The People of Puerto Vallarta promote their city – againt Swine Flu
About 10 days ago a video was posted on Youtube by “Diegotopet” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DknNF51058w) that showed us the reality of Swine Flu in Puerto Vallarta. It’s since been a huge success with over 50,000 viewings, and a great reality check for anyone scared of the swine flu news and it’s impact on their travels to this paradise.
Since then, a number of new productions have recently been posted on Youtube, this time by “Infochannelvallarta” – at we’re proud to announce the staring of none other than our very own Marketing Director at Pacific Coast : “Grant Choules” on one of these videos (below) ! feel free to leave some teasing comments 
, he won’t mind – honest …
There are 3 versions that can be found here below (English and then Spanish) :
Influenza Porcina Español Version 1
Influenza Porcina Español Version 2
Influenza Porcina Español Version 3
Please feel free to circulate !
Puerto Vallarta Swine Flu Update
As of yesterday evening, it seems that the Swine Flu roller coaster we have all been riding has finally come to an end in Puerto Vallarta. Yesterday evening the Governor of the State of Jalisco announced that businesses could reopen on Wednesday the 13th May.
The international media and tabloid press have had a field-day with the swine flu and even with very sketchy statistics the news panic has spread like wild-fire. Clearly, this has and will continue to have a negative economical impact on tourism in Mexico.
A couple of weeks ago when this was the world’s #1 topic you will have heard that many businesses in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta, had been ordered shut until Wednesday the 6th of May. This included indoor restaurants, cinemas, bars and nightclubs. On the 6th of May when it was widely established that the scare was perhaps exaggerated Mexico got back to work. Then, what you perhaps didn’t hear is that on Friday the 8th May the State of Jalisco decided to re-close these businesses until the 18th of May due to some confirmed cases in Guadalajara (the state’s capital) . This decision was criticized by many in Puerto Vallarta and since today, as mentioned above, things have returned to “normal”.
So, where does this leave us? Firstly, to answer the burning question “is there Swine Flue in Puerto Vallarta” let’s look at the official stats.
Are there any confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the state of Jalisco ?
Yes, there are currently 36 confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the state of Jalisco. These are mainly located around the Guadalajara area (about 5 hours from Puerto Vallarta) and are in steady decline.
Taken from the official information webpage on Swine Flu for Jalisco : http://informacioninfluenza.jalisco.gob.mx/
Are there any confirmed deaths from Swine Flu deaths in the state of Jalisco ?
No, there are currently 3 cases that have been classified as “suspicious”, but there are currently no confirmed deaths from Swine Flu in our state.
Taken from the official information webpage on Swine Flu for Jalisco : http://informacioninfluenza.jalisco.gob.mx/
Are there any confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Puerto Vallarta ?
No. There are currently NO confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 “Swine Flu” in Puerto Vallarta as shown by this map (Puerto Vallarta is where the circle is located). The cases are shown by the yellow and red shading, far from Puerto Vallarta.
Taken from the official information webpage on Swine Flu for Jalisco : http://informacioninfluenza.jalisco.gob.mx/
What about Nayarit?
Nayarit is our northern boardering state. Places like Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Punta Mita and Sayulita are popular destinations for visitors to the Puerto Vallarta area and are all located in the state of Nayarit. Today, there are currently only 9 confirmed cases of A/H1N1 in Nayarit, and non of those infected are in a life-threatening condition. Taken from the official information webpage on Swine Flu for Nayarit: http://www.nayarit.gob.mx/notes.asp?id=16617)
Putting things into perspective
We’ve all heard the statistics relating to “common flu vs swine flu” but I think it’s important to mention them once again. Taken directly from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flu
…approximately 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations are directly associated with influenza every year in the United States.
So, ignoring flu seasonalization, that means that every month in the United States of America about 3,000 people die from existing types of flu. The Swine Flu has been with us for about that same period of time (1 month) and there are currently 58 confirmed deaths in Mexico and 3 in the United States of America.
Should I stay or should I go ?
I don’t pretend to be an expert in this matter and I have no medical background. I am purely stating the facts and writing about my experience living here, today, in Puerto Vallarta.
