Sneaking north: an illegal immigrant returns to Mexico with honors Marvin West

For some, illegal immigration is a simple equation, what you risk for what you get.

Luis Alberto Martinez Gomez became an illegal four years ago. He was 16.

The family concluded Luis might be better off in the United States. There was an uncle who once made a promise to help the nephew if ever needed. He came through with cash for a border coyote.

Going north sounded so simple.

It wasn't.

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Tehuamixtle: the Cabo Corrientes shore on Mexico's Pacific coast Barbara Sands

The coast south of Cabo Corrientes, the southerly arm of our Bay of Banderas, is known as the Costa Alegre, Happy Coast, all the way down to Manzanillo. Barra de Navidad and Careyes are two of the better known spots. Directly west of El Tuito, the civic center of Cabo Corrientes, lies its bulk — a broad, hilly and ravined stretch of scrub and farm country that is separated from the Pacific by swaths of mile-long beaches and turquoise waters that have remained remarkably pristine. read more

beaches exploring-tourism Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Costa Alegre Beaches, Jalisco

Writing about writers: Puerto Vallarta and Jenny McGill Marvin West

Jenny McGill, author of Drama and Diplomacy in Sultry Puerto Vallarta

Writing about writers can be a challenge. Most are civil enough. They know you can't do it as well as they do but they are forgiving and generally polite. Writers understand interviews but seem reluctant to part with good lines. I think they think they are saving them for themselves. Not so Jenny McGill. She tells it like it is. read more

author book literature Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Good morning, Melaque: one day in a small Mexico beach town Gerry Soroka

For the past number of years during our months of Mexico we have been traveling to Melaque-San Patricio-Obregon, a former fishing village on the Pacific coast about five hours by bus south of Puerto Vallarta. Known collectively as Melaque, the Mexico beach community is stable now at about 8,000 persons, and flourishes during December-March upon the arrival of several hundred tourists who pop up in the streets like alabaster mushrooms in a rain-stirred meadow. read more

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On the way to Oregon: Adventurers settle on Mexico's Bay of Banderas Marvin West

An adventurous English couple builds a boat, sails toward Oregon to buy horses, but settles on Mexico's Bay of Banderas in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle where they run a restaurant and promote Huichol art. read more

lifestyles travelogue Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Boomers in Paradise: Living in Puerto Vallarta Reviewed by James Tipton

Robert Nelson's Boomers in Paradise: Living in Puerto Vallarta, profiles fourteen "baby boomers" who now reside in Puerto Vallarta, The book, though, will be of interest to any expatriate (or would-be ... read more

book-reviews lifestyles Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

From Talpa to Puerto Vallarta in the 1800s Jenny McGill

I shall never forget the two trips we made to the seashore from Talpa. read more

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John Keeling's 2009 Restaurant Guide (Chapala, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta) Reviewed by James Tipton

John Keeling's 2009 Restaurant Guide (Fifth Annual Edition) is not just for residents of the north-shore towns along Lake Chapala.

Gringos are changing Mexico Marvin West

Southbound gringos of retirement age have the uncanny ability to immediately identify changes that should be made in Mexican lifestyle. Maybe you've heard the laundry list. "Punctuality is in desperat... read more

lifestyles perspectives Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Did You Know? Puerto Vallarta in Mexico will become an island and float away Tony Burton

Literary-minded travel writers describing Puerto Vallarta as an "island of tourist delights" probably don't realize that their words are closer to the truth than they might imagine. At present, Puerto ... read more

beaches exploring-tourism geography geology Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

A Ten Year Retrospective Of Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Marla Hoover

*Statistics from Multi List Vallarta The last decade of the millennium has brought a multitude of changes to the real estate market of Puerto Vallarta. The effects of this can be seen by the e... read more

beaches real-estate Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Drama & Diplomacy In A Sultry Mexican Beach Town Reviewed by James Tipton

I like this book, but I don't like the title: Drama & Diplomacy in a Sultry Mexican Beach Town. The book is not about "drama & diplomacy." It's about one person's life in Puerto Vallarta... read more

book-reviews fiction Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

North to Nogales from Puerto Vallarta (and back) Paul Carrigan Jr.

Two years ago, I would've been leery about driving out of Mexico alone. Well, "everyone says" that the drive to Nogales (from Puerto Vallarta) is a drag: long, flat, boring, and nothing to see - somet... read more

driving-routes exploring-tourism Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco Nogales, Sonora

Walking the walk, talking the talk - Fiesta de Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta Wendy Devlin

Felipe Avila handed me his burning candle, converting me from spectator to pilgrim in the Fiesta de Guadalupe! My arrival in Puerto Vallarta coincided with the beginning of the weeklong Fiesta de Guad... read more

culture-customs fiestas-traditions perspectives religion Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Walking the walk, talking the talk - "lost and found" in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Wendy Devlin

After a month riding long and short distance buses, the unthinkable happened! Reaching for the travelers checks hidden in my security belt, to pay for the hotel in Puerto Vallarta, I discovered them mi... read more

perspectives Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Fish "Meatballs": Albondigas de Pescado Karen Hursh Graber

A delicious and economical way to use just about any firm, white-fleshed fish, this is a common meal along Mexico's Pacific coast, especially in Baja California and the Puerto Vallarta area. The alb... read more

fish main-dishes soups Baja California Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta: escape to paradise Marla Hoover

From villas to mega-resort communities, high-rise oceanfront homes to marina locations, in the jungle, along the water or the more arid areas north of downtown, buyers found that Vallarta offers a wealth of residential lifestyles. read more

beaches exploring-tourism Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Budget hotels in Puerto Vallarta Paula Cunningham

“7-Night Puerto Vallarta Vacation – roundtrip airfare and hotel - $275 per person”. You won’t see this rate advertised in your Sunday paper, but this is exactly what my husband and I paid last... read more

beaches exploring-tourism hotels Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Art In Puerto Vallarta Marla Hoover

“Every Child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Pablo Picasso Art of every description is exhibited in Puerto Vallarta, from bohemian and Huich... read more

art beaches exploring-tourism Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Exploring Puerto Vallarta By Foot Marla Hoover

Taking in the sights on foot is a great way to see some of the things Puerto Vallarta has to offer. By lacing up your walking shoes and setting out on your own, you get a close-up peek into shops and s... read more

beaches exploring-tourism Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

A real estate overview of Puerto Vallarta

- around the Bay of Banderas The real estate market can be divided into five distinct zones. The most northern zone, in the STATE OF NAYARIT, is approximately 45 minutes from central downt... read more

lifestyles real-estate Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Clickable interactive map of Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, Tequila Tony Burton

Clickable interactive map of Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, Tequila read more

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Lloyd Mexico Economic Report September 2004

Table of Contents Streamlining the tax system Domestic tourists' spending power Free trade with Uruguay ... read more

finance-economics Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco