Puerto Vallarta is a huge attraction for people from all over the world. The most common time to travel to Puerto Vallarta is in November through March. If you want to avoid the mad dash to this city from college spring breakers, find out the most common dates. It is usually during the second half of March when it is invaded. Here are a few restaurants that are worth checking out during your stay.

Pipi’s Restaurant and Bar

If you are looking for a great place to have a nice meal on the water, this is a place you want to check out. The Braised Pork Shank on a bed of pureed plantains is pretty darn tasty. The view makes the food taste even better. Margaritas watching the sunset make for a guaranteed good time.

Pricey, but really fine dining

Cafe Artistes is a very charming, high end restaurant that is a great place to celebrate something special. The food is exquisite, but does come at a price. They have the option of choosing a fixed price menu of 3, 4 or 5 courses.

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/queen_of_subtle

If you want more information about Puerto Vallarta or Nayarit, you can check out those two resources or if you have related websites you can add them.

By Patrick Connelly

With thousands of miles of coastline on both the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, the country is a sportfisherman’s dream. The fish are big. The prices are low. But deciding where to go – and who to hire – is difficult and can make or break a trip.

Lower Baja – Cabo San Lucas and Loreto

Despite being close together geographically, Cabo and Loreto are yin and yang in terms of fishing.  Cabo is famous for big gamefish – marlin, tuna, shark, and dolphin – that prowl the steep banks off shore.  The fishing can be crazy at times, especially when large schools of baitfish congregate on the dropoffs.  Additionally, the sportfishing industry is well developed and there is no trouble finding a boat; however, the quality varies widely.

Loreto, on the other hand, excels in light tackle angling.  Fishing here is good year-round, with yellowfin tuna in the winter months and huge numbers of dorado in the summer.  Larger game, such as marlin and grouper, can also be found, but Loredo is really a light tackle paradise.

Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan

Across the gulf and down the coast from Loreto is the billfishing mecca of Mazatlan.  Huge marlin congregate in large schools in the winter and spring months with sailfish, tuna, and dorado available year-round.  About every species of sportfish in the Pacific frequent Mazatlan’s waters at some point of the year, uncluding wahoo and roosterfish.

Similarly, Puerto Vallarta offers a buffet line of game fish species to target, from marlin to sailfish to tuna.  Any month of the year holds the possibility of landing a number of large fish in a day.  It may be a huge tourist resort town, but with so much competition among charter boats good deals can be found.

Cancun/Cozumel

Across the country on the Gulf of Mexico, the megaresorts of Cancun and Cozumel offer unsurpassed fishing in the gulf.  While the billfish are usually smaller than their Pacific counterparts, many people claim that their numbers are much higher in the gulf, with multiple hookups a day not uncommon.  Also, the smaller sizes of marlin and sailfish offer great opportunites to take these beasts on flyrods.  Speaking of fly fishing, the numerous islands around Cancun and Cozumel hold endless, virgin flats with tarpon, bonefish, barracuda, and permit.

photo provided by blackmarlinfishing at http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackmarlinfishingblog/2582943383/

Know of some other Mexican fishing hotspots? Reviews, tips, recommendations?  Share your knowledge below

By Patrick Connelly

With seemingly unlimited picturesque landscapes to work with – from cacti-strewn deserts to sandy beaches – the world’s most renowned golf course designers have made Mexico a playground for fans of the gentleman’s game.  Whether you think you are the successor to Tiger Woods or only use that $400 driver a dozen times a year, Mexico has stunning, challenging courses throughout the country.

Just as in the U.S., there are both private and public courses, with the former sometimes being extremely exclusive.  So if you aren’t willing to dish out half a million dollars on a resort condo to gain access to the links, public courses are the way to go.  But these are no coach-cabin second class fairways; conversely, Mexico has several top-notch public courses at decent values.

1. Cabo del Sol Golf (Ocean and Desert courses)

10% of every green fee goes to putting cool logos on golf balls

Located close to Cabo San Lucas, the Cabo del Sol courses are two of Mexico’s signature public masterpieces.  The ocean course, an 18-hole, 7,103 yard work of art borders the Sea of Cortez and has been named as one of the top 100 courses in the world. Designed by the famed Jack Nicholas, it has been the host of several Senior PGA tour events and ProAms in its 15 year history.  The course has also been described as the “Pebble Beach of Mexico”, albeit by Nicholas himself.  Regardless of the designer’s self-aggrandizing, the ocean course is a true joy to play and continually receives high marks in Golf Magazine and Golf Digest. The clubhouse itself worth the trip; a 40,000 ft. haven inspired by local architecture offers fine dining, stocked golf store, and much more.  With quality comes costs, however; prices range from $125 to $350 depending on the tee time and the month. http://www.cabodelsol.com/content/golf_ocean.html

The desert course, on the other hand, is dominated by sand, rock, and cacti (imagine that).  Designed by Tom Weiskopf, this 18-hole course rolls through 7,100 yards of intimidating elevation shifts and difficult bunkers.  While it may often be overshadowed by its older and more illustrious brother, the desert course has been ranked as high as #6 in Mexico by Golf Digest. Like its brethren, the course’s clubhouse is based on classic Mexican architecture and offers all the glossy amenities to make a visit memorable.  A round of golf among the dunes will run you anywhere between $85 and $220. http://www.cabodelsol.com/content/golf_desert.html

