B.
MEXICAN CUSTOMS (ADUANA)
B1.
BRINGING US OR CANADIAN VEHICLES INTO
MEXICO
ALERT: If you are driving down with household items in your
car, be prepared to pay duty. Three things to remember at
the border: 1) ALWAYS BE POLITE! It will get you a long way
around any problem that might occur, 2) do not bring in any
computer other than a laptop. Computers are confiscated at
the border. (Computers are also confiscated at all points
of entry into Mexico, including airports) and 3) do not
bring any firearms or bullets into Mexico.it will get you a
quick trip to a Mexican jail.
First off, I strongly recommend that you bring older cars to
Puerto Vallarta because, if the salt doesn't rust them out,
the cobblestone streets will jar them apart. Also, there is
the theft factor. Although it has been greatly reduced, car
theft is still alive and well throughout Mexico. Bring
along a "club" for your steering wheel and you should be
fine.
Plus, remember that your Audi or Subaru may be a great
vehicle, but parts are not readily available and mechanics
are not familiar with vehicle. Choose a Chevrolet, Chrysler,
Dodge, Ford, Nissan or VW. Jeeps sedans are imported, so
parts are very expensive. Recently Renault has come back to
Mexico, Honda had a distributorship in Tepic and now a small
one in Puerto Vallarta, and Toyota opened a factory in
Tijuana.
Here are some suggestions about driving to Mexico. First,
there is the border crossing to consider. At present, you
must meet the following requirements in order to bring your
car into Mexico at any border crossing.
Note: It is possible to secure your car permit from a
Mexican Consulate prior to bringing your vehicle into
Mexico. This will facilitate your border crossing.
1.
The car must be registered in your name.
2.
You must have a valid driver's license.
3.
You must have a credit card (more about this later).
4.
If you do not have a credit card, you must have
enough cash to buy a bond on the car.
Purchase Mexican car insurance at the border (there are a
number of different companies represented there).
Automobile insurance is now mandatory in Mexico. It is
highly recommended to purchase Assist type insurance. It is
a rider policy that provides a legal representative and bail
in case of an accident. See the insurance category in this
book for a recommended provider here in Puerto Vallarta.
Now, about that credit card mentioned above. Mexico
requires that you post a bond to ensure that you will not
sell your vehicle in Mexico. If you use a credit card, they
charge your account approximately $24.50 US Dollars. If you
use cash to buy a bond, be prepared to pay a lot of money.
(For example, in 1998 I brought into Mexico a 1986 Nissan
Truck and was forced to buy a bond for $375.00 US Dollars).
Supposedly, one can get one's money back when one brings the
vehicle.
Once you get through the car registration/credit card step
at the border (usually about 12 miles (21 Km) south of the
actual border), a customs agent will place a holographic
sticker inside your windshield. This is very important. It
is the document that allows the vehicle to be in Mexico,
something like a Tourist Card for Vehicles.
The rules and regulations regarding this change constantly
so don't be surprised if something is a little bit different
when you cross.
NOTE: As long as you have a valid FM-3 Resident Visa, you
can keep the vehicle in Mexico. There is no annual or
re-registration fee to pay.
C. BORDER TO PUERTO VALLARTA
With the advent of "autopistas" or toll roads in Mexico,
driving any distance between major cities is greatly
simplified and much safer.
If you are crossing the border at Nogales (just south of
Tucson, AZ), the trip will take about 18 hours and is best
done in two days. Most of them are toll roads, and although
not inexpensive, are well worth it when you consider the
wear and tear to your car and yourself. Good cities to stop
for the night are Hermosillo (Hotel San Martin located on
the right just as you come into town), Los Mochis, Guaymas
(pronounced Y-mus), and San Carlos. There are good hotels
there.
NOTE: Between Cuidad Obregon and Mazatlan, there is NO
GAS!!! In an emergency the snack bars at the tollbooths
often have a barrel of gas hidden away and will sell a few
gallons at an inflated price. Word to the wise, fill up
every time your tank gets to half full, not only so you will
not run out, but if you get a batch of dirty gas, it will be
diluted. Speaking of GAS, it is quite costly, coming in at
about 6 pesos per liter or about $2.40 US per gallon).
The worst stretch of road is between Mazatlan and Puerto
Vallarta where the toll road ends and curvy mountain roads
begin.often wearing a blanket of fog.
There is an alternate route should you wish to try it.
There is a turn off between Mazatlan and Tepic at Villa
Hidalgo to the coastal city of San Blas. From San Blas the
road follows the coastline and turns inland at Santa Cruz,
then ˝ mile turn right and go south through El Llano to the
town of Zacualpan and then Las Varas. Here you return to
the main highway #200 that you were originally on from
Mazatlan. Gas stations can be found in San Blas and Las
Varas. Should you desire to stay the night in San Blas, I
recommend the family run Garza Canela Hotel, reservations
01-800-713-2313 or 698-285-0112. It is nice, clean and has
a wonderful restaurant, with a Cordon Blue trained chef.
San Blas is only about 3 hours north of Puerto Vallarta.
Other good border towns for crossing into Mexico include
Mexicali, Laredo, Texas and McAllen, Texas, depending on
where you are originating. I have not driven these routes
but know folks who have and they are fine. Consult
www.Mapquest.com for specific driving instructions.
