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Riviera Nayarit

Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival: March 8th – 10th

Do you live at Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit? If you do, make sure you make plans to attend the Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival on March 8th through 10th at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Enjoy a day trip down from your home in paradise, and celebrate the local wildlife that makes life in Banderas Bay so special. Read below to learn more about the Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival which is guaranteed to be a fun and educational day for all that attend.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Just an hour drive south of Villa La Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta, the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens regularly hosts educational and cultural events. This month, Villa La Estancia homeowners should take time to day trip to attend the Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival on March 8th through March 10th. The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens is a non-profit organization that heavily relies on donations to maintain operations at the naturally beautiful sanctuary situated 30 minutes south of downtown Puerto Vallarta. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens works hard to organize conservation projects and educational events that locals and visitors alike can enjoy. Would you like to know how you can help support your local community? Please visit the Botanical Garden’s website for more information about membership opportunities. A simple financial donation from residents like yourselves will ensure that this incredibly important organization continues to prosper.

Bird & Nature Festival Workshops

This year, the Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival will include numerous workshops in both English and Spanish to accommodate event attendees. The Vallarta Botanical Garden entry free is only $200 pesos per day. However, all tours and workshops that are offered outside of the Botanical Gardens cost between $600 to $1000 pesos each. A few of the top workshops to attend include a tour of the Macaw Sanctuary in Cabo Corrientes which is also known as “Santuario de las Guacamayas.” Stop and smell the roses and enjoy bird watching with a morning bird walk through the Botanical Gardens. Step back in time and see local crocodiles in their native habitat at the Estero El Salado. There is also a workshop about woodpeckers that are found only in the state of Jalisco, and a tour of Rancho Primavera located further south in El Tuito. Do you happen to have a young child who loves to draw? There is a free bird sketching course for children 8 years old to 12 years old that will be held at the Botanical Gardens Hall of Flowers. There is also an adult bird sketching course available as well that costs $300 pesos per person. Visit the Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival website to see the full schedule of events here. Make sure to sign up for any workshops that interest you as space is limited.

Botanical Gardens Location

Villa La Estancia residents should take advantage of the affordable admission fees to attend the Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival as it is only 200 pesos per day. Want to attend all 3 days of the weekend festival? You can get a weekend pass for only 500 pesos. Children under the age of 4 can enter the gardens for free. All admission costs are collected at the entrance to the Botanical Gardens which is situated 24 km (15 miles) south of downtown Puerto Vallarta. Please note that there is limited parking at the Botanical Gardens, so it is best to arrive via public transportation such as by bus, taxi or uber if possible.

Villa La Estancia homeowners should plan to head south to attend this year’s Vallarta Bird & Nature Festival from March 8th-10th. This celebration is a time to appreciate how the natural beauty of Banderas Bay, and pay homage to the incredibly rich and colorful wildlife that live amongst us.

See more: Happy Healthy Lives in Puerto Vallarta

by VLEAdminRE,
Riviera Nayarit

Vallarta Botanical Gardens January 2019: Chocolate & Vanilla Festival

Who doesn’t appreciate delicious chocolate and vanilla? Chocolate and vanilla are important parts of Mexican food culture and history, and these delights are being celebrated on January 11th, 2019 at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Located just 20 minutes south of Old Town Vallarta, plan a day to reconnect with nature and enjoy a sensory-filled day of tastings, educational talks and so much more. Continue reading below about the Chocolate and Vanilla Festival that will take place soon at the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

Vallarta Botanical Gardens: History and Admission

Established in 2004, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens first opened its doors to the public in 2005. With a focus on propagation, study, discovery, conservation, and display of Mexican native plants, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens is a must do activity in Puerto Vallarta. Both Puerto Vallarta’s residents and visitors will enjoy learning and seeing Mexican orchids and other plants that are native to the region. Entry for adults costs just $200 pesos which is around $10 USD with the current exchange rate, and kids under 4 years old get in free. As a small non-profit that relies heavily on memberships and donations to operate, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens does not allow outside food or beverages on the property. If you’re in the mood for a bite, there is an excellent restaurant on the property called Hacienda de Oro Restaurant. The sales from the restaurant help to maintain general operations at the Botanical Gardens.

January 11th, 2019: Chocolate and Vanilla Festival

Guaranteed to be an exciting day for the whole family, the Chocolate and Vanilla Festival will be held from 10am to 5pm on January 11, 2019. The Vallarta Botanical Gardens will feature a variety of scrumptious vanilla and chocolate tastings that will tantalize your taste buds. In addition to delicious tastings, visitors will learn about the history of Mexican chocolate and vanilla. Want to take a treat back home or a gift for friends or family? There will be homemade Mexican chocolate for sale that is sure to impress. Visitors at the Chocolate and Vanilla Festival will also be treated to an energetic performance by local folkloric dancers.

Sunscreen & Insect Repellent

Not only people love the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Bugs and insects also adore the flowers and plants so make sure to come prepared with insect repellent to avoid getting insect bites. If you come unprepared, check at the ticket booth where you can purchase natural insect repellent. In addition to insects, the Vallarta sun is quite strong even during winter months so make sure to wear or bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. In the mood for a refreshing dip in a freshwater river? Head down to the small river that runs along the lower portion of the property where you can wade along the sandy banks or jump in to cool off.

Vanilla and chocolate lovers need to mark their calendars for January 11th, 2019 so they can experience the natural beauty of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. Located just south of Puerto Vallarta, the Chocolate and Vanilla Festival will be a wonderful experience for everyone. We hope to see you there!

Vallarta Botanical Gardens Location:

Carretera Barra De Navidad Km. 24, Las Juntas y los Veranos,

C.P. 48447 Cabo Corrientes, Jal. Tel. +52 322 223 6182

by VLEAdminRE,
Destinations, FAQ, Real Estate

Tipping in Mexico

In Mexico, it is customary to tip, but if you don’t leave a tip you don’t have to worry, because you won’t get any slack, though you might feel a little miserly, especially when you take into consideration that wages in Mexico are pretty low. You must remember that most Mexicans working in the service industry don’t receive a great salary and they do indeed rely on tips that they get. Read on to find out more about tipping in Mexico.

Show your appreciation by tipping in Mexico

When you are in Mexico you can tip with dollar bills or pesos. Avoid leaving dollar coins as the person will not be able to exchange them for pesos or spend them. Tipping in pesos is easier and more practical for the service provider, but he or she will be perfectly happy to receive dollar bills. When you are deciding how to tip, you should base your tip around the service that you have received. In tourist areas in Mexico tipping is around 15% but can be anywhere between 10% and 20% depending on the service.

Restaurants

In Mexico, when dining at any of the restaurants should leave a tip from 10% to 20% of the total bill. If you are with a large group, sometimes the tip is automatically added to the bill, so be sure to check.

Hotels

If the bellhop takes you to your room and helps you with your luggage, then you should tip the bellhop 2-3 dollars or 20-50 pesos. You should also tip the housekeeping staff 2-3 dollars or 20-50 pesos depending on the type of hotel and the service that you have received. It is advisable to tip your housekeeper each day and not on the last day because the housekeeper could change and they will be encouraged by your tip to offer a good service while you are there.

Tipping for Tours

If you go on a tour and you are really impressed with the tour guide, then you should tip the guide 10%-20%. If you have went on a group tour, then the tour guide leader should be tipped between 3 to 5 dollars, while a private tour guide should be tipped at least ten dollars. The bus driver that takes you around on a tour should be tipped two dollars each day. In Mexico, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers unless the taxi drivers has helped you with your bags, then you might consider giving the taxi driver ten pesos for each bag they assist you with.

Grocery Packers

Usually teenagers and seniors bag your groceries at the stores in Mexico and you can tip them one or two pesos for each grocery bag that they have bagged for you. The grocery packers don’t earn a wage and the only pay they receive comes from the tips you give them.

