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Costa Sur Resort & Spa Gay Wedding Deal
PLOOKING FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING?
COSTA SUR RESORT & SPA WILL PAY FOR IT!
Puerto Vallarta’s Popular Wedding Resort Splurges on Guests with Free Wedding with Booking
Costa Sur Resort & Spa has launched its “All Inclusive Free Wedding Package” giving away most elements of a wedding with a 10 room booking.
Located in Mexico’s Pacific Coast destination of Puerto Vallarta, is one of the destination’s most popular wedding resorts, already hosting hundreds of weddings year-round, including over 200 LGBT ceremonies.
The property has a full in-house wedding staff and able to provide not only a secluded beach-front wedding but all the amenities needed for a world-class wedding.
The hotel’s wedding package promotion is based on a 10 room booking for a minimum of 2 nights; Costa Sur will give the happy couple a complimentary wedding banquet, Costa Sur Resort & Spa special table setting with round tables and Tiffany chairs and 4 hours of open bar, including a sparkling wine toast.
In addition, the couple will also receive 2 Nights All Inclusive complimentary accommodations, Upgrade to suite and a full wedding coordinator for any additional needs.
On the night of the wedding, the couple’s room will be decorated with the resort’s signature romantic setting rich with chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling white wine.
Puerto Vallarta has the sun, the beach, and the beautiful blue ocean year round. It’s the perfect mix with plenty of romantic beachfront backdrops, as well as a very fun, charming local Mexican village, just 10 minutes from the resort.
For reservations please visit www.costasurpuertovallarta.com
Galleria Dante and Di Vino Dante Tapas Restaurant Bar
Puerto Vallarta most beautiful Art Gallery, Galleria Dante and Di Vino Dante Tapas Restaurant Bar a must visit in while in Puerto Vallarta.
Galleria Dante is the largest fine Art gallery in Puerto Vallarta with more than 7000 square feet of show room and gardens on the first level. The gallery represents more than 60 emerging and established artists, of which the majority are Mexican artists. When Joe, Claire & Gena Guarniere purchased hacienda “Casa de Colores” in 1988 for their successful Italian restaurant “Pizza Joe” decorated with art treasures from their travels to Europe, little did they know that in 1995 they would be retiring from the restaurant to run a gallery full time. And once again it is a Casa filled with color!
The gallery is an eclectic blend of styles: abstract, classical, contemporary, surreal, expressionistic and impressionistic! Another unique point of Galleria Dante is the amount of sculpture exhibited indoors and out. We ship world wide! A complete inventory is posted to the website, where clients can also order online. Galleria Dante is open 9am to 5 pm, Monday thru Friday and in high season also open Saturday 9 am to 2 pm. Or private viewings, after hours can be arranged thru Di Vino Dante Restaurant.
In November of 2013 Di Vino Dante restaurant in Puerto Vallarta opened it’s doors on the 2nd floor, incorporating many unique spaces to exhibit art. Di Vino Dante Restaurant is a full service restaurant where the owner, Gena is knowledgeable about wine and art. There is indoor and outdoor seating, as well as an air-conditioned space. Puerto Vallarta Restaurants also opening in late 2015 is a roof top garden and terrace for the expanded menu and private parties. This is not only a relaxing place to dine, with great food and drinks, it is a work of art.
Check out this video by WeDidYourHomeWork Venura Orozco.
Walk Down Calle Basilio Badillo
In 1982, Basilio Badillo consisted of 3 small hotels and one or two businesses.
In 1988, Basilio Badillo was known for three restaurants, Roberto’s Puerto Nuevo, Pizza Joe and El Tucan (run by Memo who later opened Memo’s Pancake house) . These restaurants were so successful that more restaurants and other businesses started to relocate to this area.
