Experience Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

by Julieta Del Toro

Without a doubt, a great way to have fun and enjoy the marvelous diversity of marine species that inhabit Puerto Vallarta is by participating in one of the activities that allows you to get close to them.

A favorite among tourists of all ages is the Sea Lion encounter. These funny mustached aquatic mammals known for their intelligence, playfulness and peculiar sounds, are relatives of seals. Similar to their seal relatives, they have external ears, long flexible necks, elastic limbs and tail fins that can be used to walk on land. They differ from seals because they have thin, short, coarse hair instead of smooth thick hair.

Most people do not have the opportunity to observe Sea Lions in the sea, and for this reason Puerto Vallarta offers unique tours that give people the opportunity to get close to and interact with them. In addition to being entertaining “Swim with Sea Lions” programs educate visitors. With the help of trained staff, participants get to know and learn all about these incredible creatures. This is a fabulous experience that can’t be missed on your next trip to Puerto Vallarta.

June 9-13th, 2010 Riviera Nayarit will be full of competitive spirit thanks to the exciting International Fishing Tournament, that will take place at the privileged seas of San Blas.

Because every day is a day for the Earth, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit continuously creates eco-oriented activities inviting guests to take green actions. Kids Club is a clear example as on how to recycle materials to create both stunning and useful crafts. Celebration gets even better during Earth Day, holding contests and special activities specially thought for this day.

Today, the little ones are invited to a ‘Paint your World’ contest and to the whole day Art & Crafts workshops using recycling bottles and papers. Please wait for Today’s Pics to be uploaded soon!

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Please share your Green Ideas with us!

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Swimming with dolphins is an absolute must when vacationing in Vallarta! Check out our dolphin encounter package at Grand Velas Nayarit.

Mexican horsemen/women parade through town wearing beautifully decorated jackets, pants and sombreros on finely brushed horses decked with their best equipment. Festivities continue throughout the day and evening at various charro rings, including bullfights, calf roping, food and dancing.

December 12th is the most important religious holiday in Mexico; it commemorates the apparition in 1531 of the Virgin of Guadalupe to Juan Diego on the hills of the Tepeyac in Mexico City. The natives took the Virgin´s appearance as a blessing and the veneration of the Virgin of Guadalupe became a unifying factor in Mexican Catholicism. When you are in the downtown area of PV this December‚ make it a point to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and enjoy the December festivities. It is a unique experience!

The fifth edition of the Puerto Vallarta Film Festival will take place this year from December 10th to the 14th at Cinemark Plaza Caracol with more than 20 films. This extraordinary event cannot be missed.

Did you know that Puerto Vallarta is not only one of Mexico’s leading tourist destinations but it is also a vigorous, booming art scene? On Wednesday evenings from 6 to 10 pm during the months of October through April, art lovers are invited to come out and enjoy extended gallery hours, art talks and as much wine as they like as they linger from gallery to gallery in downtown Vallarta. Each participating gallery showcases the latest work of a particular painter, sculptor or ceramist who most often are new or duly noted artists.

Venture off the beaten track on an all-terrain Mercedes Benz vehicle that will take you to the most wonderful places Vallarta has to offer. Enjoy the depts of the forest vegetation where ecologically-oriented guides will take you on a fascinating educational nature walk. Explore the regions flora and fauna under the canopy of the forest and enjoy truly amazing off the beaten path beach for a swim and a delectable “al fresco” lunch.