Boat Excursions on Banderas Bay, Mexico

One of the great pastimes that homeowners at Villa La Estancia Residences can enjoy anytime of the year is exploring Banderas Bay on a boat tour. Boat excursions on Banderas Bay, Mexico are one of the best ways to get to know the beauty of Banderas Bay. There are many different boat cruises on offer for both day and night excursions on Banderas Bay, in addition to private yacht charters and fishing tours. With so many amazing boat tours, you could try something different each time your visit your home away from home.

Booking boat excursions on Banderas Bay, Mexico is easy, especially for Villa del Estancia residents who can use the services of the onsite tour agent. Alternatively you can make bookings via the internet. A lot of different activities await; dancing, singing, snorkeling, eating out and indulging in great music will make memories that last forever. Whether you are an adult, a child or a kid at heart, boat excursions on Banderas Bay will provide the time of your life.

sunset on banderas bay

Marigalante Pirate Ship Day and Night Tours

Have you ever dreamed of being a pirate sailing the vastness of the ocean with reckless authority? The Marigalante Pirate Ship can make that dream come true as you sail aboard an authentic wooden pirate ship with staff that dress and act like real pirates. On both the day and night tour of Banderas Bay, a pirate show will leave you in awe as acrobatic stunts, pirate music and other live performances literally fill the deck of your boat.

During the Pirates of the Bay night tour, the show is the center of attention with a delicious three course meal and as much to drink as you are partial to. You will enjoy an award winning pirate battle as though you had been transported back in time to the Golden Age of Pirates, followed by fireworks. The focus of the pirate ship day tour is more towards outdoor pirate fun, and your day will be full of merry things like dancing, exciting games, water sports and even treasure hunting on the beach. It’s an all ideal Banderas Bay cruise for an all out family affair that will leave you breathless.

Rhythms of the Night Boat Cruise

If you are looking for romantic boat excursions on Banderas Bay, Mexico to share with your nearest and dearest, the Rhythms of the Night cruise is highly recommended for you. It promises a night full of romance as you start off cruising the scenic coastline of Banderas Bay en route to the remote beach cove of Las Caletas. The slow beat of ancient Aztec drums can be heard as your boat arrives to the shore and you are escorted to an amphitheatre in the jungle where you will enjoy an artistic representation of Mexico’s pre-Hispanic history through dance and music. All of this followed by a candlelit dinner under the moon and the bright, sparkling stars for a night to remember affair.

Las Marietas

A day jampacked with a host of activities is what you can expect of Las Marietas boat excursions in Banderas Bay. From the shore, you will make your way by boat to the famous Las Marietas islands which boast a unique location formed out of volcanic eruptions thousands of years ago. While cruising your way, music and dancing will create a festive air, with an open bar and a full lunch provided to satisfy your hunger. You may be lucky enough to see a wide variety of marine life like manta rays, humpback whales and dolphins from the side of your boat.

When you reach Las Marietas, you can jump in for some snorkeling and discover the underwater riches that these remote islands offer. You can also access a hidden beach by swimming through a cave to discover the hidden gem that makes Las Marietas so famous on Banderas Bay.

Las Animas Boat Cruise

If you love exploring underwater and admiring the beauty down below, Las Animas boat excursions on Banderas Bay will fit you to a tee. Two destinations are the order of the day and awaiting discovery. First is the Los Arcos Underwater National Park, where snorkeling is at its best. A professional guide will accompany you and provide snorkels, fins and life jackets for your safety. Prepare yourself for close encounters with underwater creatures and colorful fish and corals that dominate the sea landscape. The Las Animas beach comes next on the agenda, and this is where facilities for beach volleyball, kayaking and banana boating are available. If you don’t feel like taking part in the action, you can simply lie on the sandy beach and enjoy the wonderful scenery surrounding you. As you head back, the fun never ceases. You can party, dance and drink all the way back to port.

Princess Sunset Cruise

The two and a half hours you will spend on the Princess Sunset Cruise on Banderas Bay will leave you enchanted. This elegant cruise offers simple luxury like drinking at an open bar with great snacks for company as you take in the spectacular views of the bay. If you want to let your hair down, you can dance and party the night away in the lower decks where you will be joined by others who are in the mood for a fiesta.

For more information about boat excursions on Banderas Bay, Villa la Estancia Residents should contact the onsite tour agents.

mexican christmas party

Great Mexican Christmas Traditions

Christmas in Mexico is a great celebration characterized by rich cultural and religious traditions with touches of contemporary influences from the United States and Canada like Christmas trees and Santa Claus. Overall, a Mexican Christmas is less commercialized than other countries and full of fascinating customs that you can enjoy as both homeowners at Villa La Estancia Residences and visitors alike.

