We were understandably excited, even overwhelmed, when we moved to Guanajuato on August 1, 2003. We explored the city until we felt we would drop. We ate at all the cool restaurants until we thought we’d go broke. Finally, when we settled down, we set about living our lives like ordinary Guanajuatenses. We shopped where Mexicans shopped and we lived where Mexicans lived.

Mexico; that is, traditional, provincial Mexico, has neighborhood stores all over the city and sometimes several in a single block. I don’t understand how they are able to eek out a living doing it this way, but they do. There will often be two or three stores right next to one another. Three places in a row will offer the same items, at the same prices, and somehow they all manage to stay in business. Their stores always seem to be full and thriving. It amazed me then, when we first arrived here, and still astounds me some four years later.

One day during our first month in town and while we were living in a small Guanajuato barrio called Puquero, my wife came home from one of the little neighborhood stores, which was manned by the sweetest little Mexican woman. My wife loved going into her store, rather than someone else’s, because this lady was not only kind as can be, but she also took the time to answer my wife’s many questions. In addition, she was tenderly patient with my wife’s burgeoning Spanish.

What my wife described to me one day, was that these women acted like a bunch of primitive, medieval Arab women at a bazaar or trying to buy something at an auction. They shouted, flailed their hands in the air, and all of them, more or less, acted like they didn’t see my wife standing right there. They demanded that the clerk stop waiting on the gringa and wait on them. It w as as though they were terrified my wife would buy all the food in the place and leave them with the dregs.

I had yet to see this display. The first time I saw it, I think I must have stood there with my mouth agog, eyeballs bulging out of my head, and for some minutes completely speechless. I mean; it is something to see. Not only do they do this at the small Mom-and-Pop stores scattered all around the city, up and down the snaking callejóns, but they do this Mexican-Women-Wilderness-Action Play at the drug stores, the supermarkets, the movie rental places, the ice cream parlors, or anywhere where queuing or standing in a line might be required. To image this, just remember the last movie you saw that depicted a market scene during the Middle Ages. The proprietor of a tent, out of which he sells chickens, begins taking orders. All the women begin screaming all at once and flapping their arms and hands in the air in fear that someone might get all the chicken and they will get left out.

Anywhere there is a counter behind which are all the goods you want to buy and an employee waiting to help you, you will see this pandemonium break out. The customers do not line up. There is no sense whatsoever of “taking one’s turn,” or queuing up in a line and waiting patiently while the person in front of you gets waited on.

In a modern supermarket, and tragically, we now have two of them; you only really see this riot break out at the meat department where you have to give your order to the clerks. Otherwise, it’s every Mad-Mexican-Momma for herself in the fruit and vegetable department where they can calmly pick their own produce from a nicely stacked display.

In the four years we’ve lived here, we have seen so many variations of the main “When Mexican Women Attack” performance. Some women will actually shove you out of the way. If you turn to talk to someone, and do not staunchly defend your place at the counter, when you turn back, there could be a little horde that has taken over your spot. It is though someone in the transporter room of the Enterprise just beamed them down. My wife, my poor wife, has been shoved, pulled, punched in the ribs, yanked, bowled over, shouted down, all so someone can get a kilo of hotdogs before her.

Here’s a tip: you’ve got to be ready to do battle in this town to get on the bus or in a taxi. This sort of nonsense seems to go on elsewhere, Paris and in some cities in Italy, so you have to be ready to open that cab door and dive head first into the back seat before some Mexican assumes you hailed the cab for them.

So, why do Mexicans fail to queue?

We went to where the first event we witnessed took place and asked my wife’s store-clerk friend. She immediately, without hesitation, without having to take the time to even think about it, told us these women were Malcriadas-badly raised.

My wife’s Mexican friend’s spin is what I am offering here. I am not giving you my take. It is the Mexican viewpoint of this behavior.

At first, we thought it was the fact that my wife was gringa and perhaps this was some sort of anti-gringo thing in action. But, eventually we saw them behaving in this strange manner with one another. So, it was not a we-hate-the-gringos behavior.

What makes this even more confusing is that in banks, supermarket checkout lines, government offices, they seem to queue nicely. You do not see this madhouse free-for-all mayhem at these other places. Patience seems to rule there but most certainly not in places where they are trying to buy their meat or in the small neighborhood grocery stores.

And, the following will cause your brain to go into full tilt mode. We are now seeing the clerks behind the meat and small store counters telling these pushy women that they are going to have to wait their turn. I saw this once in one of the supermarkets. You cannot carry in purses, bags, or anything else in which something can be hidden. You have to “check” your belongings at what looks like an old coat check room that we no longer see in the States.

Well, it was crowded that day and this campesino (country woman) saw a place open at the counter and darted between the lines of folks who were both checking and picking up their purses and what have you. The clerk told the erring woman that she would have to get in line and wait her turn.

You would have thought this country woman had been slapped in the face. She acted as though this was a foreign and alien concept (and it was!!). I mean, after all, there was space between the people who had queued in the line so why should she have to go back and stand in a line and patiently wait her turn? The clerk, bless her, ignored the women and waited instead on those who had queued in line.

We’ve been able to ferret out three major explanations for the behavior. Because we have the linguistic skill to ask, we first consulted Mexicans themselves and asked why this behavior exists. Then, we’ve been researching culture issues in some works by American Culture Analysts who specialize in Mexican-American culture exchanges.

The first theory that I’ve already mentioned is that those who engage this behavior are badly raised (malcriados) or badly educated (maleducativo). We’ve heard this one a lot from Mexicans who are from different parts of Mexico. Non-Guanajuato Mexicans are the ones who have come up with this explanation for this riotous free-for-all at certain events like buying some meat or boarding a bus. Why this is so is anyone’s guess. It is one explanation and one only. I do not accept this as the only reason, however. Though I suppose it could be the case in some, I do not believe it is the case in all of the situations in which we see people act this way.

What a Mexican is saying when he calls someone badly educated or maleducativo is that they have not been taught manners and that they are rude. It is on the level an American would mean of someone when he calls him or her a rube or a red neck. But, the fact that the majority of the Mexicans who approach a meat counter, for example, do this frenetic screeching and pushing to the front, tells me that it just might not be a case of being badly raised. Another interesting thing to note is that the more refined ladies, the upper class, don’t seem to act this way. They would, of course, never lower themselves to walking into a store, much less scream like a mimi for a kilo of pork-they send their maids to do their screaming for them.

