Timothy Real Estate

Categoría: Living in Mexico – We Have All The Lifestyle Information You Will Need.

  • What To Know About The Recent Mexico Travel Warnings

    credit TRAVEL WEEKLY:  By Meagan Drillinger

    Following the March 3 kidnapping of four Americans in the Mexican border town of Matamoros, the U.S. State Department issued new travel warnings for several areas of Mexico. The new advisories prompted a flurry of headlines that once again put Mexico in the spotlight as a destination that is unsafe for travel. However, a closer look at the travel warnings and conversations with Mexico travel experts reveal that these warnings are, once again, sensationalized and that Mexico remains a safe place for tourism.

    “Advisors and myself are not spooked [by the abductions], as nobody I know is selling Matamoros as a travel destination,” said Hope Smith, an independent contractor with Montecito Village Travel. “We know where Matamoros is in relation to where our clients go.”

    What the travel advisory says

    The current State Department travel advisory gives a state-by-state breakdown of where the U.S. government suggests travelers exercise caution. Only six states are on the “Do Not Travel” list, and none of these states is a major tourism destination for U.S. travelers. The six states on the list are:

    • Colima
    • Guerrero
    • Michoacan
    • Sinaloa
    • Tamaulipas
    • Zacatecas

    The city of Matamoros, where the kidnappings occurred, is in the state of Tamaulipas, which is just on the border of Brownsville, Texas. Most of the other states on the travel advisory are ones that have been on the advisory list for many, many years due to crime. However, the reason that the Matamoros news made headlines is because crime directly related to tourists is so incredibly rare in Mexico.

    Reading further into the travel advisories on the State Department site, while certain states may have a Level 2 travel warning, most destinations that are known for tourism within those states have no travel restrictions. These include:

    • Cabo San Lucas
    • San Jose del Cabo
    • La Paz
    • Palenque
    • San Cristobal de las Casas
    • San Miguel de Allende
    • Guanajuato City
    • Puerto Vallarta
    • Chapala
    • Ajijic
    • Mexico City
    • Riviera Nayarit
    • Oaxaca City
    • Monte Alban
    • Puerto Escondido
    • Huatulco
    • Puebla
    • Cancun
    • Cozumel
    • Isla Mujeres
    • Playa del Carmen
    • Tulum
    • Riviera Maya
    • Mazatlan
    • Yucatan State

    Is Mexico safe for travel?

    It’s a question that we’re all used to hearing. The answer remains the same. Mexico is a big country. It is also a safe country for tourism, but like any destination there are things to keep in mind.

    Journey Mexico, one of the leading luxury travel experts and DMCs in Mexico, recently did an interview with ABC News Bay Area to clarify a few points.

    “Mexico is big. It needs more granularity, it needs more destination-specific information. In fact, to most, all of the most popular tourist destinations, there are no restrictions,” Zach Rabinor, CEO of Journey Mexico, told ABC News.

    Journey Mexico’s Instagram page has an informative Reel posted that addresses this as a larger issue. Mexico has 32 states, and the threat level differs drastically between tourist destinations and destinations that are far away from where any tourist will go.

    “I have not seen a drop off in requests, or much concern from my clients,” said Sharon Walters, owner of Sharon Walters Travel. “I have families year after year that visit destinations such as Los Cabos and Punta Mita who are still planning on traveling this year. In fact, I have clients in Mexico on almost a weekly basis. The subject [of safety] does come up, but they are aware of the differences in destinations and understand that the resorts and locations are safe to travel to.”

    What to say to clients

    While most advisors have not had inquiries about the safety of travel to Mexico, should an advisor receive a question about safety there are a few things that can be said.

    Basic travel sense should always be exercised no matter where you travel. This includes advice like staying on main roads, not driving at night, not wandering into neighborhoods where you do not know your way around, maintaining composure and not getting too intoxicated, etc. This is basic advice for travel no matter where one goes.

    It’s important to note that there are many other popular travel destinations around the world that have the same travel warnings as these states in Mexico. Destinations with Level 2 or 3 travel warnings from the State Department include:

    • Hong Kong
    • Belgium
    • Denmark
    • France
    • Germany
    • Netherlands
    • Spain
    • Sweden
    • United Kingdom
    • Belize
    • Brazil
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Turks and Caicos
    • Guatemala
    • India
    • Italy

    And yet, many of these destinations remain out of the headlines when it comes to safety.

    “I try to stay on top of what is going on in the world and how it will affect my clients’ travel,” Smith said. “In the case of Matamoros, you make [your clients] aware of where this is in relation to where they are going. Nowadays, it is part of our job to make clients feel at ease about traveling.”