In the mid-90’s there were 12 restaurants on the 200 block of Basilio Badillo, so for years it was known as “Restaurant Row,” or La Calle de los Cafés. Some restaurants closed, and fine shops started to take over. Now in 2015, there are more than 100 businesses in 5 short blocks of Basilio Badillo. There are 28 restaurants, 5 coffee shops, plus 5 specialty shops: chocolates, ice cream, crepes, 2 bakeries. 31 shops which include fine art and folk art galleries, clothing and jewelry. There are two great theatres! There is a hospital, yoga studio, dental offices, 4 pharmacies, 8 massage parlors and more. And for more than 30 years Alano which offers several 12 step programs in English. As a result, the area has been known for some years as the best place in town to hang out. Check out this VIDEO by WeDidYourHomeWork Venura Orozco.
Day of the Dead Puerto Vallarta
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
DAY OF THE DEAD
Most people who are not from Mexico, think the Day of the Dead is a day full of sadness, freight, and other horrible feelings. It is not; Day of the Dead is a beautiful ritual that is performed happily and lovingly, to remember all the loved relatives and friends that are no longer with us, through festivals and lively celebrations. Assured that the dead would be insulted by mourning or sadness, Day of the Dead celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life. On Day of the Dead, the dead are also a part of the community, awakened from their eternal sleep to share celebrations with their loved ones.
Although Day of the Dead is usually a private holiday celebrated among family members, for example, Cemetery in the 5th of December Colonia is the site of traditional Day of the Dead observance for private celebrations, it is also a celebration of the whole town, and therefore Asociación Vallarta Centro prepares an Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival, a celebration that promises to be magnificent. This celebration includes the display of conventional altars and Catrinas, pan de muerto tastings (a sweetened soft bread, often decorated with bone-like pieces, that’s traditionally baked during the days leading up to El Día de los Muertos), and other traditional Day of the Dead activities. It also includes folklore dancing dedicated to the dead, a parade, singing, dancing, Mariachi music, and a firework display. All in all, besides enjoying the natural beauty of Puerto Vallarta, it’s beach, sun, water activities, and tourist attractions, you will also be able to enjoy its cultural side through the famous Day of the Dead, one of the most important celebrations in the whole of Mexico.
OCTOBER 31 :: The souls of those that were killed or died of unnatural causes are remembered.
NOVEMBER 1 :: The souls of the children are honored with special designs in the altars, using the color white on flowers and candles
NOVEMBER 2 :: The souls of the adults are remembered. Schools and some offices and businesses are closed in Puerto Vallarta.
These are the days when art, religion, life, death, sadness and humor all come together in bright colors, tears and music. The dead are visited (or visit) and the living take the time to decorate and elaborate the past. The afterlife opens to the present. The graves are cleaned. The souls are refreshed.
The City of Puerto Vallarta is also sponsoring an altar competition with the entrants to be displayed on November 1 & 2 at the City Square at the Presidencia.
Display of Altars and parade starting at the Malecon heading to the Rio Cuale Municipal Market, ending with a folk festival with Charros, Catrina contest and fireworks.
The festival will also include a film festival, a food tasting and a series of concerts, folkloric ballet and a presentation of a series of photos on the theme of death, as it is viewed by popular Mexican culture.
Organizers will also try to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of Catrinas in one place, the playful visualization of death was made famous by Jose Guadalupe Posada, and has received notoriety across the US and Canada as of recently.
When: October 27th – November 2nd, 2015
Place: Malecon and Municipal Market
Watch this short video about DAY OF THE DEAD.
(left : Jose Guadalupe Posada’s original ‘La Calavera Catrina,’ circa 1910. Jose Guadalupe Posada’s original “La Calavera Catrina,” circa 1910. credit: Courtesy Mexican Museum)
La Calavera Catrina (‘Dapper Skeleton’, ‘Elegant Skull’) is a 1910–1913 zinc etching by famous Mexican printmaker, cartoon illustrator and lithographer José Guadalupe Posada. The image depicts a female skeleton dressed only in a hat befitting the upper class outfit of a European of her time. Her chapeau en attende is related to French and European styles of the early 20th century. She is offered as a satirical portrait of those Mexican natives who, Posada felt, were aspiring to adopt European aristocratic traditions in the pre-revolutionary era. She in particular has become an icon of the Mexican Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Catrina has come to symbolize not only El Día de los Muertos and the Mexican willingness to laugh at death itself, but originally catrina was an elegant or well-dressed woman, so it refers to rich people. Death brings this neutralizing force; everyone is equal in the end. Sometimes people have to be reminded.
