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

  • Vallarta: What The Heck Is A Grackle

    The Amazing Grackle

    We love birds and for those who come to Puerto Vallarta with the intention of bird watching, there is a huge and entertaining variety up and down the coastline and into the jungle. Our personal favorite is the Common Grackle. They have similar manners to their northern neighbors, the crows, but have a much wider variety of vocalizations. You never know when they’re copying your ringing cell phone, a speeding car, or perhaps a crow! The grackle is a mimic and will copy whatever they fancy and often leave listeners in confusion.

    People visiting Puerto Vallarta often mistake these black birds for crows, but if one takes a closer look, the similarity is evident, but they are very different birds. The North American crow is large, all black and has a big chest. They Common Grackle are more slender, very iridescent and have vivid yellow eyes. Males are bright blue around the head and upper body, while female grackles have a simple black sheen. Crows and grackles are both thieves and will steal food from other birds, out of your garbage or right off your picnic table. They are often considered pests because of their fondness for grains, and farmers carry a heavy grudge against them. They forage everywhere and can be found in bushes, shallow water, parking lots, bird baths and intruding upon the nests of other birds. They eat insects, small frogs and minnows, berries, seed, eggs and have been known to eat smaller birds and even mice. During mating, the male takes on a vampirish look, as he hunches up, unfolds his wings and lurks. They stalk and attack the unwitting female, making a lot of typical Grackle noise.

    In Puerto Vallarta, the grackle is known by its Mexican name, zanate. When they were created, they were not given a sound but came into the world mute. They stole their song, according to legend, from the sea turtle. In the fable, it is said they sing the echo of the Seven Passions of Life, which are Love, Hate, Fear, Courage, Joy, Sadness and Anger. Because of their ability to mimic, the Seven Passions of life the Grackle sings of have now taken on the sound of beeping microwaves, passing taxis and tired children. That’s why we love them.

    The Common Grackle in Puerto Vallarta is a smart bird and will survive long after many species have been retired, including humans, in all probability.

    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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  • Puerto Vallarta – ‘Gringos’

    Gringos

    Newcomers to Puerto Vallarta are often surprised by how freely the label gringo is tossed around. They liken it to other labels that are seen to be derogatory and in some cases, racist. The word gringo long ago lost its power to insult, and is now how many foreigners have come to describe themselves. Perhaps it’s like the tag queer, which at one time was hurled to offend. Gay people simply owned the word, along with any other branding that existed to identify them and set them apart.

    Words are simply words; it’s actions that do harm. Gringos are embraced in Puerto Vallarta and have been catered to for decades, resulting in Puerto Vallarta being one of the primary destinations south of the border.

    There’s a border crossing in Lukeville, Arizona, known as Gringo Pass, with a motel and other businesses so denoted, and it has never offended in all the years of its existence. People who drive to Mexico are aware of the friendliness and acceptance they receive from Mexicans and nothing tells it like a gateway named especially for them.

    There’s more than one story about how the name gringo came about and what it means. Legend has been passed down over time of US soldiers marching through the dry Sonora Desert, trying to convince themselves they weren’t being sapped of every drop of moisture in their bodies. They were said to have trundled along, singing “green grow the rushes, oh!” from the old English ballad. Hearing this, Mexicans shortened the green grow to gringo. That said, the truth of the matter is probably completely different and more likely comes from an old Spanish word gringo, which translates to gibberish and indicates someone who cannot speak the language well, nor be understood.

    In the early 1970’s a book, I Like You, Gringo – But! was a best seller on both sides of the border. The author, Mario (Mike) De La Fuente, the son of a Mexican politician, was raised in the US. He was well known for a number of things before he wrote a book defusing not only the word gringo, but the implication. De La Fuente was a college football star in Texas, as well as being recognized as a talented baseball player in Mexico. His life was spent on both sides of the international border. He was a successful businessman in Nogales, Arizona, a sportscaster, and an early promoter of the medicinal attributes of marijuana. His motto, which he expounds upon in his book (a fun read, btw), was “Work like a gringo, play like a Mexican.”

