If you’re like many people, you probably love going shopping when you are on vacation. Mexico has a rich heritage and culture that attracts visitors from all around the world. It’s also a great place to own a dream vacation home thanks to the great weather and lovely beaches. If you’d like to visit Mexico soon and aren’t sure where to go… Meanwhile, read below to learn about top souvenirs to buy during a Mexico getaway.

1. Elegant Talavera Pottery

For starters, Talavera pottery is a beautiful type of pottery that is a top souvenir to buy in Mexico. The style of pottery was introduced by the Spanish during the colonial era in the town of Puebla near Mexico City. The elegant and beautiful pottery has delicate patterns and designs that are now part of Mexico’s rich culture. The best place to find quality Talavera pottery is in Puebla, which is where the pottery was first started. However, you can also find Talavera pottery in shops and stores throughout tourist destinations in Mexico such as Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Riviera Nayarit. There are a variety of pottery pieces available to choose from including lovely plates, plates, cups, spoons, and salt and pepper shakers. Check the bottom of the pottery piece for a DO4 symbol which signifies it is an official Denominacion de Origen stamped on original Talavera pottery.

2. Tequila & Mezcal

Secondly, nothing is more authentically Mexican than Tequila! In fact, Tequila and mezcal spirits are the most important and popular spirits that are made in Mexico. The state of Jalisco is where tequila’s birthplace is, and you can visit the town of Tequila on a day trip from Puerto Vallarta. If you want to purchase 100% Azul tequila or mezcal as a souvenir, then Mexico is the best place to get it. If you aren’t sure which brands to try, some of the best tequila brands include Herradura, Clase Azul, and Don Julio. As far as mezcal, El Silencio and 400 Conejos are popular brands that you can take home with you. During your visit to Mexico, you can also sign up to attend tequila and mezcal tasting courses so you can sample great spirits as you learn more about these wonderful Mexican liquors.

3. Colorful Mexican Glassware

Thirdly, handmade Mexican glassware is another wonderful and useful gift that you can buy in Mexico. Plus, the beautifully made glassware will compliment your tequila and mezcal if you end up buying a bottle or two to take home. There are many various styles of glassware available in different colors, too. You can buy delicate wine glasses, margarita glasses, shot glasses, and more. In general, traditional handmade Mexican glassware is clear with flecks of different colors within the glass and a vibrant blue rim. Plus, the lovely glassware makes a great gift for friends or the perfect compliment to your own kitchen.

4. Handmade Mexican Blankets

Next, if you want a functional and beautiful handmade item to bring back from Mexico, check out traditional handmade Mexican blankets. They are a great souvenir to take home from your Mexican vacation because they are beautiful and useful. Also known as Serapes, authentic Mexican blankets usually have a striped weave design in various colors. and Made with natural fibers such as cotton and wool, they are very durable so they will last forever. They are the perfect souvenir and gift as well. They are very versatile and can be used as blankets, quilts, or even as a picnic blanket.

5. Delicious Mexican Chocolate

Lastly, Mexico is actually the birthplace of chocolate. Today, you can find tons of great Mexican chocolate in the country’s top destinations. You can find many different forms of chocolate to buy to take back with you including chocolate bars, chunks, and chocolate mix. Make sure you pick up extra to give to friends and family members for gifts.

If you find yourself visiting Mexico soon, you now know the top souvenirs to purchase during your stay. Also, if you’d like to start planning a trip, remember to contact Villa La Estancia in Cabo San Lucas or Riviera Nayarit. Currently, we have all-inclusive travel packages on sale so you can vacation in style and stay on budget, too. Our luxurious beachfront residences for sale are elegant, spacious, and very comfortable. Plus, homeowners enjoy direct access to the resort’s world class resort amenities and services, too.

If you want a dream home at the beach that is low maintenance, call us at Villa La Estancia today to learn more!

You probably already know that the Day of the Dead is an important Mexican holiday celebrated on November 2nd. Thanks to the popularity of box office smash “Coco”, Dia de Los Muertos has become well known all across the world. In Mexico, this important cultural event is a huge part of the country’s rich history and heritage.