Many shops in Puerto Vallarta sell various versions of Catrina. Some wonderful examples of her can be found at Galeria Indigena. (See more on the Gallery HERE)
And Colecktika and Peyote People. Both the same owners, both have contemporary Mexican Folk Art that will make you look a some very old traditions in a whole new way. Colecktika has more fine art – while Peyote People has a variety of affordable arts and crafts.
One of their specialties is art by the Huichol Indians. Deep in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Western Mexico live the Huichol Indians. Very little is known about the exact origins of the Huichol, but today they are clinging to a set of customs and beliefs that make them one of the best preserved Pre-Columbian tribes in the Western Hemisphere.
“Since 1997 we have been traveling up to the ancient Huichol Indian Ceremonial Center of San Andres Cohamiata where we have followed a number of Huichol families through their daily lives and have documented the ceremonies that set them apart from the rest of the world. Through this web site we will give you a never before seen look into the Huichol Indian ceremonial cycle and will be marketing their art for the money they need to host their traditional rituals and ceremonies.”
Peyote People is a fair trade co-operative based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that provides most of the carvings to our artists as well as new iridescent glass beads that are imported exclusively by us into Mexico for our artists to use in their art. We have been recognized by the Huichol Indian Traditional Government of San Andres Cohamaita for not only promoting their artwork but also for our commitment to the preservation of their customs and traditions through what we call CULTURAL AUTHENTICITY:
“Cultural Authenticity may be an invisible quality but it is what separates the ‘urban’ Huichol from those who actually live in the Sierra and are actively involved in the preservation of their cultures traditions.”
Galeria Indigena Mexican Art and Sale Oct 12
We are very excited for this coming October 12th when Galeria Indigena celebrates their 29th anniversary! This place is amazing with 5000 square feet of arts and crafts from all over Mexico! If you have never been to this gallery, watch the video on their Facebook page!
(PHOTO: Incredible CATRINA “FRIDA”
Beads on bees wax on clay.
Beaded By; Hilario Jimenez
Grandson of the medicine men (Shaman).
Enjoy complimentary drinks and discounts all day on October 12th!
“Thanks to all our customers and friends who over the years have favored us with their shopping, and at the same time we commit to continue offering quality products with attractive prices and better services, ” say the owners!
The Phantasmagorical World of New Age Oaxacan Wood Carvings
There are a couple of versions on how one of the most fascinating & intriguing examples of Mexican indigenous crafts evolved, namely that of the delightful hand carved & brightly painted wood creations begun by Pedro Linares in Mexico in the 1930s (although he began with papier mache).
The one version that appears most probable is that it was born from one of his dreams induced by an illness, but in any case the Mexican artisan is known world-wide for his or her rich imagination & in some indigenous groups, like the Huichols, with their fantastically colorful & complex beaded designs, this imagination is egged on by the ceremonial ingestion of “magic” plants like peyote, which contain mescaline. (Read Aldous Huxley’s classic “Doors of Perception” about the author’s pleasant experience with the drug.)
Out of Linares’s succession of zoomorphical illusions in a dream came an “exhibition” of fierce dragon bodies, scary bat wings & jaguar’s teeth all married to the world of reptiles, birds, insects & mammals. These figures, big & small, can be seen at most Mexican craft outlets, however the discerning art lover will quickly recognize that the examples offered at Galeria Indigena are extraordinary to say the least: here the artists have taken this art form to the nth degree with more outlandish sculpture & minutely painted detail using fine haired brushes, thus qualifying to be categorized as “New Age Oaxacan Wood Carvings”.
Galeria Indigena’s wonder-inspiring Alebrijes are another example of an art treasure that will thrill your family & friends back home.
THE DELIGHTFUL, WHIMSICAL ART OF NAUI
“The Night is Always Young” for these attractive, chubby angels who always bring a smile or two to its viewers.
