Last evening I attended an event at the Rivera Cuale a new condo development right on the Rio Cuale up from the Romantic Zone. It is a spectacular property as it was built with nature in mind at its location right next to the river. From the saline swimming pool, to the use of natural materials in the landscaping and design, to the use of native plants....it provides a tranquile setting in the middle of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The event last night was a benefit for a group that supports and finances spay and neuter of pets in the Puerto Vallarta area. After a social hour that included complimentary wine and beer, a tour of the models, lite hors d'oeuvres, and spectacular sunset; we watched an outdoor movie called "Home". It was a documentary that showed the destruction that humans have wielded on the planet Earth. While is was sad, it was a great eye opener to our plight and that of planet Earth. I have to admit the breeze was quite cool from the mountains behind us, but watching a movie outdoors with the Rio Cuale rushing was neat!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Botanic Gardens
I visited the Puerto Vallarta Botanic Gardens yesterday for the first time since I have been coming here. It was well worth the trip south of town of about 20 km! This is a very nice facility with a great restaurant to boot, so make it a luncheon trip and enjoy the views from the upper level main buiding that includes a gift shop as well.
The gardens themselves are nice with many tropical plants as well as some paths that lead to the lower areas including the river nearby where you can also take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear cool water. Another path went down into a jungle area with a hanging bridge. So it was not just a wander around the main gardens and the orchid building, you could get the feeling of being in the jungle with banana trees, plenty of 'birds of paradise', and many other plant varieties known in the area and other tropical areas of the world.
Of course there were also cacti of various speices as well. Then the Botanical Gardens also sell some varieties of their plants including orchids for you to take home with you and remember your visit to this great place!
The gardens themselves are nice with many tropical plants as well as some paths that lead to the lower areas including the river nearby where you can also take a refreshing dip in the crystal clear cool water. Another path went down into a jungle area with a hanging bridge. So it was not just a wander around the main gardens and the orchid building, you could get the feeling of being in the jungle with banana trees, plenty of 'birds of paradise', and many other plant varieties known in the area and other tropical areas of the world.
Of course there were also cacti of various speices as well. Then the Botanical Gardens also sell some varieties of their plants including orchids for you to take home with you and remember your visit to this great place!
Owning Property in Puerto Vallarta
A very intresting subject becomes the ownership of property here in Puerto Vallarta. As per federal law all property within 50 miles of the border and 50 miles of the coast, all foreign property ownership must be held in a irrevocable bank trust, whereby the property owner is the sole beneficerary of the trust. As part of the closing documents the buyer will need to pay for and setup such a trust with the bank here Puerto Vallarta. Fees range from $450-$600 per year including a one time setup fee.
Other than that the property is handled the same as just as it is in the United States with the owner being able to sell or transfer the property to another person. Property taxes are paid annually and the bank trust requires that the owner show proof of such payment.
A legal representative, especially a Mexican lawyer should always be used in the sale of property to make sure that the owner does indeed have ownership of the property via a recorded deed and that their are no liens against the property. The buyer usually pays for these costs and also the closing costs associated with a Notary that is he legal representative to handle the transfer of the property. (Notaries in Mexico are far more than a Notary in the United States. They are always lawyers appointed by the State they office in to handle multitudes of legal documents and recordings for the governments of Mexico)
Other than that the property is handled the same as just as it is in the United States with the owner being able to sell or transfer the property to another person. Property taxes are paid annually and the bank trust requires that the owner show proof of such payment.
A legal representative, especially a Mexican lawyer should always be used in the sale of property to make sure that the owner does indeed have ownership of the property via a recorded deed and that their are no liens against the property. The buyer usually pays for these costs and also the closing costs associated with a Notary that is he legal representative to handle the transfer of the property. (Notaries in Mexico are far more than a Notary in the United States. They are always lawyers appointed by the State they office in to handle multitudes of legal documents and recordings for the governments of Mexico)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Restaurants
Puerto Vallarta is loaded with many restaurants from the elegant expensive ones to the casual ones with more reasonable prices....but then again this is a resort town in Mexico and all prices are higher than you would find in the countryside. I have several favorite ones than seemed to be more reasonably priced:
El Coleguita-Marina-(located on the same entrance to the Marina with the large whales sculpture)
his is the best price value restaurant in Puerto Vallarta because for 109 pesos you get the following: at least 1 shot of house tequila, tostadas with salsa, your entree of fish and shrimp (30) including salad, rice, bread, and dessert of baked plantain with vanilla syrup. If that is not enough you get an after dinner drink of kahlua & cream. (Revisited in March 2011 and all the items are the same as mentioned above) NOW THIS IS THE DEAL OF CENTURY!!
