Making Puerto Vallarta Home - Out and About PV

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

1

2021 Home Guide

2

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

3

2021 Home Guide

4

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

EQUIPO Publicista y Socio Propietario Jerry Jones Jerry@outandaboutpv.com Publicista Asociado y Socio Propietario Benjamín Camarena García Benjamin@outandaboutpv.com Ventas y Relaciones Públicas Gerwin Rutten Gerwin@outandaboutpv.com Diseño Gráfico y Publicitario Marco Encinas direccion@marcoencinas.com Portada Model: Manuel Franco Munguia Fotografía: Ashlee Werter, Nomad Family Photo Group Contribuciones: Daniel Benitez Contribución Fotografía Josh Knox. Ashlee Werter

DIRECCIÓN DE OFICINA Y DE CORREO Out & About PV, S. DE R.L. DE C.V. Out & About Puerto Vallarta Constitucion 285 A, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico

ACERCA DE NOSOTROS Out & About PV es una publicación de O&APV, S. de R.L de C.V. Publicación trimestral gratuita de Puerto Vallarta con contenido LGBT de Puerto Vallarta y áreas colindantes. Out & About PV es un estilo de vida enfocado a información de viaje, eventos, negocios y noticias locales para LGBT. O&APV es gratuita, y distribuida en Puerto Vallarta, disponible en línea en todo el mundo en Outandaboutpv.com

OPORTUNIDADES Out & About PV, S. de R.L de C.V. admite escritores, fotógrafos y videógrafos voluntarios durante todo el año. Si estás interesado en contribuir a nuestra publicación, envía un correo electrónico a editor@outandaboutpv.com, con currículum, información de contacto y muestras de tu trabajo.

El trabajo de voluntarios es sin goce de sueldo, pero los contribuidores reciben crédito por su trabajo en nuestra publicación, impresa y en línea. Recomendamos ampliamente solicitar a aquellos buscando prácticas en periodismo o comunicación

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Contents 06 12 16 18 22 28 32 34 38 40 42 46 48 50 54 56 62

Chef Salvador Carrillo Invests in Hometown Dr. Becerra’s Pause Clinic Offers Hormone Replacement Therapy Treatment for Men and Women PV Has Been My Home For The Past Year Don Lewis Share His Experience and Advice Colonias offer different charm and cHarastEristics Want to Build a New Home in México? It Can Be Fun But Be Prepared New Developments Offer Options for Buyers

I’m not in Kansas anymore

Looking for a Real Estate Agent?

Puerto Vallarta Housing Market is HOT Average Sales Price is $376,000 Artisan lifestyle at a level of excellence with Hacienda: hda Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta Xocodiva Expands Adds Cafe, Handmade chocolate, Local organic coffee, frappuccinos, smoothies, and many more delicious things PV’s Zest for Life Fuels My Soul Miller Shares Personal Experience on Moving to Puerto Vallarta No Matter What Your Vacation Calls For – Puerto Vallarta Has It! Hurricane Nora Leaves Mark of Destruction Puerto Vallarta Bands Together for Rebuilding Furnishing Your New Home or Condo

Local Business Directory

Home Guide

5

2021 Home Guide

Chef Salvador Carrillo

Invests in Hometown Cooked on Slow Heat, Love and Memories Make La Tienda Grande a Must Visit

By Jerry Jones It has often been said that “home is where the heart is.”

Chef Carrillo has seen his beloved Ixtapa grow and blossom, only in years later to see it’s light and relevance fade out.

Nothing sums up the life of Chef Salvador Carrillo than that phrase. And with our theme, “making Puerto Vallarta your home” it seemed appropriate to feature someone who has invested their heart, soul and finances back into the community they grew up in.

“It’s a place that permeates my mind with memories, and I’m aware, many others can relate with me,” he said. “My heart knows this town still has the magic to become a landmark and can keep on creating indelible experiences that will be remembered by generations to come.”

La Tienda Grande, a restaurant project created by Chef Carrillo, brings home his love for family, his hometown, and his love of food.

And it was with these memories and passion that brought La Tienda Grande to fruition, where Carrillo’s desire to give back to his Ixtapa came about.

A native of Puerto Vallarta, but now living half way across the globe in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Carrillo grew up as a free child in the streets of Ixtapa, a colonia in Puerto Vallarta.

He spent his time with his brother, his friends and his dog.

Occasionally farming with his grandpa, and weekend cooking with his grandma.

“La Tienda Grande was cooked on slow heat, as a homage to the women who made me the chef I am today,” he said. “My mom, my four grandmothers, aunts, friends and those women who I’ve met in life and have inspired me. The menu is based in dishes I’ve tried before and have lived in my memory, they’ll be interpreted in my own way; my team and I will make Mexican creative cuisine, all in the place I was raised.”

“I’ve never had any luxury items, just a small TV with four channels, no computer or fancy books,” he said. “Just me and my creativity to be who I was and became who I am. Indirectly I was living the same life as now, but I didn’t know.”

6

Home Guide

Sitting at the corner of Hidalgo and Juárez, in the heart of Ixtapa, the building housing La Tienda Grande paints the perfect portrait of Ixtapa in the 40’s, as a meeting point for the village Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

7

2021 Home Guide and gathering place for the residents. The building housing La tienda Grande was the first store in the village, the biggest one – and even though its original name was La Perla, locals always referred to it as La Tienda Grande (the big store). Its mere existence helped Ixtapa bring villagers together, much like the restaurant does today.

“This is how the idea of reviving the physical space as a restaurant with the perspective of the yesteryears of Ixtapa was born, and as the beloved teacher Eusebia would say: from the time where they tied up dogs with sausages,” Carrillo said.

“Having this iconic corner in Ixtapa as its venue, involves history, taste memory and good times; it is about a curious kid invaded by fear, it is about a culinary taste rooted in the heart of my grandmother’s house, and that I, with much love, want to share with all of you.”

Carrillo was 18-years-old when he started college and began his professional life as a chef. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Gastronomy at the Universidad Tecnológica de Bahía de Banderas (UTBB).

“I couldn’t afford leaving the city for training or studies,” he said. “So, I did everything I could and I learned everything I could from people around me. Then after much hard work, Restaurant La Leche and its owners named me as Executive Chef. I was only 22 years-old and had a huge responsibility on my shoulders.”

And for seven years he worked as hard as he could, changing the menu regularly and building on the exceptional reputation that La Leche carried.

“It wasn’t easy, but I did it, for seven years, until a voice in my head told me to 8

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Medical Tourism Draws Visitors to Puerto Vallarta

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021Wellness Home Guide 2021 Health and

Home Guide

9

2021 Home Guide

move,” he explained. “So, I went to the US, just for six months.

Maybe it wasn’t the life I wanted so I came back to Mexico to teach in different places and after a couple of months I got the offer to move to Dubai and grow there.”

So for the past five years he has lived in Dubai, and kept busy with projects that included the opening of Moe’s, a French restaurant, and NIDO, a Spanish tapas bar.

“I have lived in Dubai for the past five years, but my home, my heart and my life will always be in Mexico, in Vallarta.”

La Tienda Grande was opened by Carrillo and his life partner, Gabriel Arvelo in 2020. Arvelo is running the restaurant. Chef Ana Flores is overseeing the kitchen and the magical dishes prepared for their patrons.

“La Tienda Grande is my idea but I could not have made it a reality without my life partner. Gabriel and I have many years of story and many more of the future,” Carrillo explained. “He has been my support in every step and now he’s the one running the restaurant.”

“I’m just a creative lover and foodie, he’s the full package,” he added with a laugh.

Carrillo has received numerous awards for his culinary skills, including an award from the Pro Chef Awards as the best chef of Mediterranean cuisine with a Latin twist.

The food at La Tienda Grande is fun, interesting, with flavors unique to the area. The menu changes, so a return visit may be like a new adventure.

10

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

“The menu is inspired in the food I remember from every woman I met in my life, reflected and cooked in my own way,” Carrillo said. “I love food and there is no way I could decide my favorite dish. But our customers love the El Taco Chino; Chabela Salad; White Mole Red Snapper; Grilled Octopus, and Bolillo Ice Cream.

If you want to visit La Tienda Grande (and we highly suggest you do), reservations are highly encouraged as the popularity of the restaurant continues to grow.

La Tienda Grande

Hidalgo 172-A, in the corner of Juárez Street, Ixtapa Centro Kitchen: Wednesday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday Brunch: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bar: Wednesday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Reservations are taken at (322) 291-7717 Facebook: @LaTiendaGrandepv Instagram: @latiendagrande

artículo en español Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

11

2021 Home Guide

Dr. Becerra’s Pause Clinic

Offers Hormone Replacement Therapy Treatment for Men and Women

By Daniel Benitez If you’re looking for a way to improve your quality of life as you age, you may want to look at bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

Dr. Cinthia Becerra, a pioneer of hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in Mexico for more than nine years, offers the only clinic in Mexico (Pause Clinic) that specializes only in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement.

In addition to being a center focused on raising the quality of life of people through the prevention of premature aging.

“Our experience shows that both men and women can benefit from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy as it can alleviate a wide range of symptoms associated with menopau12

Home Guide

se, andropause, as well as other hormone-related conditions,” Dr. Becerra said.

If you are a male, and over the age of 40, you may need to have your testosterone levels checked. Dr. Becerra’s clinic can help with that, and help set you on a treatment course if the levels are low.

“Testosterone is the main male sex hormone and is responsible for sexual development, as well as being essential for improving body composition, maintaining normal energy levels, being able to have an erect penis, increasing libido, among many other things,” she said. “Llowering hormonal levels and thus increasing the risk of diseases such as metabolic synFa l l 2 0 2 1

Putting Pride in Business

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Home Guide

13

2021 Home Guide

drome, cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, diabetes and hypertension.”

How do you know if your testosterone levels are low? The body is the main indicator to know if something is wrong.

Some common symptoms include: • Decreased sex drive • Erectile dysfunction and ejaculation disorders • Decrease in muscle mass • Dry Skin • Emotional disorders such as mood swings, anxiety, or irritability • Sleep disorders and trouble resting • Loss of body fat in abdomen and pectoral area.

For women facing menopause, Bioidentical hormones are a perfect treatment. The hormones are molecular matches found in the human body and do not present the same risks as synthetic or animal ones.

“And they are ideal for women and men who begin with biological stages that appear at a certain age (such as menopause and andropause),” the doctor explained. “This treatment slows down the changes that can occur in the body due to external factors or habits. Its use is recommended when there is a hormonal imbalance in the body.”

14

Home Guide

Hormone replacement therapy benefits The benefits of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in men include: • Increased libido and sexual function • Improved body composition • Reduction of cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides in the blood • Normalization of blood clotting and normalizes heart rhythms • Improved strength, posture, and cognitive abilities • Relieve anxiety and depression • Reduce anger, nervousness and irritability • As well as improving the mood and life in general For more information you can contact them at: Pause Mexico Heza Building, Ground Floor.

Rio Parana 222 Fluvial Vallarta (322) 373 1741 / 322 365 5516 info@pausemexico.com www.facebook.com/pausemexico www.pausemexico.com

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

artículo en español

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

15

2021 Home Guide

PV Has Been My Home For The Past Year Don Lewis Shares His Experience and Advice

By Don Lewis “Paradise.” “My Happy Place.” “A slice of heaven.” There are so many words that people use to describe Puerto Vallarta.

But for me, the word is “home.” During my first visit to PV almost 10 years ago, I felt like this was home even though I was only visiting for a few days. As the visits became more frequent (and for longer periods of time), I felt fairly confident that this could one day become my next home. Having grown up in hot, humid weather and surrounded by Latin culture, I was certain that the transition would be relatively easy. Of course, my Spanish was minimal and I knew I’d have to rectify that, but I didn’t think it would be too difficult. Little did I know that conjugating verbs would be so difficult!

So, in November of 2020, in the thick of the pandemic, I decided to move to PV and do a “test year” before I fully committed. While I knew that I ultimately wanted to buy a house, I figured it was a good idea to rent for a year, partly to make sure this is where I wanted to be and partly to have a chance

16

Home Guide

to figure out the neighborhoods a bit more. After two months of searching for a rental place (I’m really picky and had very specific criteria), I settled in an apartment in Zona Romantica near the Malecon. Everything was walkable which was important to me since I didn’t (and still don’t) have a car. In all honesty, while I like the walkability, there has been quite a bit of noise at night so I’m not sure that the ZR is where I’ll ultimately settle. But the people have been incredibly friendly, I love having so many restaurants nearby, and all of my friends like to visit because I’m in such a great location.

Learning Spanish has been the biggest challenge for me. I started with online self-guided courses (Rosetta Stone) and that worked well, but the words and phrases often didn’t apply to everyday life. I know that I need to get a tutor at this point, but, well, that just seems so formal!

A few other interesting learnings from my 10 months here: bananas go bad very quickly, finding the best ATM for cash withdrawals took a while, everyone except me is at work during the day, finding certain food items requires going to multiple stores, electricity is cheap until you turn on the AC, you can only find dimmable light bulbs at an electrical store, avocados are always fresh (“para hoy” and “para manana” are great phrases), seafood is abundant, and there is amazing musical talent in this city.

Hopefully the Thursday Mixers, coordinated by Jet de la Isla, will return in October. They are a great way to meet people, both expats and nationals, and show how welcoming and diverse this community is. I’m looking forward to making PV my permanent home!

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

17

2021 Home Guide In the first half of 2021, the south side again led with 18% market share, but tied with the South Shore of the bay in the first quarter, (which encompasses everything south of the downtown south side, primarily areas such as Amapas, Conchas Chinas, Garza Blanca and Sierra del Mar), while in the second quarter Nuevo Vallarta came in second with 12% of market share. The area around Pitillal, including Versalles and Fluvial, also had a strong market share with close to 12%. Versalles has a number of new lower-end priced projects on the market and Fluvial has been selling quite a few residential lots lately.

The average sales price in Versalles and Fluvial is half what it is in most other popular regions such as in the downtown area, the Hotel Zone, and Marina Vallarta.

“Maybe the bigger question is what do the different neighborhoods offer,” said Monica Miller, a real estate agent with Ryan Donner & Associates. “In Vallarta we are fortunate to have a neighborhood that is a fit for everyone.”

Colonias offer different charm and cHarastEristics Selecting the neighborhood you want to live in depends on your needs

By Jerry Jones If you’re looking to purchase a home or condo in Puerto Vallarta, you may be asking, what is the best part of town to live in?

We can’t really answer that question – truly everyone has their own preference, which may not match yours. You can search social media for the best places and end up with your head spinning on the variety of opinions.

But, it can help to learn a little about the main areas of Puerto Vallarta and what makes them each unique. That may help narrow down your search. We also suggest, as do many real estate experts, that you rent in an area before you buy. It may help you learn some small but important details about the neighborhood that you’d never know by just visiting a few times.

“If you are super social and want to be where the action is then downtown is the place for you, keep in mind that like anywhere else in the world the closer you are to the action the more you are going to have to spend. Downtown Puerto Vallarta can keep you busy day and night, with a great selection of restaurants in town and on the beach, shops and galleries to browse through during the day and evening entertainment that will amaze you.”

Alfonso Davalos, a realtor with The Agency Vallarta, said he recommended Bucerias as a potential area to buy.

“I love the tranquil vibe that the town offers,” he said. “It has a perfect combination of big houses, restaurants, condo buildings, coffee shops, yoga and pilates studios, etc.”

Emiliano Zapata (Zona Romantica)

We didn’t have space to mention all of the great areas of Puerto Vallarta, and have just focused on a few of the most popular areas. In addition to the colonias listed below, you may want to check out Nuevo Vallarta, Sayulita and Yelapa as additional options to explore.

Emiliano Zapata, (Zona Romantica is technically not a colonia but it comprises a few different colonias, including Amapas, Emiliano Zapata and Alta Vista) is probably the most popular colonia with the LGBTQ community. It’s walkable and home to many of the gay bars and dance clubs, gay beach clubs, the gay beach, and numerous restaurants. You’ll also find plenty of places to shop, get necessities, and boutique hotels. The area is an interesting mix of modern Mexico and old town charm.

It’s about a 20 minute or so drive from the Airport, and other places like Costco. Home and condo prices are high in this area due to the popularity and proximity to the beach. Be prepared to pay top dollar.

According to the local MLS report, in 2019, 23% of all sales took place on the south side of downtown Vallarta, primarily involving the sales of new condominiums built behind the beach in the downtown core. Next was the Hotel Zone with a 21% market share. In 2020 the south side increased its market share to 27%, followed by Nuevo Vallarta/Flamingos with 17%.

“The hottest neighborhood for both sales and rentals is Emiliano Zapata (Zona Romantica) because of the ease of access to the bars, restaurants, shops, and beach,” explained Ryan Donner, owner of the local real estate firm Ryan Donner and Associates. “As Emiliano Zapata has become increasingly more expensive though, buyers are looking for more affordable op-

Puerto Vallarta is probably one of the most gay-friendly cities in Mexico – if not North America. It’s home to just over 290,000 residents, and there are some neighborhoods (colonials) that have more gay residents than others.

18

Jay Burchell, a senior sales agent with Timothy Real Estate Group, echoed her comments, adding “there are many places in and around Vallarta for foreign buyers to call home. It all comes down to what a buyer is looking for in a neighborhood and how much they are able to spend. If the buyer is looking for absolute peace and quiet then our suggestion would be the south shore, it offers great properties in all price ranges and the beaches are beautiful, the south shore highway 200 is a lovely drive,” he explained.

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

19

2021 Home Guide tions that are just outside of the area which means neighborhoods like 5 de Diciembre, Conchas Chinas and El Caloso are becoming more popular.”

be the area of town for you. Some of the area around the Marina is walkable. The new cruise ship port is located here, right across from the Galerias Vallarta shopping mall.

Donner says the average price of a condo in this area has shot up to $376,000 USD based on the statistics from the MLS.

“The Marina area is more modern, has golf courses nearby and is a great area to bike around.” Miller said.

“Zona Romantica has great restaurants and nightlife with wonderful streets lined in cobblestone,” Miller said.

“​​The Marina is also a great option for buyers,” said Edgardo Guel, a real estate agent with Timothy Real Estate Group. “You can find all options - from brand new condos to those that are older, in all price ranges. The Marina offers access to all Marine activities and is surrounded by great shopping, restaurants and a world class golf course.”

Versalles Versalles has become known as the new “foodie” area, and has become popular to live in as several new condominium complexes have been built. It has an excellent location, about a five minute drive to the beach, it’s only about ten minutes from the city center and ten minutes from the Marina. You’ll find shopping galore including Banamex, Coppel, Biblioteca Los Mangos, Costco, Petco, Plaza Caracol, La Comer and many other things. You’ll find homes and condos priced cheaper here than in some of the other areas we’ve written about.

“Right now Versalles is a neighborhood where there is a lot of construction going on, and it has a new gastronomic flare that is very exciting,” Donner explained.

“Versalles is up and coming with new restaurants popping up all the time,” Miller added.

Burchell said that for the buyer who likes what downtown has to offer in the way of presale developments, but cannot swing the downtown prices, a great option for this buyer is Versalles.

“This neighborhood is the new hotspot in Vallarta with lots of great cafes, restaurants, shops and boutiques. Many new developments have been popping up in this area in the last couple years offering the buyers the same quality, finishing and amenities as the downtown developments yet for far less money.”

5 de Diciembre If you are looking for old town charm, with close proximity to the beach, 5 de Deciembre may be a good neighborhood.

The area is walkable, with street vendors and food stands, fantastic bars and restaurants scattered throughout this area.

This place can be quieter than downtown, and much of it is walkable to many of the gay bars and dance clubs in Zona Romantica. You’ll find housing a bit less expensive than some of the areas in Zona Romantica. But this area is changing fast and more new condo developments are in the works, so expect to see prices to increase at some point. Donner says the average price of a condo in 5 de Diciembre for example is $228,000 USD, so you can see how much cheaper it is to live in this area versus Emiliano Zapata colonia.

El Centro Puerto Vallarta’s downtown area is known as El Centro and is one of the most popular areas for both tourists and locals.

Some call it “gringo gulch” due to the many expats and tourists found there. Rich in culture and history, the area offers many restaurants, shopping options and a variety of entertainment. El Centro’s main square is popular for small festivals and shows, and the area is very walkable.

“If you are super social and want to be where the action is then downtown is the place for you, keep in mind that like anywhere else in the world the closer you are to the action the more you are going to have to spend,” explained Guel. “Downtown Puerto Vallarta can keep you busy day and night, with a great selection of restaurants in town and on the beach, shops and galleries to browse through during the day and evening entertainment that will amaze you.

Conchas Chinas Conchas Chinas is located immediately to the south of Puerto Vallarta. It is mainly a residential area, and the homes or condos can be quite expensive. It’s quiet and secluded – depending on where you land, you may be able to walk to some things, but for the most part it’s not walkable and there are some steep hills. But the views of the ocean and mountains are fantastic!