A quick note about driving in Mexico.It is a good idea not
to drive at night. Often in the more rural reaches, people
use the highway as their primary walking path to their
neighbors or to their own homes. After dark, they are
virtually invisible. Also, as the road asphalt warms during
the day in the sunshine, in the evening it remains warm and
attracts cows, horses and all sorts of animals who use it as
a nice warm spot to settle down for the night. Again, they
are virtually impossible to see and quite cumbersome as hood
ornaments.
Farm vehicles are another after dark hazard. Often they
travel on the highway with very dim lights, or no lights at
all, and are either invisible or seem further away until you
need to slam on the brakes because you discover that they
are 3 feet in front of you.
D. Mexican Driver's License (How to apply for one)
If you are planning on living
in Vallarta for a length of time (say for the rest of your
life!), you might want to consider getting a Mexican
driver's license.
Here is what you will need
before applying for one.
1.
Blood type (you will need to have a lab report with
your blood type noted)
2.
Proof of Residence in Mexico (they will accept phone
bill, cable tv contract, electric bill or water bill with
your name and address on it.)
3.
2 copies of form 5 (the same form mentioned earlier
for FM3 applications) from your local paper store.
4.
You will need to take the form 5 to Plaza Marina
(shopping center on the west side, just before you get to
the airport), upstairs at the back to the Mexican version of
DMV. You will need to pay $250 pesos there for your
license.
5.
Once you pay, take your copy of the paid
form to the License
Office below.
Secretariat de Validad y Transporte
Calle Berlin 161
One half block west of Fco.
Villa
Col. Versalles
Phone: 224-5171 or 224-8484
Hours:
Basically, get there as early
as possible and walk up to the first desk to your right.
Tell the person you want to get a driver's license. You
will be asked to take a test in Spanish. If you do not read
Spanish, plead dumb and ask if you can pay a fee to not take
the test. Usually they will accommodate your request ($100
- $200 pesos will usually do the trick).
You will be offered the option
of designating your body for organ donations. While this is
a noble endeavor, I do not recommend you do so here in
Mexico, because there have been incidents where the rescue
folks have opted not to try and save a person if they were
scheduled to be a donor. (It is a cultural thing, I hope!)
Once this person stamps your
paperwork, you will then go and sit in the waiting area
until they call your name. Once called, you will be asked
to verify the information they have entered in the
computer. If this is correct, they will then take your
photo and ask you to wait in the waiting area for your
license. In most cases the entire process takes about two
hours if there are a number of people there. As always,
being polite will get you a long way.
Note, if your license is lost
or stolen, you will have to repeat the entire process.
Althought they have the info on you in their computer, they
seem not to be able to recall this info to generate a lost
license.
E. Tropical Diseases
We have a number of unique
bugs here in the subtropics and although I do not wish to
frighten you, it is imperative that you at least be aware of
them.
We have bugs that no longer
exist up north, so most doctors there don't even know to
look for them. The following are several kinds to be aware
of. Please note: I am not a doctor and can only share
with you the general information that I have had direct
experience with. If you want more specific information I
suggest you go online for a specific illness.
Amoeba Parasites -
Single celled parasites which can be passed to you in food,
either uncooked or contaminated. Some of the symptoms can
be diahorea and or vomiting and total exhaustion. Sometimes
you don't have anything but the exhaustion, especially if
you have lived here a while and are more used to the bugs.
These parasites are easy to detect in a stoole sample
examined at any lab, or you can just take the medicine.
There are several medicines available. I take amefin (3
tablets, taken every 8 hours for a day and a half. No
alcohol with this drug). You will usually experience a
clearer head and more energy in about 8 hours. Be sure to
ask the pharmacist if this drug is compatible with any other
medicine you are currently taking. If left untreated for a
long time, Amoebas will infiltrate the brain and other
organs and will eventually kill you. Most doctors up north
just don't think to check for these parasites. It is one
souvenir you can leave behind.
One sure way to get amoebas is
eating rare or medium rare beef. Beef is good here, but the
handling and processing of the raw beef is not what it is up
north. So, order it up medium well done and you will be
safe and not sorry.
Another way to get them is
eating at unclean stands on the streets. I am not
suggesting that all taco stands are contaminated, but rather
suggest you ask a local or stick with the ones I have
recommended under the restaurant heading.
Typhoid - There are two
types of typhoid found here.one is salmonella based and the
other is the full-blown Typhoid Fever. Either case is very
serious and should be treated by a qualified physician.
Typhoid fever is usually contracted from contaminated
water. I got it a number of years ago from swimming in an
area (not in PV) where there was sewer contamination. The
symptoms for Typhoid Fever are severe headache, fever, zero
appetite, joint aches, and diahorea. The only way for
physicians in the US and Canada to detect Typhoid Fever is
to grow it in a culture medium (this comes from Dr. L.
Dykes, a retired tropical medicine specialist here in PV).
The Salmonella version involves the digestive tract with
symptoms like standard food poisoning, just more severe.
Either case is treatable with
medications, which can lesson the severity of the disease.
Dengue Fever - Each
year the rains bring unwelcome visitors, namely mosquitoes,
which unfortunately carry this nasty fever. There are
several types of the fever, with the majority of cases
lasting for 7 days with all the same symptoms as Typhoid
Fever except you get a rash as well. This is also a serious
disease and should be treated by a physician immediately.
There is also a hemorrhagic version, which, although rare,
can be deadly. The city fathers have an aggressive fogging
program, including crop dusters in the air and trucks on the
ground. This program has proved very successful in curbing
the problem. Also, please note that this is only a problem
in the months of August and September. The Dengue
mosquitoes are ankle biters, so if you wear long pants you
should not have a problem.