Created by renowned Mexican artist “Naui”, each signed & numbered painting is a unique combination of acrylic
on canvas and finely-painted, moon-shaped ceramic faces. One satisfied client wrote: “To bring a sense of joy and humor to visitors at my new home, I placed several Naui paintings of these “Ladies of the Night” in one of my bathrooms & what a positive reception I received!” A unique work of art placed in any part of your home, make a wise choice: choose a Naui painting and take back a Mexican art treasure of true lasting value.
Retirement in Puerto Vallarta
When it comes to retirement options outside the United States, Puerto Vallarta has consistently been featured in lists produced by different important media outlets, worldwide.
The latest mention comes from the Huffington Post
In their US Edition, the Huffington Post featured The 21 Best Places to Retire Overseas in 2015, an entry posted on July 24, 2015 by Associate Editor, Yagana Shah. The 21 featured destinations included remote locations, such as Languedoc, France; Medellin, Colombia; and Hua Hin, Thailand. Two destinations in Mexico were highlighted: Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende, in second and 14th place, respectively.
Shah also makes reference to a recent article by Kathleen Peddicord, founder and publisher of Live and Invest Overseas. “Retirement overseas begins as an infatuation,” wrote the former editor and publisher of International Living. Then, backing herself by three decades of journalistic coverage and research, she makes strong case for the aforementioned list.
Both articles, along the very useful content about Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas located within this website, along with our sister publication, mlsvallarta.com, are highly recommended for anyone considering Mexico’s Pacific Riviera as a retirement destination.
Source: Virtual Vallarta
Gary Gates, a demographer with the UCLA Law School’s Williams Institute, a think tank dedicated to sexual orientation and gender-related law and public policy, theorizes that “baby boomers were the first generation to really have a visible LGBT community, and of course, they’re starting to retire now” and for many, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to invest their pink pesos with an eye towards future resort-style retirement living.
A recent study concluded that while the LGBT community has a median household income of $61,500 compared with $50,000 for the average American household, they are concerned about not outliving their money and maintaining lifestyle in retirement. Now savvy LGBT investors are turning to Puerto Vallarta to couple fabulous lifestyle with a much lower cost of living and affordable housing costs.
Looking to retire here? Contact TIMOTHY REAL ESTATE for buying and renting options.
Three Hens and a Rooster Market
Three Hens and A Rooster Market
“Three Hens and a Rooster” is a local market that supports Puerto Vallarta’s artisans and let people enjoy the handcrafted products.
In this market you can find one of a kind jewelry items, hand woven scarves, creative art pieces, beautiful shawls, hand crafted purses, antiques, and array of healthy plants, freshly made bred, homemade pizza, bakery items and more.
Three Hens and a Rooster Market
(near the river)
Venustiano Carranza #466
Col. Emiliano Zapata C5-J
Every Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Phone: 044 (322) 779-7595
AUGUST 1st is the last Flea Market of the Summer Season –
Safe Travel in Puerto Vallarta
The May 5th 2015 update to the US Department’s Travel Warning and the June 1st Travel Advisory by the Canadian Government to Mexico do not include a warning to the city of Puerto Vallarta.
There is no travel warning to Puerto Vallarta. The U.S. Department’s Travel Warning as it pertains to the State of Jalisco highlights rural highways and areas that border states to the south, almost 250 miles from Puerto Vallarta or the distance between New York and Boston; or Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Similarly, Canada’s Travel Advisory asks that visitors to the State of Jalisco “Stay in tourist areas and follow local media closely. If you do venture outside urban areas, exercise extreme caution, including on major highways. Avoid traveling at night. It is not safe to travel near the border with Michoacán.”
Read more here.
Puerto Vallarta in 360 Collection
The same technology used by Google Maps to allow users to experience 360º street views of locations around the world is now being used to bring people closer to previously unavailable places. Many of us have seen Google’s conspicuous vehicles traveling through the city, collecting imagery that can be incorporated into their mapping system.
Advances in their equipment now allows for a portable version of the same camera system. Worn like a backpack, Google Maps in now able to open our eyes to places we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago.