Great Mexican Christmas Traditions

If you decide to spend time in Mexico during the Christmas holidays, you’ll be amazed by the sights of large Christmas trees and sparkling lights adorning plazas, and the abundance of food and artisan stalls in public places. Likewise, you will see large nativity scenes and images of the Baby Jesus. On the beach next to Puerto Vallarta’s malecon boardwalk, sand artists usually exhibit great works of art in the run up to Christmas depicting various Christmas related scenes made from sand.

mexican christmas party

Noche Buena

Unlike the United States and Canada, a Mexican Christmas is traditionally celebrated on Christmas Eve on December 24th rather than December 25th. Mexican families gather together following the last mass of advent to feast on sumptuous delicacies such as cod, tamales, pozole and mole. The Mexican Christmas celebrations are likely to last into the wee hours of the morning. Gifts are given as a way to honor the spirit of giving and sharing, which is what Christmas is all about in Mexico.

The Day of the Three Kings/ Three Wise Men

Another Mexican Christmas tradition that differs from those of the United States and Canada is the Day of the Three Kings. El Dia de Reyes is celebrated yearly on January 6th commemorating the end of the long Christmas festivities. Just like the Three Kings in the Bible who gave the Baby Jesus gifts during their visit, Mexican children anticipate this day with the hope of receiving plenty of gifts as well. They’ll put their shoes on the doorstep of their homes thinking that when the kings pass by, they will leave gifts for them.

The Traditional Rosca de Reyes

The Day of the Three Kings is not just about children getting presents, this Mexican Christmas tradition has another charming feature: the Rosca de Reyes. The rosca is a garland-shaped sweet bread that is served on El Dia de Reyes which contains one or more ceramic Baby Jesus figure. Everyone at the gathering has to take a slice of the bread. If your slice contains the figure, you are blessed and will be expected to host the next party which is held on February 2nd for Candlemas, where tamales will be served.

Visitors to Mexico and Villa La Estancia Residences homeowners are invited to join in the Mexican Christmas traditions for a wonderfully rich festive experience.

Luxury Realty in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta

Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, that forms part of Banderas Bay on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, is ever becoming the top destination for luxury realty. Development in Mexico and the real estate market has seen a revival over the last couple of years following the recent recession, yet you can still find excellent prices for luxury realty in both Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta. While forecasts are promising for developers as house prices are set to rise in the coming years, buyers should make haste to purchase while the effects of the recession on prices can still be felt in Mexico.

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Your Chance for Luxury Realty in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta

Despite what you might think about Mexico, if there is one thing that the country does best is to create luxury homes at affordable prices. Luxury in Mexico costs less, without a doubt. Your dream home with all the services can be yours in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta without having to give up having a foot back home. Second home ownership is truly affordable in Mexico.

Luxury realty comes in all shapes and sizes in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta: from grand mansions on the water’s edge to lavish condos with pools and beach access to resort living like Villa La Estancia Residences, where you can enjoy all the facilities of a five star resort like pools, gourmet restaurants, a first class spa, gym, room service and so forth. The neighborhood you choose within Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta can also affect the price of your luxury realty investment, albeit not as drastically as it does in the United States and Canada.

Benefits of Living in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta

Besides the year-round sunshine and warm temperatures throughout winter, living in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta has its benefits. Firstly, the luxuries that make life more fulfilling are more affordable. You can see yourself getting a massage each week, beauty treatments that you maybe can’t afford back home, or surgeries that are considered a luxury but which make you’re life more comfortable.

The thriving expat community in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta is also an attraction for many people seeking luxury realty. You can join all kinds of groups such as painting classes, writers’ clubs, poetry festivals, yoga classes, fishing and yacht clubs to mention just a few. For those of you who like to support local charities, you can also meet other expats helping out as a host of different non-profit organizations including orphanages, cats and dogs groups, turtle sanctuaries and disability charities welcome the help of residents.

Your social life need not just be about helping the community, there are plenty of bars, fine restaurants (including gourmet wine and food festivals each year), dancing clubs (with lessons) and street parties to enjoy. And when there is nothing special to do, you will never tire of walking the malecon boardwalk to catch a subset with an ice-cream or frozen yogurt. Life really is good in Banderas Bay!

Luxury realty in Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta is not just about elegant houses and property investment, it is about a way of life that you will want to share with your loved ones, and which will enrich your life no end.