Boca de Tomatlán This colonia is located 11 miles to the south of Puerto Vallarta. Boca de Tomatlán is a fishing village that is reachable by car, taxi, bus or boat. The beach at Boca is phenomenal, and it’s the site of several water taxi services that will ferry you to more isolated beaches to the south. Destinations like Majahuitas, Quimixto and Las Animas are extremely popular.

Davalos said if a client was looking for something more tranquil, he recommended checking out Mismaloya.

“It’s a fantastic area,” he said.

“Cinco de Decembre is the most classic Mexicana area that is close to the beach, and in my opinion, has the best taco stands in all of Mexico,” Miller said.

“It’s close to Puerto Vallarta’s Downtown, and has that Mexican charm,” Davalos said. “You may get some views depending on the location of the properties. You’ll get to the Romantic Zone in less than 10 minutes, it’s literally close to everything.”

Marina Vallarta If you enjoy boating and golfing, then Marina Vallarta might 20

Home Guide

artículo en español Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

21

2021 Home Guide

Want to Build

a New Home in México?

It Can Be Fun But Be Prepared

- It’s a long process, and not for the faint of heart

By Jerry Jones Model: Manuel Franco Munguia Fotografía: Ashlee Werter, Nomad Family Photo Group Building a new home in Puerto Vallarta – or any foreign country is not for the faint of heart. But if you want a custom home built to your specifications, it may be the route to take.

We talked to two up and coming architects - Karen Lizzette Torrejón González and Carlo Alessandro García Mejía who work with guey Studio – about the building process in Puerto Vallarta.

The first step is to find land. Avoid ejido land – you’ll want land that has a deed that can be transferred. Ejido land is communal land that was originally meant for agriculture. The owner of ejido land has rights of possession over the communal land, but does not have a deed, and if he wants to sell it, he needs 22

Home Guide

the approval of the assembly of the commissary. And even if he got that permission, it’s illegal to sell to a foreigner. There is a complicated process to privatize the land but….just avoid ejido land.

While you are looking for property get counseling and direction from a realtor and/or an architect to help you figure out which land fits best with your requirements.

“There’s no best way to find land,” González explained. “Make your search as wide as possible, expand it to not only those properties your realtor can find, but also look at listings on social media, or just walk the streets of the neighborhood you are interested in. Some of the best deals might be found as private sales with just a sign on the property.”

You will probably also want to hire a project manager – it can take as long as a year to build a house in Puerto Vallarta – and Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Architects: Karen Lizzette Torrejón González and Carlo Alessandro García Mejía with Güey Studio you’ll want someone to help make the process faster and deal with local contractors.

The project manager would also work with the main contractor, González explained,dividing theproject into three different phases: 1. Obra negra: phase of the project where the actions of delimitation of the construction area, excavation, leveling and foundation of the building are carried out. This phase ends with most of the main walls built, roofs and floors.

2. Obra gris: here you focus on the internal pipe installation, wiring, and all the utility connections. At this point the building is ready for the finishing.

3. Obra blanca: this phase includes finishing on walls and floors, built in carpentry, aluminum and glass works.

“Contractors usually leave the home appliances and normal furniture for the client to buy, so they can choose them based on what they like or budget,” she added. “We recommend that the project manager also work with the contractor to periodically give you written and photographic reports of the building advances.”

Before all this starts, you need the permits, and the project manager takes care of that process or in other cases the homeowner.

But, Mejia cautioned, when hiring a contractor be sure to specify if the workers are employed by the contractor or by you.

If the workers are employed by you, you are responsible for Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

23

2021 Home Guide

24

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide making sure you pay the related government taxes and employee benefits.

“This happens due to bureaucracy,” he said. “Sometimes it’s done to gain time. Normally the owner takes care of that while the contractor arranges other processes for the construction. But this can easily be stated on a contract depending on what you’d like.”

Once you start building, completion time varies, based on the size of the project, location, and availability of workers.

“It can vary depending on the size of the house and the conditions of the land,” González said. “If the land is flat and it is a house of approximately 100m2 it can take only three months; in another scenario, if the house is four floors high or more, and the land is inclined, it can take up to one year.”

And be sure that your building team is aware of the local building regulations.

“Puerto Vallarta has specific regulations depending on the area where you build,” Mejia explained. “So, building regulations and requirements may be different in one part of the city versus another. You’ll want your architect to do a partial urbanization plan. This helps determine what you can build on the land you’re interested in, meaning how many floors, square meters, parking area, height of ceilings, etc. You may also have to do an environmental impact study (in case you are building close to a river or the ocean.”

Cost of building depends, on so many factors, but Mejia suggested using the following as a guide, starting with bare land: • Property purchase: minimum of $10,000.00 mxn per square meter, from there goes up.

• Topographic survey: approximately a property between 100 to 200sqm $10,000.00mxn • Soil test: between $15,000.00mxn up to $80,000.00mxn depending on the implications of the land.

• Environmental impact study (in case of being close to rivers and ocean): don´t have the exact number, requires some more research • Architectural project: it can oscillate between 2% and 5% of the construction cost, but this changes through different studios.

• Structural analysis: $18,000.00mxn to $20,000.00mxn • Construction budget: this goes in hand normally with the construction prize, but it can start from $14,000.00mxn • Construction permits: this changes constantly, so it is best to ask city hall once you are in this process.

• Construction of the building: $16,000.00mxn per sq minimum, with simple finishing.

Building a home can be a lot of fun, but it may also be a very stressful event, especially if you are not onsite to watch the progress.

artículo en español Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

25

2021 Home Guide

26

H e a l t h a n d We l l n e s s G u i d e

Summer 2021

IV Therapy and Aesthetic Treatments

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

by güeystudio A new pharmacy franchise that will be located on different spots of Puerto Vallarta.

Being the first project, of a cityborn studio, published in the biggest architectural online magazine ArchDaily, this pharmacy is located in the context of an over 50 year old square of the “Viejo Vallarta” heart.

Considerating the dynamics on the waiting room area, the placement of colors was crucial to transmit comfort sensations and allow the user to enjoy the space. Starting with a yellow color representing energy, and happiness, blue, symbolizing serenity and calm, lastly, pink, expressing kindness and delicacy.

This project’s inpiration comes from an approach to the traditional, combined with a fresh perspective. Seeking the inside out expression, with a concept of vibrant and striking use of colors, unusual, in terms of what health buildings in the city usually are.

Starting on the outside, the facade blends in with the surroundings, by using local materials that provides natural texture and appropiate colors to maintain the urban image.

For the pharmacy, cohesively the private and public area have wood shelving with it’s natural grain, taken by inspiration from the medical botanic stores naturalness.

In contrast to a colorful and lively waiting room, we have the doctor’s office, a quiet and health focused space. Painted completely in white with touches of colored furniture, harmonizes with the simple and pure, but preserving congruence with the initial concept.

In order to attract pedestrians attention, the use of colors in the interior is taken as an advantage and it’s visually extended to the facade through a large display type window. Placed right at the edge of the sidewalk, allows the spectator and passerby to live the internal space from the outside, as well as capturing as much light posible during the day, and functioning as a large luminous advertisement at night.

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

+52.1.322.152.0668

hola@gueystudio.mx

Home Guide

instagram.com/gueystudio/

27

2021 Home Guide

New Developments Offer Options for Buyers Now is the time to buy as new properties complete construction

By Jerry Jones If you’re in the market for a new condo, whether to rent out or live in, we talked with some local real estate experts who offered some advice on the hottest new developments in Puerto Vallarta.

Monica Miller Ryan Donner & Associates “Versalles is where the most development is happening with its wide flat streets and the many new restaurant hot spots popping up,” Miller said. “The walkability is a huge draw to this area as is the convenient location to beaches and shopping. One of the hottest developments I would recommend in this is Verde Mar, designed by the renowned Architect Jorge Olivera who designed other developments such as Residence

by Pinnacle and Chic by Pinnacle. It has all the amenities of a boutique resort with rooftop infinity pool and gym. I think the most appealing part is the payment plans available, which allow a lot of flexibility.”

Miller said another hot new development she likes is VGolf by Grupo HEVA, a luxury lifestyle condominium in the Marina.

“It offers 1-3 bedrooms, with a saltwater pool and a rooftop garden. It is a 10-story building with 13 different floorplans.

Grupo HEVA has been developing properties in Puerto Vallarta since 2007, they specialize in their attention. To detail and long-term vision. They have created a five-star resort living atmosphere with barbeque areas, game room, hammocks and even space for bonfires. Most important is the amazing location- inside the marina, close to the airport, close to shopping as well as the beach. For the golf enthusiast, what more could a person want than to be in front of the golf course. This is truly an exceptional property.

28

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

IV Therapy and Aesthetic Treatments

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

Home Guide

29

2021 Home Guide

Jay Burchell and Edgardo Guel Timothy Real Estate Group “Now is the time for presale/new development condos buyers,” Burchell said. “Why? Because you’ll find many new developments nearing construction completion in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods.”

“These developers can be somewhat negotiable,” Guel added.

“No matter where you choose to buy, each development has its own personality and they all offer great amenities packages.”

The team said to obtain the best price and have the option of choosing the best condo in your price range, you will want to buy in the earliest stages of construction.

lly net you a pretty decent return on your investment when it comes time to sell.”

Alfonso Davalos The Agency Vallarta Davalos also recommended the new development VGolf and Verde Natura, but said he suggested Origenes Versalles, Zoho Zen and The Colonial.

“I personally bought a unit in Zoho Zen,” he said. “I like these developments because of the amenities that they offer, the location, and the prices.”

“Your agent can assure you whether or not the developer has all their ducks in line in order for you to feel 100% comfortable getting involved,” Burchell said.

Ryan Donner Broker, Ryan Donner & Associates “Rather than choose a specific development to recommend, I think the better thing to look at is the lifestyle that you are looking for,” Donner explained. “Right now Versalles is a neighborhood where there is a lot of construction going on, and it has a new gastronomic flare that is very exciting.

The other thing that I would look for is return on investment potential. Most buyers purchase with the intent to rent their property out and make money, so the best place to do that is in a hot neighborhood in the nicest, newest development. Getting in at the groundbreaking of a new development can usua-

30

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

IV Therapy and Aesthetic Treatments

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

Home Guide

31

2021 Home Guide

I’m not in Kansas anymore

By Louis Whitaker I was 21 and just looking for fun, but I found a beautiful city with a diverse community of people who accepted me with open arms.

I had been stuck in a small midwest town my whole life, and I needed an adventure. After receiving the vaccine, I was ready to leave. I packed up my bags, jumped in the car, and began my three-day trip to Puerto Vallarta.

I originally planned on only staying for a few weeks. I expected to find clubs, bars, and beaches. I was surprised when I discovered Puerto Vallarta had a thriving art scene, diverse cuisine, and romantic history. I began to fall in love with Puerto Vallarta. Soon my two-week trip became a month, then three, and finally I made the decision….I was going to move to Mexico. Did it seem crazy?

Of course, it did! Did it seem oh-so-right? Absolutely.

I quickly made many new friends in Puerto Vallarta. My friends in Kansas

32

Home Guide

mainly were white, 20-somethings, but here I had friends from around the world with a wealth of wisdom and experiences. They helped me figure out how to make the best of my life in Vallarta. They told me which taco stand had the best al pastor, which barbers wouldn’t butcher my hair, and how to find the most affordable apartments.

I found a beautiful house in Gringo Gulch, an old neighborhood located on the hill overlooking Centro and Zona Romantica. The street is safe, well-kept, and full of history. The house is right across from Casa Kimberly, Elizabeth Taylor’s home, yes, THE Elizabeth Taylor, and it is super affordable too!

One of the many reasons I decided to live in Puerto Vallarta was work. I graduated in 2020 with a BFA in Musical Theatre, and at the time was wondering why I spent all that time and money on a degree I could not use due to the pandemic closing most theatres. I remember driving into Zona Romantica for the first time, seeing all the posters for currently running shows, and being so excited that theatre was still alive somewhere. It didn’t take long for me to start performing at Act II, Incanto, Casa Karma, and Garbo.

Now, just six months later, I’m headlining my own show at the biggest theatre in town, I’m hosting a gay brunch at the number one restaurant in Vallarta, and I’m being featured in publications all across the bay. I couldn’t have done it alone though, every friend I have met along the way helped me become who I am today. I still have a lot to learn. I’m only 22, after all! Luckily, Puerto Vallarta is the perfect place to figure out who you are and where you belong.

It all feels like a dream come true. I’m certainly not in Kansas anymore, and I am grateful to have found my place over the rainbow.

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Makal Restaurant

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

Home Guide

33

2021 Home Guide

Looking for a Real Estate Agent?

Your dream home can be found with the right help

By Jerry Jones Probably the biggest investment you’ll make in your life will be in home or condo ownership. Finding the right home for the right price can be a time-consuming process. It’s important to take that journey with someone that you can trust and who has your best interest at heart.

O&APV talked with some of the agents that advertise with O&APV and are supportive of our mission to keep the Puerto Vallarta LGBTQ community informed. An underlying theme with all of the agents was to make sure that you work with an AMPI agent.

Currently in Mexico there is no licensing required for real estate sales professionals., and AMPI (Asociación Mexicana de Profesionales Inmobiliarios) is the professional association in Mexico that assures realtors are performing in a professional and ethical manner. AMPI has published ethical and fiduciary standards that its members are required 34

Home Guide

to maintain. In addition, AMPI standards require that their associates be involved in the community they are servicing.

Among the requirements for membership in AMPI, there is a need for continuing education and testing, and foreigners working in real estate must be approved to do so by immigration.

“Unlike Canada and the USA, Mexico does not have a real estate board or council,” explained Jay Burchell, senior real estate advisor with Timothy Real Estate Group. “In its place the coastal resort town of Mexico has an organization called AMPI. In short, to be a member of AMPI requires all agents to attend 50 hours of annual training, monthly meetings and most importantly AMPI members are expected to hold a high standard of professionalism when working for their clients and with other agents.”

Ryan Donner, owner of Ryan Donner & Associates, echoed Burchell and added that AMPI membership includes access to MLS listings.

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

“If they are a member of the local chapter of AMPI then they have access to the MLS,” he said. “The MLS admins review every single property before it can be approved in the MLS, which means, you are far less likely to run into legal issues with the sale of your dream home.

How do you find those AMPI approved agents? A Google search will definitely help you, as will looking through various publications that you can find online or throughout Puerto Vallarta. And then there is word of mouth and social media.

“The process needs to be professional, educational and enjoyable,” Burchell said. “Not everyone can afford to buy a vacation home in Mexico. These buyers are living a dream and the dream should remain a great and enjoyable memory.”

Donner said to meet with agents to determine how you will get along and connect.

“Since we can all show you the same property through the MLS, your connection with the agent is the most important part of the process,” he said. “You want to work with someone that you feel comfortable with, and who can easily guide you through the process of purchasing in Mexico. Be sure to ask them what kinds of reading material they have to help answer any of your questions. The process is very similar to purchasing a home in the United States.”

And, Monica Miller, a real estate agent with Ryan Donner & Associates added that it was important “to network and ask friends or friends of a friend.”

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

35

2021 Home Guide

MONICA MILLER

RYAN DONNER

“The best way to find a real estate agent is word of mouth,” she said. “So, ask as many people as you can. I would ask people you personally know versus a Facebook post because the response from a social media post can be overwhelming. There are a lot of us!”

Alfonso Davalos, a realtor with The Agency Vallarta, suggested potential buyers set up Zoom meetings with different agents to get a feel of how their personality fits with yours.

jay burchell

“Interview them remotely by Zoom or Facetime,” he explained. “That way you can connect with them, ask questions about what you can get if you have a specific budget, and you can describe your dream home. For example, the most affordable listing is listed at $50,000, but it’s not located on the beach. I’m a true believer in people connections. When you decide who to work with, ask your realtor to set up a portal for you on the MLS system.”

What is the buying process like? Davalos described it in five easy steps:

alfonso davalos 36

Home Guide

“Like dance salsa,” he said with a laugh.

1. Find the property and make an offer.

2. Remove the contingencies, 3. Open Escrow with 10% percent 4. Send the balance of the sales purchase a week before closing 5. Time to enjoy your home. It’s important, he said, to know that the closing process is between 45 to 60 days, and closing takes around a couple of hours in the notary offices.”

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Makal Restaurant

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

Home Guide

37

2021 Home Guide

Puerto Vallarta Housing Market is HOT Average Sales Price is $367,000 USD

By Jerry Jones If you’re in the market to buy a new home or condo in the Puerto Vallarta area, be prepared for a hot market, with the area experiencing perhaps one of the best years ever for real estate.

“Miraculously, like so many other places in the world, this past year and a half have been unbelievably busy in Puerto Vallarta real estate,” said Jay Burchell, a senior real estate advisor with Timothy Real Estate Group.

According to the local MLS service, the Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit region had one of its best quarters between April and July of this year.

“The number of sales reported to the MLS services in the second quarter increased by 50% over the first quarter and already, after just six months, have reached 75% of what were the total number of sales in 2020 and 65% of what was sold in 2019,” the MLS report said. “It gets even better when comparing sales volume at $270 million in the first six months of this year, compared to $336 million for all of 2020.”

38

Home Guide

Alfonso Davalos, a realtor with The Agency Vallarta, said the housing market in Puerto Vallarta was “on fire”.

“For example, in July 2020 we had 60 transactions and in July 2021 we had 121 transactions closed,” he said. “​I think the numbers talk.”

Ryan Donner, broker with Ryan Donner & Associates, said his team has seen sales volume up 100% over the previous year.

“Sales volume is up over 100 percent, and units sold is up nearly 100 percent over last year,” he explained.

Burchell said it was a seller’s resale market because the area is low on resale inventory.

“There seems to be more resale buyers than listed properties available,” he said.

But Donner said his team thinks it remains a buyer’s market, but he has seen a shift in the market leaning towards the seller’s favor.

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide “Our market has and continues to be a buyer’s market,” he explained. “However, it is slowly leaning more towards a seller’s market as inventory is at one of the lowest levels we have seen in years. Prices are rising, and there are more buyers than ever flocking to buy.”

With increased prices can you expect to pay asking price or enter into a bidding war? Both experts said there was still room to negotiate.

“In Puerto Vallarta the prices of some properties have increased substantially, but not all properties have,” Burchell said.

“But this doesn’t mean a seller can list at whatever price they want. Your agent can easily prepare you a CMA (comparative market analysis) to show you the seller exactly what price you can expect to sell your property.”

Donner said he has seen about a six percent difference between the asking price and sales price.

Average days on market in Puerto Vallarta may seem long to a foreign buyer – with the average around 347 days, Donner said.

“But that has come down quite a bit over recent years,” he said. “ The MLS report said the average sales price (for both homes and condos) was $336,000 in 2020 whereas it was $376,000 so far this year - an 11% increase over last year.

David echoed Donner and said “It is st​ill a buyers market,” he said. “Our negotiation on prices are between 3 to 5% less than the asking price, and sometimes at the asking price”

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

39

2021 Home Guide

Artisan lifestyle at a level of excellence with Hacienda: hda

By Daniel Benítez Combining the harmony of the places with a visual game that is a delight for any spectator is not an easy thing. Although it is not impossible either, Hacienda: hda., Is an aesthetic concept that is adjusted according to the needs of each client. Although they can help you create a perfect environment in your home, they can also do it in your business, offices or many other places where you may need it.

Most of its products are exhibited in the Fluvial gallery (located at Río Amarillo 272 floor 1). Textile items such as napkins, placemats, rugs, etc., have their own store which can be admired and bought in the romantic zone (Venustiano Carranza 263 local D) and its most recent opening: hda. Gallery an exclusive space for the exhibition of painting and sculpture, located in the center (Miramar 406).

Behind this great company we have Salvador Mascareñas and his husband Brett Kladney, who directed the design department of Pottery Barn for more than 17 years achieving a very specific vision of how to adapt to the different needs of customers. He is the founder of the showroom and with his experience as an interior designer, industrialist, artist and consultant, he is in charge of directing the design department with his approach and point of view always correct to complement even the last details, they assure us that each piece your approved projects will be unique and functional, creating spaces with personality.

“This is more than interior design or a large collection of furniture, lighting, and home decor, at Hacienda: hda. We offer you to take your lifestyle to a level of excellence”. We can read on the company’s website.

A very important added value is its notorious artisan concept, since the designs are inspired by Mexican culture.

It is not surprising that Mexico stands out in its crafts, due to the great variety and diversity of cultures that exist in the country. This is thanks to families who have dedicated their lives to creating and preserving the traditions that their relatives have inherited over the years.

Brett Kladney and Salvador Macareñas, marveling at the creations made in Mexico, made the decision to undertake this project, working with artisans from the country.

“The impulse to create Hacienda: hda was to help and improve the conditions of Mexican artisans to be more easily recognized by the contemporary consumer’s taste”. Said Brett and Salvador.

When you arrive at the place you will be amazed or amazed with what is around you, take some time to contemplate what is presented to you; open the mind, and in addition to observing, contemplate the sensations that the objects there can transmit to you.

“The line between art and crafts is crossed back and forth to provoke emotions and to be able to distinguish what is going to be adjusted to one’s own need. And if you have doubts or want to make sure with the advice of an expert, we offer a free decoration advice”.

