Banderas Bay Archaeological Sites

Banderas Bay is well known for its natural beauty, excellent climate and miles of spectacular beaches. However, did you know that the area is also home to archaeological sites as well? While the other coast of Mexico in the Riviera Maya is well known for Mayan ruins, Riviera Nayarit also has several important archaeological sites. Historians estimate that the ruins belonged to people who inhabited the area during the years 200 to 900 AC. Do you own a second home at Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit? It’s a top choice for expats who want a dream vacation home at the beach. They have a limited number of beachfront residences available for sale that also include exclusive access to resort amenities and VIP services. In the meantime, keep reading about Banderas Bay archaeological sites.

Pre-Hispanic Cultures Uncovered in Riviera Nayarit

Just 20 minutes north of Villa La Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, archaeological ruins were discovered that included Pre-Hispanic human remains, ceramics and utensils used during the Classic period. Historians estimated that the area was inhabited between the years of 200 to 900 AC. At that time, it is believed that a great civilization of more than 100,000 people lived in Banderas Bay. An archaeological feature known as a “tumbo de tiro” was discovered there that measures between 2 to 20 meters deep. Either circular or rectangular in form, multiple burial chambers that contain corpses and offerings are dug off to either side. The burial chambers are inter-connected to one another via small tunnels, likely used for burial ceremonies. In addition to Riviera Nayrit, similar sites have been found in the states of Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Zacatecas. Today, luxury resorts are constructed in the same area where the important discovery was uncovered.

Banderas Bay: Biodiverse and Beautiful

Banderas Bay is the largest bay in Mexico and one of the largest bays in the world. It is incredibly biodiverse and the perfect place to enjoy water activities including kitesurfing, swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and so much more. For Villa La Estancia homeowners, they enjoy direct access to one of the best beaches in Banderas Bay. In addition to the archaeological ruins discovered in the area, the Sierra Madre jungle is an ideal place to enjoy hiking and exploring. With lovely rivers that flow down from the mountain into the sea, outdoor adventurists can mountain bike, hike, or horseback ride through the jungle. Plus, Puerto Vallarta is just a short drive away. There, visitors will enjoy world class shopping, eclectic art galleries, and the iconic Malecon boardwalk in bustling Old Town.

Villa La Estancia Beachfront Real Estate

Do you dream of owning a second home in Mexico? If so, Villa La Estancia has a gorgeous property in Riviera Nayarit. Situated on the white sands of the peaceful Nuevo Vallarta community, Villa La Estancia is a hotel-condo concept that offers homeowners the chance to own luxury beachfront real estate. Villa La Estancia homeowners will love living a peaceful life in Riviera Nayarit, while still enjoying quick and convenient access to get into the heart of the action if they want to. Our luxury beachfront residences are spacious, elegantly furnished and contain the finest finishes. Plus, the property has world class amenities including multiple pools, fine dining restaurants, a well equipped fitness center, and soothing spa. With direct access to one of the best beaches in Banderas Bay, it is a top choice for savvy homebuyers who want to make a smart investment. We also offer full and fractional ownership options for qualified applicants.

Mexico is full of charming people, rich culture and natural beauty. It is also the perfect place to buy a second home or vacation home where you can create cherished memories with your loved ones. Are you ready to take the leap and prioritize what really matters in life? Your dream home at the beach may be more accessible than you imagine. Villa La Estancia even offers a Try and Buy Program that allows potential homebuyers to test out home ownership in paradise before they buy. Contact us today to learn more.

 

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Investing in Mexico: Choices To Consider

Do you want to invest in Mexico? Are you hoping to buy real estate for a permanent move, or do you want a vacation home? Or do you want to invest in a vacation club where you can enjoy regular vacations at the top resorts, all while staying on budget? There are many choices to consider including our exclusive beachfront residences at Villa La Estancia. At Villa La Estancia, we offer luxury beachfront homes in Riviera Nayarit and Cabo San Lucas. Read below to learn about the different ways you can invest your money in Mexico.

  • Timeshare Ownership: 

Timeshare ownership is a good choice for travelers who don’t have a ton of time to travel, but want to stay at the best resorts. If you prepay for future vacations at today’s low rates, you actually save money, too. Villa Group Resorts is one of the top timeshare providers in Mexico. They have 9 luxury resorts in the best locations including Riviera Nayarit, Puerto Vallarta, Loreto, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. To learn more about timeshare ownership, you can tour a property and watch their sales presentations. All the fine details regarding timeshare ownership are in the membership contract. Then, you schedule your vacation time on the timeshare calendar. That way, you secure your preferred travel dates on the official timeshare calendar. All that is left to do is show up for your vacation and have the time of your life.