This year there has not been a
lot of rain, which means that we have had far less
mosquitoes and dengue fever has not been a problem.
Basically, if you drink
bottled water, eat your food cooked thru, and avoid eating
at taco street stands, you should be just fine.
Vendors and Services
Accountants
C.P. Ricardo Ayón Magallanes
Corp. Ayón Magallanes y Asociados S.C.
Manuel M. Dieguez 306, #10
Col. Emiliano Zapata C.P. 48380
222-4175
223-0073
Without doubt, Ricardo and Mario are the best accountants in
Puerto Vallarta. How do I know this? In the last five
years I have used at least 4 others which were seriously
lacking in ability and communication skills.
Appliances (Lineas Blancas)
You have many options when shopping for appliances, and the
prices vary as much as the locations.so it pays to shop
around if you have the time.
Try Sams Club, Walmart, or any of the major grocery stores
(see Grocery Stores), as well as the ones listed below.
Dicach S.A. de C.V.
Peru 1258 between Honduras and Nicaragua
Col. 5 de Diciembre
Phone: (322)222-4547
Hours: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, M - Sat.
Antique Shops
Galeria
San Jacinto
Ave. Mexico 1320 at the corner of
Nicaragua
Phone: 222-2658/222-0745
Hours: 10 am to 9 pm, M - Sat., 11 am to 7 pm,
Web site:
www.galeriasanjacinto.com.mx
Email:
sitexp@hotmail.com
Galeria San Jacinto carries a lovely selection of art,
furnishings and decorative accents imported from Asia,
Africa, South America, and Mexico.
Be sure and say hello to Rocio.
Architects/Engineers
Carlos Ocegera, Civil Engineer/Attorney
Phone: 224-6260
Ernesto del Castillo Márquez
Ave. Del los Cocoteros, Lot 14, Villa 8
Nuevo Vallarta
Phone: 226-6770
Email:
arqui@paradisevillage.com
Roger Vidal Pascual Sánchez
Architect
Phone: 225-6628
Cellular: 044-322-429-8065
Email:
rogerv@pv1.udg.mx
Art Galleries
Arte de las Americas
Marina las Palmas II
Marina Vallarta
Phone: 221-1985
Hours: 10 a.m. -8 pm, M-Sat.
Galeria Arte LatinoAmerico
Josefa O. De Dominguez 155
Phone: 222-4406
Hours: 11 am - 2 pm, 3 pm - 10 pm, M -
Sat., Closed Sunday
Galleria Dante
Basilio Badillo 269
Phone: 222-2477
Hours: 10 am - 5 pm, M - F,
10 am - 2 pm, Sat.
Summer hours: May to October by appointment
All shows are Saturday evenings 6 pm - 10
pm. See website for schedule.
email:
info@galleriadante.com
Galleria Dante
opened in 1995 and is the largest gallery in Puerto
Vallarta. One meanders through the rooms and gardens of an
old hacienda, converted by owners Joe and Claire Guarniere.
The gallery specializes in sculpture and, more recently,
paintings. Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and personal checks
accepted. All works may be viewed on their website:
www.galleriadante.com
Galeria Gradiva
Comtemporary Art
Ignacio Vallarta 179
Phone:
Hours:
Galeria Pacifico
Aldama 166
Phone: 222-1982
Hours: 10 am - 2 pm, 4 pm - 8 pm, M -
Sat.
Owner: Gary Thompson
Galeria Uno
Morelos 561
Phone: 222-0908
Hours: 10 am - 8 pm, M - Sat.
Closed Sunday
Owner: Jan Lavender & Martina
Goldberg
Galería Gradiva Arte Contemporáneo
Ignacio Vallarta 179
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-7143
Low Season Hours: 11am - 2 pm and
6 pm to 10 pm, M - Sat.
High Season Hours:
11am - 10 pm, M - Sat.
Mata Ortíz Pottery
Lázaro Cardenas 268A
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-7407
Hours: 10 am - 2 pm, 5 pm - 8 pm, M - F,
10 am - 2 pm, Sat.
Owner: Claudia Lovera
For Mexican Folk Art see FOLK ART category
Art Instruction/Schools
Art
Institute of Puerto Vallarta
Aquiles Serdan 369 (around the
corner from Cine Bahia)
2nd Floor
Phone: 044-322-294-8915
e-mail:
artinstitutevallarta@hotmail.com
Website: www.artinstitutevallarta.com
Art Supplies/Framing
Pro Arte Artist Supplies
Ave. Mexico 1197
Hours: 10 am - 2 pm, 4 pm - 7 pm, M - F,
11 am - 1:30 pm, Sat.
GMC Frame Shop
Francisco Villa 305 (across from Seapal)
Phone: 223-204
Hours: 9 am to 2 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm,
Monday to Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm.
Memo has been framing for over
14 years and does fine quality work at very reasonable
prices.plus he and his daughter are a delight to deal with.
Auto Alarms/Stereo Systems
Auto Sistemas
Fco. Villa 431
Col. Lazaro Cardenas
Phone: 222-5102
Hours: 9 am to 2 pm, 5 pm to
8 pm,
Monday to Friday
Saturday, _________________
These guys are great for installation of auto alarms or
stereos. They carry Alpine, JBL, Kenwood, Pioneer and much,
much more. They are located just off the libramiento on the
south side of Fco. Villa.
