Saturday, November 13, 2010
Puerto Vallarta has it all: beautiful beaches, upscale amenities, and cultural activities
Dear Reader,
So, you want to buy a second home overseas. You have your checklist. You want easy access to the US. You want to shop in familiar, big-box stores. You like the beach, or majestic ocean views. You want amenities--spas, golf courses, and marinas. You want quality, affordable medical care. You want other expats close by. You don't want to pay property prices that break the bank (how does a brand-new condo for $150,000 sound?). You can find all of these things in one place: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Moreover, this town has a calendar of cultural and artistic events. You won't get bored here...and you'll have plenty of visits from friends and family eager to join in.
The Puerto Vallarta Art Walk started on October 27th 2010, and runs until May 25th 2011. Every Wednesday from 6 pm, different art galleries will run exhibitions in the town's historic center. You can meet artists, check out ceramics, sculptures, and paintings...and sip a cocktail or two.
Sporting types will enjoy this month's offerings: a half-marathon, the Vallarta Golf Cup, and the 55th annual Sailfish and Marlin tournament. And foodies get a look in, too. November 11th sees the start of the Gourmet Festival in the town. You can savor special tasting menus, see star chefs in action, and try out cheese and wine selections from across the globe.
December sees the town play host to its annual film festival. Night of the Iguana pushed Vallarta onto the world stage in 1963. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton added a touch of Hollywood glamour to Vallarta. They didn't overshadow the town's stunning setting, though. The Sierra Madre Mountains sweep down to the sparkling deep-blue waters of Banderas Bay. Whitewashed homes with red-tile roofs, wrapped in hot-pink bougainvillea flowers, sit in the hills overlooking the bay. The endless beaches wind their way around the coast...
In the historic district, the crown-topped tower of Guadalupe church looks down on cobblestone streets, little plazas, and the sculpture-filled boardwalk. Puerto Vallarta feels bohemian and laid-back, and distinctly Mexican.
After Night of the Iguana, the jet set cottoned on to Vallarta's potential, and established second homes here. In the following years, more expats fell under the town's spell. Faced with a growing population, the government decided to develop a 100-mile section of coast five miles north of Vallarta's airport. In partnership with private developers, they put in infrastructure and amenities. They dubbed it the Riviera Nayarit. You can see the results today.
In March 2010, President Calderon inaugurated a new Greg Norman golf course. With eight golf courses already open in the area, this makes the Riviera Nayarit one of Mexico's premiere golf destinations. Luxury hotels the St. Regis and Four Seasons in Punta Mita, and The Grand Velas Resort, received AAA Five-Diamond awards in 2010.
It isn't all about high-end luxury, though. You can still visit tiny fishing villages along this coast...hang out on deserted beaches...and watch the sun set from a rustic bar, sipping a chilled beer.
If you want to see Vallarta and Nayarit for yourself, our friends at Mexico Alive will give you a free half-day real estate tour, and up to $1000 travel credit if you purchase a property. It's a good time for buyers here right now. Due to the area's popularity with American buyers, property sales slowed in tandem with the slowdown in the US economy. That puts you in a strong bargaining position if you want to buy here.
Today, Mexico Alive has a condo in an upscale neighborhood in Vallarta for $150,000. Close to restaurants, and with its own pool and health club, the condo is move-in ready...for you to start enjoying all that Vallarta has to offer.
Contact Mexico Alive here to book your free tour. Just don't be surprised if you're already planning your next trip here as you board your plane for home.
Margaret Summerfield
Posted Under:
Want More?
Sign up here for your free Pathfinder Alert e-letter, and we’ll send you our $50,000 Report...showcasing seven real estate opportunities for $50,000.