This year in Puerto Vallarta, the largest Catrina in Puerto Vallarta’s history was constructed. The elegant and striking Catrina was designed by local artist Alondra Muca and measured an impressive 23 meters tall. At 75 feet high, the Calavera Catrina earned the Guinness Book World Record for having the tallest Catrina in the world.

Each year, the Malecon boardwalk is decorated in honor of Dia de Los Muertos with beautiful altars and decorations to honor those who have passed on before us. Read more about this year’s record breaking Catrina in Puerto Vallarta.

Where Did La Catrina Come From?

To start with, if you didn’t know the origins of the Catrina image, you can learn about that right here. Back in 1910, a Mexican printmaker and cartoon illustrator named José Guadalupe created a zinc sketch which was the first image of a Calavera Catrina. Originally, the skeleton image was intended to mock upper class women who supported the dictatorship of President Porfirio Díaz during the Mexican Revolution.

Later, the skeleton image was given the name Catrina by renowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera when he painted her dressed up in elegant dresses in one of his murals. Over time, it became an iconic figure in Mexican culture representing death and the way Mexicans deal with the loss of a loved one. Eventually, the character of La Catrina became a symbol that is synonymous with the Day of the Dead.

Local Artist Alondra Muca

The impressive Catrina is so tall that it has been recorded in the Guiness Book of World Records as the tallest Catrina in the world at 23 meters high, beating the former record made in 2015 in Zapotlanejo, Jalisco of 18.77 meters. She is composed of metal and fiberglass, and is wearing a vibrant blue dress with sparkly sequined teal and gold accents on her top. Her skeleton face is painted white with blue designs and pink and red flowers. As a final touch, her hat contains real palm tree leaves.

If you weren’t able to celebrate the Day of the Dead this year, why not make sure to plan a trip next year? If you need a great place to stay, contact us at Villa La Estancia in Nuevo Nayarit. Located just 15 minutes north of the PVR airport, our luxury resort has spacious accommodations and top amenities. Plus, we are located on a quiet and tranquil beach that is ideal for swimming and strolling along the shore. It’s just a short drive to reach downtown Puerto Vallarta too if you want to get into the heat of the action.

Right now, we have special all-inclusive travel packages on sale. In addition, we are a hotel-condo concept property and also have a limited number of beachfront residences for sale for people who want to own a vacation home in paradise. Contact us at Villa La Estancia today to learn more!

On November 1st and November 2nd, two of the most important festivities are celebrated in Mexico, which is Dia de Muertos or Day of the Dead. This annual event in Puerto Vallarta usually involves festivals around town with beautiful shrines and altars displayed along the iconic Malecon boardwalk.

Festivities often include mariachi performances, folkloric ballets, Catrinas, contests, and so much more. If you live in the area or plan to visit soon, continue to read below to learn more about this emblematic holiday in Puerto Vallarta Mexico.

Day of the Dead

One of the biggest events in Puerto Vallarta and throughout Mexico is the Day of the Dead celebration. The origins of this holiday date back to the 1300’s when the Aztecs celebrated Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead. Centuries later when the Spanish conquistadors came to Mexico during the 1500’s, they introduced Catholicism and All-Saints Day (Christian Holiday) which was celebrated on November 1st. Later the Day of the Dead was moved to November 2nd to coincide with Catholic holiday.

Today, Dia de Muertos is an important holiday that allows family and friends to honor those who have passed on by making beautiful altars in their memory. Likewise, family and friends will gather in cemeteries to spend the night with their loved ones that have passed away, and they will honor them with their favorite foods, music, and drinks.

How day of the dead is celebrated

If you aren’t familiar with this unique holiday, the belief is that the human soul doesn’t die, but continues to live on forever in another world. Day of the dead believes that when you pass away, your soul will leave this world and travel to the afterlife. However, on November 2nd our ancestors’ souls can come to visit the world of the living for a day. As a result, it is very important to have an altar in place to honor your loved one.

