What is it about the popularity of Bill and Hillary Clinton in Mexico, including Puerto Vallarta? The country adores them! It’s not just that Mexicans don’t like (to put it mildly) the opposition; they also have a Mutual Admiration Society going on with the Clintons.

It is a fact that the Mexican government has depended on the United States judicial system to expose corruption in Mexico and the current administration of Barack Obama has been very instrumental in assisting Mexico in some very tricky matters. To consider Hillary Clinton as an extension of Obama is certainly not a negative for Mexicans and they also see the same in regards to her husband, who was very well loved. In 1995, when the peso took a headlong dive into the shallow end of the empty pool, President Bill Clinton stepped up with a plan to help Mexico out of their financial predicament. At that time, however, his ideas were rejected by the United States congress; in typical Clinton fashion, he turned around and drafted a billion dollar loan package for Mexico. The idea was to bring back what was once an international confidence to Mexico. It worked, and the government of Mexico not only paid the United Sates back but did so three years in advance of their payment schedule.

There is no doubt that President Obama is well loved in Mexico, as he is everywhere outside of his own country where a large section of the electorate has not been happy with his social programs or, in many cases, the color of his skin. Mexicans toss this negativity aside, since a great deal of those platforms has mirrored their own. A Clinton presidency, from the perspective of those we have spoken to in Puerto Vallarta, would look a lot like that of the current administration. There’s the opinion that Hillary Clinton will reach across the border in the same fashion as her predecessor and her husband, opening further the conversation of battling narcotics and continuing to strengthen an already sound trade agreement. She is much more inclined to invite those to a well laden table of combined import/exports than to build any type of wall.

There is also the strong belief that a woman in the position of US president would empower women in the terms of politics across all of Latin America. Ancient faux pas on the part of Hillary Clinton are easily overlooked in light of the attitude of her opponent, who our friends in Puerto Vallarta intensely dislike. We have been nearly chased out of gatherings just for mentioning his name, so we won’t repeat that error here.

Que cómo es es.

Dont forget to Vote Folks!

The opinions expressed are those of our guest blogger, Adam Garcia.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

In years past, shopping in Puerto Vallarta was an adventure that took us all over town, beginning in the early morning, extending through the afternoon as we made several stops. We traveled in style in our roomy combi (VW mini-bus), which had a side door that refused to close properly. No problem; we simply found someone to watch the combi and paid a security fee of ten pesos. These guards usually were denizens of the neighborhood, well on in age and knew everyone in town.

Customarily, our first stop was always Don Chuy on Aquiles Serdán across from the Rio Cuale. A well stocked liquor store, Don Chuy supplied us with bottles of tequila, rum, vodka, gin, triple sec and Grand Marnier for our margaritas. Now we find those supplies at Vinos América on Basilio Badillo. Super la Playa is also a good place to purchase liquor and there are often great sales at the grocery stores. For wine, we often head over to Cork and Bottle at Los Mercados on the west end of Aquiles Serdán. Discounts for cases and chilled wine are a specialty. While we’re there we stop in at Don Fresco to check out prices on produce and perhaps pick up spices and grains we can’t find elsewhere. Mikey’s, in the same location, offers wonderful sliced meats, deli items and will whip up a delicious sandwich for us to sustain us during our journey.

The famed, now closed and sorely missed Rizo sits empty and forlorn. Though constant rumors tell of corporate takeover and a Soriana or the like in the south end, our understanding is the streets are prohibitive from allowing the large supply trucks.

Ground coffee and whole beans were once nearly impossible to find in Puerto Vallarta. Now we fulfill this need with several great competitors, including K’Rico, also located in Los Mercados. Coffee is from The Hacienda Jalisco is another one of our favorites, when available.

We still buy fresh fish daily off the pangas (boats). Fishermen come in about noon until around 4 pm, often dropping their daily catch in contracted restaurants. If bargaining on the beach is not your cup of tea, there are wonderful pescaderias; our preferences are in the mercado at Palmar de Aramara, the fish vendor next to the Rosita Hotel on the Malecón and in the south end on Calle Constitucion, across from where we used to shop at Rizo. Shrimp is seldom local and comes to town frozen from places like San Blas and Mazatlán.

Meat is still the best quality and bargain in Puerto Vallarta at Carnicería Colin on Venustiano Carranza. For everything from ham and bacon to custom-cut beef and pork. Be sure to ask what is fresh for the day; you might get the chance to barbeque goat!

Some prefer the convenience of the big stores like Soriana and Mega, while others love the convenience of running into an OXXO, or even Farmacia Guadalajara, both of which supply most daily needs. For an adventure, however, we recommend the old fashioned style of shopping and don’t forget to bring your own bags.