The second theory goes something like this:

“The third thing I would mention is the practice in stores here of always serving the last customer to arrive. For example, I walk into a stationery store and I ask the girl for a ream of paper. As she turns to go get it, someone else walks in the door. “What do you need?” she asks, and goes to find what he has asked for. Then a third person walks in, ignoring all the other customers, and asks for a box of pencils, which she produces immediately and collects the money. I guess the idea is to get all the people who walk in the door involved in a transaction so that they can’t leave until it’s finished, and in that way, not lose any business. But it’s the opposite of how it works in all the countries I have ever lived in. Out of irritation, sometimes I call out, “Excuse me, I was here first!” and the shop attendant usually takes care of me immediately, especially if I am a regular customer.”

I first heard this theory from a fellow who contributed to our first book but have never been able to confirm it with anyone else. While it makes sense to a certain degree, the part about, “… ignoring all the other customers…” bothers me. I want to know if that means they actually see there are other customers there or that they don’t? And, why exactly would they want to ignore all the other customers, gringo and Mexican alike, and demand they be waited on first when a host of others were there before them? If the motive was that they wanted to be served first, even though a number of people were there before them, then would that not mean that Mexicans in general, I am here telling you the majority of the good people of Guanajuato do this, are nothing but a bunch of selfish ninnies? Children?

So, it is the third theory that I find the most credible and just perhaps this is the answer my wife and I searched for all these years. I have to add that maybe theories #1 and #2 do in some sense explain this behavior, but this last theory seemed to me to be more “logical” than the first two and it takes a little explaining to understand. It has everything to do with a clash of cultures. It is what makes Mexicans who they are and it shows when they are looking for some pork chops for their family’s dinner.

What I think is the dynamic involved here is the Mexican’s orientation toward Space, Time and how these work together to form a work ethic producing a behavior that is group based.

We Americans see everything as Me and I. We are so individualistically oriented that we tend to fall apart, foaming at the mouth, when our individuality isn’t recognized. When we are asked, “Do the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many,” we shout without any hesitation and with a loud and resoundingly boisterous YES! Mexicans would never say that. We Americans draw a circle around ourselves of about three feet and expect this to not only be respected but will defend this space, sometimes with violence. It is American’s obsession with this sense of orientation of a narrow and confining space that earns us the reputation of being cold and insensitive to the rest of the world.

Mexicans draw a circle around The Group. They are, as is the case with most of the rest of the non-Anglo-Saxon world, group oriented in almost every aspect of their lives. While Americans are more comfortable with the Me…Me…Me mentality, the Mexicans are more comfortable with the Us…Us…Us orientation. Americans are more at ease with lots and lots of personal space. We will resist and even abhor crowding. Mexicans love crowds because crowds constitute a group and it is in groups that Mexicans thrive.

This is, by the way, one of the reasons social scientists point to as the reason why America leads the world in mental illness and why Mexico has one of the lowest rates of mental disorders. Americans, in their pursuit of individuality, tend to suffer more from mental illness than the Mexicans who not only seek the group orientation in life but also have instant and immediate support groups in place to help individuals within the group keep from having nervous breakdowns. Americans could learn a great deal from this approach of a so-called Third World Nation. Mexicans act as a group thus looking inward to the group for the help and support they need to keep from losing their minds-survival.

The Mexican sense of Time is the second dynamic that comes into play in the Queuing Crisis in this country. Whereas we Americans see time as an arrow shot from the bow at the starting line of the beginning of the day with us having to run to try and catch up with that arrow, Mexicans do not. They see and perceive time almost as a gift. If a Mexican takes three hours with you in a meeting to accomplish something you, the anal American, could have done in 20 minutes, the Mexican perceives he has given himself freely to you-a gift. Time is something to be used and not something that drives us to the brink of losing our American anal-retentive minds.

Mexican Time is not something in which events occur in a sequential order. To the Mexican, time is something that flows freely, without restrictions, and sometimes that flow is slow and plodding and sometimes it is fast and frenetic. It is a circle and not an arrow. Mexicans sincerely do not comprehend our getting all bent out of shape when they NEVER show up on time for an appointment. They simply don’t.

What is happening in the problem I have described in this essay is that there is a counter. On one side of the counter is the Group of Servers. Their mission is to make sure you get your meat, or whatever, when you give them your order. One the other side of the counter is the Group of Customers. Their mission is to buy a nice beefy chuck roast to cook up for Sunday Cena where the extended family is coming for a Mexican hoedown. The Group of Servers does not “see” individual customers in the Group of Customers. They just see the group. The same goes for the customers…they just see the Group of Servers and not individual servers. This is the group orientation in which Mexicans thrive in their society.

Because to the Mexican mind, time is something circular flowing in the same direction, and because time will get to its finish line sooner or later, the Group of Servers see themselves serving not individuals but the Group of Customers. The Group of Servers see themselves helping the Group of Customers and not just individuals. It is one group helping the other group. The Group of Customers is being helped all at the same time and not in a logically sequential order. In other words, when the little old Mexican woman pushes up to the front, and you’ve already given your order to one of the clerks within the Group of Servers, you are not seen as having arrived first and the old woman is not seen as the last to arrive. You are both part of the Group of Customers. It, therefore, does not matter if the clerk suddenly stops helping you and helps the old woman whose request might require a quick response, after which the clerk resumes helping you.

You are all part of the group and will get waited on eventually, thus assuring success for both groups.

The little old woman who just came into the place might be pushing her way up to the front of the group so as to make sure the Group of Servers now knows she is part of the Group of Customers. All she is doing is trying to enlist in the Group of Customers and this is how she does it.

Even if the clerk of the Group of Servers stops to help the little old lady, it could be that in the mind of the clerk, the old woman’s smaller order could be filled much fast than your larger one and the faster he fills it, the quicker he would be able to get back to you. I have seen, however, that when this happens, the old woman does not harangue but once she shouts her order over you, “the enlistment” in the Group of Customers, then she waits patiently until the clerk can get back to her. I have never seen any acting out in this situation on the part of the Mexican. I have seen, however, Americans having a meltdown over these events.

And, just why do we Americans suffer an emotional explosion over this? Why do we want to act out over having to wait a few extra seconds for our hot dogs? What is at work here?