Gas Stations

All of the gas stations in Mexico are full service gas stations. You should always tip the gas station attendant at least 5-10 pesos; and if they check your oil, check your tires, and clean your windshield, then you should tip them more.

Please note that this article is for guidance only and you should feel free to tip as little or as much as you feel appropriate (or indeed leave no tip at all!)

Read more: 10 Reasons to make Mexico your Home

by VLEAdminRE,
Destinations, FAQ, Real Estate

Tips for a Successful New Life in Mexico

So – you’re moving to Mexico! Congratulations! This is a radical change to your way of life, and we know that it is going to be a little daunting for you at first. This is why we’ve compiled our top hints and tips for succeeding in your new life in Mexico.

Here are our top tips for a successful new life in Mexico

Learn Spanish

Most people in the big cities and tourist hotspots of Mexico speak very good English, and so learning Spanish is not a necessity but there is no doubt in our minds that learning Spanish will help you have a successful new life in Mexico. There are plenty of classes that you can attend if you want to get a basic understanding of the language; when you use it to get to know your neighbors better you’ll find that your grasp of the language increases rapidly.

Be flexible

Flexibility is without a doubt one of the most valuable attributes you can have when you’re making such big changes to your life; a good, solid plan will make the changes easier to deal with, but you should always leave room in your plan for change! Remember that a plan is always a work in progress, and so changing it is never a failure. Be ready and willing to adapt to your situation and you will go far in your new home.

One day, task and goal at a time

It can take a long time to get used to the ways of a new country, and so you should remember to be patient and keep your mind open for a successful new life in Mexico; don’t compare your new home to your old one as this is a sure road to frustration and disappointment. You will also find that a soft approach will get you much further as a foreigner with the locals than if you get frustrated and irate.

Invest in networking

Take the time to network when you arrive; making friends and acquaintances in your new home is key to success. Meet the neighbors, join a gym, say hello to your work mates. You could even join a few of the Facebook groups set up purely for expats in the area. This will help you to establish a friend base and settle into your new home and new life in Mexico.

Savings

It pays to have some money squirrelled to the side to tide you over if you have to make last minute visits back home or need to attend to an emergency when you make a new life in Mexico. Also, you will probably spend more on socialization when you first arrive as you try to get yourself settled, and there’s always the chance you may need repairs to your car or certain aspects of your home; it can take a few tries to get a mechanic, plumber, or electrician you trust. You may not need this cushion, but it will certainly help to know that you have a safety net if you should need it. This peace of mind is truly priceless.

So – have you moved to Mexico recently? Do you have any tips for people looking to make this move? What would your advice be? Let us know in the comments section below!

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by VLEAdminRE,
Destinations, Real Estate, Residences

Relocation to Mexico – Coping with Missing your Family

While deep down you know that moving to Mexico is going to be an ideal change for you, your first months or year will require you to adjust to such things as missing your friends and family from your home country. For some people, relocation to Mexico means leaving behind elderly parents and grown up children, while for others, a sense of homesickness is created just by the simple fact of not being in your home country. Here are some tips for coping with missing your family upon relocation to Mexico.

Relocate to destinations in Mexico that have direct flights to your home city

Where possible, a great tip is to choose where you are going to live wisely. Relocation to a city in Mexico that is served by direct flights or budget airlines will help you bridge the distance between your new life and your home town. Your relatives and friends will find it easy to give you a visit and you will be able to get home quickly in an emergency.

Take advantage of Mexico’s Lower costs of Living

You will be happy to hear that life in Mexico is less expensive than in many other countries, particularly when you compare the USA and Canada. Not only will this be a great bargaining tool to encourage your friends and family to come and visit you but also allows you to make savings. A great tip is to save money for regular flights home or even to pay for members of your family to come and visit you; that way coping with missing your family after relocation to Mexico will be less.

Choose a place for relocation where the sun shines

Mexico is the ideal place to escape the uncomfortable winter climates of North America, which will encourage your friends and family to come and visit.