    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 Rocks The Vote

    Voting From Afar

    We agree with those in Puerto Vallarta who are intent on discussing the issue that the upcoming election in the United States is going to be one of the most important events in the history of the country. If one party wins, there will be upheaval and chaos; the other party is determined to make serious changes that have been the subject of much debate pre-nomination. The conventions were watched closely around the world with many people having strong opinions and much at stake.

    For those who have not yet taken the time to register, there is little time to waste and we know the days can flash by in Puerto Vallarta while lazing around the pool in an attempt to keep cool, sipping on a refreshing daiquiri. Take the time to head to the website www.votefromabroad.org and regardless of your political affiliation, you can easily be signed up to defend your position, even if it’s from abroad.

    Don’t be afraid to be informed. Check out information about the candidates on sites other than Facebook. You will find that www.moveon.org leans to the left but has a lot of great data and for a relatively unbiased point of view, go to www.npr.org.

    There are sites that can give you issues divided by party, state and local district. A couple of them are http://www.fvap.gov/links and https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter and those links will lead you to answers of questions and updated information about your home state and town.

    Getting your vote sent in early, at least forty-five days before the election, is imperative. This length of time will be necessary to process your vote and enable officials to get back to you in the case of any questions and resolve any problems they might dicover. We have heard of voters forgetting to place signatures properly, for example.

    It’s not necessary to have an address in the United States; this does not disallow you to vote if you are a citizen. Wherever you originally hailed from is the place you will register. Several states and the District of Columbia allow US citizens who have never resided in the United States to register where their parent would be eligible to vote. We encourage first time voters to exercise their rights; eligibility requires US citizens to be 18 years or older.

    Que cómo es 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: The Cooler Time Of Year

    When Will The Temp Get Cool Again?

    Once September passes and businesses that had been closed for the month begin again to open, people start coming back to town. The snowbirds from the north flock back via flights or long road trips. Streets begin to fill, and the beach comes alive again with more music, vendors, tourists, locals, and part and fulltime residents. New menus are posted; events are planned; umbrellas, cushions and hammocks are mended; boats go back in the water after fresh paint and repairs; guitars and mandolins are re-stringed; children are back in school. It is autumn in Puerto Vallarta. Why does it still feel like summer?

    We have heard the complaints more times than we can count from people who can’t recall year to year. “When will it cool off?” “When will it be normal again?” and our favorite…”The heat is sticking around a lot longer this year.” The answers to those questions and statements is that this is normal; we simply refuse to remember that fall in Puerto Vallarta doesn’t really begin until around Thanksgiving. It’s the humidity and dew point, not the heat, which affects us. The average daytime temperature in Puerto Vallarta fluctuates between 70° and 90° Fahrenheit, which is 21° and 32° Celsius. The lows at night drop to between 57° and 72° (F); 14° and 22° (C). Rainy season starts in June and lasts through October, when it tapers off by the end of the month.

    Comfort levels, when it comes to humidity, which stays relatively level throughout the year, are based on dew point. Dew point is what determines whether perspiration evaporates from the skin. This is why you feel so hot. Not the heat, the humidity but…the humidity combined with the dew point.  The lower the dew point, the drier and cooler you’ll feel. Dew point doesn’t change quickly; it’s a gradual process. If you have a sultry day, you are guaranteed to have a sultry night’s sleep. Puerto Vallarta, as many of us are aware, is impacted by an extreme cyclic distinction from winter to summer and if anyone asks you why it’s still so hot, you can tell them it’s the dew point. Rain has a profound effect on the dew point, so if it’s raining or rain is expected in Puerto Vallarta, you can count on being very warm. We’ve heard that the least muggy day of the year is January 24th on an average, whereas the most oppressive day usually falls around August 23rd.

    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.

  • Vallarta: Banda!

    Banda!

    We love this style of music, which we first discovered years ago at a rodeo in Sayulita on our first visit to Puerto Vallarta. Some may find it brash and loud but, to us it represents joy, liveliness and people having a darn good time. Wind and brass in large and small combinations make up the banda groups we have seen in Puerto Vallarta. Bandas are hard to pin down when it comes to a designated style. They play everything; rancheras, corridos, cumbias, boleros and baladas. What are those you might ask?