It is a breakdown or violation of our American-bred orientation of Space and Time. We waited to be served. We stood in line. We have been waiting here a long time. These Mexicans should be in a line and be waited on in sequence. Where is the damned order? The old woman invaded my space.

Our understanding as Americans is that our little space should be respected and defended at all costs. Since we waited our turn, all of the clerks should wait on us hand and foot and only pay attention to me. It is the “me” mentality. It is the “I” orientation. It is our culture screaming through the rooftop loud and clear that we are not interested in being part of a group.

The Mexican Group of Servers is helping the individuals in the Group of Customers all at the same time. In helping the group, everyone gets served, eventually. They are offering excellent Mexican-style customer service. The Group of Servers helps the Group of Customers. Everyone gets her meat and the servers are now ready to help the next group-the Mexican Way!

The anxiety of the American comes when they do not feel their sense of space and time is respected.

“I’ve been standing here for 20 minutes (American time orientation) and now I want to be waited on and don’t anyone think of usurping my place at the counter (American space orientation).”

They want sequence. They want people in lines. They want their perception of logical order to reign. They want to be the center of attention when their turn comes. They are, well, we are, a selfish lot. And this comes across loud and clear to the Mexicans all too often with American tourists and expats. When the American comes along in the form of a visitor or expat and tries to destroy the Group Orientation of the Mexican with their sense of Rugged American Individualism, then all cultural hell breaks loose.

So what if you were in line before the toothless old Mexican woman who looks like she will have to have help in chewing the pork chop she’s about to buy! Lighten up. Play it the way Mexicans play it. Your life will not come to an end just because you have to wait another minute or two to get your silly hot dogs.

