The PanAmerican Games Torch Comes to Puerto Vallarta
The Panamerica Games torch passed through Nuevo Vallarta today
The Panamerica games, an Olympic style multidisciplinary sporting event that happens every 4 years is scheduled to kick off next week, this coming 14th of October 2011, in Guadalajara and here in Puerto Vallarta. In preparation for that event, the Pan American games torch has been making it’s way across the country, today it passed through Nuevo Vallarta and tonight will be at the Puerto Vallarta Malecon. Crowds and corporate sponsors were on hand in Nuevo Vallarta, as well as local and national news to record the event as torch made its way through the beachfront resort community located just north of Puerto Vallarta. After it’s brief detour along the beach, the torch headed back to the main highway to continue its journey to downtown Puerto Vallarta and the Malecon.
More information on the Panamerica games can be found at their official website.
Corporate Sponsors and TV crews were on hand to help greet the torch
A bus load of press and photographers (and spare torches) preceded the torch on its journey through Nuevo Vallarta and Flamingos
Local law enforcement was on hand to keep traffic flowing
The Panamerica Torch back on the road to Puerto Vallarta - Here in front of the Banderas Bay Technological University - UTBB
Know anything interesting about the Panamerica games? Please leave us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
The Ins & Outs of Driving in Mexico Part 1 Is it Safe to Drive in Mexico?
I recently ran across a question on a travel forum from a person asking if it was safe to take a family driving vacation in Mexico. As I was writing my response, it occurred to me that my readers here might find the information useful, so I decided to post a more detailed answer here. It has since grown into a 6 part post covering roads, driving, getting permission to bring your car to Mexico, accidents and breakdowns. I am interested in what you think, please leave a comment if you found this information useful!
Click here for Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Is it Safe to Drive in Mexico?
I have lived and driven extensively in Mexico for the last 12 years. I have never really felt worried for my personal security. In fact, most people I have met have been friendly and helpful… although some get a little intimidated by foreigners (or at least at the prospect of trying to communicate with foreigners). It helps if you can speak some Spanish.
Driving into Down Town Puerto Vallarta
Mexico has been taking a lot of heat recently because the the “drug war”. These issues are generally centered around border towns and once you get past those towns it is largely a non issue. There are no gangs of ‘banditos’ roaming the countryside looking for wayward gringos (unless you include timeshare salesmen 
). I remember someone saying of Las Vegas in the 50′s and 60′s, “No one got shot who didn’t deserve it.” I’m not condoning the violence, I’m just saying that as a disinterested 3rd party your chances of getting involved in some sort of violence while passing through a border town in Mexico are next to nil. When visiting the interior of Mexico, you will find many amazing places like Puerto Vallarta, Guanajuato, Morelia, Guadalajara, Mascota… way too many places to list here… which will more than make up for the perceived risk of coming to Mexico.
In large metropolitan areas like Mexico City there are areas you probably don’t want to go, as is the case in any big city. If you are staying in places like that, use common sense and stay at a decent hotel (which should keep you in a decent part of town). Use the same rules you’d use when visiting New York City or Detroit.
Next up in Part 2 – The Roads in Mexico. Meanwhile, I’d like to hear your feedback. Please leave a comment if you have any questions or remarks.
Click here for Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6
Real de Talpa – Ecological mountain retreat in the heart of Jalisco
The words “ecological“, “green“, “environmentally-friendly“, “natural” etc… are used all the time today. Over the past 5 years every product & service has suddenly become “environmentally-friendly“. Whether they are cars, gas companies or tomatoes, they all seem to have become “nature’s best friends”.
Whilst it’s hard to distinguish between the true “green” products & services out there, what is is clear is that this is not just a marketing trend. This is becoming a real desire from all of us. We are all more conscious about how our lifestyle impacts our surroundings, and perhaps more importantly, how it will affect our children’s future. Many of us have already done the basics; trash separation, switched to energy-saving light bulbs, buying local produce, buying organic products, making smarter choices when buying cars etc… These changes are only the start of what is to come. These changes in culture, that have been so hard to establish, are now normal for our children. We have a generation of young adults demanding that their cars, computers, foods and now houses respect nature.
Real de Talpa is a visionary project. It’s not just the label that’s “green”, it’s not a marketing tool, it’s not a sales tool – Real de Talpa is a man’s dream that is becoming a reality.
Located in the heart of the Sierra-Madre Mountains of Jalisco, in the historic mountain town of Talpa de Allende, Real de Talpa is a place where one can change from the inside and live in harmony with nature. This 60 hectare mountain-side reserve will offer families a true nature-getaway, only a short 2.5 hours drive from Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara and only a 20 minute flight from the Puerto Vallarta international airport.