  • Hotel-Condo Concept at Villa La Estancia: 

A modern concept for investing in Mexico is the hotel-condo concept. A condo-hotel is a condominium or private residence that is attached to other units located in a resort. At Villa La Estancia, our valued homeowners enjoy the benefits of homeownership, but also have access to resort-quality amenities. Our amazing amenities include a professional concierge, room service, beautiful pools, well-equipped gyms, and onsite restaurants. Plus, maid service and private chefs are available as well. For homeowners that travel a lot, a hotel-condo is a great idea. When you leave your property, you know that property management will keep an eye on your home while you are gone. With 24 hour security, you don’t have to worry about your investment. As stated above, Villa La Estancia is a top hotel-condo property with locations in Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. We have a limited number of beachfront residences for sale. Plus, we also offerfractional ownership where multiple unrelated parties share partial ownershipof a high-value property. That way, each fractional owner can use the home for a set time period each year in their vacation home. Fractional ownership is a great choice for individuals who want a vacation home without the full financial commitment of buying a home outright. Want to learn more? Contact us at Villa La Estancia today to schedule a property tour and request more information. We even offer a Try and Buy program for qualified applicants to test out their dream home in Mexico.

  • Traditional Condominiums and Homes: 

Some foreigners decide to invest in Mexico and buy real estate. Whether they choose a condo or stand alone home, coastal real estate is typically less expensive in Mexico when compared with similar properties in the US or Canada. However, maintenance and upkeep is something to think about if you don’t want to waste your vacation time doing housework. Condos will charge monthly maintenance fees, and standalone homes will require you to find people to handle repairs and maintenance of your home.

Since homes require a lot of maintenance and upkeep, many expats decide that timeshare ownership or a hotel-condo concept like Villa La Estancia is the best choice. That way, they can focus on enjoying a better quality of life in Mexico. What are you looking for in your second home in Mexico?

What type of Mexican real estate do you want to invest in? Remember, Villa La Estancia is a top choice for expats. Our gorgeous beachfront residences allow you to enjoy amazing views, great weather, and access to premiere amenities and services, too. Shouldn’t every day feel like vacation? Contact us Villa La Estancia today to see what you’ve been missing. Don’t forget to see if you qualify for our Try and Buy program too. Make the most of life and take a leap of faith and experience the good life in Mexico. At Villa La Estancia, your second home in paradise awaits.

Thanksgiving at Villa La Estancia

Did you know that Thanksgiving has become more popular in Mexico due to the influence of more than 1 million American citizens live in Mexico? Today, many expats and native Mexicans who lived in the U.S. for some time before moving back home, celebrate Thanksgiving in Mexico. Are you an expat living in Cabo or Riviera Nayarit at Villa La Estancia and want to celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 28th, 2021? Whether you decide to cook at home in the comfort of your spacious beachfront residence, or decide to enjoy a nice dinner at a restaurant in the Banderas Bay area, keep reading below to learn about Thanksgiving in Mexico.

Thanksgiving Celebrations in Mexico 

While Thanksgiving traditions in Mexico are quite similar to those in America, there are some differences. In Mexico and in the U.S., Thanksgiving celebrations focus on a harvest concept including decorations such as fall leaves, pumpkins, assorted fruits, regional flowers, and autumn color schemes. Thanksgiving is a time where people give thanks to God for their blessings and spend time with their family and friends. It is common practice in Mexico for guests at a Thanksgiving meal to share a short prayer of gratitude at the beginning of the meal. Although a religious component of Thanksgiving is still evident in some American households, it is especially common in Mexico with more than 82% of the Mexican population identifying as Catholic.

Flavors of a Mexican Thanksgiving 

American style Thanksgiving meal usually consists of a cooked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, vegetables and cranberry sauce. Mexico has added some unique foods to make Thanksgiving in Mexico an extra special event. Did you know that some people celebrating Thanksgiving in Mexico will prepare traditional dishes such as marinated roast pork instead of turkey? If a cooked turkey is on the menu, it may be made with a green mole sauce or contain spicy chipotle peppers. Some parts of Mexico you will find turkey enchiladas, chorizo pumpkin soup or a candied pumpkin dessert on the Thanksgiving menu. Are you going to be in Mexico at Villa La Estancia in Cabo or Riviera Nayarit during Thanksgiving this year?