The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico

Mexican Living Print and eBooks

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• Christmas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Home-and-Family:Holidays] Five centuries ago, Christmas was virtually nonexistent in Mexico; in fact, Christianity had not even been introduced to the New World. The native Aztec Indians weren’t even aware of the concept of Christianity until 1524, when Twelve Franciscans (Twelve Apostles of New Spain) came to Mexico; about a decade later, the Dominicans followed. Soon after the arrival of the Twelve Franciscans, some of the native Indians began accepting the story of Christ and converting to Christianity.
• Escape From America Without Leaving America
  [Real-Estate:Investing] You might be amazed to see that PV is approximately the same distance from Chicago, Minneapolis, and Portland as New York is from Houston, Dallas, and Denver. Relatively speaking, cities such as Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles are virtually next door to PV. Another factoid; Puerto Vallarta is nearer El Paso, Texas than is Texarkana, Texas.
• Herd Mentality As it Applies to Real Estate in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Real-Estate:Investing] You’ll never find a better time to take advantage of a seriously depressed and overbuilt real estate market in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Pack your bags and come on down for a week of fun in the sun this winter and check out the phenomenal opportunities that await you. With the current availability of mortgages in Mexico, this is a rare opportunity to buy low and perhaps someday in the future, sell high; it’s a great concept!
• Attention Canadians – The Time is Now and the Place is Mexico!
  [Real-Estate:Investing] It’s obvious that the time has never been better for Canadians to explore the opportunities that exist in Mexico today. International monetary circumstances are ideal for Canadians concurrently with the condo supply and demand equation in Mexico heavily tilted in favor of the buyer.
• Mexican Stocks, Silver, and Real Estate – A Ten Year Review
  [Investing] Silver has always been one of Mexico’s major export materials; in fact, until just a few years ago, Mexico was the largest producer and exporter of silver in the world. Let’s assume ten years ago, instead of putting your $100 under the mattress, you bought $100 worth of silver selling at approximately $5.50/ounce.
• Boomers May Soon Overcome Top Objection to Retirement in Mexico
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] As retirees and 12 year residents of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, it’s quite easy to extol the benefits of living in Mexico. Of course, not every part of Mexico is the same (as is true in the US or Canada); however, we can certainly vouch for Puerto Vallarta. With its beautiful climate and landscape of the Sierra Madres cascading down into Banderas Bay, its kind and friendly local citizenry, its proximity to the US and Canada, and its lower cost of living, what’s there not to like in this wonderland south of the border?
• How to Make Your Kids Happy – Buy Real Estate in Mexico!
  [Real-Estate:Condominiums] As they say, all good things must come to an end; we all will pass on and when we do, the kids will probably be near retirement age. Hopefully, this will be a sad occasion for them however inheriting a beautiful condo in Puerto Vallarta will surely ease the pain!
• The World’s Only Natural Island Green in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Golf-Travel-and-Resorts] There is only one “natural island” green out of the 600,000 greens in the world. It is the third hole at the beautiful Pacifico Course at the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico, located about 25 miles from Puerto Vallarta. This world class course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, meanders along the Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean with incredible views on almost every hole. It is such a magnificent tract that in 2008 it was named the top resort course in the world by Conde Nast magazine.
• Investing South of the Border
  [Real-Estate:Investing] Due to the extreme demand in second homes and retirement properties in resort destinations, Vallarta has witnessed an explosive ten year period of growth. So much so, that with the current global recession, the developers of the large condominium projects requiring long term planning, financing, and construction have been caught totally off guard. Once they committed, most of them (the reputable and fully capitalized ones!) felt it necessary to complete their projects regardless of sales. Consequently, with the recession driven reduction in demand and a supply of more than 7,000 units, prices for new condos are at a bargain basement level with some of the developers selling their surplus inventory at not much above their cost.
• A Buyer’s Market in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Real-Estate:Buying] Having owned property in Vallarta for more than a quarter of a century, we can emphatically state that we’ve never seen a better time to buy property along the Mexican Riviera and seriously doubt that we’ll ever see it again during our lifetime. The selection is huge, the availability of credit is great, and the sellers are desperate, i.e., Puerto Vallarta is ripe for the pickin’ for the savvy investor as well as the retiring Baby Boomer!
• The Three Eyed Iguanas of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Reference-and-Education:Wildlife] The next time you have the good fortune of seeing one of these magnificent reptiles up close, check out the third eye. Meanwhile, if you just want to have a little fun, ask your friends what has three eyes, two penises, and never sweats: the iguanas of enchanting Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!
• Pre-Boomer Lifestyle on the Mexican Riviera
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] If you’re a Baby Boomer and haven’t yet lost all of your money in your 401k or IRA, it’s not too late; come on down to Puerto Vallarta and join the Pre-Boomers. The luckiest of the Luckiest Generation are truly living “La Dolce Vita” or the sweet life in this part of the Mexican Riviera!
• Creative Juices Flow in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Travel-and-Leisure:City-Guides-and-Information] Puerto Vallarta, being so conducive to creating, is a cultural Mecca south of the border in the center of the Mexican Riviera. So pack up your bags and come on down. Lay back, relax, and let your creative juices flow; you might be amazed by your own suppressed capabilities and hidden talents!
• The Intelligent Sea Turtles of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Reference-and-Education:Wildlife] In some respects, the intelligent sea turtles of Vallarta think in a manner similar to that of the smarter tourists that visit Vallarta; once they’ve been here, they continue returning! So, if you’ve never visited this magnificent Banderas Bay region of Mexico, perhaps it’s time you consider it. Not only will you see and do everything imaginable under ideal weather conditions in a region that can only be defined as Paradise, but from June through December, you’ll also be able to observe the nesting habits of these prehistoric sea turtles with their built in GPS and long distance navigation systems.
• The Loonie Has Strengthened For Seven Consecutive Years in Mexico
  [Finance:Currency-Trading] The loonie, even though on the surface may seem weak compared to the US dollar, is at its strongest point ever when it comes to shopping in Mexico. This fact combined with the fact that many developers have overbuilt in all of the Mexican resort cities presents a virtual shoppers Paradise for all Canadians still holding loonies!
• The Magnificent Sand Sculptures of Puerto Vallarta
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Do you remember your first few vacations to the beach as a child with your parents when you had your little shovel and bucket and could let your imagination run wild as you built sand castles with moats around them? Obviously, we were not the first to mold sand. Sand sculpting as an art form has been around for thousands of years; it is conjectured that the ancient Egyptians made sand models of the pyramids. During the past century, the art of sand sculpting has been elevated to a profession. There are now companies that construct sculptures for special events and a school for teaching the skills of sand sculpting; the World Sand Sculpting Academy…
• Why Real Estate Foreclosures Are Rare in Mexico
  [Real-Estate:Foreclosures] Because there are virtually no foreclosures in Mexico, there has been no significant depreciation of values there. That’s not to say that there’s not been a leveling off in prices or that the developers are not more inclined to “negotiate” today than they were a year ago. To the contrary, prices on newly constructed condos have never been better than they are today and bargains can be found throughout the city.