And if you already have an idea that you want to be created, or you have something in mind, but you don’t know how to translate it, you can create a variety of pieces according to your tastes and needs.

“If a more in-depth study is requested with measurements, specifications and renderings, we can also provide these services, but it would already be asking for a fee for the people who take the trouble to carry out these details. If you want, you can. This is where we personalize our products and services 100%”.

So if the fact of remodeling your place a bit was on your mind, this is the moment, whether you appreciate the pieces in their stores, order something customizable or simply take a look online.

For more information: 322 596 1488 322 175 3941 projects@haciendahda.com www.haciendahda.com Río Amarillo 272 Floor 1, Fluvial Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, CP 48312

40

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Dental Tourism Booming in PV

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

Come Experience Hot Mexican Nights in a Cool Mexican Bar at La Catrina Cantina La Catrina Cantina is a Mexican Cabaret showcasing local artists and Spanish music including singers, dancers, and drag queens.

Check out our FB page for our weekly line up of entertainment. An experience not to be missed.

Specialty cocktails and Mexican eats available.

Open Wednesday thru Sunday, 8pm to 2am.

Lazaro Cardenas 315 B

Fa l l 2 0 2 1 Photos: J Ryan Photography

Home Guide

41

2021 Home Guide

Cost of Living in Puerto Vallarta

Of course, like anywhere, the cost of living in Puerto Vallarta The real standout about the cost of living is everyday expenses. is a moving target, based on the exchange rate of the Peso to the U.S. dollar, and as Covid-19 continues to affect internatio- Tricia Lyman and her husband Mike moved to Puerto Vallarta in 2013. Tricia runs the popular Facebook group, “Everything You nal supply chains, cost everywhere are going up.

Want or Need to Know About Puerto Vallarta.”

In general, the cost of living here is lower than in metropolitan areas in the United States. If you are coming from the Mid- Tricia kept a blog with expenses the first several years she lived west or the U.S.’s central areas, you will find the area pricey, there, and it’s a great resource to check out the costs. You can find it at http://lymantricia.blogspot.com/. In 2019 she especially when it comes to real estate.

42

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

43

2021 Home Guide reports that they spent just over $33,000 for the year. That works out to an average of $2,750 a month, and her budget includes rent and local Mexican health insurance.

International Living says a typical retired couple should budget around $3,000 USD in order to live in Puerto Vallarta.

The websites Expatistan and NUMBERO are cost of living calculators that allows you to compare the cost of living between cities around the world. The comparisons allow you to get a better understanding of the cost of living of any city before you move there.

These numbers are user generated, so, while they might be helpful, they may not always be factual. But in general, you’ll find the overall cost of living in Puerto Vallarta to be about 50 percent less than many cities in the United States.

And you may find while some things are much cheaper, some things are more expensive. It’s always best to visit and see what the current market is, and check out local stores.

The cost of living index on Investopedia seeks to average expenses in an area and provides a look at how it matches the average expenses in other areas. The COL index, assigns Puerto Vallarta a score of 35.06. The COL index gives the average a 100, so the amount a city is above or below 100 indicates how high or low, respectively, the cost of living is there.

A COL of 35.06 lands this city at number 461 out of 587 when compared to other major cities around the world. Another perspective here is that it is almost 65% cheaper to live in Puerto Vallarta than in New York City.

44

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide If you want to buy a home, expect to pay prices that are somewhere between middle America and more – because it depends on what part of the city you decide you want to live in. Condos can be a more affordable option but watch out for those monthly association fees. Of course, those areas closer to the beach are the costliest. You can easily find a two-bedroom, two bath condo for less than $200,000, but that’s probably not going to be close to the beach or have an ocean view.

artículo en español

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

45

2021 Home Guide

Xocodiva Expands Adds Cafe, Handmade chocolate,

local organic coffee, frappuccinos, smoothies, and many more delicious things

By Daniel Benítez

Every bite of our chocolate is a world traveleR

Xocodiva Artisan Chocolate has expanded, and in order to better pamper its customers, you can now also enjoy a wide variety of coffee in their new beautiful and elegant cafe on Aquiles Serdan.

It all begins in small farms in Latin American countries, where cocoa trees are grown to obtain their beans. From the muggy tropical mountains of Mexico, Peru, Brazil and other countries, cocoa beans are shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, where they are processed in Belgium, the source of the world’s finest and smoothest chocolate since the 17th century.

Do you need to work online? The new cafe has extremely fast internet with comfortable seating and great ambiance.

Their organic coffee is locally grown and sourced from a family in Nayarit. The family grows and roasts the beans and provides Xocodiva with an exclusive blend that you are sure to love.

Xocodiva still handmakes their artisan chocolate that they are famous for, and this continues to be the focus of their business.

The owners said the addition of a cafe was a wonderful addition to our chocolate products.

Every sweet, mouthwatering bite of Xocodiva’s handmade truffles melt in your mouth, tantalizing your taste buds with their unique flavours and flavour combinations.

Xocodiva sources only the freshest local ingredients to go into their ganaches…Handmade here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta. They start with the best Belgian chocolate and the freshest local ingredients. Their chocolate is totally natural and free of preservatives.

Just like real tequila is only made in Tequila (Mexico), real Belgian chocolate always comes from Belgium.

Belgian chocolate is shipped to Xocodiva in large blocks, which are broken down by hand and carefully tempered until smooth and creamy enough to be poured into molds or mixed with other ingredients to make our legendary truffles, bars, barks and bites. Only the highest quality ingredients are combined with our chocolate, because we want each Xocodiva chocolate to be a work of art.

If you want to visit one of Xocodiva’s three locations or require more information, please visit their website today.

Web page; https://xocodivapv.com/ Facebook: xocodiva Instagram: xocodiva.pv

Each truffle is painted or decorated by hand with care and passion, creating the best chocolate truffles that are as beautiful as they are delicious.

All of their other delicious products are hand-made from a huge assortment of creative mouth-watering barks to the hand-poured bars.

46

Home Guide

artículo en español

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Vallarta Pride 2021 Calendar

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Health and 2021Wellness Home Guide

Home Guide

47

2021 Home Guide

PV’s Zest for Life Fuels My Soul Miller Shares Personal Experience on Moving to Puerto Vallarta

By Monica Miller My love affair with Puerto Vallarta began over 15 years ago.

On my very first trip I knew someday I would live here. In fact, I have a photo from my first time in Vallarta from the hillside I live on today.

I first came to Vallarta because I was a single mom living in Napa Valley on a limited budget. I was able to stay at a friend’s condo and my only expenses were our flights and spending money. I fell in love immediately with not only the magic of the town but the compassionate people that lived there. There is a zest for life here that fueled my soul. Soon my son and I began to look forward to our one week vacation every year, each year I thought to myself that someday I want to experience this daily, but I just didn’t know how to make this dream into reality.

About five years ago, when my sons were about to enter college, I decided it was time to make the move. I chose a gradual route, as I couldn’t move full time just yet. To start, I rented a house in the Amapas area (just south of the Romantic Zone) year-round and rented it out through VRBO and Airbnb to have some income and pay for my travel. Luckily, I had a flexible job that allowed me to work remotely which allowed me to spend around half the year here in my new home of Puerto Vallarta. I did this for several years until I was able to make the jump to a full-time basis. Once my sons were almost done with college, I knew it was time to create a life of my own. I felt as if living in California was all about working to pay the bills and survive, I wanted a fuller and more meaningful vibrant life.

Many people ask me how I chose what area to live in? I would recommend spending time walking around the various colonials (neighborhoods) to find out what feels best to you. Think about what is important in your daily life, ask yourself: Do I like to walk? Do I want to live by the beach? Do I want to be by my favorite restaurants? The end goal is to find the area you like and that feels the most comfortable. Another tough question I get often is: what they should bring from the states? During my move, I emptied out a four-bedroom home and rented a 5 by 10 storage unit. I only kept some family keepsakes, my camping gear for trips back to Tahoe and some items important to my boys. Everything else I sold, whether it was on next door, marketplace, or garage sales. The only belongings I brought to Mexico were family photos, clothes and believe it or not my favorite pots and pans because I love to cook! (Although looking back, maybe I could have sold those too).

For people who don’t have the heart to get rid of most of their belongings you can hire a service to bring down your items in a truck, although it may take a week or two and it will have to go through customs. If neither of those options work for you then you could drive, in my opinion this is the worst way to move, as driving across the borders can be expensive as well as incredibly time consuming.

48

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

50

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

51

2021 Home Guide

52

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

53

2021 Home Guide

Hurricane Nora Leaves Mark of Destruction

Puerto Vallarta Bands Together for Rebuilding

Hurrican Nora struck Puerto Vallarta the weekend of August 28/29, 2021, with the Category 1 hurricane, having sustained winds of 130 kmh and gusts to 155 kmh, leaving destruction mainly from flooding and the overflow of the Cuale and Pitillal Rivers.

A 13-year-old boy, Curro Prados Asencio, died after the partial collapse of the Co-Work Hotel, which was affected by the flooded Cuale River. The flooding of the Cuale River was the worst in 50 years and affected practically the entire downtown area of Puerto Vallarta. A vehicle in which a woman was traveling in was swept away by the floodwaters and its occupant presumably drowned. As of press time that individual had not yet been located.

The Insurgentes Bridge near Incanto Theater was destroyed and will have to be rebuilt. But despite all of that, the city and its residents and visitors banded together to immediately start cleanup and rebuilding.

Photos by Ashley Weter and Josh Knox

54

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

55

2021 Home Guide

Patience and planning will help with this important investment

By Jerry Jones So, you’ve decided to buy a new home or condo in Puerto Vallarta, and now you must decide how to furnish it.

Are you moving to PV? Is this an investment property to rent?

How expensive is furniture? So many questions! We talked with industry expert Sheryl Novak, president of SOLutions Mexico. Novak has spent the last 14 years in the furniture business in Puerto Vallarta and brings with her both a local and expat perspective.

“There is one BIG question that people never ask,” says Novak.

“What do I need to know about buying furniture for my home in Mexico that is different from how I bought furniture for my home in Canada or the US?” Novak says that because the climate in Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas is radically different from most climates in North America, it should affect your furniture choices.

“The elements in the Bay of Banderas include salty ocean air, high humidity during the summer months, intense sun with harsh UV rays, high levels of dust and sand particles, plus termites and other wood eating bugs,” she says. “What would work elsewhere will likely not last here. This means that it is critical to make your buying decision on more than just the furniture’s look and price which are the two factors most people look at. If you want your furniture to last more than one or two seasons, it is important to consider the materials and manufacturing processes used and which climate the furniture was built for.”