    Ranchera is pre-revolutionary; songs from the ranch or plantation. Ranchera is the closest thing to mariachi, which we hear in Puerto Vallarta and all about Jalisco, but mariachi came after the revolution. Ranchera, also referred to as Norteños (indicating from the north) involved songs of love, nature and patriotism. You’ll find dancers performing polkas, waltzes and boleros to this music.

    Corridos express oppression and history, current topics with social relevance and the past. They are ballads and they tell a story. This type of music crosses the border because it comes from a time when there was no border. Marty Robbins famous song El Paso would be a good example of a corrido; though it’s a song from the USA, it is truly a Mexican piece. In the 1960’s corridos were very instrumental in calling the charge for farm-workers in California by Luis Valdez, who led Teatro Campesino, the production of theater art that encourages activism, economic independence, and artistic excellence.

    Cumbia is basically a courtship dance that drifted north from Colombia in South America and was adapted into Banda music, fit for singing, dancing and male/female duets. It is not unusual to hear this type of music in Puerto Vallarta at folklore festivals and assemblies, accompanied by colorful traditional costumes.

    Bolero is actually a dance; the music played for it is very specific and originated in Spain, migrated to Puerto Vallarta over many years, have its inception in Cuba. The music and dance are slow, very romantic, and seductive.

    Baladas are narratives stories and poetry set to music and can be found in every country all over the world. Ballads you will hear from Banda in Puerto Vallarta are often late at night, toward the end of the party, and given to lengthy descriptions. It’s a great way to practice your Spanish and decipher what desperado has fallen for another beautiful señorita.

    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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  • Watermelon in Puerto Vallarta?

    Sandia

    What a pleasure watermelon is. The color, the sweetness, the crunch, the freshness. We love watermelon. It took us some time to wrap our head around the word sandia, watermelon in Spanish, two words that seem completely unrelated.

    Instead of buying sandia at the supermarket in Puerto Vallarta, we usually get ours from trucks parked on highways and back roads. Vendors with pickups, loaded to the brim, find spots that are easy for customers to pull over. Sandia is abundant and is best during spring months in Puerto Vallarta but local fruit can be found as early as January and late as August. The deep red color differs from what one is accustomed to seeing in the markets north of the border. This is due to local fare being picked closer to readiness; whereas exports are gathered in a manner that much melon, too young to be consumed, needs to be stored and ripened. This is an unnatural process and affects the interior color, as well as the flavor. Local farmers selling on the side of a road are happy for you to sample their offerings and it’s not unusual for several large green gourds to be cracked open, perched at the top of the load.

    Most of us don’t really know how to pick a watermelon. Some have been taught that tapping on the exterior and listening for a deep hollow sound is best. However, it takes a trained ear to recognize the ripeness of melons in this manner. There is a much easier and more visible way to know when sandia is ready to eat. This is a recommended test for while shopping in Puerto Vallarta, as well as north of the border; regardless of where you buy your fruit. First look for the field spot; a light yellow area where the melon sat on the ground as it grew and matured. A brown cordlike thread running from the area of the field spot is your sure sign of a tasty, juicy fruit. Contrary to what we might have been led to think, the brownness does not indicate overripe; it is the perfect condition. If there is a black node at the end of that thread, all the better.

    The best way to prepare a sandia is to chop off each end, close to the flesh, down to the red meat. Set it upright on one end and methodically slice down, cutting off the sides of the melon, removing the entire exterior. Then cut in half and chop into bite size pieces, or long slender chunks.

    For adults only: sprinkle a cup of vodka around the bowl for an extra treat!

    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.


     

  • Vallarta Welcomes Amazon, Sort Of

    Amazon: We’d love to write about the river in South America but today we’re telling you about the company that sells everything! They recently opened a facility in Mexico and so far, reports from customers in Puerto Vallarta are very positive. Amazon offers an amazing array of products and delivery doesn’t seem to be a problem. One caveat is to make sure someone is at the address of the expected delivery but that’s also easily resolved. Amazon will deliver to Estafeta and DHL, plus some Oxxo stores. All you need to do is designate the location when you order and pick it up when you’re notified of its arrival.