Auto Repairs (general mechanics)
Manuel Aguayo
Dinamica Automotriz
Merida 153
Behind car wash on Fco. Villa
Phone: 224-6185
Manuel speaks perfect
English and his entire family works in the shop. His sister
is an excellent mechanic. The work is good and reasonably
priced.
Auto Repairs (specialty shops)
Air Conditioning (Aire
Condicionadas)
Autoclimas Atlanta
Hugo Alberto Lopez Robles
Puerto Tampico
169-C
Col. 1
de Mayo
Phone: (322)225-9980
Cel
Phone: (044)322-103-2028
Alberto does AC repairs and new installations in all makes
of vehicles. He does excellent, dependable work and
guarantees everything he does. He does not speak English so
if you don't speak Spanish, bring a friend who does.
Batteries (Baterias)
The plain truth is that car batteries don't last long
here.mostly due to the constant jarring they suffer at the
expense of our quaint cobblestones. The LTH brand will last
exactly one year (the length of it's warranty) and then will
die a merciful, instant death one morning when you are in a
rush to get somewhere.
Your best option is good old
AC-Delco. They have a 4 year warranty and seem to hold up
much better in this environment. They are available at
Mechanico Guzman on the libramiento on the right side just
south of the Rio Cuale bridge.
Radiadores y Mofles Libramiento (Radiators & Mufflers)
Luis Colosio 726 (Right side Service Road on the Libramiento
heading south)
Col. Lazaro Cardenas
Phone: 222-5157
Hours: 9 am - 3 pm, 4 pm - 7
pm, M - F,
9 am - 2 pm Sat., Closed
Sunday
Llarevasa Esuzkadi Tires
and Alignment
Libramiento at Prolongacion Bolivia
(near Fco.
Villa)
Phone: 223-0177/223-3400
Santana VW Repair
Honduras 97
Col. 5 de Diciembre
Phone: 222-0525
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, M - F, 9
am - 1 pm, Sat. Closed Sunday
Servicios Torres
Auto-electric/fuel
injection
Colombia 1337
Col. 5 de diciembre
Phone:
222-8635
Cellular:
044-322-227-6164/044-322-294-1287
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, M - F
9 am - 1 pm
Sat.
Closed Sunday
Sr. Torres is
a wonderful guy and provides superb electrical service. He
even rescues homeless kittens and bottle feeds them. That
right there speaks volumns about his integrity.
Auto Parts- Autopartes Peru
Guillermo Prieto 164
Col. Gomez Farias
Phone 225-2076
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, M - F, 9
am - 1 pm, Sat.
Closed Sun
Bakeries (Panaderia)
Pastel du Village
Lazaro Cardenas 231
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-8472
This bakery is a real, honest
French patisserie.
They serve up French
pastries, as well as
breakfast, sandwiches, quiche, and salads.
The food should come with an addiction
Warning!
Pasteleria Los Chatos
Francisco Villa 359
Phone: 223-0485
Hours: 8 am - 9:30 pm, M -
Sat.,
9 am - 9 pm, Sun.
Free Delivery
Pasteleria Los Chatos
Located behind Collage
Near Ocho Tostados restaurant.
Col. Marina Vallarta
Phone: 221-2590
Hours: 8 am - 9 pm, daily
Panaderia & Pasteleria Yarita
Basilio Badillo 244
Phone: 223-2987
Hour: 7 am - 9 pm, M - Sat.,
10 am - 2 pm Sun.
Pie Catalina
Basilio Badillo 317
Phone: 223-2682
Hours: 9 am - 10 pm, daily
Pie Catalina makes wonderful
pies. Just call the day before for special orders. Also one
can buy pie by the slice.
Pie in the Sky
Ignacio Vallarta 150
(at corner of Aquiles Serdan)
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-8411
Hours: 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., daily
e-mail: PITS@AOL.COM
Besides having brownies to die
for, they also make a mean root beer float! Ask for
Roberta. She is a great gal!
Banks/Investment Broker (Bancos)
If you are living in PV and
are retired or almost retired, you probably can get by with
an account at Allan W. Lloyd. They are not a bank, but
rather an investment company. They offer numerous packages,
with corresponding interest rates, so it is best to just go
down and talk to Esperanza, the manager at Plaza Maria or
Manuel and DeAnna at Plaza Marina. In most cases you can
call before 1 pm, Monday through Friday, ask that a check be
written on your account, and it will be ready for you within
about 20 minutes. You then take the check to their cash
window at the same location and they cash it for you.
However, if you order a check in excess of $10,000 pesos,
you will need to go to Bancomer Bank to cash it with either
your passport or FM-3 as ID. You can also request dollar
checks but they require 24 hours notice to write it for
you. Their interest rates are much better than the banks.
Another advantage is that most folks have an account there
so it is very easy to transfer money from one account to
another. This is especially helpful if you have a property
manager looking after your real estate here.
Lloyds has two branches in
Puerto Vallarta listed below and locations in most major
cities throughout Mexico. Again, this is especially useful
if you are in such locations as Guadalajara, Mexico City or
San Miguel de Allende , see an item you just can't live
without, but are short on cash, help is at hand.
Alan W. Lloyd
Plaza Santa Maria,
Local #D-13
(just across from the junction
of the Libramiento)
Phone: 224-1689
Fax: 224-2490
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, M - F,
Closed Sat.
& Sun.