    “I will absolutely warn my clients about safety to any destination, and I will not send them to a location that I would not personally travel to myself. I have had conversations regarding safety between traveling to Los Cabos versus traveling to border towns that have a cartel influence. Of course, there are many places I would not send clients to in the USA, either,” Walters said.

  • What About The Clowns In Puerto Vallarta?

    In defense of clowns, Puerto Vallarta could use more. Their entire function is to make people laugh, to amuse, entertain. We can all use a bit more laughter.

    Some smart clown, before he was so designated, decided that to garner attention he could learn to juggle, dance, sing songs and do acrobatics to collect coins in plazas, on street corners, at traffic lights. We see them in abundance in larger cities, such as Mexico City and Guadalajara. In their roadside acts they incorporate fire, sharp swords, living and dead fish and, if balls aren’t readily available, rocks to juggle. When it was deemed that necessity was the mother of invention, Mexican clowns, formerly ordinary citizens who wanted to make a living peacefully, began to paint their faces.

    An International Convention gathers in Mexico City annually, which attracts hundreds of clowns from the far reaches of Latin America. There’s no telling how many can cram into a single car for the journey but clowns attend this global event from many countries, including Canada and the USA. Awards are handed out; a lengthy laugh-a-thon is held along with an unrivaled display of colorful costumes of all types and backgrounds, including those reflecting traditional tribal clothing. In December, when communities and organizations make peregrinacions to the revered Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City celebrating the pre-Christmas fiestas, a huge assembly of clowns marches through the streets to honor the virgin.

    Clowns Without Borders (No Child Without a Smile) is one of the many organizations found throughout Mexico who promote the relief of suffering and conflict, in metropolitan cities and small villages alike. The key aim of these many clown groups and associations is to protest violence caused by cartels and the war on drugs.

    Mexico treasures and honors their clowns. Cepillín (Little-Toothbrush) was revered and many have modeled themselves after the dentist who began to paint his face to calm children that came to him for care. His fame rose after a simple TV interview and Dr. Ricardo González Gutiérrez developed the weekly El Show de Cepillín. His fame grew, bringing educational programs, comedy and international guests to Mexican television.

    Though some claim to be afraid of clowns and we have seen small children cower in their presence, Mexicans love their clowns and school age children are only amused and delighted. A person who is inspired to be a clown wants only to make the world smile.

    Que es cómo es.

  • Puerto Vallarta: More On The Weather!

    Cooler Weather is on its Way

    We get asked this question often throughout October and November in Puerto Vallarta. “When is cooler weather coming?” Some of us are conditioned to weather changes in the climates we have come from, and our expectations for Puerto Vallarta can often be confused with what we have been accustomed. Mid October has many crying for a letup in the heat and humidity. Snowbirds are returning from the north and often met with a wave of heat they aren’t totally prepared for. It just doesn’t happen that soon. In all our years in Puerto Vallarta, we have waited impatiently with everyone else and often dread the heat in the kitchen for roasting our Thanksgiving turkey. It’s not a huge issue to Canadians, since they celebrate Thanksgiving much earlier and most haven’t even arrived in the tropics quite yet.

    November in Puerto Vallarta is when we begin to notice clouds beginning to dissipate. By mid-November, chances of a cloudy sky are about 50/50, as compared to August 30, when the skies are typically at their most overcast and the chance of rain is usually imminent. Sunsets are spectacular as the seasons begin to change and photographers get their best shots of outstanding horizons.

    The probability of a good rainstorm decreases exponentially starting in October, though the heat index and dew point can still be high, causing complaints and expectations. “Where is the rain?” is another thing we hear from those who gaze at the wispy sky in hopes of something to cool off the day, but those clouds disappear slowly and for some, agonizingly. By November 30th, even a trace of precipitation is less than 5% and the temperature is something to rejoice. Natural Christmas trees begin to appear in stores like WalMart and Soriana, the streets are decked with bells and faux piñatas and children are getting antsy for the holidays. By December, it is normally clear overhead and we look forward to several months of balmy days, cool mornings and breezy evenings.

    The sun is still intense during the winter months and precautions need to be made to protect skin, kids and pets from overexposure. Plants need to be tended and water bowls for kitties and pups must be monitored. Water evaporates rapidly during the months when there is a lack of rain. Keep in mind that your own body should be replenished, as well and that alcohol dehydrates.

    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.

  • Puerto Vallarta Inspired Living News: Arriving In PV

    Airport Arrivals Just Got Better!

