The return of several well-known cruise ships to the Maritime Terminal is a sign of increasing confidence for cruise lines that Puerto Vallarta and the Mexican Riviera is still an attractive destination for adults and children.

The terminal is now receiving weekly visits from Carnival Splendor and Pacific Star on Thursdays and Ocean Dream on Fridays.  Pullmantur, which operates Ocean Dream and Dream Pacific, now has a weekly route starting from Acapulco and entering several ports, including Puerto Vallarta. It is expected that this cruise line alone will bring 100,000 passengers into the Puerto Vallarta port this year.

The cruise ship Disney Wonder, a boat distinguished by its sophisticated and modern design, was built especially for families. Among its many features, this ship has 11 decks and the capacity to comfortably accommodate 2,700 passengers, along with 950 crew members and performers.  It docks every Wednesday from September 28 to April of 2012.

Excerpted from:  Banderas News, La Tribuna, Vallarta Opina

On August 8th, three blocks of the Puerto Vallarta Malecón were opened under the supervision of Mayor Salvador González Reséndiz, who toured the area to ensure that everything was in order and on schedule. Among the many improvements, structurally and artistically, are the number of palm trees in the downtown area which will be increased from the 28 trees that previously ran the length of the Malecón to more than 200 palms, which will add life and shade to this attractive tourist spot in the city.

Those responsible for the project told the Mayor that most of the structural part of the work has been completed and now the space can be opened up for workers to begin landscaping, installing light fixtures, and finishing the sidewalk, which is being laid by hand in the traditional and artisanal manner with small stones that form a series of figures that will run the length of the Malecón and together tell a story. This work is being done in Huichol art, which will be explained in detail as part of a display that will be in the new museum scheduled to open soon in the current city hall on the plaza.

The Malecón project is scheduled to be completed and unveiled by October in time for the thousands expected for the Pan American Games.

Excerpted from:   Banderas News

Confirmed by Tourism Secretary, Fernando Olivera Rocha, who said that the bid was won due to the quality of hotels and the facilities the Banderas Bay region offers, air connectivity to Vallarta, and of course the new Puerto Vallarta Convention Center, where the event will be held.

This convention is Mexico’s largest tourism expo, and for years has been held in Acapulco.  Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are two of Mexico´s leading beach destinations which have begun collaborating to promote the destinations as an excellent convention destination to event organizers across the US.

The proposal was submitted to the judges as “Two Destinations, One Paradise,” offering 29 thousand hotel rooms, and the recently built 15,000 square meter Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, which can host events with up to 7,000 participants.

The first open call to host the national event involved 18 destinations, among them Boca del Rio, Veracruz; Mazatlan, Sinaloa; Acapulco, Guerrero; Guadalajara, Jalisco and Mexico City.

The Ministry of Tourism stated that it would leverage the event’s size and prestige across various destinations in Mexico, using the event to promote tourism throughout the country.

Excerpted from Bandera News

So, Saint Paddys day is just around the corner and you  are thinking about celebrating with a pint or two of Guinness stout!   But as luck ‘o the Irish would have it, you are in Mexico!  Fear not, for I know of  three Irish pubs here in the Vallarta/Banderas Bay area.  There is O’Rourke’s on Olas Altas in Southside; Murphy’s Irish Pub, a new place across the street from the Seahorse sculpture on the Malecon; and in Bucerius, the small, seaside town north of Nuevo Vallarta, there is The Shamrock…known for its green beer and Irish  stew on March 17.  Are there other Irish pubs I don’t know about?  Send us names and locations….and have a Guinness for me.