• Grotesque Stranglers Living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Reference-and-Education:Nature] Invariably, when tourists visit the Puerto Vallarta, Mexico area, they inquire with questions such as “What kind of colorful bird is that?”, “What kind of amazing animal is that?”, “What are those beautiful flowers?”, or “What’s the name of that unusual looking tree?” After 12 years of replying with “We don’t have a clue, but they’re all over the area; pretty neat, huh?”, we decided to do a little research so as not to seem so oblivious to the natural beauty surrounding us in the foothills of the Sierra Madres overlooking the Banderas Bay in the center of the Mexican Riviera!
• Stripers Working the Puerto Vallarta Area
  [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] Some of the finest sport fishing in the world can be found in the Puerto Vallarta area. The months of October, November, and December are probably the best for most game fish, however the summer months can also yield some mighty fine catches.
• Bargains Galore! – 35% Discount on Everything in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] If you have ever considered traveling to or retiring in Paradise, now is the time and Puerto Vallarta is the place! You will find many great values on everything this season; values that have not been seen for almost a decade and may not be available again in the near future.
• Retirement on the Mexican Riviera
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Riviera; the word alone tends to conjure pleasant images of beautiful scenery, of calm serenity or relaxation, even of Paradise. By definition, Riviera is an Italian term originally from the Middle Ages for the coast of Liguria. The two divisions of the original Riviera, both of which border the Ligurian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean Sea, are the Italian Riviera and the French Riviera.
• The Fountain of Youth Rediscovered in Puerto Vallarta
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Vallarta is much more hospitable for vacationing or retirement during those months because it experiences an average monthly rainfall of less than 0.4 inches, whereas Maui receives anywhere from 1.7 to 2.6 inches of rain per month depending upon your location on the island. Additionally, Vallarta is located a short two to four hours from most US cities while Maui is six to ten hours from most mainland US cities.
• Effect of the Union En Cuale Company on Puerto Vallarta
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Silver is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Mexico, but perhaps it should be. After all, Mexico has been the world’s leader in the production of silver since the 1500´s and continued to be the number one producer through 2003.
• Ten Year Performance of the Mexican Stock Market
  [Investing:Stocks] You can see where the 10 year gain of the S&P 500 was only 25% while the Canadian stocks advanced approximately 200% and the Mexican stocks a whooping 600%. If you were to average the gains over 10 years and compound them annually, the US stocks have gained at rate of 2% per year, the Canadian stocks at 7%, and the Mexican stocks at 20% per year.
• History of Sport Resulting in Sudden Death Near Puerto Vallarta
  [Recreation-and-Sports] It is believed that the original game, known as ulama (from the Nahuatl word “olli” meaning rubber), was invented by the Olmecs (the word Olmec is also believed to be derived from the Nahuatl word “olli”) around 1500BC. The games of ulama are known to be the world’s oldest games ever played with rubber balls.
• World Class Fire Opals Mined Near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] We all know that Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a world famous resort destination and retirement haven. We also know that just about all of the Mexican Riviera cruise ships make Vallarta a normal port of entry providing the visitors with numerous fun and exciting things to do, sights to be seen, side tours to be taken, beautiful beaches to enjoy, etc., but few tourists ever really get to know the area, customs, and local history.
• The Last of the Obsidian Artifacts in Puerto Vallarta
  [Arts-and-Entertainment:Humanities] The ancient Guachimontes site is of such significance that on July 12, 2006, it was added to the World Heritage List by the World Heritage Committee of Unesco. It is in a region rich in mineral wealth and obsidian and is well worth the 10 hour day tour from Vallarta.
• The Influence of Mariachi on Puerto Vallarta – Jalisco, Mexico
  [Reference-and-Education] Picture this: you’re with your wife or girlfriend enjoying an evening dinner at one of the fine beachfront restaurants with an ocean view and mountain backdrop. The temperature is perfect, there’s a gentle evening breeze, tropical flowers are on the table, and you’re sipping a frozen margarita or cerveza while listening to mariachis and watching the sunset in Paradise. It just doesn’t get much more romantic than that!
• Comparing Puerto Vallarta to Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Toledo and Wichita
  [Reference-and-Education] Being typical Midwestern US cities, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Wichita all have populations of approximately 330,000 +/- 20,000 inhabitants. On the average, their populations have decreased by 1.
• Puerto Vallarta & Lake Tahoe – The Best of Both Worlds
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Upon retiring fourteen years ago, we spent a great deal of time traveling the world in search for the perfect retirement haven. Eleven years ago we selected Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as the location for our main retirement residence. Vallarta, located on the Mexican Riviera and only two to four hours from most major cities in the US, offers all of the modern day conveniences, numerous activities for retirees, fine dining and social life, and perfect weather for almost eight months of the year, from October through May.
• Just Hangin’ Around Puerto Vallarta
  [Pets:Birds] During the hustle and bustle of today’s life, many of us never have the time or take the time to stop and smell the flowers, let alone closely observe the wildlife around us. However, for those of us retired geezers fortunate enough to be living in Paradise, where the tropical flora and fauna abound, the beautiful flowers and birds are literally everywhere; so conspicuous that you’d have to be blind to miss them!
• Revolutionary Prostate Cancer Treatment Comes To Puerto Vallarta
  [Cancer:Prostate-Cancer] The HIFU treatment is approved in Europe, Japan, China, Latin America, Caribbean, and Mexico, but has not yet received FDA approval in the US. Of all the HIFU approved doctors and hospitals in the world, these American urologists have joined up with a renowned and respected local urologist at San Javier to do their work.
• Why Are All Of Puerto Vallarta’s Bougainvillea Flowers White?
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] Bougainvillea, a strikingly beautiful plant seen in abundance in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, derived its name from Louis Antoine de Bougainvillea, an admiral in the French Navy that encountered these plants in Brazil in 1768 and described their beauty to his fellow Europeans when he returned home. Bougainvilleas are rapid growing plants that produce white flowers year round in sunny warm climates and Vallarta perfectly meets their requirements by providing approximately 320 sunny days per year with an average annual temperature of 78°F. Being deciduous, they do fine without much watering during the seven month dry season in …
• Charley Wished He’d Never Visited Puerto Vallarta!
  [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] When the large schools of tuna arrive in PV, so do the huge floating fish factories from the Far East. They are often outfitted with helicopters, speed boats, and large encircling nets or purse seines.
• What Do Mecca, Mandalay, and Puerto Vallarta Have in Common?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] There are millions of people living on or near the 21st parallel north where the tropical winter climate is so inductive to enjoying life. Mecca, Mandalay, and Hong Kong are probably not the most suitable for the majority of the North American baby boomers evaluating various retirement destinations; however Maui and Vallarta should be given serious consideration.
• Puerto Vallarta’s Tecomeae Tribe Takes Center Stage in the Springtime
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Destination-Tips] During the months of March and April, a couple species of the Tecomeae tribe come out in their full regalia in Puerto Vallarta. The Tecomeae tribe, included in the Bignoniaceae family, has numerous genuses including the Tabebuia genus. The Tabebuia genus has more than 100 species of which the Vallarta area is proud to host the Tabebuia Impetiginosa and the Tabebuia Donnell-Smithii species.
• What’s Up With The Crane Invasion Of Puerto Vallarta?
  [Real-Estate:Condominiums] Not quite equal to Dubai or Shanghai, but nevertheless the skyline of Puerto Vallarta is dotted with tower cranes evidencing the explosive growth and progress along the Mexican Riviera. These huge tower cranes are the modern form of balance cranes; not exactly what one would expect to see in a sleepy little Mexican fishing village. Of course, Vallarta is no longer sleepy or little with a population of 350,000 residents and growing daily.
• Have You Seen the Burseraceae Family in Puerto Vallarta?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Most all of the 350,000 residents of Vallarta are familiar with the Burseraceae family, however the majority of visitors to the area are oblivious to their existence. The oldest lineage of the Burseraceae family has resided in the tropical dry forests of Western Mexico for over 30 million years and can been traced back to the Oligocene and Miocene eras during which time the Sierra Madre Occidental and Neovolcanic ranges were being formed. Over millions of years, this majestic family of trees has evolved into at least two groups; the Bullockia genus and the Bursera genus.
• Have You Seen Puerto Vallarta’s Green Flashes?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Perhaps you’re among those fortunate enough to have witnessed a green flash at the instant the sun sets; however for most, they’ve only heard of the phenomenon. One such area for viewing the green flashes is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where, during the “high season” of November through May when the average daily temperature is 73°F with virtually no chance of rain, thousands of people religiously watch for this rare instantaneous event every evening at sunset.
• Use A Buyer’s Agent When Purchasing Real Estate In Mexico
  [Real-Estate:Investing] So, you’ve reached a point in your life where you think that you’ve learned a little about business, finance, contract negotiating, real estate, etc. and have at least a layman’s knowledge of law pertaining to each. Being that savvy, you might also be aware of the incredible retirement locations and values south of the border; furthermore, you might even be considering Mexico as your retirement destination.
• The Importance of an Exclusive Buyer’s Agent in Mexico
  [Real-Estate:Homes] As we all approach retirement, we often dream of someday owning a piece of Paradise, somewhere in Florida, Arizona, Hawaii, or even Puerto Vallarta; someplace with a climate conducive to kicking back and enjoying life to its fullest, year round. To more than 50,000 retirees, Puerto Vallarta, located on the Mexican Riviera along the Pacific Ocean at the same latitude as Hawaii but six hours closer and with a lower cost of living, has been selected as their primary or part time retirement destination. Unlike the arid zones of Arizona, magnificent ocean views are…
• What Makes Puerto Vallarta Quaint?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Among the many unique characteristics that Vallarta has to offer, its picturesque cobblestone streets have to be at or near the top of everyone’s list. Perhaps Vallarta is no longer a sleepy little Mexican fishing village, but due to its abundance of granite cobblestone streets, it does retain its status as being one of the most beautifully quaint resort destinations in the world.
• The Most Popular Fruit in the World
  [Food-and-Drink] It’s probably safe to say, that when asked which fruit is the most popular fruit in the world, the majority of Americans and Canadians would respond with apples or bananas. That response would be normal, but far from accurate.
• What Happens When Tourists Cruise To Puerto Vallarta, Mexico?
  [Travel-and-Leisure:Cruising] With 4,000 to 8,000 cruise ship passengers arriving daily, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico has become one of the most frequently visited ports in the world. All marina facilities in the greater Vallarta area have recently been enlarged or upgraded and a number of new ones are either under construction or in the planning stages. During the past decade, Vallarta has gone through an economic boom, resulting in a quality of life among the best in the world. This might be the first visit to Vallarta for many of the tourists, but for most, it’s not the last.
• Looking for the Best Place in the World to Retire?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] In calculating the latest Annual Global Retirement Index conducted by International Living magazine, Mexico was determined to be the top retirement destination among 30 nations reviewed from throughout the world. Mexico has many unique and beautiful resort destinations, however Puerto Vallarta ranks among the top of all Mexican retirement communities. A Conde Nast survey rated Vallarta as the friendliest city in the world. Many would consider Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to be the number one retirement location in the world today.
• Want to Find Treasure in the Sierra Madres?
  [Real-Estate:Land] The Sierra Madres have been and continue to be rich in mineral wealth. The problem is; the majority of us North Americans can´t do very much to enjoy the benefits associated with these rich mineral deposits. However, the richest asset of all is not the “gold in them thar hills”, it´s the hills themselves. The North American baby boomers are invading the Sierra Madres along the Mexican Riviera in their attempt to obtain their little piece of Paradise.
• The Strong Canadian Dollar Goes a Mile in Mexico Today
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Upon retiring from Houston, Texas more than ten years ago, we were very fortunate to have chosen Puerto Vallarta, Mexico as our retirement destination. Fortunate, because during the past decade, more specifically during the past seven years while the PAN Party has governed Mexico, the Vallarta area economy has virtually exploded with growth resulting in a doubling in population and a tripling in real estate values. Thus attracting all of the modern day conveniences that you would expect to find in any other US or Canadian resort destination.
• Retirement Real Estate In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  [Real-Estate:Buying] Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the once sleepy little Mexican fishing village located in the foothills of the Sierra Madres on Banderas Bay along the Mexican Riviera is no longer sleepy or little. The population has literally exploded since the filming of “The Night of the Iguana” in 1963. Vallarta has grown from 2,000 inhabitants prior to 1963 to the current figure of 350,000 inhabitants in 2007. Along with this explosive growth, real estate values have increased accordingly and are projected to continue to accelerate well into the future as the baby boomers migrate to Paradise.
• Treatment Of and By Mexicans
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Learn the facts about the difficulties associated with migration in both directions across our southern border and the corresponding differences in how migrants are treated.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – What Makes Banderas Bay So Special?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Banderas Bay is a 500 square mile horseshoe shaped body of water located in the center of the Mexican Rivera. Being surrounded on three sides by the Sierra Madre mountains and having more than 50 miles of spectacular shoreline, it offers many unique benefits to the Puerto Vallarta region. On the same latitude as Hawaii, the bay is home to humpback whales, giant manta rays, dolphins, marlin, sailfish, and other deep water game fish. It is a very special bay, with a very special climate, and home to a very special society of people.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Where Exactly is Margaritaville?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Jimmy Buffett got wasted away searchin’ for his lost shaker of salt in Margaritaville, probably in or near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Since all tequila is derived from the blue agave plant which is grown only in the Mexican state of Jalisco, home of Vallarta, it only makes sense that Margaritaville lies in Jalisco. Almost all fruits used in margaritas are also grown in the Jalisco region. So come on down to Vallarta, sometimes referred to as Margaritaville, and help the local economy while having the time of your life.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Want to Learn Something in Your Spare Time?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Now that you’ve retired, perhaps it’s time to pursue some of those areas of interest that you previously had no time for. Fellow retirees and other professionals in Puerto Vallarta offer classes covering social activities, sports, health related activities, hobbies, crafts, Spanish lessons, and just about every other subject imaginable. This article lists 16 different types of classes taught in Vallarta, thus providing an opportunity to learn something in your spare time while enjoying yourself in one of the most beautiful resort destinations in the world.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta–Interested in Deep Sea Fishing at its Best?
  [Recreation-and-Sports:Fishing] Is knowing where to dock your million dollar fishing boat your biggest problem? Not to worry–there are four huge modern marinas in the greater Puerto Vallarta area with over 1,200 slips for yachts up to 150′ long. For those with smaller boats, there are literally thousands of slips available in Vallarta. Moreover, there is an abundance of world class fishing to be had in the Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean just offshore from Vallarta. World record size marlin, sailfish, yellow fin tuna, and dorado are the typical catch in these beautiful waters under perfect weather conditions from November through May. Don’t miss the annual Sailfish Tournament in November that kicks off the season and stay to enjoy seven months of world class deep sea fishing.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Ready to Live in Luxury?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] After a lifetime of hard work, now is the time to enjoy the fruit of your labor and start living the life of Riley, in luxury. This article presents “La Dolce Vida” or the sweet life associated with retirement in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It clearly depicts a financial strategy for living a king’s life without paying a king’s ransom. Housing and related expenses, food costs, medical expenses, miscellaneous expenses, etc. are detailed showing retirees how they can afford and enjoy every activity imaginable, under ideal weather conditions, while living a luxurious lifestyle.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta–Condominium or Villa?