Furnishing Your New Home or Condo 56

Home Guide

The other difference is that unlike in the US or Canada, you will not get an exact shipping window in Mexico. Shipping and logistics are not sophisticated here. And because the overriding philosophy is “manana”, it is best to be patient, and never expect quick service.

“It is very different and no matter where you get your furniture from, it will come when it comes,” Novak added. “Do not get frustrated, angry or demand action. Ask anyone who used pressure tactics and they’ll tell you it will work against you.

Take a deep breath, make contingency plans and eventually everything will come together.”

Your options for furnishing your new home vary. Like in the U.S. and Canada, most new condo owners buy furniture at retail stores at the local stores. Be aware, however, that most stores just display samples on the floor. They do not sell them.

Instead, you need to order what you want. This can usually take anywhere from six to eight weeks, or longer.

“If you plan to fly in to get your condo completely outfitted in one week, it most likely won’t happen,” she says. “If you do find pieces for immediate delivery, you will likely be settling Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide for furniture that is not your preferred style or color and cost significantly more.”

Due to manufacturing and shipping bottlenecks caused by COVID, be prepared to wait longer on your furniture to be made and delivered. Furniture warehouses are empty; manufacturing plants are still operating at a third their capacity; shipping containers and raw goods are scarce; demand in North America for furniture has skyrocketed and prices have increased.

This is a global challenge that affects everyone and all retailers in North America.

If doing it yourself is not appealing, another option is to hire an interior decorator or designer.

“There are many interior decorators and designers that are available who will charge you a base fee (ranging from a few thousand to many thousand dollars) along with a commission on each item you purchase. If you have the budget and prefer someone with a design eye to assist, this is a great option.

Most interior decorator/designers have their own manufacturers that they deal with, so again be aware that this will not be a quick cash and carry option.”

If your budget does not include money for a professional interior decorator, you can purchase a furniture package from a speciality furniture store. This option gives you the interior decorator/designer look without the cost. “Packages are curated in advance (although you can also get them custom if you do not see one you like) so they achieve the high-end look without the higher cost,” Novak says. “You can swap, add or delete items from your package depending on your item needs, budget and décor style. The speciality furniture store arranges for the logistics of getting the furniture from the manufacturer to your condo and will even set everything up. It’s a great turnkey solution for those who want the best value solution.”

Novak says her company, SOLutions Mexico, offers furniture packages based on how her clients plan to use their condo.

She said she has broken this into three categories: Primarily rental - This furniture package is curated specifically for rental properties because of its durability, low cost/quick ROI and attractiveness to renters. SOLutions Mexico offers a furniture package that comes in around $5,000 USD and includes furniture for living room, dining room, two bedrooms, kitchen, and even outdoor dining. The key to furnishing an investment property – keep costs down, make it look fantastic, and get it done asap so you start making rental revenue asap.

Mix of rental and personal use – The best advice for this type of property owner is to skew their furniture package like one for an investment property, just with a few more bells and whistles. “If you plan to rent only to people you know until you retire, it makes sense to budget a little more and add some personal items,” says Novak. “Once you retire and it is for your exclusive use, then you can add or upgrade as needed.

Personal use only – These property owners often prefer to select each of their items because it is a labour of love. They are looking more for statement pieces because they plan to use their home in Mexico for months rather than for weeks.

Another way to furnish your home is by doing a furniture shopping tour in Guadalajara.

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

“If you have time and more room in your budget, it is a viable option. There are more stores in Guadalajara than in Puerto Vallarta, so you will have more to see,” Novak says. “Since Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico, be prepared for lots of traffic and navigating around a huge geographic area.

Our guides, who live in Guadalajara, know the best places to shop and the best routes to get to each location. To get the most accomplished, we do personalize instead of shared tours that have multiple homeowners on it. Otherwise, you will just end up waiting around for the other buyers and become frustrated because your time is wasted. A good tour is usually two to three days to ensure you accomplish everything.”

The final option to furnish your condo is to ship some or all your furniture from north of the border. This can be costly in not only money, but also time. Bringing in items from outside Mexico and crossing the border can be complicated so do your research on this. Most experts agree that it’s best to buy rather than ship.

Regardless which solutione you take to get furniture for your new home in Puerto Vallarta, there is one thing to keep in mind: start well-ahead!

“In pre-COVID times, three months was a good rule of thumb,” Novak said. “Today, with the huge issues caused by COVID disruption to the furniture industry, it is best to start six months before you need your furniture. Although we may feel that things have started to get better or more normalized to COVID, the furniture industry (as are most industries) was considerably disrupted and looks like it will not get back to relative normal until 2023.

Unfortunately, buyers should also be prepared to budget more.

“Based on what most new condo buyers in PV have spent over the past four or five years, to fully furnish a two-bedroom, two bath condo, it is best to budget around $20,000 to $25,000 USD,” she said. “For a one bedroom, it is between $12,500 and $17,500 USD and for a three bedroom, between $25,000 and $40,000 USD. Keep in mind that the price for furniture in Mexico is about the same as what you would pay in the US for the same quality. Many folks incorrectly think they can get furniture here for a third of what it costs elsewhere but it is not accurate.”

For those who don’t want to invest up front to purchase furniture, there is a local company that rents individual pieces or whole packages of furniture. This allows you to get in, start using your condo right away while you take your time selecting your forever furniture. If you are renting out your condo, renting furniture reduces your capital costs and allows you to generate revenue immediately upon condo possession.

Read more on our website at www.outandaboutpv.com where Novak offers advice on furniture materials, including which ones last in our climate and the ones that you are likely to be replacing after one season.

artículo en español Home Guide

57

!

2021 Home Guide

!

With amazing vacation rental homes in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit, Please check us out for your next stay in the area!

Samson Waters - Property Management & Vacation Rentals www.samsonwaters.com or 1 800 433 5025

58

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

@samsonwaterspvr

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

59

2021 Home Guide

MAP AND INDEX OF ADVERTISERS zona romAntica

OUTSIDE ZONA ROMANTICA

1.

Atelier 2020 - arte de hoy Pg. 35

a.

2.

Solutions Mexico Pg.45

b. Hacienda: hda. and hdgallery Pg. 43

3.

Alfredo Sanchez, Real Estate Agent Tropicasa Realty Pg. 49

c.

4.

David Hoffman, Real Estate Agent Tropicasa Realty Pg. 19

e.

Pause Anti-Aging & Wellness Pg. 14, 24

5.

Hacienda: hda. and hdgallery Pg. 43

f.

SETAC Versalles Pg. 52

6.

Timothy Real Estate Group Pg. 68

g.

Vallarta Medical Center Pg. 51

7.

The Palm Cabaret & Bar Pg. 29

8.

Dr. Omar Hernández - Doctor Puerto Vallarta Pg. 4

8.

Lix Ice Cream Pg. 35

9.

Farmacia del Rio Consultorio Pg. 67

10. All Acces Sports Bar Pg. 51 11. Arriba Bar and Restaurant Pg. 55

Contractor PV Pg. 3 Doctor Luis Dominguez Zuniga Pg. 21

d. Guardian Insurance Pg. 17, 25

Others •

David MacLean International Property Specialist Living in Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Representative Pg. 51

14. La ChaChaLaca Bar Pg. 2

•

Vallarta Pride Pg. 47

15. La Catrina Cantina Pg. 41

•

Dr. Aurelio Jimenez – Doctor at Home PV Pg. 59

•

Marco Hernandez Massage Therapy Pg.11

•

Nomad Family Photo Group Pg. 54

•

Monica Miller, Real Estate Agent Ryan Donner & Associates Pg. 7

20. Spartacus Pg. 44

•

Guey Design Studio Pg. 27

21. Hamam Turkish Spa Pg. 16

•

Reyes Enterprises Pg.1

22. Angels PV Store Pg. 23

•

Expat Insurance Pg. 31

23. CHB Clothing Store Pg. 53

•

La Tienda Grande Restaurant Pg.6, 10, 33

24. Mercurio Swimwear Pg. 39

•

Vallarta Food Tours Pg. 35

25. Xocodiva Pg. 13, 26

•

Luis Ochoa Personal Assistant Pg. 52

12. Blue PV’s Boutique Bar Pg. 39 13. Elixer Mixology Bar Pg. 17

16. Lix Ice Cream Pg. 35 17. One Six One Pg. 9 18. Yamada Pg. 45 19. Rosie’s Kitchen Pg.35

26. Hotel Mercurio Pg. 39 27. Rentals PV Pg. 37 28. Samson Waters Pg. 58 29. Hospital Vallarta Walk In Pg, 19 30. SETAC Zona Romantica Pg. 52 31. Decoraciones Suárez Pg. 32 60

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide a

1 e

d g

b

c

f

OUTSIDE ZONA ROMANTICA

5

16

ISLA RIO CUALE

28

ero

ignacio l.

6

5 de febr

13

dillo basilio ba

tes

olas alta

z

m. diegue

EL

insurgen

2

25 18 23

TUNN

as

e v. carranza

ión

29

aguacat

constituc

10

15

2412

30 8

as l. cárden

31 jacarand

vallarta

rez pino suá

19,20, 22 21

25

s

14

11 26 9

amapas

7 3, 4 27

17 r. gomez pulpito

iguez

fca. rodr

o

pulpito

pulpit

2021 Home Guide

Local Business

Directory Art Gallery Atelier 2020 - arte de hoy 226B Leona Vicario, Centro, Puerto Vallarta A refreshing breeze to Vallarta’s artistic venues, Atelier 2020 – arte de hoy, fulfills the need for a space focussing on contemporary abstract art: works on paper, collages, prints, paintings, mixed media and glass sculptures. Come discover in this gallery-workshop (“atelier’’) a haven of inspiration and creativity as printmaker-owner Petru Voichescu, along with artist friends present their exciting and amazing techniques and works. Leona Vicario, 226C, Centro, Puerto Vallarta. +52 322 103 6095 www.petruvoichescu.com

Furniture/Interior Design/Building Contractor PV ContractorPV is a construction, and design firm with a focus of Implementation of new development in Puerto Vallarta. Whether you want to start from the ground up or renovate an existing space, they are here to help. ContractorPV’s mission is to modernize the construction, design, and implementation of new development in Puerto Vallarta. We realize how stressful construction projects can be and that is why we strive to deliver constant contact to our clients during their project(s) with us. www.contractorpv.com or info@contractorpv.com.

Guey Design Studio Are you looking to build your dream home in Puerto Vallarta and not sure where to start? Is the language a barrier? Not sure how to make a budget or a plan? The team at Guey Design Studio can help!

