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.

Do you work remotely, and you would really like to move to Mexico? You’re not alone as many people are working remotely and can live anywhere in the world as long as they have reliable internet connection. In Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is a popular choice for remote workers who want to live in a beautiful and affordable place. Located on the Pacific Coast in Banderas Bay, Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas have natural beauty, warm weather, wonderful restaurants, and plenty of exciting activities to do. Likewise, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect destination for remote workers that want to live in a relaxing place with modern conveniences. If you want to move full-time or buy a vacation home in the area, check out Villa La Estancia beachfront residences. Meanwhile, read below to learn why Puerto Vallarta is an excellent choice for remote workers who want to live in paradise.

Remote Work Lifestyle in Puerto Vallarta

There are a lot of expats who call Puerto Vallarta home even though PV makes the majority of its income off of tourism. Many expats own restaurants, bars, and businesses here. Other expats have remote jobs so they can live anywhere. In addition to natural beauty and a warm climate, Puerto Vallarta also has excellent restaurants, shops, bars, and so much more. Plus, it will be easy for expats to meet fellow expats that are working remotely while living in Puerto Vallarta. You can also go to a café to enjoy delicious coffee or tea while working, too. If you want to put down roots in the area, Villa La Estancia is located in the peaceful community of Nuevo Vallarta in Riviera Nayarit just 10 minutes north of the PVR airport. We have premium beachfront real estate for sale that come with world class resort amenities and premiere services, too.

Internet Connection

In Puerto Vallarta the internet connection is great! Telmex is the main internet provider, but there are some smaller internet companies that have a great connection as well. Telmex works outstanding for most remote workers. They are adding fiber optic services in new areas too. You can always increase your internet speed for an affordable price if you need to. You can get 10 Mbps for downloading and 2 Mbps for uploading is standard internet that works great for everyone. At Villa La Estancia, we have quality wifi services throughout the resort. That way, you can stay connected and get your work done no matter where you are on the property.

Why Remote Work Lifestyle in Puerto Vallarta?

A major reason why so many people decide to work remotely in PV is when they are not working, they can enjoy many outdoor activities. For instance, the weather year-round is wonderful, so you can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, surfing, kitesurfing, scuba diving, and more. In addition, PV has amazing restaurants and nightlife for people who want to enjoy a nice meal or go out dancing in the evenings. There are plenty of beautiful beaches and you can go exploring the small villages that are nearby, too. Now you can see why so many people want to live in PV and work remotely. At Villa La Estancia, we have delicious onsite restaurants, multiple pools, a spa, a fitness center, and room service. It’s nice having so many options around town, but you truly have everything you need right at home if you live at Villa La Estancia.

Would you like to work remotely in Puerto Vallarta? If so, you will be pleased to know that the cost of living is affordable, and there are plenty of fun things to see and do. If you are ready to work remotely, then you need to apply for a residency permit, and there are different options available for foreign remote workers in Mexico. If you want to try it out first, you can get a six-month tourist visa. Also, if you decide you want to buy property in the area, contact us at Villa La Estancia. Expats really love our hotel-condo concept property. It’s low-maintenance, solidly constructed, and located on one of the best beaches in Banderas Bay. Currently, we have a limited number of luxurious beachfront residences for sale. Are you ready to try the remote work lifestyle in Puerto Vallarta? Contact us today to learn more!

Did you know that there are 4,000 different varieties of chili peppers in the world? In Mexico, about 60 types of chili peppers are grown in the country. You probably already know that chili peppers are an important part of Mexican cuisine. They are used in many authentic Mexican dishes to add color, complexity, depth, and spice. In Mexico, some of the most commonly used peppers include the Jalapeño, ancho, cascabel, poblano, chipotle, morita, guajillo, serrano, habanero, pasilla, de arbol, manzano, puya, and piquín chiles. Read below for more about Mexico’s chili peppers.

A Taste of Mexico: Chili Pepper Details:

• Poblano Chili Peppers

• Firstly, poblano chili peppers are one of the most commonly used dried chilis in Mexico. The dark green, large chiles are also known as ancho chiles. In Spanish, the word “Ancho” means “wide”. The large and triangular shaped ancho chile is sweet and mild in dried form.

• Jalape mexican chili pepper ño Chili Peppers

  Secondly, jalapeños are one of the most popular chillies around the world. These tasty peppers are very versatile and available in various preparations including fresh, roasted, pickled or smoked. In addition, did you know that chipotle peppers are simply jalapeños that have been dried? Once the jalapeños are dried, they are called chipotle peppers and become dark red in color with a smoky, spicy, and slightly sweet taste.

• Pasilla Peppers

  Also called chile negro, pasilla peppers are long and narrow and can be mild, medium, or hot and spicy. When the pasillas are dried, the pepper’s skin becomes quite wrinkly. Around 6 to 8 inches long and 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, dried pasilla chiles are often used to prepare many delicious sauces such as fresh salsas, enchilada sauce, and mole.

• Guajillo Peppers

• Did you know that guajillo chilies are the main pepper used to make salsa that is served with tamales? In order to prepare the salsa, guajillo peppers are dried, seeded, then soaked in water. Next, they are mashed or pureed into a paste. Lastly, they are cooked with other ingredients to create a wonderful fresh sauce that goes great with homemade tamales.