Similarly, November 1st is also known as “Dia de Inocentes” or Day of the Innocents that honors children or infants who have passed away, and November 2nd is day of the dead or “Dia de Difuntos” when older adults are celebrated that are no longer with us.

Altar Facts

The intent of building an altar is to encourage visits by the souls, so the souls will hear the prayers and the words of the living directed to them.

• The day of the dead altar must have the favorite foods and drinks of the deceased person, and it should also include the four elements of nature which are water, wind, fire, and earth.
• The altar must contain pictures of the person who has passed along with flowers.
• The most common flower used is the marigold flower because it is yellow orange in color which represents life, sun, and hope.
• Also, bread of the dead or “Pan de Muertos” is frequently prepared or consumed by families during this time as well. This baked good is similar to a sweet roll, and the bread can be made to look like an angel, animals, or a skeleton.

As you can see, the Day of the Dead is one of the largest annual traditional events in Mexico. If you are visiting Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit you can enjoy these celebration. Every November, on the boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta you can find altars in memory of the deceased, catrinas (of all sizes), marigold flowers, bread of the dead and much more.

Find inspiration with this mexican chocolate recipe for your Day of the Dead celebration

Are you ready to book your vacation? If so, contact Villa La Estancia today. Located in the Nuevo Nayarit neighborhood of Riviera Nayarit, the property is located just 20 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport. Our unique hotel-condo concept property is ideally situated on one of the best beaches in Banderas Bay. In addition to being an award winning resort, we also have a limited number of luxurious beachfront residences for sale. Our oceanfront homes are spacious, finely furnished, and solidly constructed. Plus, our homeowners enjoy exclusive access to our top quality resort amenities and services, too. If you are in the market for a dream vacation home in Mexico or a low-maintenance retirement home at the beach, we have what you’re looking for. Contact us at Villa La Estancia today to learn more.

Live an excellent beach vacation when you visit Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit. Enjoy the best things to do surrounded by the Banderas Bay which is the 7th largest bay in the world and the largest bay in Mexico. You have miles and miles of ocean you can explore along with many fun activities. Keep reading below to learn the top activities you can enjoy if you live by the ocean.

Top Things to do on the Beach:

Swimming

To start with, swimming is a fun activity that people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy when you live by the ocean. For example, you can start your day with a refreshing morning swim or end your day with a relaxing dip at sunset. Swimming is a great workout that will improve your breathing, and swimming uses your body’s muscles without putting weight on your joints. This is great for those who have knee, feet, and hip issues.

Kitesurfing

Next, a new sport and more demanding water activity is kiteboarding. Kiteboarding uses the wind to pull your kite across the water. It is a challenging sport and activity that uses combinations of wakeboarding, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, and paragliding. The best place in Banderas Bay to go kitesurfing is in Bucerias, which is a coastal town. There are natural wind currents from March through June. In general, new kiters need to take at least 10 lessons with an instructor, before they are able to go out and kite on their own.

Scuba Diving

Thirdly, scuba diving in the ocean is an adventure that is always thrilling and visually stimulating. If you are a beginner, make sure you take lessons with an instructor that is certified. El Morro is the best place to scuba dive in Banderas Bay. However, you need to be an advanced diver to dive there and you will be able to explore numerous caves and tunnels. In addition, scuba divers may also get to see manta rays, sea turtles, and many beautiful and colorful fish. During the winter months, you may get to see the humpback whales too.

Paddleboarding

Next, paddleboarding is an activity that can be either a relaxing and peaceful experience, or a good work out. Plus, it’s an activity that people of all ages can enjoy. You will get a complete body workout that will also improve your balance, too. Punta de Mita is the best area to go paddleboarding in the Banderas Bay, and it is located only 45 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta and about 30 minutes from Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit.

These activities are a great way to stay fit during your beach vacation, and it also benefits your mental health, too. Plus, there are so many fun activities to enjoy, things to see, and interesting places to visit.