With a creative, young and frank thinking, we seek to give a güey treatment to our graphic and architectural designs, that is, with daring ideas, outside the conventional, but always taking care of aesthetic canons and the reason for implementing them.

Our vision is to be a benchmark design studio, and have fun in the process. (YHLQMDLG) *. For more information visit: www.gueystudio.mx Hacienda: hda. and hdgallery Offering a wide range of interior design services, Hacienda: hda. along with hdagallery, wants to take your lifestyle to a level of excellence. Brett Kladney, who is the founder of Hacienda: hda., has more than 30 years of experience as an interior designer, is in charge of the design in collaboration with Mónica Granados, interior designer; whose approach and point of view always correct to complement every last detail of each piece, we can assure that each article of our approved projects will be unique and functional, creating spaces with personality.

Three locations to serve you: Rio Amarillo 272, Fluvial Vallarta; Venustiano Carranza 263D E. Zapata 62

Home Guide

and Miramar 406 Centro. Whats 322-175-3941. www.haciendahda.com Reyes Enterprises If you’re looking for an architect design and construction firm, Reyes Enterprises offers a wide range of services. Founded in 2015 by Francisco Reyes, an architect from Hidalgo, the company originally dedicated itself to the design and construction of architectural projects. Throughout its history it has built projects in the States of Nuevo León, Querétaro, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, State of Mexico and CDMX. In 2018 the company entered the hotel sector, where it began its successful career that allowed it to expand internationally. In 2019, Rafael Reyes joined the company as Financial Director, adding shares and cryptocurrencies to the company. REYESENTERPRISES is a journey of adaptation, of continuous evolution and a team that continues to set the standard in quality and service, making it undoubtedly the company of the year in its field. Current and previous clients include Walmart, CFE, Google Latinoamérica...and many others. www.reyesenterprises.com.mx Solutions Mexico Trying to furnish a home in Mexico is difficult. if you do not speak Spanish, don’t have a car or know Mexico driving laws, don’t know where to go, or what to buy (that will last in our climate), or what a fair and reasonable price is, it will be an incredibly stressful experience. Never mind trying to arrange shipping and delivery with only Spanish speaking delivery reps. Over the past 10 years, we have worked hard to become the most trusted furniture company in Mexico. Our customers hug us because we take away all the hassle and stress and make buying furniture easy. Located at C. Constitución 363-A, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. www.solutionsmexico.com Decoracion Suarez With more than 20 years of experience, Decoracion Suarez can help you with blinds and curtains, custom made to fit your new home or condo. Installation provided. https://www.facebook.com/Decoraciones-Suarez-1433858733525130/services/

Real Estate Alfredo Sanchez, Real Estate Agent Tropicasa Realty Alfredo has more than 14 years of experience with Tropicasa Realty, and is passionate to help you find your Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit dream home.

Alfredo says “I understand that for most of you, buying or selling a property in Mexico is a completely new experience, but my goal is to simplify this process.I will support you through the entire real estate process so you can make an informed decision. “ Tropicasa Realty was founded in 1997 by Wayne Franklin, a former broker from California with over 25 years of real estate experience in the U.S. and Mexico. www.tropicasa.com/AlfredoSanchez David MacLean International Property Specialist Living in Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Representative David MacLean began his real estate career over a decade ago. He has worked with sellers, buyers and investors in both Canada and Mexico. He Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide benefits his numerous clients through his wealth of experience, strong negotiation skills, and his communications and social media expertise.

David’s clients view him as a ‘go to’ person for all their real estate related needs. David’s philosophy is to work hard, but to ultimately not take yourself too seriously. www.livinginpuertovallarta.com David Hoffman, Real Estate Agent Tropicasa Realty David is a world traveler, but his heart and home is in Puerto Vallarta. He loves Mexico and its people. He’s bought and sold real estate for many years - his own homes, rental properties, and his then-Puerto Vallarta vacation home. David is originally from the midwest (U.S.), and worked in corporate America for 20 years in progressively more senior roles. David served as President of a toy and gaming company in Seattle, where he designed a turnaround plan then led the company through a successful turnaround. After he sold the company to Paramount Pictures, he made a life change, and moved to Puerto Vallarta. David believes in knowledge, integrity, and trust and is looking forward to being your real estate partner in Puerto Vallarta. For more information visit: www.davidhoffmanproperties.com Monica Miller, Real Estate Agent Ryan Donner & Associates Monica was born in the San Francisco bay area and raised two sons in the Napa Valley. Monica’s background is personal and business finance. She has managed multiple investment real estate properties in the Napa Valley as well Vineyard Operations. Monica’s knowledge of the area combined with her finance background and her steadfast work ethic make her a trusted resource to a broad spectrum of clients. www.ryandonner.com/contact/monica-miller Timothy Real Estate Group Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with strategic sales office locations throughout the Bay of Banderas from the Romantic Zone to Sayulita. Because the Banderas Bay 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. www.timothyrealestategroup.com Ryan Donner & Associates Ryan Donner quickly climbed the ranks of the real estate business in Puerto Vallarta. In 2019, Ryan formed Ryan Donner & Associates (Ryan Donner Y Asociados S de RL de CV). The company quickly began expanding and working with other real estate agents in Mexico that share the desire to work together to create a larger network that benefits real estate buyers and sellers. www.ryandonner.com

Entertainment The Palm Cabaret & Bar The Palm has been a part of Puerto Vallart’s entertainment scene for more than 21 years. It is Puerto Vallarta’s oldest live entertainment venue in Old Town, and was originally a video restaurant-bar.

– a hangout where singers, musicians and drag queens would perform during their stay in Puerto Vallarta. It now has the honor of occupying Trip Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Advisor’s number three of the 116 things to do in Puerto Vallarta in the “concerts, shows and cabarets” category. www.thepalmcabaret.com Vallarta Pride Mark your calendars and book your rooms for the world renowned Vallarta Pride, set for May 23 to 30, 2022. Vallarta Pride is a week-long annual event that pays tribute to the LGBTQ community.

The pride celebrations include arts and cultural events, concerts, films, beach parties and a lot of fun outdoor performances to show the world the fabulous diversity of Puerto Vallarta. www.vallartapride.org/home

Healthcare Dr. Aurelio Jimenez – Doctor at Home PV Dr. Jimenez makes house calls! Yes, if you’re feeling ill and need medical assistance, Dr. Jimenze and his associates offer a home consultation service so that you can be attended to quickly and professionally from the comfort of your home, hotel or apartment so that you have a speedy recovery. Dr. Jimenez, creator of Doctor At home, is a general practitioner who graduated from the University of Guadalajara in 2016 (professional ID 11526687), since then he has worked as a general practitioner and has extensive experience with the diseases that afflict the Puerto Vallarta tourist. www.doctorathomepuertovallarta.com Dr. Omar Hernández - Doctor Puerto Vallarta Dr. Hernández graduated as MD in November 2016 from the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México by unanimity of votes with the thesis “New perspectives in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.” After his graduation, he moved to Puerto Vallarta working as a physician in different resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta and Punta Mita. Doctor Puerto Vallarta offers a wide range of professional services, including medical consultation, physical examinations, check-ups, vaccinations, an array of laboratory services, weight loss programs, and specialized treatments such as ear irrigation, nebulization, and wound treatment using specialized tissue adhesive or sutures. www.doctorpuertovallarta.com/home Doctor Luis Dominguez Zuniga Anti-aging, nutrition, fitness and more! Dr. Zuniga is a wellness professional offering a variety of services including facial rejuvenation with botulinum toxin. Take care of wrinkle removal and lines of expression. Want to look and combat aging? Get your botox treatments in Puerto Vallarta by a certified doctor. www.facebook.com/ Dr-Luis-Dom%C3%ADnguez-Z%C3%BA%C3%B1iga-104482918249756 Expat Insurance Got insurance? Don´t become a GoFundMe campaign and make sure you have insurance. Brett LaMar is an insurance agent who represents multiple insurance companies offering Health and Life Insurance options for expats living abroad or for travelers outside of their home country of passport.

Get a free quote at BrettLaMar.com or email Brett.L@expatinsurance.com

Home Guide

63

2021 Home Guide Farmacia del Rio Consultorio This brand new pharmacy and doctor’s office is located on the popular Olas Atlas street and not far from the gay beach and the Los Muertos pier. Look for the colorful and cheerful building. Offering a wide variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

Doctor’s office is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Olas Altas 490-B Col, Emiliano Zapata, 48380.

Guardian Insurance As an expat, one of the main problems you will face is finding a health insurance provider in Mexico that fits your unique wants and needs; Bilingual assistance anytime you need it, free election of doctors and hospitals, direct payment benefit and a policy structure simple to understand. At Guardian Insurance MX, we have personally researched and evaluated the options in the market, and we have chosen only companies that can match and exceed your insurance expectations in every way.

You can rest easy, knowing that every program that we offer is one put to the test by us, a team of expats and nationals working together towards the same goal: your satisfaction. For more information visit www.guardianinsurancemx.com/ Pause Anti-Aging & Wellness This is Puerto Vallarta’s first-ever clinic that specializes in Bio-Identical hormone replacement.

Working with the transgender community, this clinic provides personalized treatment and care, to provide a more stable hormonal management.

Staff also specializes in Andropause for men and Menopause treatment for women. www.www.facebook.com/pausemexico SETAC SETAC provides health services programs for LGBTQ residents of Puerto Vallarta. SETAC Wellness Center has a comprehensive and integrated health services program that includes educating and disseminating information about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). SETAC has three locations, Aldanaca 178, Int. 4A, on the corner with Viena, in Colonia Versalles; the Wellness Center in Zona Romántica, located at Calle Lázaro Cárdenas # 379 C in the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood; the “Rapid Connect” information booth in Parque Lázaro Cárdenas aka Parque de los Azulejos. For more information visit: www.setac.com.mx Vallarta Medical Center With modern facilities and cutting-edge medical equipment, Vallarta Medical Center’s healthcare staff is ready to provide medical, surgical and hospital care. Focused on making you feel the best during your stay, the medical center has a group of nationally and internationally recognized specialists. With bilingual medical professionals, the team is a specialist in stabilizing and treating patients in any emergency. www.vallartamedicalcenter.mx/en/home

Restaurants and Bars All Acces Sports Bar All Access Sports Bar is located at Calle Lazaro Cardenas, half block from the beach and offers a terrace setting with view of #Plazalaza. It is gay owned and has local fun and gay-friendly staff, this is the place to be to watch sports on the screens or to en64

Home Guide

joy live music. Watch their Facebook for the events. www.facebook.com/AAsportsbarpv Arriba Bar and Restaurant Arriba has this unusual and delicious American Classic, Fried pickles! Found only in Arriba Puerto Vallarta. With food from a classic American breakfast to more adventurous Mexican dishes (including our favorite Coconut shrimp), you’ll be able to find what you’re hungry for at Arriba, located on Olas Altas 443 A, Emiliano Zapata. Arriba is a Restaurant Bar where you can find Mexican-American food, national and international drinks, a place to be with friends and enjoy a pleasant time full of flavor and entertainment. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/ArribaPV Blue PV’s Boutique Bar Daily Specials and great music with a DJ are waiting for you at BLUE. Open from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. Follow our social media for daily specials. Find your fun in Puerto Vallarta at Blue, PV’s Boutique Bar, located at 279D Lázaro Cárdenas, 48380, Puerto Vallarta. www.facebook.com/BlueBarPV

Elixer Mixology Bar Elixir Mixology Bar, located at Basilio Badillo 419, in the Emiliano Zapata Colonia, opened in early 2021 and is owned by Elena Esquer Zolezzi, her wife Sarah Rose, and Laura Jaimes. It was a lifelong dream of Zolezzi and Jaimes to open a venue in Puerto Vallarta to welcome anyone, and to be a predominant meeting and gathering spot for the lesbian and queer women in the community. And even though the bar is LGBTQ owned, all are welcome, and the owners want to stress that anyone who comes in will feel like they belong.