Alan W. Lloyd
Km. 1.5, Carreterra al
Aeropuerto,
Plaza Marina, Local #D13
(to the left of
McDonalds)
Phone: 221-3197 or 221-3101
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm, M - F,
10 am - 2 pm, Sat., Closed
Sun.
If you need a
regular checking account, I would recommend either Banorte
or BBVA Bancomer. Banorte provides the best service of any
bank by a huge margin. If you need to open a personal
checking account, you will need to provide them a copy of
your passport, FM3 and a copy of a utility bill as proof of
your residence.
Banorte
Olas Altas No. 246
Col. Emiliano
Zapata
Phone: 223-0486, 223-0484
Fax: 223-0481
www.banorte.com.mx
Banorte
Calle Mexico
Col. Centro
Phone:
Fax:
www.banorte.com.mx
Banorte
Plaza Genovesa
Ave.
Phone:
Fax:
www.banorte.com.mx
BBVA Bancomer
Plaza Caracol, Local 11
Phone: 225-3744
Hours: 9 am-4 pm Monday-Friday
(Note: If you have a bank
trust thru Bancomer, please be advised they no longer have a
trust office in Puerto Vallarta). You will need to bring
your entire Fideicomiso to the bank to make sure you have
all the correct information to pay your bank trust.
BBVA Bancomer
Fco. Medina Ascencio 500
Phone: 224-9677/88
Hours 9 am -4 pm,
Monday-Friday
Should a bank ATM
machine eat your card, go immediately to the bank manager
and politely request to get your card back. They will most
likely ask you to return the next day. You need to do this
promptly. The squeaky wheel gets the grease here in Mexico.
Should the bank ATM
machine run out of money in the middle of your withdrawal,
again approach the manager politely. They will tell you to
call your bank in the USA or Canada to sort out the
problem. However, you need to insist that in how ever many
days it takes for them to audit the machine, you will return
to get the rest of your withdrawal. It took me 4 days (and
four trips) of sitting in front of the manager to get my
money. Persistence pays off. They will tire of your
gorgeous face and solve the problem to get rid of you.nicely
of course!
Bars (Cantinas)
Gosh, where would one begin to
name the best bars in Vallarta? I must admit that I am not
much of a Bar goer. However, there are several that
standout in my memory as places to meet people, share war
stories and kick back.
The best beach bar has to be
Cuates y Cuetes. It is the only place I know that you can
sit on the beach in your shorts, watch the sunset (and
sometimes the green flash!), wiggle your toes in the sand,
and listen to great live jazz. On an occasional Wednesday,
the jazz band from the Carnival Cruise ship sits in for an
evening jam session. It is truly wonderful. One particular
evening, there were phosphorescent sea critters glowing in
the edge of the water. No, I was not seeing things from too
much tequila!
Cuates y Cuetes
Los Muertos Beach at the
Pier
Hours: 9 am - Midnight
Le Bistro
Isla Rio Cuale locale
16-A, just east of Calle Insurgentes Bridge
In season 9 am -1 1 pm
May -October 6 pm - 11
pm
Closed July
Phone: 222-0283/223-1084
E-mail: lebistro@lebistro.com.mx
Steve's Bar
Calle Basilio Badillo
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone:
Hours:
Sports Bar..
Bianco's
Insurgentes at the Rio
Cuale
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone:
Hours:
Great bar with live
Cuban music on Thursdays.
Bed and Breakfasts
Vallarta doesn't have a huge
selection of B&B's to choose from. However, the best
options by far are listed here. Casa Amorita is a new B&B,
situated on a lovely hill behind Our Lady of Guadalupe
church. A delightful lady from New York operates it. This
guesthouse features 5 guestrooms with private baths, pool,
full kitchen and a lovely view of the old part of the
city.
Casa Amorita
Iturbide 309
Colonia Centro
Phone: 222-4926
Owner: Rita Love
Casa Fantasia
203 Pino Suarez
Colonia Emiliano Zapata (Old Town)
Phone: 223-2444
Email:
casafantasia@pvnet.com.mx
Owners: Ernie Kloeble
and Al Williams
Casa Fantasia is a classic old
style Vallarta villa that has been completely refurbished
with Mexican and European antiques. The furnishings are
eclectic and so are the guests. Ernie was a professional
chef for a zillion years. Their restaurant, The Rhinelander,
was the best German restaurant in La Jolla, California. Al
was the host. They both carry these skills over into the Bed
and Breakfast. Now, guests are treated to
cocktails/champagne nightly and whatever hors d'oeuvers
Ernie creates.always something scrumptious!
Casa Kimberly
Zaragoza 445
Col. Gringo Gulch
Phone: 222-1336
Casa Kimberly was formerly
owned by Elizabeth Taylor and is a historic landmark. It is
chocked full of Liz and Richard's memorabilia. They give
daily tours from 9 am to 6 pm.
Hacienda Mosaico
An Artful B & B
Calle Milan 274
Col. Versalles
Phone: 225-8296
Email:
dleonard@pvnet.com.mx
Web:
www.haciendamosaico.com
Owners: David and Sandra
Leonard
Biking
BikeMex Tours
Guerrero and Miramar
Colonia Gringo Gulch
Phone: 223-1680
Owner: Tricia Greub & Oscar de
Dios
Bike and hiking trips for kids
Book stores
(Tiendas para libros)
There really isn't a great bookstore that carries a nice
selection of English language books. However, Libros,
Libros, Books, Books usually has a few new ones in stock.
