarta Film Festival of the Americas. Held in November of every year, the festival features contemporary full-length films and documentaries from North and South America. The Gala Closing Awards ceremony features awards named after well known Hollywood celebrities who have had an impact on Puerto Vallarta, including the John Huston Maverick Awards for Best Film and Best Director, Richard Burton Thespian Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress, and the Elizabeth Taylor Humanitarian Award.
www.puertovallartafilm.com

Sailfish and Marlin Tournament
The abundant marine life in the waters of Banderas Bay are known by fishing experts to offer some of the best deep sea sports fishing in the world. The annual Sailfish and Marlin Tournament held every November for over fifty years, brings together some of the most avid sports fishermen from Mexico, the U.S. and abroad. Some of the wide varieties of fish that can be caught in the area include marlin, sailfish, snapper, yellowfin tuna, rooster fish and dorado (mahi mahi).
www.fishvallarta.com

Half Marathon
Puerto Vallarta’s athletic run and half marathon have now become an annual tradition. Held in the month of November when the town comes alive with numerous festivals and sports tournaments, the 5-mile athletic run and 13-mile half marathon not only provide participants with a great competitive sports spirit but the race’s routing also offers beautiful glimpses of Banderas Bay. www.maratonvallarta.com

Golf Tournament
In addition to having hosted two PGA championship golf tournaments since 2004, Puerto Vallarta is also home to the annual Vallarta Golf Cup held in November. The three-day event is held at the world class Jack Nicklaus and El Tigre golf courses. Amateur golfers from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada compete for cash prizes and the Swing Vallarta trophy, the tournament’s top prize. www.vallartagolf.com

DECEMBER

Virgen de Guadalupe Processions
Like all of of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta comes alive with colorful processions in honor of Mexico’s patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe. Puerto Vallarta’s cathedral, a town landmark with its elaborate crown and located across from the main square, is dedicated to her. The twelve-day long celebrations include traditional floats and pre-Hispanic Aztec dancers, chanting and praying. The celebrations end with an impressive fireworks display.

Huichol Indians (Wixarika)

PRESS CONTACT
Walter DeMirci / Nathalie Pilovetzky
Tel: 212-633-2047
walter@latitudepr.com
nathalie@latitudepr.com

The Wixarika (pronounced vee-ra-reeka), better known as the Huichol Indians and believed to be direct descendants of the Aztecs, are perhaps the last indigenous group in North America to live according to their ancient pre-Columbian traditions.

Visiting the remote mountain village of San Andres Coamihata, tucked high in the Sierra Madre Mountains, is like taking a giant leap back in time, and is an enriching cultural experience in ancient traditions. Huichol communities live in the northern part of the state of Jalisco in between high volcanic ranges and deep canyons.

The Huichol are well respected amongst their neighbors for being healers, and they have exceptional knowledge of medicinal plants.

During celebrations, rituals, and pilgrimages, the Wixaritari (plural for Wixarika) paint sacred icons on their faces, and cover their heads and hats with arrows and feathers. Their clothes are woven and embroidered with symbolic designs to evoke the presence of their ancestors. Every year, the Wixaritari reenact the activities of their ancestors in elaborate ceremonies.

The Wixaritari have numerous devotions where they give thanks for past sacrifices that continue to provide them with abundance and harmony. 

Towards the end of June, the Wixaritari celebrate the change of seasons by thanking Our Mother Corn, Tatei Niwetsika, for keeping her kernels ready to germinate. It is also during this time when Our Mother Rain prepares to keep the soil fertilized in harmony with Our Grandfather Fire.

When the cobs are maturing on their stalks, the Wixarika hold the Dance of Our Mother, Tatei Neixa, in order to thank her and Our Mothers of Rain and Fertility, including Our Father Sun, who will ripen the harvest and disperse the rains.