    Being a Prime member is recommended for a more rapid arrival of your order, as well as free shipping to Puerto Vallarta on most items. Check to make sure when ordering that your item is denoted as Prime. As a shopper, you’re able to order from both the US and Mexico warehouse and it’s a good idea to check both for the item you’re buying because there are variables that include tax and tariff costs.

    One complaint from Prime members in Puerto Vallarta is the problem of ordering movies with their membership. The solution is a VPN. Suggestions are VPN Unlimited and unlocator.com. This enables viewers to see all the films they want, plus TV and sports events. Others have ordered a firestick through Amazon, which seems to serve the same purpose.

    Mercadolibre.com.mx is an Amazon competitor but we’ve heard from some who use both services that Amazon often has a larger selection. It’s certainly worth checking out before placing an order. Filter your search for international delivery when on the Amazon site and the information pops up, eliminating a lot of back and forth with windows open on your computer. Customs will cost you and an estimate is added to your cost, which is often partially refunded shortly after delivery and goes straight back into your account.

    For appliances and furniture, we highly recommend shopping locally. Shipping for large items is usually cost prohibitive and Puerto Vallarta has so much to offer, in town and on the outskirts. It’s also an entertaining way to spend a day!

    Someone asked if Amazon gift cards are available here in Puerto Vallarta and we were surprised in our research to find you can get them La Comer at the customer service counter. We’d also check at Comercial and Soriana, because it doesn’t take long for these stores to catch up with one another.

    A whole new world has opened up to shoppers in Mexico and we’ve also heard a rumor of Ikea opening in Guadalajara next 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

  • Vallarta Has The Best Side Trips: Lo de Marcos

    The French Quarter of Puerto Vallarta – Lo de Marcos: Lo de Marcos reminds us a lot of Puerto Vallarta back in the early 1980’s when we first discovered the area. It’s not really as large but then, Puerto Vallarta has spread her borders from what we originally observed. Not saying that will happen in Lo de Marcos, however. There seems to be a sleepy element to this small Mexican town that defies developers and large quantities of tourists.

    Los de Marcos is fondly referred to as the French Quarter; due to the many Canadians who winter here (some stay all year round and have dug in their heels.) Don’t expect directions, menus and signs to be in French. Though it’s judged that approximately 80% of expats here are Canadian, they hail from across the provinces, British Columbia to Quebec. The other 20% is balanced out by citizens from the US, mostly from the west coast.

    What stood out to us in Lo de Marcos was the number of RV’s and trailers; there are five well maintained and very popular RV parks and they also allow campers with tents. These facilities are located up the small coastline and the Quebecois gather at the north end of this stretch. There’s a wonderful sense of camaraderie among these groups, especially at cocktail hour.

    If you’re traveling from Puerto Vallarta, plan on at least an hour by car. You can catch a bus at the Walmart across from the airport and plan on taking a couple hours, for all the stops they make.

    Saturdays are fun during high season; there is a great little tianguis (flea/farmer’s market). Local artists and artisans sell everything from bread and beads to fruits and footwear. The tianguis alone is worth the trip north of Puerto Vallarta. The location is Calle Luis Echeverria #9 and can hardly be missed.

    If you want to stay in Lo de marcos for the night (or two or three) and don’t have an RV, there are a few choices, including pensions above the homes of some locals. Lo de Chata Hosteria has great reviews; clean, pretty and very friendly. You can stay here for as little as $40/night. If you have a large group, there are homes to rent, such as Hacienda Turquesa, air-conditioned with a large accommodating kitchen, three bedrooms and a ten minute walk from the beach.

    Live music can often be found on the beach; it’s usually well advertised with signage. Prices at these establishments are far lower than anything you will find in Puerto Vallarta. We haven’t been disappointed in food or service. There aren’t a huge amount of restaurants but they never seem to be overwhelmed. Comida corridas and taco stands appear like magic when the town gets crowded.

    We advise staying away during festivals, like Semana Santa, Independence Day or Revolution Day; nationals come from the inland during these times and it can get crowded.