Que es cómo es

Safety in Mexico

The subject of safety in Mexico comes up often. A media machine in the US is not short on news these days but when shootings happen anywhere, it does garner attention.  Puerto Vallarta is a long way from Cancun, comparable to the distance between Los Angeles and New York, or Vancouver BC and Toronto.  Not to say that Cancun is a violent place; it’s just been in the news a lot the past few days. Reports have been very general and never get into the specifics. A woman was killed and the details are grisly, but this was no schoolmarm. It’s hard for some people to embrace the fact that a woman might be the target of violence when it comes to cartel activity. However, a female leader controls drugs sales in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Doña Lety, as she is known, was a police officer and with her son, is wanted on multiple drug trafficking charges. These people tend to go after one another and civilians are rarely at any risk.

Our advice is to stay away from areas that are known to be shady and probably dangerous. Where are these places in Puerto Vallarta? There are none. Puerto Vallarta is safe downtown; in the marina; Mismaloya and in the jungle above; Yelapa, Las Animas, Quimixto, reachable only by boat; the back roads that lead to spas, all-you-can-eat shrimp restaurants and golf courses; the beach; dance clubs; cruise ship terminal…we can’t think of anywhere in Puerto Vallarta we would be afraid to venture.

We have always recommended using common sense when traveling in and around Puerto Vallarta and that goes for any city, anywhere across the globe. There are always pockets of unrest that can be sought out if dangerously is really how one wants to spend their vacation. When going to Chicago, we limit our activities to such things as the Art Institute, Millennium Park, the Russian Tea Room, a show at the Chicago Theater and other delightful pastimes. We manage to avoid visiting Riverdale, Fuller or Washington Park areas, where scientific data has determined tourists should steer clear of. Same for Mexico; there are places we would shun, such as Tepito in Mexico City, where thieves will gladly relieve you of your wallet in such a quick manner, you might not know it’s gone until you reach into your pocket to make a purchase.

It’s not rocket science. It’s easy to stay safe when traveling. Don’t try to buy drugs. Our best advice.

Que es cómo es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.

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Halloween in Puerto Vallarta

When we first began to visit Puerto Vallarta in the early-1980’s Halloween celebrations were scarce. On October 31, a few people would show up at local clubs in costume and some got in the spirit. For the most part, Halloween was just another night in Puerto Vallarta. Kids were just beginning to catch on to the holiday and often the Malecón would have families showing off little goblins, princesses and we recall a little boy in a Superman cape, with a big red S handed-painted on his chest.

Over the years we have seen this spooky and fun celebration catch on, with both children and grownups in full regalia of haunting, superheroes and cartoon characters. Each year we are amazed and delighted with the el borate details people are willing to go to and the sophisticated makeup they don’t mind wearing when the weather has yet to have really cooled down. We love being out on this night to participate and observe. Everyone’s in a jolly mood, despite some of the mawkish and scary outfits. There are places in Old Town where you can have your face painted as a Katrina, the skeletal mask decorated with flowers and gems. Women (and men) dress up at Frida Kahlo and there are many Pancho Villas and Emiliano Zapatas wandering the streets, along with the Walking Dead.

If you sit in an outdoor restaurant, especially those down at the beach, children will accost you with loud voices, shouts of HALLOWEEN in their manner of trick-or-treating, which has been modified in Puerto Vallarta. Come prepared with a bag of candy, as you also will pass these little creatures on the sidewalks and they are expecting something in return for their efforts.

Carved pumpkins have recently begun making an appearance in Puerto Vallarta but we don’t recommend leaving them out on the front step, as we are wont to do in chillier climes. They will rot quickly in the heat, making a mess and smell; plus they’ll attract critters of all sizes, ants, raccoons and other unwanted pests.

It’s no longer necessary to purchase and pack costumes from up north. Puerto Vallarta now has its own stores, which supply all sizes, adult and children, with a multitude of themes, plus wigs, makeup and ideas, too! We have stopped into Disfraces Pillin in the Fluvial and can assure shoppers that they are ready for the masses. Get your Thriller on!

Que es cómo es.

Timothy Real Estate Group is a locally-owned and operated real estate brokerage with a strategic location in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta in the Colonia Emiliano Zapata. Because the Puerto Vallarta area has varying neighborhood personalities, we practice localized real estate. We believe neighborhood knowledge is a top factor in solid sales, and we know our communities well.

We enable our clients to realize their vision for the future.  We understand and plan for their concerns and are dedicated to transforming those concerns to peace of mind and joy.

Our philosophy of transparency, integrity, and professionalism imbues our culture with a tangible sense of purpose and results in the length and depth of the quality relationships we enjoy.  We believe buying or selling a home is first and foremost about people. Of course we have the latest technology, marketing tools, statistics and research, but a successful real estate transaction really comes down to people. Connecting the right buyers to sellers or investors our professional agents structure solid transactions with successful solid outcomes.  We believe in collaboration by connecting people in ways that bring satisfaction and success.

When you combine extensive local knowledge and our long standing reputation for honesty and sound judgment, you have an unbeatable resource at your disposal.  You have Timothy Real Estate Group, a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate.