Saturday, August 21, 2010
Dear Reader,
At the end of July, the AARP revealed their top 5 places to retire. Top of the list? Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The AARP chose Puerto Vallarta based on its sunny, warm-weather climate, its large expat community and excellent access to the US.
Vallarta isn’t a new destination for retirees or second-home buyers, of course. In 1963, John Huston filmed Night of the Iguana here, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The stars’ off-screen romance grabbed the attention of the world’s press…and the extensive publicity it generated put Puerto Vallarta on the tourist map. Today, more than 50,000 Americans and Canadians call Vallarta home for at least part of the year.
And when you see Vallarta for yourself, you’ll understand why so many of them fell in love in this place…
Backed by lush mountains that sweep down to the shimmering sapphire waters of Banderas Bay, Vallarta’s setting is magical. The town’s landmark cathedral with its ornate metal crown rises majestically behind the central plaza. The quaint cobblestone streets lead to a boardwalk running along the beach, dotted with sculptures, and stalls selling handcrafts. The little stores stock an eclectic mix of antiques, paintings, artisan pottery, and cheap souvenirs.
For water worshipers, Vallarta offers two marinas; one in Nueva Vallarta, the shiny new end of town, and another across the bay in Crux de Huanacaxtle. Sporty catamarans moor alongside smaller pleasure boats, and gleaming luxury yachts. Sport fishermen come here too, to take part in the many fishing competitions (indeed, Vallarta ranks as one of the top 5 sport fishing destinations in Mexico).
Sun-worshipers should head north of the town, where the Riviera Nayarit’s beaches stretch for more than 100 miles. Here, hills and slopes covered with thick jungle tumble down to wide, palm-fringed beaches, hidden coves, and rocky inlets. Scattered along the coast, you’ll find small beach towns and local fishing villages, interspersed with luxury homes and signature golf courses. This week, Riviera Nayarit featured in Luxelist, a website dedicated to the finer things in life.
And then there’s the food…and the buzzing nightlife.
With almost 1000 restaurants and cafes to choose from, and some seriously talented chefs, Vallarta rates highly with gourmands. And once a year, Puerto Vallarta hosts the gourmet food festival in November. This festival, the first of its kind in Mexico, gives locals and tourists alike the chance to sample Michelin level food, watch cooking demonstrations, and learn about cheese and wine pairings, from master chefs.
The nightlife scene is as varied as the stores. From hip nightclubs, to music clubs with live jazz and salsa….cruising across the bay at sunset…sipping margaritas barefoot on the sand…or catching a movie in English.
A growing trend here is medical tourism. It’s something the expats living in Vallarta have known for years: medical care is good quality, and highly affordable. Next week, the Global Medical Congress takes place in Vallarta, with hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies participating in the event.
With so much to offer, it’s hardly surprising that Puerto Vallarta made it to the top of the AARP list. But Vallarta’s not just for retirees. It’s hard to beat as location for a vacation home, too. Due to the town’s popularity with American buyers, property sales slowed…and prices dropped somewhat…in tandem with the slowdown in the US economy. That’s good news for anyone wanting to buy here.
If you’d like to check out properties in Puerto Vallarta, and on the Riviera Nayarit, our friends at Mexico Alive will give you a free property tour…and up to $1000 travel credit if you purchase a property. They’ll also answer all your questions about living in Mexico and the buying process. Contact Mexico Alive here to book your free tour.
Margaret Summerfield
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