Before traveling or moving to a foreign country it is the responsibility of each and everyone of us to inform ourselves of the risks and dangers associated with the destination, and I would advise anyone considering traveling to Puerto Vallarta to check all these facts for themselves. I simply ask you not to let CNN or FOX News make the decision for you.
I personally would recommend my friends and family to come to Puerto Vallarta.
What now ?
It is now time for all of us to try to repair the damage that has been made to our local economy and I urge those traveling to Mexico to not enter into the panic. Please feel free to circulate this to your friends and family and spread the word.
Today in Puerto Vallarta there is virtually no one wearing face-masks in the streets. There are no confirmed cases of the swine flue. There is no panic. All business are open. The sun is hot. The beer is cold. Everyone is as happy and friendly as always.
Resources
Jalisco State Information Page : http://informacioninfluenza.jalisco.gob.mx/
Nayarit State Information Page : http://www.nayarit.gob.mx/
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) : http://www.cdc.gov/
World Health Organization (WHO) : http://www.who.int/
Puerto Vallarta Scene (local info page in English) : http://www.pvscene.com/?p=4081
You Tube Video showing Puerto Vallarta during the Swine Flue outbreak : http://tinyurl.com/q3fwqa
Renting at Punta Mita Four Seasons
For many people the Four Seaons Resorts are the symbol of ultimate luxury and relaxation. There are a number of Four Seasons Resorts in Mexico, one of them being in close proximity to Puerto Vallarta, at the Punta Mita peninsula, at the northern tip of our beautiful bay.
The Four Seasons domain is a large private area of land (+1,500 acres) that covers the majority of the peninsula offering a haven of tranquility, both on the domain and around it’s Pacific Ocean beaches (whilst all beaches in Mexico are public it is very difficult to access the Punta Mita Four Seasons beaches without access to the domain, hence why it remains quiet all year round).
The domain has been broken up into a number of different areas. Firstly, there is the hotel complex on the northern area of the peninsula. The hotel complex has both hotel rooms and private villas with hotel facilities. There are a number of restaurants and a hotel beach club. Running throughout Punta Mita is the world-famous Jack Niklaus 18+1 championship golf course. The optional 3rd hole is a short par-3 that drives from the mainland onto a natural island green, accessible at low tide. It is the only such natural island green in the world. Throughout the golf-course and around the beaches there are housing complexes that have been developed by private developers.
Although these properties are not on the hotel property they remain within the gated Punta Mita area and have access to the Four Seasons Golf Course, the Four Seasons Residence Beach Club and the Punta Mita Tennis Club.
A number of owners choose to rent their properties throughout the year offering vacationers the opportunity to experience the Four Seasons lifestyle, with perhaps a little more privacy than the Four Seasons hotel.
We currently manage and rent a number of Four Seasons Punta Mita rental properties, with prices starting at $350USD / night. Contact us for further details.
Villa Frida. Private 3 bedroom Villa in the Las Palmas Villa complex, facing the 2nd fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Golf Course. Villa is equipped and furnished to the highest luxury standards and boasts it’s own outdoor private pool. Villa Frida is less than a 5 minute walk to the beach and the Four Seasons Residence Beach Club, to which you will have access (along with the Jack Niklaus Golf Course, and Four Seasons Tennis Club). www.villafridapuntamita.com
Penthouse Hacienda de Mita. Stunning 3+ bedroom top floor Penthouse at the luxury Hacienda de Mita condos. This penthouse is literally no more than about 50 feet from the water’s edge and has breathtaking views of the ocean. This Penthouse (like all Punta Mita properties) has access to the Four Seasons Residence Beach Club and the Four Seasons Golf Course and Tennis Club. With over 3,600 sq ft of living space, yes, 3,600 sq ft! you will have all the space, indoors and outdoors, to relax. Renting this exclusive property also has the added bonus of an on site daily cook. Penthouse Hacienda Mita Website.
Ayia Condos. The condos at Ayia Punta Mita are located on the 14th fairway of the Jack Niklaus Four Seasons Golf Course. These are modern and fully furnished 2 bedroom condos with golf or oceanviews. Staying at condos Ayia will give you access to the Four Seasons Residence Beach Club, the Golf Course and the Tennis Club. Condos Ayia offer exceptional value with rental rates starting as low as $350 USD / night. Ayia Condo Website.
Once again please feel free to contact us about any of these rental properties, or others that you are interested in.