In recent months, Google staff has visited our destination, creating beautiful images of the Marietas Islands, Marina La Cruz, Vallarta Adventures’ Dolphin Center, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens and Las Caletas, among others. These locations now form part of Google’s Special Collections-Mexico, an increasing collection of landmarks located throughout the country.
Vallarta Lifestyles’ Managing Editor, Paco Ojeda, has been creating 360º spheres in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas for many years. His personal collection also resides in Google, and has been visited over 190,000 times. Feel free to explore his images by clicking here.
Puerto Vallarta Pride and Giving Back
SETAC Tu Centro Comunitario is proud to present the distinctive pin button Vallarta Gay Pride 2015, which will contribute to the continuation of the “La Casita” project.
This year Vallarta Pride is unique and special, not only because of the large amount of artistic and cultural activities that will take place from May 17 to 25, 2015, but also by supporting events where unity and social responsibility will be reflected for the common good.
Something like this deserves to be remembered. This is the reason why SETAC is proud to launch the official Vallarta Gay Pride 2015 pin button, a distinctive button displaying not only pride, but offering discounts and special surprises in each of the participating businesses during this festival playing tribute to the LGBT Community of Puerto Vallarta and beyond.
This commemorative button can be purchased at participating establishments for a $100 pesos donation. Proceeds will allow to continue with the project of “LA CASITA”, a temporary home focused on helping SETAC patients from neighboring communities such as as Talpa de Allende, Mascota, Tomatlán, Cabo Corrientes, Cihuatlán and La Huerta.
“LA CASITA” stems from the need for a decent, safe place for patients to continue their medical treatment or to receive attention before and after attending medical appointments at CAPASITS (Outpatient Center for AIDS Prevention and Care and STI) or the Regional Hospital. This space is intended to accommodate adults, teens and children.
SETAC Tu Centro Comunitario invites you to feel your pride by wearing this commemorative pin button and contribute to a noble cause for the benefit of those who require continuous medical care and/or special care.
For more information and to find the location of participating stores call the SETAC office on: 224 1974 or contact SETAC via Facebook. More information can also be found on Vallarta Pride or the official Facebook page.
Puerto Vallarta Gay Mens Chorus
Get ready to put on your “sequins and diamonds” or just your “sandals and denim” as the Puerto Vallarta Men’s Chorus presents its Vallarta Pride Festival Concert Series “Sequins & Diamonds” at Act II Stages on Monday, May 18, at 7:00 P.M. and twice on the evening of Friday, May 22 at 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.
This 4th annual PVMC pride concert series promises to be one of the Festival’s highlights as the whole region joins in celebrating PV’s vibrant and diverse LGBTQ community!
This year’s PVMC Pride Festival concerts will feature some of the region’s finest male voices under the direction of Artistic Director Alfonso López. The program’s selections reflect the theme of the festival, “Unity”, with a diverse array of songs performed in Spanish and English.
In addition to being a Pride Festival sponsor, PVMC’s multi-national “Pride” shines as bright as a diamond all year through its commitment to being a year round chorus and through its partnering with many local non-profits to build bridges of understanding to our diverse community and other organizations through our music. Working with organizations like the PuRR Project, the Bucerías Children’s Library, Pride Festival, SETAC and Bugambilia Festival, PVMC has brought its inspiring message of love and understanding through quality choral music performed in Spanish and English to diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Come see Mexico’s first gay men’s chorus as Director López wraps up his critically acclaimed first season with the Chorus by purchasing your tickets in advance at VallartaTickets.com or at the ACT II Stages box office, located at Insurgentes 300 in the Romantic Zone, 322-222-1512. You’ll be proud you did!
For more information, contact info@pvmenschorus.org or visit our website at www.pvmenschorus.org.
AIESEC México Inspirational Video
I came across this amazing video and site today! AIESEC México
AIESEC is an international non-governmental not-for-profit organization that provides young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global internship and volunteer exchange experiences across the globe, with a focus to empower young people so they can make a positive impact on society. HOW FANTASTIC IS THAT? The AIESEC network includes over 100,000 members in 126 countries and territories. It is the largest youth-run organization in the world.