Each homesite will have a minimum of 10,700 sq.ft deeded land and a choice of 5 home models. This is only the start, investing at Real de Talpa is more than just about the land or the home, it’s about investing into a conservation project and about your life-style. A life-style where people can relax, breathe in the pure mountain air, spend quality time with their family, connect to nature and find their true selves.
The “environmentally friendly” label that we put on Real de Talpa is not a sales tool, it is the true identity of this development. Below, I’ve listed some of the key aspects of Real de Talpa.
Real de Talpa – The earth
The entire reserve has breathtaking views of the village of Talpa de Allende. The land is rich, organic and fertile. Both an orchard & vegetable field will be maintained, for the free use of all owners :
- fresh organic onions
- tomatoes
- zuquinis
- water-melon
- maize
- apples
- carrots
- garlic and much more.
There are 2 fresh-water lakes where owners will be free to fish, along with picnic areas, mountain-bike trails and hiking trails. As horse-back is still a very popular method of transport in this region private stables will also be constructed onsite for owner’s use, along with riding trails. Finally, an on-site zoo will be free to access for all owners creating a great way to educate both our children and ourselves to the wonders of nature.
Zoning is extremely important for a conservation project such as Real de Talpa. The maximum density for each lot is 30% (which means that 70% of each plot of land must remain green). The developer has taken great care to ensure all permits are obtained before constructions starts. Each owner will have a deeded lot and home and all neighboring land has also been marked for similar low-density use – guaranteeing that the views and surroundings will remain.
Real de Talpa – The construction
Every effort is being made to ensure that little negative impact is left on the natural surroundings. The land is carefully laid out, each homesite combining privacy and natural surroundings with incredible vistas. The development is architecturally controlled protecting site lines and privacy. Where possible low impact materials are being used. A low-level lighting and power efficient system is being used throughout the development and all homes will have the option to have installed a solar-power system.
All homes will come equipped with a closed-circuit water management and recycling system. This system will recycle the houses dirty water into water for outdoor and garden use.
Real de Talpa – The community
Real de Talpa is a unique opportunity that also comes with responsibility. The community at Real de Talpa will be part of a unique natural reserve. It will bring a new lifestyle that motivates us to change from our inside, which brings us to look for new horizons to improve our social, cultural and especially spiritual relationships.
The main objective of this new investment is to improve our lives, through the changes that brings this new development, in which you can enjoy your own ecological gardens and harvests fresh fruits and vegetables or go fishing, free of cost.
Along with the already mentioned amenities, Real de Talpa will also include a club-house, pool, tennis courts and a spa service.
Real de Talpa – The opportunity
Real de Talpa is now under construction and in a Pre-Sale phase. It’s important to note that the development infrastructure is not dependent on sales. The developer has strong and guaranteed financial backing.
We have stunning pre-sales prices, large discounts and very flexible developer-financing available making not only a unique lifestyle opportunity but also a great financial investment.
Please feel free to contact us via the listings profile to learn more about Real de Talpa.
Real de Talpa – The video
Puerto Vallarta will co-host Pan American Games 2011
Puerto Vallarta has been officially chosen as the co-host to the 2011 Guadalajara Pan American Games.
For Mexico’s largest major sporting event to be held outside of Mexico City, Guadalajara (Mexic0′s second largest city) has been selected as the organizing city. Being located in one of the world’s largest natural bays, our home city of Puerto Vallarta will proudly co-host the Games with a number of outdoor sporting events.
The Pan American games are a multi-sport event that take place every 4 years, usually the year before the Olympic Games. Competitors from all nations of the Americas compete. The 2011 edition of the event, 1 year before the London 2012 Olympics, will take place during the month of October.
With our city being turned towards the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is ideally located to host the Games’ beach and aquatic sporting events. These will be :
- Sailing
- Triathlon
- Open-water swimming
- Beach volleyball
With the international coverage that the Games will bring, Puerto Vallarta will be able to show-off it’s already world-renown attributes; it’s ocean, it’s water-sports, it’s beaches, it’s climate and it’s culture.
Infrastructure preparations are already underway at the “Augustin Flores” sports complex where a new 5,000 capacity beach volleyball stadium will be built. An oceanfront spectator route will be prepared for the open-swimming competition and the triathlon event will take place in the Puerto Vallarta Marina. The sailing competition will take place on the open-water further out into the bay.
This will be a great event for Puerto Vallarta and the locals are looking forward to being able to once again showcase their Paradise city.