    Few things excite us as much as arriving in Puerto Vallarta. Coming in over the mountains from the north, with an approach toward the sea, where Lic. Gustavo Díaz International Airport has been receiving visitors since November 1954, when Mexicana Airlines landed their first plane in Puerto Vallarta. It’s always a thrill to land and feel the excitement in the air of both tourists and those returning home. Nearly thirty years after the first airplane landed here, we would make our first ascent into Puerto Vallarta, standing in the hot sun, waiting to check through immigration and enter the terminal to find our luggage. Over the years, as we’ve seen the airport expand and watched the many changes and expansions; Lic. Gustavo Díaz International Airport has become very similar to ports all over the world and has lost its back-to-nature charm. We are happy to have restrooms with flushing toilets and air conditioning but we do miss the old days, even if the inconveniences were annoying.

    Since those early days, coming through immigration has become a long and arduous process. Even though the lines move quickly, it seems there are more people in the queue every year. Some have trouble with the forms they’ve been given to fill out while still in flight; others can’t find their passport; many are confused about where to go and how the columns are expected to file through. Delighted to be in Puerto Vallarta, they are anxious for an icy cold beer or margarita.

    Exactly sixty-five years after that first landing in Puerto Vallarta, news has reached us that major improvements for entering the country are under way. There will be an increase of fourteen new customs officers, which is nearly double, during high volume times in December through the duration of high season. Music to our ears is commitment for the acquisition of new equipment for baggage inspection, similar to that used by TSA, higher tech and more efficient. We understand this is temporary until a review will be done to establish service standards, which will expedite arrivals moving through the customs area, as well. Current equipment is archaic compared to many airports of which tourists are departing from, and to where they will return.

    In the discovery that some arriving tourists stand in lines for hours, the Director of the General Customs Administration vowed to make things better by partnering with the government, business sector and airport administration. He is determined to see that moving people around and exercising expediency so that they can get to the beach, will be high on his priority list.

    Que es cómo es.

  • Puerto Vallarta Living: Healthcare

    Mexico Healthcare

    Many articles have been published in the past couple years about Mexican health care. As someone who has been hospitalized in Puerto Vallarta, both in emergency, as well as scheduled hospital visits, we can attest to the superiority.
    In Puerto Vallarta, we’ve been impressed by the prompt response when calling an ambulance, which are impeccably equipped, shiny clean, and the emergency technicians well trained, attentive and compassionate. In our experience, there was no waiting in the ER, and we were immediately whisked into an observation room, and attended to by a number of physicians.
    A family member chose to have her caesarean-section birth in Puerto Vallarta, moving from Washington State, where she felt rushed by her doctor, who she felt treated her like an uninformed child. In Puerto Vallarta, her obstetrician carefully explained everything, took his time, provided a CD of her ultrasounds and an accommodating birthing experience for the family. This was at less than tenth of the cost back in her hometown.
    Mexico, which comes in second place for healthcare in a list of five countries in a recent survey for retirees, has at least one first-rate hospital in every medium to large city. Puerto Vallarta has several hospitals and there are many specialists who we would highly recommend. Most of them speak English, which is a bonus for those who moved south of the border in their golden years, with few language skills.
    Health insurance is available, both with the expat in mind and typical national plans. Some hospitals take Medicare Advantage plans and we suggest you check with each facility to see what is offered and accepted so in case of an emergency, you know where to go. As a legal resident, you will also have access to the public healthcare system, which is under $500/year.
    Prescriptions in Mexico are astonishingly inexpensive, compared to the United States. Canadians get a break back home on drug costs, but pharmacies in Puerto Vallarta can beat their prices on many items, too. Very few drugs in Puerto Vallarta require a prescription; simply walk into the pharmacy and tell them what you want.
    Doctors in Puerto Vallarta make house calls. It’s routine for your doctor to give you a phone call to inquire how you’re doing, especially following procedures and surgeries. We had an ENT check in with us after treatment of a sinus infection. It isn’t unusual for your doctor to give you a hug or even a kiss on the cheek, and children are welcomed with open arms.
    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 a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate

  • Day of the Child Puerto Vallarta

    Day of the Child

    In Puerto Vallarta and all throughout Mexico we celebrated Dia del Niño on April 30th. We’ve not visited any other place in the world where children are celebrated in the manner they are here. Any store carrying toys focuses on displays with overflowing aisles, bursting with color and amusing purchases for boys and girls.

    No matter when their birthday is, for a child in Mexico, they are assured of some kind of special treatment on April 30th, whether it be a trip, or a gift, a dinner out with the whole family or an extra visit to the ice cream shop. Schools are loud and raucous in Puerto Vallarta on this day, with children being made completely aware of how special they are! The celebrations begin early in the morning and continue all through the day, culminating with performances in the parks and plazas, piñatas bursting open, games, prizes and lots of music, singing and dancing. Restaurants make a big deal of this day in Puerto Vallarta and kids are treated like royalty.

    The United Nations General Assembly assigned November 20th as Universal Children’s day in 1954 but it’s not really caught on in many places, other than a few columns of cards in Hallmark stores. The original inspiration was meant to promote an exchange among the children themselves, as well as initiate action to benefit and promote their general welfare.  November 20th wouldn’t work for Mexico, since it’s Revolution Day, which makes for a whole different kind of celebration in Puerto Vallarta. However, Dia del Niño actually began in Mexico in 1925, long before the UN decided that children should have their own Declaration of Rights. Keeping in mind that this is not an official holiday and schools stay open, there is no schoolwork done and only a very unpopular teacher would assign homework.

    We wouldn’t miss this day, being out and about, since there’s nothing quite as joyful as a gathering of children in Puerto Vallarta. Boys and girls dress in bright colors, many in national costumes. Everywhere we go, we are reminded of how precious these little ones are, without forgetting the idea of a day like this is to recognize their vulnerability and how they rely on us and trust us for their wellbeing. This is something we should remember on a daily basis, not just one day of the year, when little ones are being left parentless, homeless and go hungry in war torn countries. April 30th marks the day and we like to carry these sentimentalities in our hearts throughout the year.

    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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  • Vallarta Adventures: Copper Canyon

    Copper Canyon: If you’re looking for getaway that will take you on a short extended trip from Puerto Vallarta, we recommend Copper Canyon, an amazing tourist activity. It’s not only breathtakingly stunning, but also rich in history with many guide companies to help you travel in style, even on a budget. There are trains rides over the world but our favorite among them is Copper Canyon.

    From Puerto Vallarta, there are several routes to Los Mochis, your starting point, via air, bus or your own vehicle. Bus trips are by far the best deal and also give you a chance to see the countryside from an air-conditioned raised seat. Whatever method you choose to travel, you’ll arrive from Los Mochis to the colonial town of El Fuerte. This is the village made famous by El Zorro, the Mexican Robin Hood, and is the official gateway to the Copper Canyon.

    If you’re a birdwatcher, you will want to work in a river cruise down the El Fuerte River. In El Fuerte, you will board the Copper Canyon Railway for a journey that will take you to Bahuichivo, Cerocahui, Barrancas, villages on the magnificent and breathtaking Copper Canyon route. Don’t miss the Tarahumara cave dwellings. We have a friend who claimed this was the highlight of her trip and can’t wait to return. The attractions of the Copper Canyon are too many to list here; it is said that Nature practiced with the canyons up north and completed her project when she created the Copper Canyon.

    There are activities for all levels of excitement and ability. The world’s longest zipline is at your disposal and for the less courageous, there is the cable car ride. Petroglyphs, like those seen mystically throughout all of the Americas, are easy to see in the Copper Canyon, whereas is many other places a strenuous hike is required. The Taramuhara Boarding School and an old Mayo Indian village hold extra special appeal.

    Group tours aren’t for everyone but it’s really the way to go when visiting the Copper Canyon. If you want to go it alone, make sure you have a comprehensive guide book to lead you along the way. There are several tour companies who will set you up from the moment you leave Puerto Vallarta and we recommend consulting with one for all or part of your trip. Three who have received praise are Superior Tours, Mex-Eco, and Amigo Trails/Three Amigos. The cost per double occupancy ranges from $700 to $1200 USD and some include airfare. You can choose where to depart from; Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara. Prearranged trips do not include tipping or alcohol consumption.

    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

  • Get Out Your Bici In Puerto Vallarta

    Bicycles have become very popular over the past few years in Puerto Vallarta, a place that was until a very short time ago, much easier to navigate atop a donkey. We still love donkeys but bikes are a bit more fun, get you there faster and much less stubborn.

    Up and down the coastal corridor on Highway 200, enthusiasts will find an abundance of shops willing to sell, rent, repair and suggest areas to explore. There’s no shortage of willing tour guides. Ask at any of the local stores and repair shops and you will be led to enthusiasts who not only know the terrain but are also very familiar with the flora and fauna, eagerly willing to share their knowledge.

    Bikes can be rented at a number of shops around town; bike repair and accessories add to a growing commerce in Puerto Vallarta. Bike tours are all the rage but it’s no longer necessary to schlep one’s own equipment, sometimes adding phenomenal amounts to airfare. A common option for those traveling with a bike is to fly first class. For the cost of an upgrade, luggage (including bikes) check in for free. Depending on the airline, three or more pieces are accepted. Also good to know is when checking a bike on a flight involving more than one leg, your bike will travel with you all the way, so once you have checked in to first class on your initial flight, you can fly the rest of the way coach and the bike still goes.

    Tips for bike riding in Puerto Vallarta are the same as anywhere in the tropics: Hydrate constantly. Don’t drink water just when you’re thirsty; that can get you in trouble. Eat; every hour is recommended to combat fatigue. Take corners slowly; you never know what’s around the curve…ride with caution and use your brakes. Wear comfortable but appropriate clothing; the sun is brutal and sunstroke is a real consequence of over exposure. Either apply sunscreen or cover your body with long pants, long-sleeved shirts. Helmet! Eye protection! Closed toe shoes! Make sure you have all necessary equipment for a breakdown (tools, tires, pump); great to divide this stuff up when riding with a group. ID! Be sure to carry your identification everywhere you go; a photocopy of your passport is an excellent idea.

    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.

  • Puerto Vallarta: Be Productive in 2018

    Happy New Year

    As we hang on one another’s shoulders this year in Puerto Vallarta, bang our champagne mugs together, and sing Auld Lang Syne, let’s get ready for a fresh and friendly year.

    Sadly this past year has had a lot of people at odds with one another and we’d like to see everyone, back in the homelands, and here in our own adopted territory, sharing good times and enjoying the fabulous life we are so lucky to have here in Puerto Vallarta.

    Many of us have found Facebook to be a forum for voicing complaints. There are pages devoted to bellyaching and provocation. We readily admit we find ourselves sucked in to these rants, and more often than not, completely amused. However it might be more productive to stick to those alliances who cheerily share information of upcoming events, new changes in simple government policies that affect expats, alerts at the airport, new products at Costco and other stores, weather conditions and local entertainment.

    If one has an issue with a proprietor; hotel or restaurant owner; local charity, for example, it will serve us all better to address the situation with that merchant rather than splash it all over social media, and has a greater likelihood of having a resolution, rather than hard feelings and even worse, effects on a business that is only doing the same as anyone else in town: trying to make a living and get ahead.

    In the following New Year, I encourage my readers to engage in productive debate and not try solving the problems of Mexico and Puerto Vallarta; allowing the local government to do their job. If you feel you do have a legitimate complaint, there are proper channels. Find out what they are and follow through with diplomacy. A smile and kind words get you a long way here in Puerto Vallarta.

    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.

  • Puerto Vallarta Living: Naptime

    Time for a Good Nap

    High season is winding down and even though there are still many activities, the town has quieted and we feel more relaxed and looking forward to summer nights with friends, cool breezes coming off the ocean, and early mornings, the best time for a good walk around the neighborhood. In Puerto Vallarta, these actions call for a nice siesta in the afternoon to preserve energy for the evening and catch up following an early rising.

    We have read time and again that naps are a regular routine for successful people; statistics show that nappers have less heart issues and better all-around good health. Not just in Puerto Vallarta, the siesta is a symbol of intelligent and healthy behavior. Smart people in hot climates, such as Puerto Vallarta, are known to sleep through the hottest part of the day, eat a light dinner in the cool evening hours after sundown, and accomplish more in their waking hours.

    Siesta originates from the Latin hora sexta, which means the sixth hour. In many cultures, a day actually began at dawn, making the sixth hour noon, a perfect time to rest, collect thoughts, ideas, and future inventions, following what should be the best and largest meal of the day. Practiced in the Mediterranean and the South of Europe (riposo in Italy), as well as the Philippines and much of Latin America, it’s common for businesses to close, giving both proprietors and guests a chance to stay at home, have a midday feast, and a well deserved break. Siesta is not limited to countries with warm climates; South American countries, regardless of year round temperatures, make it a practice.

    Studies have shown that Mexicans and Japanese are the hardest working cultures, putting to bed the image of a large belly under a sombrero sleeping beneath a cactus. Therefore, in Puerto Vallarta, the siesta should never be viewed as a symbol of laziness, but one of purpose and brilliance. The siesta has been around since the beginning of time, when smart people in hot climates, such as Puerto Vallarta, sleep through the hottest part of the day and eat a light dinner in the cool evening hours, after the sun has gone down.

    When homeostatic sleep and circadian rhythms, the subjects of sleep, are the topic of talk shows and scientific studies, we know we have made the correct choice of living in the paradise we find in Puerto Vallarta.

    Que es cómo es.

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    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 a constant leader in Puerto Vallarta real estate