Once the harvest is completed, a new cycle of pilgrimages is undertaken to sacred springs, caves and peaks within Huichol territory. These pilgrimages are accompanied and followed by gathering ceremonies and hunting and fishing expeditions.

For the Huichol, Our Mother Earth nurtures the seeds of corn, squash, and other vegetables and returns after the harvest to the streams. From there, she finds her way to her habitat off the coast, returning full of renewed energy to the mountain peaks.

Most of the traditional ritual sites are located in the central mountain highlands where the Wixaritari live. It is in this area at the sacred springs and central canyons, where the Huichol people go to seek fertility and rain..

The ceremonial center is the heart of Huichol Culture. This tukipa is one of three ceremonial centers corresponding to the Wixárika community of Tuapuri. The larger circular building dedicated to Our Grandfather (fire) is linked to smaller shrines dedicated to other primordial ancestors surrounding a patio. Selected pilgrimage members and their families gather here to carry out collective tasks, rituals, and celebrations, under the supervision of the most important elder shamans.

Each traditional community has five wise elders (kawitero) who are considered the shamans that have mastered the chants, some of which can be an entire day long.

The journey through the life of a wise elder is compared to that of a caterpillar, which crawls out of the ocean in the West, and begins a slow journey that takes it to all the sacred cardinal spots until it reaches the East, where it rises with the sun to become a butterfly.

Art is a daily part of the lives of the Wixaritari and it is rich in magic and myth, vibrant in color and rich in symbolism. Huichol art takes many forms such as weaving, embroidery, votive offerings, chairs, basketry, musical instruments and sculptures, and is well known for its quality beadwork using traditional methods. The commercialization of this artwork has provided the community with the income that they need to preserve their cultural identity.

A FEAST FOR THE EYES
From Public Installments to Exclusive Art Galleries, Puerto Vallarta Displays a Rich Collection of Artwork

PRESS CONTACT
Walter DeMirci / Nathalie Pilovetzky
Tel: 212-633-2047
walter@latitudepr.com
nathalie@latitudepr.com

Puerto Vallarta is home to one of the most dynamic and fastest growing arts scenes in Mexico. With over 30 art galleries displaying works by local, national and international artists – from native indigenous art and traditional Mexican silverware, glasswork and pottery to folk art, contemporary paintings and sculptures - the local arts scene has been revitalized by a cosmopolitan group of resident artists that have decided to call Puerto Vallarta home.

Arts aficionados will enjoy the numerous gallery openings and weekly art walks that are held year-round and are an integral part of the local social scene.

Puerto Vallarta’s love of art is also evident in the town’s impressive collection of public art that lines the malecón, the town’s seaside promenade. This collection has greatly been enhanced since the first sculpture adorning the malecón, the nine-foot high Seahorse, was installed in 1976. The Seahorse has since become one of the most recognized symbols of the city. Today, some of the beautiful and eclectic pieces embellishing Puerto Vallarta’s historic quarters include works by well reputed local artist Ramiz Barquet, as well as from other highly valued artists from the state of Jalisco, including Sergio Bustamante, Alejandro Colunga, and Adrian Reynoso.
Ramiz Barquet’s La Nostalgia represents two lovers reflecting on life’s twists and turns and has become a romantic symbol of Puerto Vallarta. The sculptor’s own love story inspired the piece as a tribute to the woman he long loved, lost and later married. Alejandro Colunga has contributed to the city’s public arts scene with The Rotunda on the Sea, an ensemble of seven large pieces, mostly sea-inspired creatures within a big rotunda. The original sculpture contained 16 pieces but was heavily damaged by Hurricane Kenna in 2002.
Created in 1999 in honor of the millennium, In Search of Reason is a 30-foot high ladder to the sky with two kids climbing up and their mother yelling after them from below. The statue is the work of renowned artist Sergio Bustamante. Nature As Mother, by another native of the state of Jalisco, Adrian Reynoso, depicts a spiraling wave on a snail, representing the life and death cycle.