So, as we near the end of
2012 I’ll try not to get too nostalgic or sentimental as yet another year
whizzes on by.

As we near the end, I look
back in wonder as Puerto Vallarta
really evolves before our very eyes.

Our town has come through an
election year with an inspiring result indicating a widespread desire for real
change.  The country as a whole has shown
strong indications of waking from its political apathy in the form of student
movements and “Yo Soy #132”
and Mexico’s economy both locally
and globally continues to grow. 2013 shows all the signs of being a good year
in terms of investments in this area.

We’ve seen an increased number of direct
flights scheduled and the fact that they are fully booked continues to help Vallarta receive new visitors and
returning vacationers day after day.

Medical tourism
is an increasing trend bringing income to the area and really putting PV on the map for services and the
quality of its bilingual medical care.  

With several new developments
scheduled for building (and delivery) in 2013 I think it will be a great year for
investing in real estate (or reinvesting) in the old town area of Vallarta and maintaining the
healthy balance between affordable quality construction and an unbeatable
location.

And I’ll make sure you know all
about it… Watch this space!

After a 2 year wait and
plenty of exasperation it looks as though the newly renovated, revamped Los Muertos Pier in Puerto
Vallarta will be ready for 2013!

 The Pier project was taken
over by the Federal government following its loss of funding when the Malecon
revitalization took priority. Now, with funds being injected and workers
finally back on the structure the progress is remarkable and Jalisco newspapers
are reporting it will be in use this December.

Los Muertos Pier will be an
added attraction to an already bustling area think: renovated Lazaro Cardenas Park, underground
parking garage, extended walkways, ramps, weekly farmers’ markets and monthly
Mexican fiestas!

This might just be the icing
on the cake to ensure old town’s sustainability and ensure it keeps its
position as the most popular real estate
area in Banderas Bay.

Not being content with their
original model unit in the V399 development,
DecoDesigners were hired by the Developer of Amapas 353 to furnish the
model. And furnish it they did!

What I love about their style
is the use of texture and original accessories that really make the units pop.

They used their signature
wallpaper coverings for the master bedroom accent wall, really bringing it to
life and added some quirky details in their lamps, art work and carpets. For
more on their work check out the link for the model photos at …..

I’m sure we’ll be seeing more
of these guys in the future.

Discover more of their gorgeous  work: http://www.decodesigners.com/

Just when you thought you had
to leave your favourite ingredients, spices, sauces and treats at home, Casa Gourmet has opened to remedy all that.

The new store is in Old Town Puerto Vallarta on Ignacio L.
Vallarta within the Riviera Molino Plaza (when you come over the bridge into
old town they are just in the row of shops on the right across the street from
No Way Jose).

I just came back from my
first visit there and didn’t leave empty handed. I found some great curry
sauces, Chinese stir fry noodles, Oyster sauce along with a great large baking
tray and thermometer for my Christmas Turkey!

They stock gluten free
products, naughty sweet treats, chocolate and imported health food snacks all
conveniently located in the old town store.

They also post that if you have
any special item they’ll try to get it for you. Who can argue with that?

A visit is really worth it!
Visit their Facebook
Page for more information.

Photo Source: Casa Gourmet Puerto Vallarta

To travel with your dog or
cat to Mexico you’ll need to show a
valid original and copy of a Health Certificate issued by an approved official
vet or by a private vet in the country of origin. It needs to be on official
letterhead and have the vet’s license number printed on it. These documents
need to be presented at the port of entry.

Just to be sure, this
certificate needs to state:

1. Your name and address

2. The rabies vacination
(date and the expiration) – any animal under 3 months is exempt

3. The previous check up
showed no signs of disease

Also important to note is
that pets need to enter in a clean cage with no bedding or accessories as these
items will be removed and treated if deemed necessary.

Any food must come in its
original packaging with a seal (USDA/CFIA) and you should only bring the amount
of food needed for the trip.

Entering with 3 animals or
less is free, if you have 4 or more (and are obviously very brave!) you need to
pay for a certificate, the cost is currently under $2000 pesos and can be paid
for online or at the bank.

Visit this site for more
information on travelling with pets to
Mexico http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/info/customs/uscanadacustoms.shtml

This past Friday, Amapas 353 held their
Grand Opening Party up on the gorgeous rooftop terrace at the project. Now in
the final stages of construction, the complex is almost ready for its lucky
owners to take occupancy. 

Built in a modern style with some really well
designed spaces, Amapas 353 will surely become a south side icon. Just a few
steps away from Los Muertos beach but located onone quiet end of Amapas street
it offers tranquility and a unique concept for the area. 1 bedrooms with 2 full
bathrooms and wide sweeping ocean views, elevator and 2 entrances (off highway
and on lower Amapas) giving parking and pedestrian access.

The party was a great success
and was a pleasure to see some Vallarta locals mixing with the purchasers. Music
was provided by a local DJ who normally performs out in Sayulita so the south
side was lucky to have him in residence.  