2. El Tamarindo (Jalisco)

Learning the Spanish word for mulligan will help at Tamarindo

The best golf courses connect the sport with the natural beauty, creating a synthesis that puts the golfer into another environment.  The Tamarindo golf course, set amidst a 2,000 acre nature preserve, is a great example of this technique.  Plus its a damn fine course, 6,750 yards bordering the rugged Pacific coastline and fringed by tall palms.  Located in Jalisco, about 130 miles from Puerto Vallarta, Tamarindo has been ranked as high as #2 in Mexico and is perfect for amateurs and seasoned pros alike. http://www.eltamarindoresort.com/en/index.shtml

3. Palmilla Golf Club, Cabo

Another one of Jack Nicholas’ creations, Palmilla is unique because of it offers 27 holes in three mini-courses.  The Arroyo (stream) Nine, the Ocean Nine, and the Mountain Nine are all pretty much self explanatory in what the terrain is like.  Much like its neighboring courses in Cabo del Sol, elevations shifts are the golfer’s main enemy.  At 6,369 yards, the course is a difficult challenge, but with several sets of tees to play from, all levels of skill are accommodated.  Palmilla routinely gets high accolades yet is less expensive than many comparable courses in Mexico; fees range from $60 to $220 per round of 27 holes. http://www.palmillagc.com/index.html

4. El Cameléon Golf Course ( Quintana Roo)

On the other side of the country in the heart of the Yucatan is the impressive El Cameléon course.  A 7,000 yard Greg Norman creation, this course does an impeccable job combining the man-made with the natural.  Its promoters note that the 18 holes wind through three different environments: mangrove forests, beaches, and hills.  The Mayakoba Resort, which houses this stunning course, is a mere 30 minutes from the Cancun airport, yet seems a million miles away from civilization. http://www.mayakoba.com/index.html

5. VistaVallarta (both courses) – Puerto Vallarta

Foliage is slightly different than your neighborhood course in Ohio

Mexico’s two seminal course designers, Nicholas and Tom Wieskopf, team up at the Vista Vallarta resort to create a double offering of sweet courses.  The Nicholas course is a 7,000 yard par 72 built on high elevation, providing golfers with incredible views of Puerto Vallarta below.  Wieskopf’s creation is an exercise in extremes; he brilliantly uses the area’s unique characteristics offer an immensely challenging 18 holes.  Rates vary between $130 and $195. http://www.vistavallartagolf.com/

cover photo provided by tdwhite63 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/toms-pics/106817290/

first photo provided by happygirljen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/happygirljen/727793153/

second photo provided by Jessica New at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicanew/493938122/

third photo provided by stelter13 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/11383359@N03/2226482896/

If you are staying for a short trip you might want go for a vacation rental in Mexico or if you are looking for an extended stay you can see all types of Mexico real estate here.

By Patrick Connelly

It is, ultimately, the point where the process of living in Mexico diverges into two distinct paths.  The question of whether to rent or to buy – to purchase that clifftop villa on the Pacific or just rent a nice place in the nearby town – plagues many a prospective buyer in the U.S. and Canada.  The decision has more variables in it than a college calculus class, but here are a few things to take into consideration if you are having the same quandary.

1. Renting keeps your options open

If you are like me and have a total fear of commitment (relationships, locations, etc. etc.) then renting is perfect for you.  Well, that and if you are just not totally sure on living abroad for long periods of time or permanently, or don’t fancy investing money in a property in another country.  Renting can be a great option for the certain type of person, especially those new to Mexico.  Buying or building a house ties you down to that property.  Renting does not.  Simple as that.  If you find out that you hate Mexico and want nothing more than to stay in the U.S., it is much easier to cancel or see out a lease than it is to sell a home.  And if you want to travel around Mexico or Latin America for an extended period of time, it is usually easy to sublet your rented property to recoup some of the losses.

2. Buying a house is an investment

While the global recession has driven down home prices in Mexico in recent months, owning a home south of the border is still a great long term investment.  The Mexican economy hasn’t been hit as hard as the U.S. has and the situation north of the border will recover in time.  In fact, many real estate professionals are predicting a strong buyer’s market in the coming months in hotspots like Puerto Vallarta and Cancun.  With a bit of shrewd cunning great deals can be found these days and when the markets bounce back – and they will – owning a property in Mexico suddenly becomes a very, very valuable commodity.

3. There is far less of a financial investment when renting

Well, duh.  Financially speaking, it is definitely the “safer” of the two options.  While you certainly get more bang for your buck in Mexico than you do in the U.S., buying a home is still a major financial investment.

4. YOU own the house and deal with no one else

Anyone that has dealt with landlords knows it can be a real headache.  Its no different in Mexico.  The fact that you do not own your rental property and have to answer to a higher up may lead to squabbles over anything from redecorating to rent to leases.  Choosing a good rental management company can prevent conflict if you want to rent.

On the other hand, when you own a house, you decide what goes in it, what additions will be put on, etc. etc.  You are your landlord.

5. More choices when buying

Odds are, you will find a property for sale in Mexico that matches your desires before a rental.  There are just more options out there to choose from. Rentals are only ultra popular in certain areas frequented by vacationing tourists, while good homes for sale exist everywhere.

The choice ultimately comes down to you.  Owning a home in Mexico can be the experience of a lifetime, but it isn’t for everyone.  My advice would be to rent a house for a few months in your desired location….get to know the culture, climate, and lifestyle.  If you fall in love with it, jump in.  If you hate it, simply back out or try a different region of Mexico.  This is by far the smartest approach to take – many a gringo have made impulse buys after a two week vacation in Cancun or Cabos and ended up with a house they later realize they don’t want.

photo provided by Ze Eduardo at http://www.flickr.com/photos/97968921@N00/756377225/