Barcelona Tapas-Downtown Malecon-(located on the block between 31 Octobre & Jesus Langarica and straight up either street to Matamoros)
Tapas is alive and well in Puerto Vallarta at this great restaurant owned by an American with Mexican wife! The menu is extensive and complete with medium to high prices, but the portions are large for tapas and the Sangria is excellent offered in red or white. The best part is the fantastic sunsets here in the downtown area...make sure you sit in the upper level of the restaurant with the breezes of the ocean it is a comfortable place even in the summer. But just in case they also will close the windows and turn on the the AC! http://www.barcelonatapas.net/ (Updated in March 2011 and everything remains the same!)
Cafe Bohemia-Zona Romantica(127 Rodolfo Gomez-next to Los Arcos Hotel) Another fantastic restaurant with great value for the money owned by Sol Rosen a former New York Broadway star. The menu has a great selection of Mexican & American comfort food dishes with a daily special starting at 129 pesos. All meals include homemade tortilla chips(the light & airy kind) & salsa, soup of the day and your entree. Sol is known for his special Jewish holiday feasts including his homemade Matzo Ball soup that has been known to be the soup of the day too! When things are really busy (which they usually are because of the limited seating), Sol will burst out in song to the delight of everyone enjoying their fantastic meals! Updated in March 2011 and the experience remains the same, eventhough Sol was out town the staff seems to have kept up the quality of the food. I enjoyed the daily special at 139 pesos which was Mahi Mahi topped with shrimp and oyster sauce. Very tasty and well presented.
El Coleguita-Marina-(located on the same entrance to the Marina with the large whales sculpture)
his is the best price value restaurant in Puerto Vallarta because for 109 pesos you get the following: at least 1 shot of house tequila, tostadas with salsa, your entree of fish and shrimp (30) including salad, rice, bread, and dessert of baked plantain with vanilla syrup. If that is not enough you get an after dinner drink of kahlua & cream. (Revisited in March 2011 and all the items are the same as mentioned above) NOW THIS IS THE DEAL OF CENTURY!!
Barcelona Tapas-Downtown Malecon-(located on the block between 31 Octobre & Jesus Langarica and straight up either street to Matamoros)
Tapas is alive and well in Puerto Vallarta at this great restaurant owned by an American with Mexican wife! The menu is extensive and complete with medium to high prices, but the portions are large for tapas and the Sangria is excellent offered in red or white. The best part is the fantastic sunsets here in the downtown area...make sure you sit in the upper level of the restaurant with the breezes of the ocean it is a comfortable place even in the summer. But just in case they also will close the windows and turn on the the AC! http://www.barcelonatapas.net/ (Updated in March 2011 and everything remains the same!)
Cafe Bohemia-Zona Romantica(127 Rodolfo Gomez-next to Los Arcos Hotel) Another fantastic restaurant with great value for the money owned by Sol Rosen a former New York Broadway star. The menu has a great selection of Mexican & American comfort food dishes with a daily special starting at 129 pesos. All meals include homemade tortilla chips(the light & airy kind) & salsa, soup of the day and your entree. Sol is known for his special Jewish holiday feasts including his homemade Matzo Ball soup that has been known to be the soup of the day too! When things are really busy (which they usually are because of the limited seating), Sol will burst out in song to the delight of everyone enjoying their fantastic meals! Updated in March 2011 and the experience remains the same, eventhough Sol was out town the staff seems to have kept up the quality of the food. I enjoyed the daily special at 139 pesos which was Mahi Mahi topped with shrimp and oyster sauce. Very tasty and well presented.
The Weather
While I know most of you are freezing your you know what's off...here in Puerto Vallarta it has been very pleasant. The last few days have been cloudy though which is unsual for this time of year, but at least the temperatures remain in the 80's during the day. The humdity is around 50-70% this time of year vs. the 90-100% humidity we will have in the summer months. Now is the best time of year to visit us, as the weather really does not get any better.
This weekend looks to clear up and I am sure I will head to the beach sometime!!
This weekend looks to clear up and I am sure I will head to the beach sometime!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Welcome!
I have created this new blog for people who are interested in the details and 'real' story of Puerto Vallarta from the perspective of a 14 year traveler and now resident of this great city.....not a town anymore!
It continues to grow and grow and the options for travel, rentals, restaurants, and things to do and see continue to grow and grow. Just let me know if I can help you in anyway to make your travels here just that much more special!
It continues to grow and grow and the options for travel, rentals, restaurants, and things to do and see continue to grow and grow. Just let me know if I can help you in anyway to make your travels here just that much more special!
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