Retirement in Riviera Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit: Far More than your Average Retirement Community

There is no doubt that Mexico is the number one choice for those looking to retire in a foreign land. Thriving expat communities that inhabit almost every coastal town, including, Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas and everything in between, take advantage of low cost, laid-back lifestyles that make reaching retirement so much sweeter.

Retirement in Riviera Nayarit
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Riviera Nayarit a Retirement Favorite

As the popularity of retiring in a foreign land hits all-time highs, so does the preference for Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s hottest new destination. With its charming culture, stunning seaside towns and endless expanses of palm-fringed beaches, Riviera Nayarit offers far more than your average retirement community.

Attracting visitors from around the world, Riviera Nayarit’s colorful blend of old Mexican charm and modern luxuries creates the ideal destination for those looking to find their home away from home. In this peaceful haven, one can find the finest restaurants, a myriad of shopping opportunities, and a large variety of recreational activities, including world-class golf, sunset sailing and romantic strolls along the most alluring beaches.

Friendly Faces Grace Your Retirement

While the natural beauty that surrounds the region weighs heavily on one’s decision to make Riviera Nayarit their home, it is the genuine happiness and overall friendly atmosphere that exudes from every corner of the region that makes staying worth the while. At the heart of any great place is its people, and that couldn’t be truer for the residents of each and every town that dots Riviera Nayarit’s coast. From the end of Banderas Bay and beyond, the locals are known for their unwavering hospitality and heartfelt welcomes, making it easy to adapt to such a harmonious lifestyle.

Fractional or Full Time Retirement?

Choosing to live in Riviera Nayarit, even if only for part of the year, is a huge step in the right direction. One can find everything from villas to resort-style condominium complexes that make buying real estate in Mexico hassle free. While purchasing a Mexican home can be quite nerve wracking, it’s the option to buy upscale residences with 5-star resort amenities that draws people to the area. With endless opportunities to buy real estate, it is easy to make the move to a happier, more relaxed lifestyle.

Have you thought about a Try and Buy option? Visit us at Villa La Estancia Residences and see what you think!

Spend Christmas in Riviera Nayarit

Reasons to Spend Christmas in Riviera Nayarit

Spend Christmas in Riviera Nayarit

The Riviera Nayarit is one of those eternally popular vacation destinations that draws in thousands of tourists every day throughout the year; but did you know that it is also one of the best celebration destinations in the world for the Christmas season? The festive spirit is alive and well in Riviera Nayarit, and the elegant, elaborate celebrations, traditional festivities and utterly divine weather only make it better.

Reasons to Spend Christmas in Riviera Nayarit:

A Different Kind of Winter Blues

As the rest of the American continent slips into the chilly heart of winter, Riviera Nayarit, and many coastal cities in Mexico, maintains its blue, clear skies, sunny days and balmy temperatures which range from the low to mid 80s. Lounging at the poolside, soaking in the sun’s rays with a cocktail – did you ever imagine spending Christmas day this way? If so, it could become a reality very easily!

The Genuine Christmas Spirit

The idea of the Christmas season is for families and friends to come together in order to celebrate all the things they have to be thankful for, and in the Riviera Nayarit this sense of the Christmas spirit abounds. Families and friends from all over the world gather here to spend time together and cheerfully wish each other all the best for the coming year.

On the run up to Christmas in Riviera Nayarit, many locals will attend a variety of parties called Posadas in which they will share in the magic of the season with their loved ones. If you’re lucky you might also catch the festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the beginning of December where in masses of “Vallartenses” will parade through the centre of many towns in an elaborate display of religious devotion and Mexican culture. These parades create a truly magical spectacle for those tourists lucky enough to see them.

A Relaxing Way to Finish Your Christmas Shopping

Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta are home to wonderful shopping centres and promenades that make for wonderful Christmas shopping. Usually Christmas shopping is a nightmare; running from store to store in order to get all those last minute bits and bobs. In the Riviera Nayarit, however, there shops are diverse and unique in that they range from large stores to small, independent boutiques. This is one shopping experience that can be both relaxing and exciting!

You’ll Have a Whale of a Time

As far as unusual Christmas activities go there are few things that can top going whale watching on Christmas eve! Humpback Whales make the waters just off the coast of the Riviera Nayarit their home in December and, if you’re really lucky, you’ll see them breach, spyhop and tail slap their way through the waters. You might even catch a pod with some calves in tow- that is a truly moving sight that will stay with you forever! You can turn your Christmas vacation in the Riviera Nayarit into an adventure in the heart of nature- all you have to do is look around you.