Purchase or rent somewhere with rooms to accommodate guests

Finding a place where there are plenty of rooms and bathrooms for your guests is another way to ensure that visitors will want to visit you in Mexico. People are more likely to feel comfortable staying with you if they know that your home is tailored for having guests. Likewise, homes with easy access to amenities like swimming pools, restaurants, stores etc will give your guests freedom so they are not dependent on you, which will encourage them to visit more regularly.

Call Family and Friends Regularly

Setting a regular schedule to get in touch with your closest friends and family will help you cope with homesickness. Find a schedule that fits well with you. That might mean every few days, once a week, once a month, or every time there is a holiday; the key is to make it regular. Having a routine with regards to communicating with your dear ones is better than realizing that a whole year has gone by.

Use Technology to Get in Touch

Your internet connection and gadgets such as webcams make communication easier and faster. Use free services such as FaceTime and Skype so that you can even have a face-to-face connection with your closest back home. With the abundance of technology and internet access we have now, there is no excuse not to get in touch regularly. Before your relocation to Mexico, make sure you get someone to show you how to use this technology so that it is easy for you to stay in touch.

Create a New Social Circle

The best way to fight homesickness upon relocation to Mexico is to have a new set of friends and acquaintances. Be as sociable as possible if you really want to find new friends. You can join dance classes, yoga, take Spanish lessons, and other activities that will help you widen your circle of friends within your community. Your new acquaintances might be Mexicans, expats or both.

by VLEAdminRE,
Destinations, Real Estate, Riviera Nayarit

Activities for Young Children in Banderas Bay

The hotel beach and pool area are not the only places where your young children can have lots of fun while on vacation in Banderas Bay. There are other activities available to you if you want your toddler to explore more activities in Banderas Bay. The following is a brief list of some of the activities you might explore with your young children in Banderas Bay.

The Zoo

El Zoologico de Puerto Vallarta is about 30 minutes when traveling by car or taxi from Villa La Estancia in Nuevo Vallarta. It’s located in a mountainous jungle area between Mismaloya and Mismaloya beach, and it’s a great place for your young children to have lots of fun. Unlike a lot of zoos out there, this zoo will allow you to interact with the animals by petting some of them (like baby tigers) and feeding them. The zoo is not that big, so a whole trip’s journey can be completed in a few hours. Your young children will have plenty of colors and sounds to occupy their imagination while there.

Water Parks

Two major water parks where toddlers can play are located in the Banderas Bay area, both of which are about 10 minutes drive from Villa La Estancia. The largest park is called Parque Aquatica, and it has a smaller pool area with shallow water that is perfect for toddlers. There are also smaller slides fit for them that they can use to make a splash in the smaller pools. The other park, Splash, is not expensive as Parque Aquatica, and it also has a pirate theme. The pirate ship has slides coming from it that are suitable for older children and adults. The beach area (manmade) is ideal for toddler play and a great location for parents to enjoy. Both parks have marine creatures like seals, dolphins, and sharks, so that is also something else to keep your toddler entertained.

Equestrian Bucerias

In Bucerias, a small town just 15 minutes from Nuevo Vallarta on Banderas Bay, is an educational farm community that teaches young children about animal life. For a little less than $8, your children will enjoy hours of fun petting, feeding, and talking to the animals. They will also get a chance to ride a pony, which is sure to be a thrill for your child. Your toddler is sure to enjoy this adventure of fun and education.

by VLEAdminRE,
Real Estate

Homes by the Sea

Have you always dreamed of a life by the beach? Are you constantly looking at homes by the sea. There are many benefits to purchasing homes by the sea, take a look below:

  1. Physical Health Benefits

    2. Living by the sea provides physical, spiritual, and mental health benefits. The sea air is full of negative ions that increase the way our bodies absorb oxygen and have a positive effect on our health and mood. In warmer climates like Mexico, homes by the sea also mean greater amounts of sunlight, which is an important source of Vitamin D that helps to increase your immune system, aids bone strength, increases endorphins, and is also believed to lower the risk of some types of cancer, bearing in mind that you should protect your skin from its potentially harmful rays.

