MAY FIESTAS

The Fiestas de Mayo Puerto Vallarta 2023 are just around the corner and it is time to start preparing the plans to enjoy this celebration on the Mexican Pacific coast.

Eighteen holiday makers on their way from Guadalajara to a short break in the Pacific coastal town of Rincon de Guayabitos died when their bus careened into a ravine on one of the most dangerous sections of highway in Western Mexico.

The El Monteon (north of Lo de Marcos) to El Capomo segment of the Jala-Vallarta autopista (highway) opened last year, and has already made for a reduction in time and an increase in safety for travelers. But it was still a grind, getting the rest of the way to Banderas Bay. 

A seven-billion-peso ($US140 million) expansion project began this week at the Puerto Vallarta Airport that will include construction of a second terminal, increasing passenger capacity by 125 percent.

The Bay of Banderas is experiencing a post-peak-Covid out-of-season tourism boom of sorts as pent-up demand fuels flights and hotel bookings, including many last-minute ones.

Doubts have been cast over the official story that Puerto Vallarta journalist Susana Carreño was a victim of a robbery, in an assault that occurred at the end of last week in the tourist resort.