No spring break
Spring breakers will not be coming to Puerto Vallarta in 2019, their first absence in 25 years.
The young men and women from the United States and Canada looking to let down their hair for a few days have opted for the Caribbean this year, according to local tourist agencies. No flights bringing in scores of students are expected this spring.
Susana Rodriguez, director of beach tourism at the Jalisco Tourism Department, said the constant bulletins about violence in Mexico put out by the U.S. State Department is the main reason why students are giving the country’s coastal resorts a wide berth this year.
Rodriguez noted that Puerto Vallarta was experiencing the consequences of this propaganda, even though research shows the resort to be one of the most secure zones of Mexico.
Chamber Orchestra
Then final concerts to be given by the Puerto Vallarta Chamber Orchestra this season are scheduled Sunday, March 3 and Monday, March 4.
Sunday’s concert will be held at the American School of Puerto Vallarta, at 7 p.m. Monday’s event takes place at the Salon Paraiso in Paradise Village, Nuevo Vallarta, also at 7 p.m. The cost for both shows is 200 pesos for adults, 80 pesos for children.
Acclaimed cellist Donald Moline – he spent almost four decades with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra – will feature as a soloist in Vivaldi’s Concerto for Cello and Orchestra.
Other pieces on the program are by Beethoven, Mozart, Handel and Rimsky-Korsakov.
Eco Fair
The environment will be the key theme of a special event planned in San Pancho, Nayarit on Friday, March 8.
Organized by the non-profit Entreamigos, the “Cultivemos Experiencias” Fair provides an afternoon of family fun and learning with interactive workshops, science fair projects, local environmental organization stands, and activities for all ages. A range of eco-conscious product and food booths will also be on hand.
The fair takes place in the Plaza del Sol, and will run from 3-7 p.m. Visitors are invited to take a guided tour of the stunning Entreamigos community center between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. To make a reservation for a tour, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Celtfest
The third edition of Vallarta Celtfest is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, 4-10 p.m.
The event aims to promote awareness and appreciation for Celtic heritage, while offering tourists and locals a great time with traditional music, dance, culture and food and beverages.
The event, run by Jon Murphy of Murphy’s Irish Pub, will be held this year in Lazaro Cardenas Park, where larger crowds can be accommodated. The Celtfest was held on the Malecon in front of Murphy’s Pub in its first two years.
Vallarta Celtfest also supports the Jay Sadler Project.
The live entertainment line-up this year will include The Guadalajara Trio (an Irish dancer with a fiddler and uilleann pipes player), La Trez Cuartoz, Dave Whitty from St. Johns, Newfoundland and Elk Run & Riot from Alberta, Canada.
Additional sponsors for this event are El Terrible Brewing, Los Muertos Brewing and Los Mercados.
What A Drag
The fifth annual drag competition for straight men, “What A Drag!”, will be held at the Teatro Vallarta, Sunday, March 10, 8 p.m.
Contestants receive assistance with their costuming, makeup and perform in skits, sing, dance and answer questions from the host in a fun-filled evening.
The event is usually a sell-out and raises valuable funds for the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter.
VIP tickets, including a reception prior to the show, cost 1,000 pesos. General admission tickets are 300-600 pesos. Call (322) 221-5180 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve.
Pre-St. Patrick’s
On Wednesday, March 13, Murphy’s Irish Pub will be hosting a Pre-Saint Patrick’s Day event for charity (the Jay Sadler Project). Traditional corn beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie or Guinness beef stew will be served for the cost of 250 pesos. This includes one premium drink, either Guinness, craft beer, wine, Bailey’s, Jameson or Irish coffee. Two seatings are available: noon to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Reservations areencouraged. Live music will be performed by Dave Whitty from St. Johns, Newfoundland. For reservations, call (322) 113-0373.