Visit www.facebook.com/elixirmixologybarpv for more information.

La ChaChaLaca Bar Located just a few minutes from the Los Muertos Pier and a few blocks from the gay beach area, La ChaChalaca Bar has an open-air patio and air conditioned bar. A terrific place to enjoy excellent food, drinks, videos, spend time with friends, and make new ones! Always a 2 OZ strong pour! Enjoy a full dining menu and delicious drinks in the heart of Puerto Vallarta. www.facebook.com/lachachalacabar La Catrina Cantina La Catrina Cantina is a Mexican Cabaret showcasing local artists and Spanish music including singers, dancers, and Drag Queens. Music genres range from Mariachi, Ranchera, Cumbia, Salsa, to Mexican Folk music. Located at Calle Lazaro Cardenas 315B w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / L a - C a t r i n a - C a n t i na-112001270989272/ La Tienda Grande Restaurant Creative Cuisine Exalting Mexican Food by chef Salvador Carrillo, the concept of La Tienda Grande restaurant consists of offering creative Mexican cuisine, where the flavors and aromas are mixed with a decoration that stands out for the small details recalling the ancient Mexico. Located in the Ixtapa, Jalisco downtown, La Tienda Grande occupies the building of what was once one of the first grocery stores that this Puerto Vallarta delegation had. In 2020 he was awarded by Pro Chef Awards Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide as the best chef of Mediterranean cuisine with a Latin twist. Located at Centro Ixtapa, 48280 Puerto Vallarta, Jal. 48280 Ixtapa, Reservations suggested. For more information: www.facebook.com/LaTiendaGrandepv Lix Ice Cream Lix has multiple locations in Puerto Vallarta and they offer delivery service. This homemade ice cream is some of the best, and with unique flavors sure to capture your taste buds. Lix Homemade Ice Cream’s magic lies in its authenticity. We use only the freshest, highest quality ingredients to make everything from scratch in our beautiful production kitchen. Without any artificial colors or flavors, everything is made in small batches each week to ensure the most delicious frosty bites possible. For more information visit: www.lix-pv.com One Six One One Six One is the newest LGBTQ bar/lounge located in the Romantic Zone in Puerto Vallarta Mexico.

An upscale environment with a ‘living room lounge’ ambience, One Six One offers live DJ’d house music, craft cocktails, an outside patio and a rooftop.

Enjoy happy hour daily from 5 to 7 p.m. Visit www. facebook.com/onesixonepv for more information.

Vallarta Food Tours Vallarta’s number ONE tour with more than 2,600 five-star TripAdvisor reviews. It was recently awarded the number four food experience in the world

by TripAdvisor for 2020! Pick from ten different food tours, almost anything to fit your taste! Vallarta Food Tours mission is to help visitors and residents alike enjoy the best that Vallarta has to offer by highlighting off-the-beaten-path, “non-touristy” food and drinks along with a local insight of its treasures. Their love of Puerto Vallarta and Mexican culture has inspired them to create the city’s finest culinary tour. www.vallartafoodtours.com Yamada Located in the same building as ACT 2 Theater, Calle Basilio Badillo 330-C Emiliano Zapata, this Japanese Restaurant welcomes you to enjoy fresh sushi rolls or a hibachi meal. The owner and chef studied under Mr. Yamada for 20 years and honored him by naming his restaurant after him. Open every day except Sunday from 3 to 10 p.m. For more information visit www.facebook.com/Yamadapv Rosie’s Kitchen Formerly called “Can’t stop cooking for the whole village” this restaurant, located in Plaza Romy, Ignacio L. Vallarta 228, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, provides home cooked meals for pickup or delivery. Rosie, Blanca and Carlos will deliver great service with delicious meals and the specials you love and cherish. Place your order by WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. For more information visit www.facebook.com/cantstopcookingandbaking Frida’s Kitchen Join us for US and Canada Thanksgiving! All you can eat for $499. Reservations at 322-240-7565.

Lazaro Cardenas #481. https://www.facebook. com/Fridas-Kitchen-315320288488513

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Spas and Fun Spartacus With more than 4,000 square feet, Spartacus is a men’s only gay sauna/bath house located in the gay district of Puerto Vallarta, Zona Romantica.

Four floors with a large rooftop terrace, pool, dry sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, showers, and so much more. www.spaspartacus.com Hamam Turkish Spa By appointment only Hamam Turkis Spa is a boutique authentic hamam spa that provides an oasis of tranquility and revitalization. Choose from a comprehensive range of turkis bath Hamam rituals, body scrubs with Vichy shower, and massages. This indulgent time can be share with up to two people at the same time, and arrangements can be made for men only, ladies only, or couples. www.hamampv.com

Retail Stores Angels PV Store Looking for club, fitness and swim wear for men made in Mexico. Angel’s Store PV offers quality products made and designed in Mexico. Proud to support the local economy by buying and selling locally.

Visit www.facebook.com/angelsstorepv CHB Clothing Store CHB Clothing Store, located at 332 Basilio Badillo Emilino, offers men’s clothing inspired by beach wear. Owned by Christian H Banderas, the collection of clothing offers a fresh look including shirts, shorts, swimwear and so much more. www.facebook.com/chbclothingcompany Mercurio Swimwear Mercurio Swim was conceived and launched in 2018 by Paul Crist and fashion designer Todd Barnes with a mission to create men’s swimwear of high quality, excellent fit, and limited production for local guys and tourists. The swimwear line was designed in order to address several shortcomings they saw in the men’s swimwear available in local stores. At Mercurio Swim, we’re very serious about quality and quality control. www.mercurioswim.com Xocodiva Handmade right here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, these custom chocolate treats start with the finest Belgian chocolate and the freshest local ingredients. All chocolate is all natural and free of preservatives. Each truffle is carefully and lovingly hand-painted or decorated and prepared with care and passion creating the finest chocolate truffles that are as beautiful as they are delicious!

Xocodiva handmakes all of our other delightful products, from a huge assortment of mouthwatering creative barks to our hand poured bars. Check them out (Monday thru Saturday, 10 -6) at their production kitchen (A. Serdan #369), where you can watch the magic happen. www.xocodiva-pv.com

Home Guide

65

2021 Home Guide

Places to Stay/Rentals Hotel Mercurio Hotel Mercurio has been ‘home’ for LGBTQ guests for nearly two decades. Arriving for your stay with them, you’ll feel the warm and welcoming embrace of greeting beloved friends. Most of the staff have been part of the Mercurio family for many years, so our returning guests really do become our friends—an experience you may not enjoy at larger hotels or rental properties.

Hotel Mercurio offers a popular breakfast every day, included in your room rate. Breakfast is 8 am to 11 am weekdays, and until noon on weekends (with free mimosas and bloody Mary’s!). www.hotel-mercurio.com Rentals PV Offering apartment rentals in Puerto Vallarta, in the heart of the Romantic Zone, Old Town, just one block from the beach Playa Los Muertos. Offering different apartments for rent at with all located close to the beach. Concierge and free wifi connection in all units. One well-behaved dog is allowed in some units. Our staff speaks Spanish, English, French, German and Dutch. So please contact us if you are looking for a house or apartment for rent. www.rentalspv.com

detox. For more information or appointment visit: www.facebook.com/infinitygabostart-105079731539033 or call/text to +528120226646.

Nomad Family Photo Group With over 10 years of professional portrait experience, you are guaranteed to love your photos!

Our sessions are perfect for engagement or honeymoon portraits, family gatherings, or profile worthy pictures of you and your best friends!

Looking to learn photography? We provide several photography workshops in PV, San Pancho, Guadalajara, as well as providing wedding and portrait photography to locals and visitors. www.nomadfamilyphotogroup.com Luis Ochoa - Personal Assistant Luis Ochoa is a young entrepreneur whosesearch for the perfect beach life and work balance led him to Puerto Vallarta, where he is offering his Personal Assistant services to local and visiting clients.

No job is too big or too small. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/vipluisassistant

Samson Waters Samson Waters offers vacation rentals, concierge services, and property management. With a staff that prides themselves on an ability to understand its guests needs and provide an experience that will surpass all expectations. Samson Waters has offices in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Merida and Puerto Vallarta, and caters to international individuals who wish to maximize their rental income or those looking for an exceptional vacation experience. www.samsonwaters.com

Specialized Services Learn Piano!

Salvatore Rodriguez Pianist and Piano Teacher Salvatore Rodriguez, professional musician and teacher, has played piano since age eleven, ultimately earning a degree in music at the University of Guadalajara. He has since played for some of the biggest names in music, including icons Juan Gabriel, Rocio Durcal, Lila Downs, Vikki Carr and many others. He is the only Mexican who has won the prestigious Yamaha Piano Award, and in 2016, he was named “Best Lyricist Pianist of Latin America”, an award given by Mexico’s Secretary of Culture. Learn how to play piano from this expert. Give yourself a chance. No obligation and totally free.

Request an informative appointment at no cost.

For more information call 322 533 12 13 www.facebook.com/ELPIANISTASALVATORE Marco Hernandez Massage Therapy Offering sensual, erotic and therapeautic massages, Marco brings massage to a new level to help your body and mind heal emotionally. As emotional beings, when we keep things inside and pent up, for fear, for not wanting to hurt, we hurt ourselves.

Massage therapy of any kind helps remove blocks and emotions come out and your body starts to

66

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

2021 Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1

Home Guide

67

2021 Home Guide

68

Home Guide

Fa l l 2 0 2 1