But check out this video they posted.
What an awesome Country! MEXICO!
Vacation Home or Retiring in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular gay travel destinations in the world.
The resort town on Mexico’s West Coast is popular with US and foreign visitors as well as gay Mexican tourists who live in other parts of the country.
Puerto Vallarta is a well-known retirement and vacation destination and anyone who has ever been here knows why. The cost of living is low but the quality of life is high. There is always a fun activity going on or an event to attend or a place to just do nothing and relax. Puerto Vallarta has it all. A recent article in the Huffington Post chose Puerto Vallarta as one of the top five retirement destinations to pick from for different personality types;
Romantic. That might be the best single word to describe Puerto Vallarta. The city also offers shopping and fine dining, boating and golfing, country clubs and community, gourmet shops and designer boutiques…all alongside a beautiful stretch of the Pacific Ocean.
Puerto Vallarta could be called glamorous, but the cost of living and of buying real estate here aren’t jet-set. This is one of Mexico’s most sophisticated resort spots, with more cachet than Mazatlán and more chic than Cancún. Walking around Puerto Vallarta, you get that happy, vacation-time feel that successful beach resorts exude.
And that’s the would-be retiree overseas who should consider Puerto Vallarta–the beach-loving soul who likes the idea of retirement as a perpetual, fully appointed vacation.
A growing number of Americans are opting to relocate abroad, to places with fabulous weather, stunning scenery, a lower cost of living and welcoming colonies of like-minded people.
Or maybe it’s not time for retirement, but you are in love with Puerto Vallarta and want to get a second home/vacation home. We can help you. Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says there are 5 main factors Buyers consider when purchasing a second home/vacation home: #1 Location, #2 View, #3 Size, #4 Amenities and ……….. #5 Access.
Access to Puerto Vallarta has never been easier. There are direct flights from 39 cities in North America, and the Puerto Vallarta International Airport is modern, convenient and continually upgraded. Most anyone can jump on a plane and be in their vacation property in a few hours – ready to enjoy the Puerto Vallarta lifestyle.
Perhaps you want to do a vacation rental and live like a local. Vacation Rentals have become one of the most popular ways to travel. They can offer a much greater value than typical hotel rooms. Unit amenities often surpass what would normally be available in a hotel and a fully equipped kitchen provides travelers with an opportunity to save on expensive meals and avoid lines at crowded restaurants. Another advantage, vacation rentals can offer a feeling of community and a way to experience what it is like to live in a foreign country.
About Timothy Real Estate Group:
TimothyRealEstateGroup.com enables our clients to realize their vision for the future. We sell real estate in Puerto Vallarta and represent Buyers and Sellers of real property. Buying a home in Puerto Vallarta can be an incredible opportunity and we understand and plan for our client’s concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.
Representing Villas, Condominiums, Developments, Land, and Commercial opportunities here in the Bay of Banderas we are leaders in our market with over 25 years of experience.
Timothy Real Estate Group can also assist our clients who are thinking of and retiring in Mexico, Relocating to Mexico, or who may be thinking of starting a New Business in Mexico.
Please visit our section on Moving to Mexico for further information. Whether you want to List your property for sale or Buy that perfect property you’ve been wanting we can help with Rentals, Management, and preparation with every detail.
Please visit our office in Puerto Vallarta to meet a TimothyRealEstateGroup.com representative.
T: (322) 223 5300
USA Toll Free: ( 877) 204 7730
CAN Toll Free: (877) 382 4106
inspired@timothyrealestategroup.com
Mexico Supreme Court on Gay Marriage Equality
On Wednesday Mexico’s Supreme Court struck a huge blow in the fight for marriage equality by ruling that bans on same-sex marriage are inherently “discriminatory” laws. The ruling came down in response to a lawsuit filed by a gay couple challenging the family code of Sinaloa, a coastal Mexican state.
(Just to north of Vallarta and Nayarit).
Sinaloa’s family code, like those in other Latin American countries have traditionally defined marriage as the union between a man and a woman. The lawsuit challenging the code, which was filed in 2013, contended that aside from gender there were no discernible differences between heterosexual couples and homosexual ones. In a public statement released after the court hearing the judges emphatically agreed.