In addition, you can check out a Page in the Sun for a good
used book. If all else fails, put the word out among your
friends and share back and forth.
Libros, Libros, Books, Books
31 de Octubre #127
(just up the street from the McDonalds on the Malecon)
Phone: 222-7105
Hours: 9 am - 10 pm, daily
Ask for Mario
They stock a nice selection of
English books and if they don't have what you need, they
will happily order it for you.
Page in the Sun
Olas Altas 373
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-3608
Hours: 6 am - 10 pm, M - F,
6 am - 12 am, Sat.
Brunch
Quinta Real
Grand Spa, Golf and Beach
Resort
Pelicanos #311
Col. Marina Vallarta
Phone: 221-0800
Brunch hours: 9 am - 3 pm, Sun.
This brunch beats all comers.
Although pricey, it offers a sumptuous selection of treats,
ranging from smoked salmon to custom omelets. This lovely
restaurant offers a wonderful atmosphere for visiting with
friends over a glass of champagne, while listening to the
pianist.
Building Materials (Materiales
para Construcion)
If you are doing a
little remodeling on your dream home, check the prices at
Materiales Villasenor in El Pitillal. I have found them to
consistently have the best prices around. You can call and
place your order and they will deliver. You pay when they
arrive. They also carry a huge range of supplies, including
gravel, sand, bricks, etc., so it is a good idea to go out
to their yard and take a look around. (It is the closest
you are going to get to a Home Depot here!)
Of course, it is a good idea
to know the Spanish names of the items you are ordering.
Most only speak Spanish. Dictionaries are available at
Papeleria Limon and Libros, Libros (address elsewhere in
guide). Here's a brief list of common materials and their
Spanish names:
Brick Ladrillo
Cement Block
Bloque
Rebar
Barilla
Sand
Arena
Gravel
Grava
Mortar
Mortero
Marble
Marmol
Rebar columns
Castillos
Tiles Azulejos
Roof
tiles Tejas
PVC Pipe
Mangera de PVC
Tile Adhesive
Pegazule
Materiales Villasenor
Emiliano
Zapata 183,
Colonia
Centro
El Pitillal
(drive out Fco.
Villa)
Phone:
224-2003/224-1580
Hours: 8 am
- 7 pm, M - F,
8 am - 2 pm
Sat., Closed Sunday
Warehouse:
Bobadilla, El Pitillal
Phone:
224-0162
A second
valuable resource you should know about is Amezcua's. They
specialize in marble, granite, tile, cantera stone,
alabaster, and much more. You can also wander out back to
their scrap pile and get some very good bargains for pieces
of granite large enough for a bathroom vanity.
Amezcua
Libramiento at the corner of
Aldanaca
Col. Versailles
Phone: 224-5442 / 224-9722
Hours: 8 am - 2 pm, 4 pm - 7
pm, M - F,
8 am - 2 pm, Sat.
Email:
marmol@prodigy.net.mx
Note: Amezcua is
located at the junction of the Libramiento (loop road) and
the main highway to the airport.
Buses (to go to locations
outside of PV)
(See Transportation for city
bus information)
Central Bus Station (Camionera
Central)
To reach the city bus station
heading north, turn right at the first traffic light past
the airport (about 1 mile). The bus station is one block on
the left-hand side. You can take a city bus there. The
Ixtapa or Mojoneras buses go to the Camionera Central,
central bus station. Just make sure to ask the driver if
they are going to the Camionera Central or look for the
names of the destinations scrawled in white shoe polish on
the right hand windshield of the bus.. These buses can be
caught in front of the Cine Bahia or at any northbound bus
stop.
The following are the best
choices for any long-distance travel in Mexico. There are
numerous locations throughout the city, which sell bus
tickets. Just look for signs saying Primera Plus or ETN.
Grupo Estrella Blanca
Includes; TriStar, Futura,
Chihuahenses, TNS and Norte de Sonora, plus connections to
Greyhound in the USA and Canada
Phone: 222-6666, 221-0850
Grupo Estrella Blanca covers the
following destinations in 17 states.
Acapulco, Aguascalientes,
Caborca, Cd. Camargo, Cd. Juarez, Cd. Obregon, Celaya,
Culiacan, Chihuahua, Chilpancingo, Fresnillo, Guadalajara,
Guasave, Guaymas, Hermosillo, Irapuato, Lazaro Cardenas,
Leon, Los Mochis, Manzanillo, Mazatlan, Mexicali, Mexico,
Monterrey, Navajoa, Penitas, Queretaro, Saltillo, San Blas,
San Luis Rio Colorado, Santa Ana, Santiago Ixcuintla,
Sonoyta, Tecoman, Tepic, Tijuana, Torreon, Villa Hidalgo,
Zacatecas and Zihuatenejo.
Although limited as to the
destinations they cover, I recommend either of the following
bus lines. These have large, 1st class airline
style seats which recline and have foot rests, plus movies
and a bag lunch (no matter what time of day or night). They
have a restroom and are non-smoking. Most of them also have
speed governors that prevent them from exceeding a maximum
speed limit.
Primera Plus
Central Bus Station
Phone: 221-0021
Service to Guadalajara, Leon,
Queretero, San Miguel de Allende, Manzanillo, Tomatlan,
Melaque, Barra de Navidad, Cihuatlan and Santiago.
ETN
Central Bus Station
Phone: 221-0550
Service to Guadalajara, Northern Mexico, Aguascalientes,
Leon, Morelia, San Miguel de Allende.