    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

  • El Grito in Puerto Vallarta

    Recently we were asked by newcomers if Mexicans in Puerto Vallarta do anything for their Independence Day. Do they ever! Though the actual date is September 16th, observances take place in Mexico on the eve of a given celebration. Our friends were confused when the 5th of May came and went, and there was nary a peep. In the US and some places in Canada, this is a huge party day…Cinco de Mayo! Even Mexicans can’t figure out why their northern neighbors have chosen this day, other than the fact it was one of many battles won during the revolution. The Battle of Puebla, as the 5th of May is known, was a hard fought victory for Mexico but it is truly observed only in the town where it took place, Puebla. Independence Day is a country-wide gala, commemorating the day, when in the small town of Dolores, in the area of Guanajuato, a Mexican Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo, made the most famous speech in Mexican history. Hidalgo urged the crowd to revolt and to refuse to be patriots of Napoleon and the few elite citizens who had control of the country.

    Though it may be very crowded, we recommend finding a spot on the Malecón to observe the festivities. Expect thick crowds and lots of noise, as this festival seems to grow exponentially every year with the gathering of locals; truly a family night of high spirits, amazing fireworks and gaiety. The highlight of the evening is a reenactment of the famous cry of Hidalgo (el Grito) and in Puerto Vallarta, this display will take place at the Palacio Municipal (city hall) on the Plaza de Armas, the main plaza across the street from the Catedral de Guadalupe. Our honorable mayor will thrill the throngs with a speech consisting of the following (in Spanish, of course): Mexicans! Long live the heroes that gave us the Fatherland and liberty! Long live Hidalgo! Long live Morelos! Long live Josefa Ortiz de Dominguez! Long live Allende! Long live Galeana and the Bravos! Long live Aldama and Matamoros! Long live National Independence! Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico! Long Live Mexico! Citizens are invited to join in this cry and we love shouting Viva México along with the crowds.

    Expect more people than you could have thought could fit into downtown Puerto Vallarta; lots of great music, including brilliant Mariachi and typical street food. We never miss the chance to have a taste of Chiles en Nogada, the traditional Independence Day meal.

    Viva México!

    Que cómo es 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: Santa Maria Del Oro

    Santa Maria del Oro
    This time of year for those who live in Puerto Vallarta, the steamy weather makes us turn to higher altitudes and less heat. Santa Maria del Oro. This is definitely an overnighter, taking over three hours on the northern route to get there. We make it longer by stopping for lunch in one of the small villages we pass on the way, picking up novelties and snacks from roadside stands, and stopping to take photos of the breathtaking views. Mountains, valleys and forests are the awesome landscapes on this delightful journey.
    There are several hotels in the area and we recommend booking ahead. Call on your own, visit websites or see a local travel agent in Puerto Vallarta. Worthy of mention is The Laguna de Santa Maria, a destination for those looking to relax in a quiet setting. Laguna de Santa Maria is a certified Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Santa Maria Resort Boutique Collection offers forest cabins that face the lagoon and is graced by a restaurant, docks and a pool. Yemaya Adventure Club is exactly as the name implies, for those seeking activities and the energy to enjoy them. The surroundings of the lagoon entice the sport lover and the observer, with kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, bumper balls, swimming. There’s no need to bring your own equipment; everything you’ll need can be found at locations around the lagoon. There is no shortage of activities in the area, with horseback riding tours, zip-lines, cycling, mountain bikes, hiking, and rappelling.
    The ubiquitous colorful letters that greet arrivals in all Mexican towns are in this case SAMAO. The magnificence of Santa Maria del Oro beckons you. If you’re looking for something different and a respite from the heat, we highly recommend this escape where you’ll be greeted by wildflowers, birds and butterflies. Whether it’s a challenging hike, a visit to the waterfalls, or a simple walk alongside the water, there is something for everyone.
    A with most legends in Mexico, there’s always more than one story. One of those is the tale of two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet from differing tribes, who were tied together. Held close but unable to touch, they cried tears that formed the lagoon. A deeper and actually plausible origin of the lagoon is that it’s a volcano crater. No one has ever tested the depth enough to know, and many believe it will take one to the center of the earth.
    The lagoon’s water changes color with the seasons, moving from light turquoise to deep green, caused by alkaline and mineral levels.
    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