• Serrano Peppers

  Serrano peppers are quite spicy for being so little. These peppers were originally produced in the mountainous regions of the states of Puebla and Hidalgo, and the name serrano refers to the mountain ranges in those areas. These peppers are very spicy, and are used in a variety of salsas. Serranos are also used to make giardiniera which is an Italian relish of pickled vegetables in vinegar or oil.

• Habanero Pepper

• One of the spiciest chilies in the world, habanero peppers are green when unripe, but turn orange or red once matured. In general, habanero peppers are very small and only measure 2–6 centimeters in length. These spicy peppers are full of capsaicinoids, and score 150,000 Scoville Heat Units which makes the habanero one of the world’s spiciest peppers.

• Ghost Pepper

  Finally, according to the Guiness Book of World Records, the hottest pepper in the world is the ghost pepper which is a hybrid of Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens. At 170 times hotter than Tabasco sauce, the ghost chili scored more than one million Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). For comparison’s sake, the ghost pepper is around 416 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper which scores just 5,000 Scoville Heat Units. Is your mouth on fire yet?

Are you in dire need of some rest and relaxation? If so, why not plan a trip to Mexico to try delicious chili peppers for yourself? If you aren’t sure where to go, come visit us at Villa La Estancia. Our unique hotel-condo concept property is a luxury resort and private beachfront residences. We have amazing world class amenities including multiple pools, jacuzzis, a spa, fitness center, room service, and front desk concierge. Plus, we also have award winning onsite restaurants such as La Casona that has been recognized by Wine Spectator magazine for our incredible wine selection. Currently we have properties in Riviera Nayarit near Puerto Vallarta, and in Cabo San Lucas. Check our website for the latest promotions and deals so you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation and stay on budget, too. During your stay, ask to see our beachfront residences that are available for purchase, too.

There are many wonderful things about retiring in Mexico. For example, the quality of life is better due to a lower cost of living. In general, housing, healthcare, and grocery expenses tend to cost less in Mexico versus other countries. In addition, another wonderful part about living in Mexico is that there are many incredible small towns and villages to explore. If you live near Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit, did you know that there are several little towns to visit nearby? Towns such as San Sebastian del Oeste, Talpa de Allende, and Mascota are wonderful places to visit. Founded in 1525, Mascota is a charming small town with around 15,000 inhabitants that is surrounded by pine-covered mountains. The colonial style buildings and wonderful climate make it a great escape from the heat in Puerto Vallarta. Keep reading more to learn about taking a Mascota day trip from Puerto Vallarta.

Mascota Day Trip from Puerto Vallarta

Many people decide to move to Mexico because there’s something so inviting about the country’s culture, people, and great weather. Many expats that own a second home in Mexico love that there are endless amounts of activities to enjoy all year long. If you own a home at Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit near Puerto Vallarta, we recommend taking a day trip to Mascota. The small town has cobblestone streets and colonial style buildings that still maintain their original charm. Teco Indians were the original inhabitants of the area. Subsequently, the town’s name Mascota came from the indigeous language Teco word “Amaxacotlán Mazacotla,” which means the place of deer and snakes. Today, Mascota is a lovely town where visitors quickly fall in love with the beautiful views of mountains, forests, and rivers. Plus, the locals are very friendly and welcoming and proudly show off their town’s unique history.

The History of Mascota

The history of Mascota dates back to the 16th century. Around that time, local inhabitants began constructing their homes and roads without much planning. An erratic street layout developed that can be confusing to navigate, but also adds to the town’s charm. During your visit to Mascota, make sure to visit the local Archaeological Museum. There, you can find displays of interesting petroglyphs and artifacts that have been discovered at ruins in the area along with explanations of the history of these ancient artifacts. Recently, a collaboration led by National Geographic revealed that the area was involved with trade and commerce with Peru as far as 2000 years ago. In addition, visit the Casa de la Cultura to learn more about the city’s history and heritage. Lastly, visit the unique Rock Museum El Pedregal which is made of and decorated with rocks of all sizes, colors, and shapes, too.

Things to Do in Mascota

In addition to museums, there are delicious traditional foods and drinks to enjoy in Mascota. At breakfast, make sure to order the local coffee which is known as “café de olla.” There are also several bakeries called panaderias that prepare home-made pastries and baked goods. If you want to try a local speciality drink, try rompope which is a popular sweet liquor that has hints of vanilla, chestnut or seasonal fruits and berries. If you prefer a stronger drink, agave plant-based raicilla is native to the area so you can try homemade raicilla as well. If you want to be active, visitors can enjoy horseback riding, kayaking, boat tours, rappelling, hiking, rock climbing and fishing. The Laguna de Juanacatlan is a 24 hectare lake surrounded by conifer forests. The lake itself is actually the crater of a dead volcano, and it’s a great place to go kayaking or fishing.

Do you own a beachfront residence at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit? If you do, make sure to take a day trip to explore beautiful Mascota which is located just a few hours inland from Puerto Vallarta. If you’re looking for a second home in paradise, the hotel-condo concept Villa La Estancia has a limited number of homes for sale in the exclusive beachfront community of Nuevo Vallarta. Our luxury beachfront Residences are solidly constructed, elegantly furnished, and come with access to resort amenities and services, too. It could be the perfect maintenance-free vacation home or retirement home that you’ve been looking for. Are you ready to buy your dream vacation home in paradise? If so, call us at Villa La Estancia today and inquire about our Try and Buy Program. It’s the best way for prospective homebuyers to test out a luxury beach lifestyle before investing.