With 8 units still left to
sell, the party also saw local realtors who were scouting on behalf of interested
clients (and enjoying the drinks and view in the meantime!)

Hopefully this season will
see a sell out on these units and allow more owners to enjoy our piece of paradise!

The new project by the
Developer of V399, has now been released on general sale. The waiting list gave
them a total of 8 sales and there are currently 31 units left. As new condos in
that particular section of old town are scarse, it being populated already with
20 year old plus construction, the V177 project, located on Amapas and Pilitas
between the Hotel Tropicana to the south and La Palapa restaurant to the north,
has a real advantage.

The focus from architect
Paulo Rojo (who designed the Marival and Marival Residences in Nuevo Vallarta)
has been on light, air, good natural ventilation and cross breezes. Each unit
has a terrace and most have two. With the same services as V399 (heated rooftop
pool, jacuzzi, parking, elevator, courtyard) but with welcome additions of a
gym and a garden with fountain, V177 offers more to its fewer residents.

Studios start at $179,990 USD
and it seems that the style and price point is just right. 

The
association for downtown Vallarta (Asociación Vallarta Centro
AC) has joined forces with the municipality and tourism offices to stage a bi
monthly Mexican fiesta right in the centre of the downtown area at Lazaro Cardenas park plaza just by Daiquiri Dicks.

The first
event is November 21^st and is free to participate, just make sure
you go hungry and will some spare cash as there will be plenty of tempting
tasty items to gorge yourselves on when you are there. The party starts at 7pm
and should be winding up around 11pm.

The current
schedule includes fiestas on the following dates:

• November
  21
• December
  5 & 19
• January
  2, 16 & 30
• February
  13 & 27
• March
  13 & 27
• April
  10 & 24

Each event will feature free musical
and dance performances by local groups, along with affordable food and
beverages provided by local restaurants, such as Daiquiri Dick’s, Café des
Artistes, Coco’s Kitchen, The River Café , Le Kliff and others.

The idea behind their menus is to
celebrate Mexican cuisine in the
overall spirit of the fiestas, which will also feature games typical of
traditional Mexican carnivals.

I am looking forward to the first one
and hopefully the good vibes spread!

Luckily enough for those of us who live here or who visit Vallarta,
there are a great many opportunities to take part in Pilates. Whether a complete
novice, a returning pupil, or at intermediate or an advanced level, there are
options available for any of the above.  

It is easy to join Pilates groups or hire a private instructor for work
on The Reformer machine at studios or at your own home. Also, most of the main
gyms now see Pilates as an important class and have included it in the weekly
schedule.

Working on or recuperating your core strength may not seem high on your
list of priorities but Pilates teaches us to always be aware of our core
(stomach muscles) and use them to their maximum potential, something we tend to
shy away from doing!

Popular Pilates studios for group mat sessions are at PV
Yoga and Pilates run by Nick Cimino in old town Mon, Weds and Fri at 9am and he
also offers classes on Tues and Thurs at the Marina at Marcelo Mico’s studio.

So, go on, give it a try! It is a great workout and can be a great way
to meet new people.

For more info see www.pvyoga.com

This year has seen the
publication of a new set of immigration
laws for Mexico. Although discussed over a year ago, they will soon be put
into effect in mid November. People with Fm2 and Fm3 status will continue to
use their current visas until they expire, they will not be suddenly annulled
but here is what you should know when it comes up for renewal.

So, what has changed?

The non-immigrant status
(current Fm3 holders) and immigrant status (current Fm2s) will hereby be
replaced by visas that are relevant to the individual’s “conditions of stay” in
Mexico. Declaring the foreigner a “visitor”, a “temporary
resident” or a “permanent resident”. The current Fm2 and Fm3 holders
in booklets or card format be replaced on their expiry by a Visitor, Temporary
Resident or Permanent Resident card.

These rules are new and staff
are currently being trained on the conditions and status of all visas, so some
items are still unclear, but this is what I can gauge so far…

For visitors to Mexico who do not wish to stay for any
more than 180 days at a time and are not wishing to be employed in Mexico, the
Visitor visa (“Visitor Visa without permission to engage in lucrative
activities”) is sufficient.

For visitors who wish to
remain for more than 6 months at a time, the “Temporary Resident
Visa” seems to be the solution. This status can be gained by one of the
following:

• Proof of sufficient
  resources during the stay in Mexico
• Ownership of real estate or
  investments in Mexico
• Family relationship to a Mexican

The “Permanent Resident
Visa” is for those non-Mexicans who wish to reside indefinitely in Mexico.
To qualify, you need to prove one of

• Family relationship to a
  Mexican
• Retirement status with
  sufficient monthly income to cover living expenses

As these rules are new, it
will certainly take a while for all of us to be informed of the changes and to
fully understand the implications for us as non-Mexicans. However, the idea
behind them is that the criteria for permanent residents will help attract
foreign investors or skilled workers to strengthen or improve the development
and competitiveness of Mexico.

Watch this space!