  2. Soothing Sounds

    3. Homes by the sea guarantee the lulling sound of the waves to serenade you each night, for those who like to leave their windows open rather than use the air conditioning. The soothing sounds of waves are peaceful, relaxing, and meditative, helping you sleep better at night as they alter the wave patterns in your brain. A good night’s sleep or a deep meditation can do wonders for your state of mind and inner peace.

  3. Fresh Seafood

    4. If you purchase a home by the sea, then you can indulge in fresh seafood anytime of the year. If you enjoy eating Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Oysters or shrimp, then Cabo San Lucas or Riviera Nayarit in Mexico are perfect options when choosing homes by the sea. In these top destinations, you won’t need to go to the supermarket for your fresh seafood as you can catch it yourself or go to one of the seafood stands by the beach. The prices are affordable and fresh quality fish is available year-round.

  4. Exercise for Free

    5. When you choose homes by the sea, you won’t need to pay for costly gym memberships, because you can get plenty of exercise at the beach for free. You can go swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing, and beachcombing. Just swimming in the ocean can burn 200 calories. At Villa La Estancia in Cabo San Lucas or Riviera Nayarit you will have the added benefit that your home by the sea includes access to a state-of-the-art gym and swimming pools.

  5. Boating

    6. Homes by the sea bring with them the possibility of investing in your own boat or renting one for special occasions. In top beach destinations like Riviera Nayarit and Cabo San Lucas you can enjoy fishing tours, pleasure cruises, and adventure tours any day of the week. You can even charter a yacht, which is what many snowbirds do, because then you will have a captain and deck mate to take care of you throughout the day.

Ready to start looking for homes by the sea? Browse our website or consider our Try and Buy offer.

by VLEAdminRE,
Fishing Tours in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
Destinations, Real Estate, Riviera Nayarit

Fishing Tours in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit

Way before Mexico started becoming one of the top places to vacation worldwide, subsistence fishing was one of the main activities on Mexico’s coastline. Mexico has over nine thousand kilometers of breathtaking coastline, so it is no surprise that Mexico had many charming, little fishing villages. In fact, this coastline provides some of the best fishing worldwide. Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit is no exception; just fifty years ago this whole area was still just a stretch of sleepy fishing villages. Today, besides being an award winning location for international visitors, its fishing industry is still alive and thriving, only now it services on fishing tours, tournaments and supplying the many fine dining restaurants on Banderas Bay.

What fish can you expect to catch in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit?

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit is epic for fishermen; there are over five hundred different types of species of fish here. Sport fishing tours are plentiful in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit and they are available all year long. Some of the most popular catches in Banderas Bay include: Giant Tuna, Dorado, Snapper, and Roosterfish. These fish can be found in abundance in the waters that surround Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit all year round. Marlin and Sailfish are another two popular species that are very much in demand.

Fishing Tours and Tournaments

Villa La Estancia’s tour agency can help residents and hotel guests organized fishing tours and register you for the fishing tournaments in Banderas Bay. The kind of fishing tours you can choose from include renting private fishing boats and crew or joining larger parties on fishing tours with other fishing enthusiasts. Most fishing tours in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit provide participants with live bait, top of the line fishing rods and hooks, while coming equipped with GPS and Fish Finder, crewed by a captain and deckhands. While catching a big fish isn’t guaranteed, when fishing in the waters of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit your chances are greatly improved.

At Villa La Estancia’s tour agency, there are plenty of fishing tours to select from. Likewise, you can book your fishing tour independently, with Master Baiter’s Sport Fishing and Tackle, Mike’s Fishing Charters and Tours, and Charly’s Sailing and Sport Fishing. These tours come with a captain who knows where to find the fish, and in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit the best charter fleets are provided.

by VLEAdminRE,