Are you ready to own a beach house?

If so, then contact us at Villa La Estancia. We have beautiful beachfront residences in the Nuevo Vallarta neighborhood of Riviera Nayarit and in Cabo San Lucas. Our exclusive oceanfront real estate is popular with expats who want to live a luxury lifestyle. Riviera Nayarit and Cabo both enjoy wonderful climates with warm, sunny days most of the year.

That way, it’s easy to stay active and make the most of every precious day. If you’re ready to learn more, contact us at Villa La Estancia and schedule a property tour to check out our limited number of beachfront residences for sale. Your dream home in Mexico is calling!

The most popular coastal place in Mexico is Puerto Vallarta, and visitors worldwide love visiting here often. In fact, many people that have visited the destination instantly fall in love with the charming coastal place.

Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Puerto Vallarta has been recognized as being one of the top twenty cities in the world by Conde Nast Traveler’s Readers Choice Awards. Read below to learn what’s so great about Puerto Vallarta.

What’s So Great About Puerto Vallarta?

Well many people really adore the area because of various reasons. For example, Puerto Vallarta still has the traditional and authentic Mexican charm, despite numerous tourists and expats that have moved to the area.

As far as where to go, Old Town Vallarta (Zona Romantica) has some of the area’s best shops, bars, and restaurants. They still have charming cobblestone streets that are fun to stroll along with friends or family. In addition, Puerto Vallarta is home to the famous Malecon Boardwalk, which runs 2 ½ miles in length down the coast. The boardwalk is lined with unique bronze sculptures along with many restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s perfect for strolling or enjoying a delicious meal and cocktails along with the amazing Vallarta weather, too.

Outdoor Activities

Many visitors that enjoy a vacation in Puerto Vallarta decide that they want to relocate here because they can enjoy outdoor activities any time of the year.

• Mountain biking
• Hiking to Cerro de la Cruz
• Whale Watching (December and March season)
• Snorkeling
• Swimming
• Scuba diving
• Fishing
• Kayaking and Paddleboarding
• Nightclubs
• Visit nearby towns
• Walk along the boardwalk
• Visit the best Puerto Vallarta beaches
• Go ATV riding or ziplining in the jungle
• Visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens

There are many different tours available and cultural events and festivals are held on a regular basis, too.

Warm Weather

Most of the year you can enjoy a warm climate, although the coldest temperature is from December to April while the hottest season is from the arrival of summer in June.

PUERTO VALLARTA WEATHER

The rainy and hurricane seasons are between the months of July to October. The rains are a bit recurrent in the afternoons and most of the time it only stays cloudy. Puerto Vallarta has a natural security of mountains around it, which protects it from the entry of tropical rain and hurricanes.

Delicious Food

Puerto Vallarta is known for its wide gastronomy, not only can you find seafood or Mexican food in the destination, there is a wide variety of restaurants of different styles where you can enjoy from Spanish food to Italian food. In fact, every year there are a couple of gastronomic events where the best restaurants in the region meet and talented chefs show their culinary works.

Cost of Living is Lower

For foreigners, another one of the main reasons why they buy a second home is the cost of living is lower compared to cities in the United States and Canada. If you want a great real estate investment, coastal properties and housing costs are much lower in Puerto Vallarta than in other countries. Plus, investing in Puerto Vallarta real estate is the ideal way to have a dream vacation home or second home at the beach where your family can spend quality time together.

In addition, the healthcare and access to quality doctors and hospitals is great. A doctor visit usually costs around $35 – $50 dollars, which is quite affordable. Likewise, health insurance and prescriptions are much lower in Mexico than they are in the United States and in Canada. Last but not least, the cost for groceries is also affordable, and there is better access to fresh fruits and vegetables, too.

It is easy to see why so many foreigners want to move to Puerto Vallarta. Located in Banderas Bay on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the area has so much to offer. If you are interested in a luxurious beachfront residence, then check out Villa La Estancia.