“The contested provisions are clearly discriminatory because the relationships in which homosexual couples engage can fit perfectly into the actual fundamentals of marriage and living together and raising a family,” the court explained. “For all of those relevant effects, homosexual couples can find themselves in an equivalent situation to heterosexual couples, in such a way that their exclusion from both institutions is totally unjustified.”
A new Costalegre airport ?
Mexico’s Pacific coast is in the news of late. That’s especially true of the Costalegre, the expanse of beaches, capes and bays between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta. Long the favorite of the private jet set, it’s about to become a bit more accessible – in an exclusive way, that is.
A new Costalegre airport is in the works, making it much easier to reach the region. At the moment, visitors flying commercial must arrive either at Puerto Vallarta or Manzanillo. Neither is particularly convenient.
“If all goes well within two years the new airport will be up and running. The runway is already there and they’re working on the buildings. They will also be widening the road going in both directions,” Wayne Hudson tells Travel Agent.
Hudson is spokesperson for Cuixmala, the expansive resort that was once the home of British tycoon Sir James Goldsmith. Cuixmala lies in the middle of the Costalegre, and attracts a distinct crowd.
“Exotic, bohemian, remote, off the beaten path. Cuixmala is truly the brainchild of a rather eccentric billionaire unconstrained by budget or the need to generate money. Where else can you go in Mexico and see free roaming zebras,” Journey Mexico Founder and Director General Zach Rabinor tells Travel Agent.
Cuixmala’s remoteness and vastness are what appeal to visitors, said Hudson. The estate itself is more than 25,000 acres. Much of that is a remote jungle habitat to jaguars and pumas, accessed only by biologists. Guests typically criss-cross an area of about 3,000 acres, including three miles of beach. More at Banderas news
In the heady days of the late 1980’s and early 90’s, Goldsmith would fly into Puerto Vallarta on his silk-lined, India-themed 757, accompanied by friends on the order of Ronald Reagan, Henry Kissinger, and Richard Nixon—along with a revolving cast of secretaries, mistresses, wives, girlfriends, and kids. For the 99-mile jaunt south to Cuixmala, they would all transfer to a prop plane, touching down on a grass landing strip as zebras, elands, and crocodiles scattered in the wake of the incoming glamour. No wonder some guests compared the experience to weekending with Dr. No.
Now, Alix Goldsmith Marcaccini has turned her father’s grand folly into a combination working farm, relentlessly hip eco-resort, colossal bed-and-breakfast, and politically correct watering hole for the neo-glitterati. One of her first guests was—who else?—Madonna, followed soon thereafter by Mick Jagger. Marcaccini’s own lists, for her New Year’s parties at Cuixmala (Simon Le Bon, Quentin Tarantino, Johnny Knoxville, Seal, Heidi Klum, and that crowd), also have a way of making the press.
No matter what happens – this is a totally different vibe than Puerto Vallarta!
Gorgeous Costa Sur Resort – 4km from Town
Breathtaking views and tranquility!
Only 5 minutes from Romantica Zone but feels like a whole other world. “Far” from traffic and noise. “Far” from business as usual. Yet only 4.5 km away from the action!
In an age of sameness, Costa Sur is a place apart. It belongs to the unspoiled South Shore of Banderas Bay where the emerald green mountains suddenly meet Banderas Bay, one of the largest and certainly one of the most beautiful bays in the hemisphere.
140 Rooms with full ocean views AND terraces? Yes.
Warm and charming staff? Yes
Pool? Yes
Private beach? Yes
And a crystal clear swimming lagoon. 20 some years ago, huge boulders were put into place to create a buffer between the smashing waves and the beach. As time went by the rock barrier turned into a natural reef and home to a wide variety of colorful marine life. Fish of many shapes and sizes, beautiful coral, starfish, lobster and even octopus can be seen swimming in the deeper sections of the lagoon. Now guests can enjoy a gorgeous lagoon to swim and play in. Snorkeling, Scuba and Kayak gear is available for rent.