Cafes (for coffee)
Lots of great choices here. I
have tried to provide one in various locations around
Vallarta.
Memo's Select Mexican Coffees
Basilio Badillo 289
Col. Emiliano Zapata
(In Memo's Pancake House
Phone: 222-6272
Hours: 8 am - 2 pm, daily
Memo Barroso
likely serves the freshest coffee beans in Vallarta. Why?
Because he brings in export quality Mexican beans, still
wearing their parchment skin. This is Mother Nature´s
flavor seal! Then he roasts the beans in small quantities
daily, which doesn't take a mental giant to determine that
this coffee is "muy rico" (very rich) as we say in Spanish.
Memo carries the largest selection of coffee beans in the
region.
The green coffee beans come from the states of Veracruz,
Colima, Oaxaca, Nayarit, and Chiapas.
Organic Café
Timon I, Marina Vallarta
Across from the Light House
Hours: 9 am - 6 pm
Big Kahuna Coffee and
Bagels
Basilio Badillo 162 near Olas
Altas
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 221-1693
Hours: 8 am - 10 pm, daily in
high season,
9 am - 10 pm, daily in low
season
Espresso Mar
Calle Rafael Osuna #158
Col. Versalles
Phone: 224-7751
Cell: 044-322-278-5080
Hours: 7am - 1 pm, and 5pm -
10pm,
M - Friday
9:30am - 1pm, and 5 pm - 10pm,
Sat.
This little coffee shop is
located just one block from the Movie Theatres in Versalles.
They serve excellent coffee and pastries, plus provide a
classy, intimate environment to visit with friends. The
neighbors have some adorable cats which will let you pet
them for Free! Such a deal.
Carpenter (Carpenteria)
Carpenteria Barcenas Hermanos
Calle Berlin #109
Col. Versalles
Phone: 224-7761
Cell: 044-322-356-0391
Joe Alvaro Barcenas
These guys are fantastic
carpenters. They deliver on time which is a minor miracle
for carpenters. They can copy any style from Art Deco to
Louis XIV. They make doors, windows, closets, furniture,
kitchen cabinets and anything else you might throw at them.
Car Rental
Dollar Rent a Car
Fco. Medina Ascencio 1728
Colonia Zona Hotelera
(across from the Sheraton
Hotel)
Phone: 223-1434
Web
site:
www.dollarcar.com
Marina Rent a Car
Lobby of Hotel Encanto
Phone: 224-6969, 224-0123
Car Wash
Lavado Y Estetica
Automotriz Vallarta
Rio de la Plata at the corner of Luis Donaldo
(frontage on the libramiento
service road near Cruz Roja)
Phone: 223-3335
Hours: 8 am - 8 pm, M - Sat.
8 am - 3 pm, Sunday
Prices range from 40 to 60
pesos for the size of vehicle you own.
Catering
Kathy Overly Catering
224-5007
If you want to wow your guests
with the food, contact Kathy. Formerly with Kit Kat
Catering, she now creates sumptuous offerings solo. She is
prompt, reasonable, and boy can that girl cook. I have
hired her for several real estate open house events.her food
alone guarantees a big attendance.
Marta Huante Robles
222-4352
email:
esmartapv@yahoo.com
Marta has over 15 years of
experience creating exquisite food in exotic settings.
Darlene Henderson Catering
293-1524
Darlene is an outstanding
caterer and specializes in private parties, weddings, and
special events. She is very efficient and basically takes
over so you can go get dressed and not worry about the food.
Churches (Iglesias)
Our Lady of Guadalupe
(Catholic)
Hidalgo 379
Col. Centro
Phone: 222-1326
Masses held in Spanish
In Season 10 am Mass in English
1st
Baptist Church
Non-denominational Service
Argentina 181
Col. 30 de Diciembre
Phone: 297-1678
Services held in English
The Chaplaincy in English
Sunday 10 am
Hotel Westin Regina
e-mail:
goodnews@montylee.org
Calvary Chapel Worship-English
Sunday 9:30 am
Beach Café, Playa de los Muertos
Call: 224-6275
Jehovah Witness-English
Sunday 6:30 p.m.
Libramiento 244
Seventh Day Adventist
Roma 188
Col. Diaz Ordiz
Phone: 224-8422
Saturday Sabath School: 9:30
Service: 10:30
Nuevo Vallarta:
Catholic Mass in English
1 p.m. Sunday
Mayan Palace
Non-denominational Service
In English
10 am Sunday
Paradise Village
Non-denominational Service
in English
11 am Sunday
Grand Club Marival
Cinemas (Cines)
Cinemas in Vallarta are a great bargain. The admission
price is less than half a cinema in the USA with AC, stadium
seating and. POPCORN IS $1.00!!! When was the last time you
saw that price up north? It is a great way to cool off in
the summer. Plus, we usually get the movies 3 to 4 weeks
after they open in the US. Most movies are in English with
Spanish subtitles except animation or children's films,
which are always dubbed because many children cannot read.
The movies normally change on Fridays. Also, be aware that
the Movie Posters (all in Spanish) often have no known
relation to the original movie title in English. I have
gotten stuck in a giant bug movie by accident because I
could not tell what the movie was about from the
translation. It is possible to call the cinema for
features and times. Just be prepared as it is all read in
"machine gun" Spanish, (read at 90 miles per hour) with the
titles translated into Spanish as well.