Thanksgiving at Villa La Estancia

At Villa La Estancia in Cabo and in Riviera Nayarit, many homeowners in the exclusive enjoy preparing a Thanksgiving meal at their vacation home to invite friends and family to celebrate with them. Villa La Estancia beachfront residences are Ideal for entertaining and the spacious patio gives great ocean views that your guests will love. The indoor-outdoor living concept really opens up your home, yet it still feels cozy and warm. If you aren’t in the mood to cook or do dishes, Villa La Estancia homeowners can also head downstairs to La Casona to enjoy a delicious gourmet Thanksgiving meal.

Villa La Estancia homeowners, Thanksgiving is nearly here! This time of the year means that we should all be thankful for our blessings and enjoy celebrating together with friends and family.

Celebrate with us Thanksgiving at Villa La Estancia Riviera Nayarit.

 

Thanksgiving Dinner Villa del Palmar Event

 

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Homeowners and Hurricanes in Mexico

In the summer season when temperatures reach their peak in the northern hemisphere of the country, Mexico can become host to some powerful and unpredictable storms. Hurricanes are born over the open ocean and gather strength there until they make landfall. If you are interested in becoming a homeowner in Mexico and are concerned about the effects of hurricanes in Mexico, read on.

Hurricanes

Hurricane is the name given to tropical cyclones that form in the Atlantic and northern Pacific area. They are storms of high intensity which often show sustained wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour. They can cause serious damage when they first make landfall, and this can carry on inland when they are particularly big, though they begin to lose power as they progress over land, eventually become a rainstorm once they lose potency.

Mexico’s Hurricane Watch

Late Spring to late Autumn constitutes as hurricane season, but most years the hurricane force storms will appear in late summer or early autumn. It is impossible to predict such storms with any level of precision, of course, how frequently such storms will occur and with what frequency. In Mexico in particular tropical and hurricane force storms are most common between July and October, with September and October in particular being high risk, when the weather is hottest.

Hurricanes in Mexico

Effects of Hurricanes for homeowners in Mexico

Modern technology has made it possible to monitor, track, and mitigate the worst effects of hurricanes in Mexico. Weather monitoring systems, communications technology, modern building specifications, and of course advances in medicine have made casualties and fatalities much less common.

People who live in hurricane prone areas, of course, are more used to the annual storm activity and know how to prepare, weather, and respond to these storms. In Mexico even contemporary hotels are built to withstand earthquakes, hurricanes, and cyclones. No one is immune to the dangers posed by mother nature, but advances in technology have meant that we are no longer entirely at her mercy.

Protection and insurance

Homeowners in the most storm prone areas of Mexico’s coasts will be well aware of the fore-warning systems and procedures in place to ensure that they have time to evacuate with their families, and they will also be insured against loss and damage. This is true of the hotels, too.

Historic hurricanes

One of the most notable of recent hurricanes in Mexico was Hurricane Wilma, which hit the Yucatán peninsula in 2005 and caused huge damage to Cancun and the surrounding areas. Hurricane Patricia in 2015 caused great concern as meteorologists described it as the ‘strongest storm on record’, though when it made landfall on the Pacific coast it lost its potency almost as quickly as it had formed, causing damage to a limited area that was relatively unpopulated. In 2002 Hurricane Kenna caused damage, mainly from flooding and storm surges, when it hit the San Blas area to the north of Banderas Bay.

Safety at Villa La Estancia

You can rest assured that both the buildings and the team at the Villa La Estancia properties in Cabo San Lucas and Riviera Nayarit are fully prepared for eventualities such as hurricanes, meeting all the necessary health and safety requirements. The properties were constructed to withstand high winds and flash tides, and have areas within the complex that offer additional protection in the event of particularly destructive hurricanes, as well as an emergency generator. The staff are also fully trained to follow the emergency instructions from local authorities to ensure the safety of all owners, guests and personnel.</p

Recommended article: Interesting Facts about Banderas Bay

Interesting Facts about Banderas Bay

Banderas Bay is one of the most stunning and desirable vacation spots in Mexico, and there is no doubt that Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit provides the best base from which to sample all the delights of this region. If you read on you’ll find out some really interesting facts about Banderas Bay with which to impress your friends when you get together again.

Los Muertos Beach

Los Muertos beach is one of the most beloved beaches around Banderas Bay, but many people are a little put off when they realise that the name translates, literally, to The Beach of the Dead. Legend has it that, centuries ago, locals fought off a pirate raid on this beach, and did so with such ferocity that many pirates died on the sands. If you talk to locals in the bars they’ll happily tell you about how many skeletons were found when the first hotels were being built on the beach! Nonetheless, any party you have here is sure to be lively so don’t give Los Muertos the swerve!