There are several wonderful restaurants and bars on site at the resort. These establishments are available for those guests who never want to have to leave the property or who like the convenience of being able to grab something as soon as they want it. There in-house chef makes a fantastic variety of food, including both Mexican and various other international cuisines.
For the LGBT traveler, check out the PROUD TO TRAVEL package! The package is a great price and comes with a couples massage and breakfast every morning. The 8th floor is totally remodeled and is adults only. The rooms are gorgeous! The rooms have kitchens and granite counters, bathrooms are very nice with great showers. The hotel is TAG approved and a member of IGLTA and gay weddings have become very popular here in the last year.What a spectacular romantic setting?!
Venues and locations for affordable destination weddings are not easy to find, especially if you are looking for a destination that offers guests a wide variety of vacation experiences AND provides you (as the bride/bride or groom/groom) an exceptional level of service and help from start to finish. At Costa Sur Resort and Spa they take great pride in having nearly everything a couple could want for their marriage/celebration, easily at hand, and many times all wrapped into one affordable wedding package.
Costa Sur has risen to the top 25% of hotels rated by Trip Advisor in Vallarta while keeping its rates affordable to assure excellent value. You WILL NOT find a hotel with these views at these prices ANYWHERE else!
Costa Sur Resort & Spa
Carretera a Barra de Navidad km 4.5
Zona Hotelera Sur
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco CP 48310
Toll Free USA: 1-866-921-0126
Toll Free México: 01-800-504-7090
BEST SPA Puerto Vallarta Ohtli at Marriott
When most people speak of Puerto Vallarta, they speak of Old Vallarta. The original Vallarta. Quaint streets, little shops, boutique hotels, bars, beaches, restaurants and more!
Then, there is Nuevo Vallarta, about 20 minutes north of Old Vallarta. Close to the airport. This is where the cruise ships docks and you have all of the large hotel resorts, most of them in the Hotel Zone.
Some people choose to stay in Nuevo Vallarta because of the luxury resorts on sprawling acres. They can relax at the pool, enjoy spa services and then cab or bus to Old Vallarta, to enjoy the “downtown” and shopping and cultural things to do, as well as nightlife.
One property in Nuevo that WE LOVE is CasaMagna Marriott. It is set along the curve of Banderas Bay on the Pacific Coast at the base of the majestic Sierra Madre Mountains. (CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta was one of the first hotels that received a Certification for the LGBT segment. They are also a “TAG Approved” hotel, and member of IGLTA ; International Gay Lesbian Travel Association).
Removed from the crowded Hotel Zone, the CasaMagna Marriott is located in exclusive Marina Vallarta, a perfect spot for an evening stroll by magnificent yachts and outdoor cafés. It is quite a spectacular and lavish setting.
Throughout Vallarta they are known for their Spa! The resort features a 22,000 square foot Ohtli Spa—the most spacious complete service resort spa in Puerto Vallarta.
Through its cultural sensitivity and the integration of healing and hospitality with the traditions of the diverse generations of people who have shaped Puerto Vallarta, the Ohtli Spa specializes in a balanced and authentic wellness approach.
The Ohtli Spa introduces ancient healing traditions and treatments from the Huichol Indians, fused with modern techniques, to help you achieve the perfect balance between body, mind and soul.
The Spa treatments have been carefully designed by experts to provide you a unique experience and help you reach a balance between body and mind. Massages, couples massages, facials, manicures, exfoliate and submerge yourself in deep relaxation while enjoying a therapy bath, or an aromatherapy treatment. Many services to choose from.
Among the spa’s most enticing features is Iyari Grand Luxury Suite—a 280 square foot private room designed as a refuge for guests seeking a truly indulgent spa experience, specialized spa packages, couples services, small groups or celebrities seeking anonymity.
Whether you choose to stay in Old Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta, you MUST make a trip to this Spa!
1-888-236-2427
www.PuertoVallartaMarriott.com
Av. Paseo De La Marina No. 5, Marina Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48354, Mexico
Tel: 011-52-322-226-0000 Fax: 011-52-322-226-0060