Cine Bahia (5 screens)
Insurgentes 181 (between Madero and
Aquiles Serdan)
Colonia Emiliano Zapata
Near the Rio Cuale
222-1717
Cine Luz Maria (Near Buenaventura Hotel)
Mexico 227
222-0705
Cine
Versalles (5 plex)
Ave. Fco.
Villa 799 at Vienna
Col. Versalles
225-8766
L'opera
Encino 287,
upper level
Colonia
Centro
222-7376
Clothing shops
(Tiendas para ropes)
Vallarta doesn't offer a huge selection of clothes and the
clothes are designed for hot, tropical days. Here are my
favorite shops for quality clothing at reasonable prices.
Colección Bohemia
Plaza Neptuno Loc.
F6
Phone: 221-2160
Hours: 9:30 am - 2 pm,
5:30 pm - 9 pm, M - Sat.
Colección Bohemia
Constitución 335
Phone: 222-3164
Hours: 9:30 am - 9:30 pm, M - Sat.
Caprichoso
Plaza Neptuno
Fco. Medina Ascencio Km 7.5
Phone: 221-3067
Hours: 10 am - 8 pm, M - Sat.
Lans Department Store
Benito Juarez 867
Phone: 223-2829
Hours: 10 am - 9 pm, M -
Sat.,
10 am - 7 pm Sun.
Lans Department Store
Plaza Caracol (near Gigante
Grocery Store)
Phone: 226-9100
Hours: 10 am - 9 pm, M - Sat.,
10 am - 7 pm Sun.
Abibe
Women's natural fiber clothes
Corner of Juarez and Mina
Col. Centro
Hours: 10 am - 8 pm, M - Sat.,
Closed Sunday
Another option for men is having custom
clothing created from
scratch. Try
Deserville Designs
Alphonse Deserville
Condos Loma del Mar C-17
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-7053
Cell: 044-322-205-3900
Email:
deservillesdesigns@yahoo.fr
Clothing shops - Consignment
Encore
Lazaro Cardenas 515
Col. Emilano Zapata
Hours: 12 noon to 7:00 pm, Tu
- Sat.
Communication Centers
Mail Boxes, Etc.
Fco. Medina Acenscio 2180
Near Gigante - Plaza Caracol
Col. Versalles
Phone: 224-9434, fax 224-9433
Hours: 9 am - 6 pm, M - F, 9
am - 2 pm, Sat.
UPS, MexPost, Fax and Internet, Mail boxes with forwarding
addressed in the USA, Importation Brokers
Community Bulletin Boards
Guiterrez Rizo Grocery Store
features a large, free bulletin board for rentals, sales and
just about anything else you might need. It is near the
main exit and they even provide the paper and crayon to
write your own message. Ask for the supplies at the
office. Guiterrez Rizo, commonly known as "Rizo's" is
located on the corner of Aquiles Serdan and Constitucion at
the Rio Cuale.
Mail Boxes, Etc.
has a small bulletin board. You must bring your own
materials to post here. See Communication Centers for the
address.
Mano y Mano
is a small, 3-pesos booklet type publication that is
published every Friday. They provide free classified ads in
either English or Spanish. You must fax your ad to them no
later than the Tuesday prior publication. Their phone
number is 222-3888.
Computers/Internet Cafes
(Computadoras/Cafes de
Internet)
Internet Service Provider
PV Net
Fco. Medina Ascencio 1702
Colonia Olímpica
(Across the highway from the
Sheraton Hotel)
Phone: 223-1127
Monthly Internet Service is $230 pesos for unlimited usage
Prodigy (DSL Provider)
Provided through Telmex
Phone: 01-800-123-2222
Internet Cafes
Café.com
Olas Altas at Basilio Badillo
Hours: 8 am -10 pm, daily
The Net House
Air conditioned area
Ignacio L. Vallarta 232
Col. Emiliano Zapata
Phone: 222-6953
Hours: 9 am - 2 am, daily
Email:
Jamie@vallartacafes.com
Manager is Ron who knows more
than Microsoft about computers and is a heck of a nice guy.
PV Net
Fco. Medina Ascencio 1702
Colonia Olímpica
(Across the highway from the
Sheraton Hotel)
Phone: 223-1127
Hours: 8 am - midnight, daily
Computer Repair
(Reparaciones de la
computadoras)
CanMex Computer Services
Hardware, Software, and
Repairs
Anti-Virus, Networking,
Computer
Upgrades, Graphic Design
(044)322-292-7144
These folks really know their
stuff and are very reliable.
Computer Supplies
C-Sam
Ave. Mexico 1228
Col. 5 de Diciembre
Phone: 222-4006
Hours: 9 am - 8 pm, M - F,
9 am - 3 pm, Sat.,
Closed Sun.
C-Sam
Hidalgo 185-1
Col. Centro
Pitillal
Phone: 222-2420
Hours: 9 am - 8 pm, M - F,
9 am - 3 pm, Sat.,
Closed Sun.
Office Depot
(See office supplies)
Condominium Buildings
(Edificios de Condominios)
Conchas Chinas Area
Costa de Oro
221-5423
Condos Hotel Playa Conchas
Chinas 221-5763
Villas Tizoc 222-1570
Los Muertos Beach Area
Plaza Dorado
223-0653
Plaza Mar
222-3411
El Dorado
222-5022
La Palapa
222-6060
Vista Del Sol
223-0155
Playa del Sol
223-1521
Playa Bonita
222-3270
SECOND PART
Next
Month we will put here more information...