  [Real-Estate:Condominiums] Invariably, when North Americans visit Puerto Vallarta, they don’t want to leave. The fortunate ones, either recently retired or about to retire, desiring to own a piece of Paradise, go through a process of deciding which is most appropriate for them, a condo or villa. This article outlines the pros and cons of each type of property ownership and the various aspects of each that one must consider before making any commitments. It also outlines some of the pitfalls associated with purchasing Mexican real estate and how best to avoid them. Due to the differences in laws and languages, having a loyal, professional, and dedicated buyer’s agent is a prerequisite, regardless of whether you’re buying a condo or villa.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Think You’re a Savvy Investor?
  [Investing:Retirement-Planning] Few know and understand exactly what has been occurring south of the border over the past seven years, during which time a couple of Harvard alumni have been at the helm of the Mexican government. Mexico has been elevated from a Third World Country to a Newly Industrialized Country, the tradition of corruption is being eradicated, the peso has held steady with the US dollar, real estate values have almost tripled in resort destinations, and the Mexican stock market has risen 300%.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – What’s Going on South of the Border?
  [Real-Estate:Condominiums] Ever since the filming of “Night of the Iguana” in 1963, Puerto Vallarta has experienced substantial growth, however, during the past decade the growth is better described as explosive. The sleepy little Mexican fishing village of Vallarta has recently reached the size of St. Louis and is expected to pass Cleveland within ten years.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – How Are Gringos Treated in Mexico?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Aside from drug traffickers, drug users, and maybe Dawg, The Bounty Hunter, tourists in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are treated with the utmost of dignity, respect, and kindness. Getting in and out of Mexico for North Americans is a cake-walk compared to getting in and out of the US for Mexicans. Since the economy of Vallarta, located along the Mexican Riviera in the foothills of the Sierra Madres has been built on tourism, it is in the best interest of the natives to assure a safe and fun visit for all North Americans, thus guaranteeing a quick return visit. There are close to 50,000 Americans and Canadians in Vallarta during the “high season” of November through May and since the economy is based on revenues generated from these visitors and retirees, most of the Vallartenses are now speaking English. They are famous for treating North Americans as friends, family, and almost as royalty!
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Live in Mexico – Cheap, Huh?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Do you remember the line, “Live in Mexico on $5 per day?” Well, forget it if you want to live in Puerto Vallarta along the Mexican Riviera in the foothills of the Sierra Madres. Five dollars will get you a couple of cervezas and a night on the beach! Although the Paradise, known as Vallarta, where the average temperature is 73°F with virtually no rain during the “high season” of November through May, is not cheap, it’s substantially less expensive than anything resembling it in the States. Most of the daily staples cost about what they do in the US or Canada, however, housing, taxes, and labor are a half to a third of that in the States. The 50,000 North Americans in Vallarta during the “high season” are there for the fun, good food, friends, and perfect weather. In order to live on a budget in Mexico, you have to head inland, away from the tourist areas, away from Paradise, and can expect a totally different style of living. For the money, Vallarta is extremely hard to beat, but it’s certainly not cheap!
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – How Do You Get to Paradise?
  [Real-Estate:Moving-Relocating] Years ago, if you wanted to drive to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico along the Mexican Riviera on the Pacific Ocean, you were in for a four day thrill ride! That’s no longer the case, now that Mexico has its super modern and safe toll road system which has reduced the drive time to two long days or three leisurely days of driving. Not too many years ago, only a handful of flights served Vallarta on a daily basis. Today, with the huge modern new airport, flights come and go all day everyday. Prior to this year, cruise boats visited Vallarta daily; however Vallarta was not a port of embarkation or disembarkation. With the construction of the new Maritime Terminal, Vallarta is becoming a cruise port of destination. So, regardless of the mode of transportation, Paradise, where the average daily temperature is 73°F with virtually no rain during the seven month “high season” of November through May, awaits you.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Can’t Afford to Live in Malibu?
  [Real-Estate:Homes] Perhaps you can’t afford to live with the other multi-millionaires, but you can afford to live in a place that’s equal to or better than Malibu. The views in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are as good as or better than Malibu, the weather is significantly better during the seven month “high season” of November through May, and it’s all available at a third the price! Located in the foothills of the Sierra Madres along the Mexican Riviera on the Pacific Ocean, Vallarta is a virtual Paradise with an average daily temperature of 73°F and blue skies during the “high season”. Most of the natives are now speaking English, the water is pure, there are hundreds of fine restaurants, seven magnificent golf courses, hundreds of tennis courts, and of course, world class deep sea fishing. Owning property in Vallarta is not only safe, but it’s an extremely good investment. If Malibu is bit out of reach for your budget, perhaps you should consider the Paradise known as Vallarta for your retirement.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Stranded in the Third World?
  [Real-Estate:Moving-Relocating] First, it should be known that since the PAN administration took over power in 2000, Mexico has been elevated to a Newly Industrialized Country (NIC) from the Third World status. During the past ten years, Puerto Vallarta has grown from a sleepy little Mexican fishing village to a city the size of Anaheim or St. Louis. This growth has brought satellite TV, high speed internet, major US store chains, two or three cruise boats daily, many flights in and out daily, clean food and water, seven magnificent golf courses, hundreds of tennis courts, and of course, world class deep sea fishing. As importantly, because the economy in Vallarta is based on tourism, most of the younger generation has learned English and therefore there is no language barrier in Paradise. With thousands of houses and condos currently under construction, the totally new infrastructure, and the future ten year building plan underway, Vallarta is no longer a developing economy; it’s a booming economy where nobody should ever feel stranded in the Third World.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Don’t Like the Poverty in Mexico?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] The border towns today are about the same as they were many years ago-a real mess! But what you see in the border towns is not what you get when visiting the Mexican Riviera! To the contrary, Puerto Vallarta is a boom town with new construction everywhere and plenty of employment opportunities for anyone in the job market. The Mexican economy, under the leadership of the PAN party, has done extremely well since they came into office in 2000 and tourism is among the top of their targeted areas of growth. With the current population of 350,000 inhabitants in Vallarta, the entire infrastructure has been doubled in size and upgraded during the past ten years. With virtually full employment, most of the natives in Vallarta now have their own cars, new houses, are improving their children’s education, and have greatly improved their general standards of living. One must wonder whether those sidewalk women that used to sit on the curb with cup, baby in arms, and hand out begging, ever got a job or moved to Los Angeles! There is certainly no poverty to be seen in Paradise today.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Afraid of Medical Care South of the Border?
