General News

State and municipal police in Puerto Vallarta have been asked to maintain a low profile in the wake of the May 1 disturbances in the port. Although the federal government is maintaining its operation in Jalisco aimed at dismantling the criminal gangs, local cops will be acting “with discretion” so as not to provoke alarm among locals and tourists, state Tourism Secretary Enrique Ramos Flores said this week.  Although three cruise lines cancelled stopovers in Vallarta after the violence, vacation firms  say that bookings are holding steady.   

A ten-strong work party from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett rolled up their sleeves last week to finish the total overhaul of a kindergarten in  Puerto Vallarta.

Well-known Silicon Valley entrepreneur Dave Goldberg died of a head injury after falling in the gym of a private villa within the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita. Details surrounding the death are still not clear, but it is believed Goldberg died after tripping while checking his smartphone on the treadmill. He was rushed to the Hospital San Javier in Nuevo Vallarta but died shortly after his arrival.  Goldberg was the husband of Facebook’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg,

Manzanillo has scored a coup, hosting the first around-the-world cruise with almost entirely Chinese guests. The seaside town is the only Mexican port being visited by the Costa Atlantica cruise liner, which is on an 86-day, 29-country voyage of the world. Roughly 5,000 Chinese passengers were greeted by mariachi music and traditional dances as they landed. 

“Manzanillo was the place they chose to learn about our country and also the first American Pacific port where they berthed,” boasted Colima Tourism Secretary Hector Sandoval Fierros. The visit was great news for Mexico, as penetrating the Asian market has been a key goal for the national tourism industry.

A massive groundswell has hit the Pacific Coast, bringing waves as high as ten meters to Oaxaca and Guerrero. The freak weather left three dead and prompted warnings from Guerrero authorities that a similar event could strike again.  “Between May 12 and 15, wave heights and intensity will reach a new peak. We strongly suggest that residents remain vigilant of Civil Protection information releases, and of the behavior of the sea itself,” 

Puerto Vallarta has recovered from the sharp decline in tourism suffered between 2008 and 2011, when visitor numbers dropped by 37 percent. Bird flu, security issues and international economic woes were largely responsible for the fall. In 2014, Puerto Vallarta received 1.55 million visitors.

Organizers of this year’s Vallarta Pride festival – the third year Puerto Vallarta has hosted the event – are planning to accommodate close to 10,000 people.

The annual three-day San Pancho Music Festival returns for its 15th year in the beach town of San Francisco, Nayarit. As always there is no charge to the public. It is entirely supported by the contributions of local and international recording artists, and donations from those in attendance are always appreciated.