Banderas Bay

Banderas Bay is the biggest bay in Mexico, but it’s also one of the deepest and largest bays in the world as a whole! Sitting at over 900 meters it is practically fathomless, and at 42 kilometres wide it is in amongst the 10 largest in the world. The name Banderas, too, has significance as it is based on the Spanish word for flag! It is said that the Spanish Conquistadores, upon arrival, faced 20,000 armed natives with feathered flags, ready to defend their territory!

Las Peñas

The town of Puerto Vallarta, that sites at the heart of Banderas Bay, used to be called Las Peñas, in the 1800s, but was renamed after state governor Ignacio Vallarta in the 1900s.

Source of Income

Today, Puerto Vallarta’s 9 billion peso economy is based most upon tourism and the service industry, but before it became such a hotspot the town was a fishing centre. In those days the main source of revenue for Puerto Vallarta was the export of Corn, Coconuts, Beans, and Bananas to the USA (and, of course, feeding the local market).

The Movie Industry

Many famous faces have graced the shores of Banderas Bay for business and pleasure, and Puerto Vallarta, arguably, became what it is today because of one special movie. The Night of the Iguana, starring Richard Burton, put Puerto Vallarta on the map and the romance of Burton and Elizabeth Taylor made it infamous! This is, arguably, why so many big budget films (like 2011’s Limitless) have been filmed here since. These sands have seen the likes of Robert De Niro and Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Population

In the 1880s Puerto Vallarta had a population of around 1,500 people; today there are over 300, 000 inhabitants in Puerto Vallarta. The population boom was sudden and exponential. In the last 20 years the population has grown by a staggering average of 7.5% each year!

Mariachi Music

If you’ve been to Mexico before you’ll know that this is a culture which loves to party, and mariachi music is a key part of this! The state of Jalisco, where you can find Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta, is the epicentre of mariachi and in Puerto Vallarta alone you will find dozens of talented groups. There’s even a kids mariachi band in the city!

Recommended article: Top Tips for Finding the Best Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

Fractional Vacation Ownership at Villa La Estancia Residences Riviera Nayarit

The Best Luxury Real Estate on Banderas Bay

Mexico’s ever flourishing real estate industry counts the areas of Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta as today’s top destinations for luxury properties. Found along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta together form the world renowned Banderas Bay.

Best Luxury Real Estate on Banderas Bay

Despite the downward trend brought by the recession of 2009 that brought changes in Mexico’s development and real estate industry, prices of luxury realty remain stable yet affordable. 2016 and 2017 paint a much better future for developers and realty investors according to real estate forecasts as prices are expected to surge in the near future. Luxury real estate buyers should snap up this opportunity to purchase property on Banderas Bay, before these lower prices begin to rise.

Banderas Bay No.1 For Luxury Homes

Mexico’s real estate market provides investors and homeseekers with luxury that is affordable. Luxury real estate on Banderas Bay is available at reasonable prices, which means that the house of your dreams is within your reach. You are sure to find a lucury second home that perfectly suits your budget and needs on Banderas Bay.

The choices for luxury real estate on Banderas Bay are diverse, especially in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit. You can choose from stunning mansions on the beach to luxury condo units with swimming pools and resort facilities like restaurants, room service, world class spas fitness centers. The prices you can expect to pay for luxury real estate on Banderas Bay are highly influenced by the kind of neighborhood where your property is located and the future of the area.

Why you should invest in luxury real estate on Banderas Bay

A list of benefits awaits you if you decide to invest or make Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit your second home for luxury real estate:

  • many hours of sunshine and comfortable, warm temperatures year round.
  • affordability; both in terms of cost of luxury real estate as well as cost of living
  • large expat community with several social clubs (poetry, yoga, fishing clubs, painting, reading groups etc).
  • accessibility, including cheap flights to USA and Canada and international airport.
  • quality selection of fine dining restaurants
  • day spas
  • bars and live music venues
  • boutique theatres
  • sunsets over the ocean every evening
  • walks along the Malecon boardwalk
  • art galleries

Living on Banderas Bay does not only mean staying in your own elegant home or standing on a portion of luxury realty, but it’s having the simple pleasures of life that are worth sharing with your family and special ones.

For more information about the best luxury real estate on Banderas Bay, check out the full and fractional options at Villa La Estancia Residences.