  [Health-and-Fitness:Medicine] The sleepy little Mexican fishing village of Puerto Vallarta has reached a population of 350,000 inhabitants making it equal in size to Anaheim or St. Louis. This explosive growth has brought in many English speaking and US trained doctors and dentists to work in the three new, modern, and fully equipped hospitals and numerous new dental clinics. Not only are the practitioners well trained, but they’re reasonably priced. For that reason, many North Americans come to Vallarta for cosmetic surgery and dental work including caps, crowns, and implants. Due to the recent advances made in medicine and the booming economy in Vallarta, you have no reason to be concerned about medical care south of the border.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Dangerous Living in Mexico?
  [News-and-Society:Crime] Have you heard all the horror stories about how dangerous Mexico can be? Well, if you’re in the drug trafficking business, you need to pay heed to the stories. On the other hand, if you’re just an ordinary tourist or retiree living in Mexico, it’s probably safer than Chicago or Los Angeles. Since tourism is the life blood of Puerto Vallarta, the very last thing that the locals can afford is for any of the millions of tourists that visit the city annually to encounter problems while in Paradise. The objective of each and every Vallartense is to assure all tourists an enjoyable and safe time while visiting so that they look forward to returning. You should have absolutely no safety related concerns when considering a vacation to Vallarta, the most beautiful city on the Mexican Riviera.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Live in Mexico Without Spanish?
  [Real-Estate:Buying] So, you might like to take a Mexican vacation but can’t speak the language. Not a problem; most of the natives in Puerto Vallarta, a city of 350,000 inhabitants based on tourism, understand and have learned to speak English. The changes made in Vallarta during the past ten years have been dramatic and the ease in which North American tourists and retirees can communicate with restaurateurs, taxi drivers, caddies, police, store clerks, front desk clerks, and of course all professionals, is now about the same as in the States or Canada. At the rate things are changing in Vallarta, who knows, English may become the primary language in Paradise in another generation!
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Want to Golf All Winter?
  [Recreation-and-Sports:Golf] Is your game getting rusty while you’re shoveling snow and scraping windshields? You might know that the average temperature in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, located along the Mexican Riviera on the Pacific Ocean, is 73°F with virtually no rain during the seven month “high season” from November through May, but, did you know that Vallarta now has seven magnificent golf courses with more under construction? Did you realize that most of the Vallartenses are now speaking English, that purified water is citywide, that the huge modern supermarkets and malls assure fine products and clean food for home use as well as for the hundreds of fine restaurants? With 50,000 North Americans in Vallarta during “high season,” this boom town is being built on tourism and therefore tourist safety is of highest priority. Next winter when you’ve had enough cold and blizzards, consider Vallarta and its spectacular courses for your golfing destination. You will not find a more hospitable climate or people in the world.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Considering Retirement But Short on Cash?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Are you interested in buying your retirement dream residence but your cash is tied up in 401k’s, IRA’s, pension programs, retirement funds, stock options, or your primary residence and you’re not quite ready to liquidate any of these assets? Until recently, there was no way for you to purchase your dream villa or condo in Puerto Vallarta, because there were no mortgages available in Mexico. Just recently, because of the strong Mexican economy, the stable peso, the real estate boom in Vallarta, and the flood of North American money to Paradise, many US banks and mortgage companies are now offering up to 70% financing on the purchase of property in Vallarta. Since property values have tripled during the past ten years and are expected to double during the next five years as the Mexican economy expands, a leveraged purchase of a villa or condo in Vallarta should prove to be an extremely secure and wise investment. If you’re thinking about retirement within five years and would like to enjoy life to its fullest with 50,000 other North Americans, you can probably purchase that million dollar retirement dream residence in Vallarta today, even if you’re short on cash!
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Could Politics Influence Paradise?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] Until the year 2000, the PRI party ruled Mexico for 70 years resulting in widespread corruption and ineptitude. In 2000, the PAN party took over in Mexico and in 2006, PAN won reelection, thus resulting in 12 consecutive years of governing by Harvard graduates! They have brought Mexico out of the Third World status into the Newly Industrialized Country (NIC) status and have had a very pro-US approach to growing the economy. Tourism, being one of the major growth targets, has caused tremendous sums of money to flow into the tourist destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, creating a new infrastructure of roads, water treatment and distribution systems, power generation and distribution systems, etc., to handle the growing population of 350,000 inhabitants. The Mexican stock market has performed among the top in the world while the peso has held firm for over ten years. Having a well educated and a US friendly governing body, Mexico has proven to be a secure and safe investing environment for North Americans and therefore, we can say that politics can have an influence on Paradise!
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Retire to Where and Do What?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] To many of the latest generation of baby boomers about to retire or recently retired, the “Golden Years” have become the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, i.e., the free time and financial ability to enjoy their favorite activities and perhaps even serve their community. There are approximately 50,000 Americans and Canadians that have found their Paradise in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where the climate from November through May is among the best on the planet. Having the same latitude as Hawaii, prices a half to a third of Hawaii, and the travel time being a fraction of that to Hawaii, Vallarta has become a virtual playground for retirees. Seven beautiful golf courses, hundreds of tennis courts, world class deep sea fishing, and nightlife galore, keep the retirees as active as they want to be. The main differences between Vallarta and Florida, California, or Hawaii are that every single American or Canadian that you see is here to enjoy the good life, is open to new friendships, and has the day off tomorrow! Anyone retired or about to retire must at least consider Vallarta as their retirement destination.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Want to Live Longer?
  [Home-and-Family:Retirement] So, you think you might be interested in living longer? A few items that will help accomplish this include sleep, activity, and close friends. Well, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where the average daily temperature is 73 F with virtually no rain during the seven month “high season” of November through May, is the place that you ought to consider. Even though Vallarta is a boom town today, you can still live at your own pace doing whatever pleases you most. With perfect weather, seven magnificent golf courses, hundreds of tennis courts, world class deep sea fishing, etc., you’ll never run out of things to do. More importantly, there are approximately 50,000 North Americans in Vallarta during the “high season” and none of them have to go to work tomorrow! The retirees in Vallarta are not just hoping to see tomorrow, but they are hoping to shoot their age on one of the beautiful golf courses or catch a record setting marlin, tuna, or sailfish tomorrow! Anyone interested in having fun, sleeping better, feeling better, and living longer, should give the Paradise known as Vallarta a try for retirement.
• Retirement in Puerto Vallarta – Don’t Drink the Water?
  [Travel-and-Leisure] Water purity and cleanliness was a major concern many years ago throughout Mexico. However, during the past ten years, the beautiful city of Puerto Vallarta has upgraded it’s entire water treatment and distribution system. Today, there is no need for bottled water, filtration systems, bacteria and amoeba prevention pills, or food treatment solutions, i.e. the water is equal to that in the States and very safe to drink from the tap. Because Vallarta’s livelihood is based on tourism combined with the fact that it’s population has exploded to 350,000 people, it is imperative to have modern food and water handling systems and safeguards. As long you don’t drink the water out of a cistern on the roof of a casita in some small village up in the Sierra Madres, you’ll not have a risk of becoming ill from eating food or drinking water while in Paradise!

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