PUERTO VALLARTA WAS BETTER BEFORE…. Or was it? I hear this ALL the time. “Puerto Vallarta isn’t what it used to be.” And depending on the subject they’re talking about, I might actually agree with parts of what they’re saying. But there’s a question nobody ever seems to ask: Which Puerto Vallarta do you want back? The Puerto Vallarta from the 1970s? The 1990s? 2005? 2015? Because something funny happens when we talk about places we love. We remember the cheap tacos. The empty

Beachfront vs. In-Town Condos in Puerto Vallarta: What Buyers Should Know Before Investing By Will Hutt When buyers start looking at condos in Puerto Vallarta, one of the first decisions usually comes down to location. Do you pay more to be beachfront or close to the ocean? Or do you move a little farther inland, spend less, and potentially get more space, lower carrying costs, and a completely different lifestyle? There is no automatic winner. A beachfront condo and an in-to

Puerto Vallarta Is Bigger Than Your Romantic Zone Wishlist Some days, reading the comments about Puerto Vallarta, you would think the ocean disappeared, every taco costs fifty dollars, and nobody has enjoyed themselves here since 2007. Everything is too expensive. Everything has changed. Every new building is a problem. Every positive post apparently needs someone underneath it explaining why we should all be miserable. Meanwhile, I’m happy to be home. I just returned from Fl

The Numbers, the Headlines and What’s Really Happening By Will Hutt | @BeachPleasePVR September 11, 2026 Is Puerto Vallarta slowing down? Yes, some of the numbers show that. Have the headlines told the whole story? That deserves a closer look. If you follow Puerto Vallarta online, you’ve probably seen everything from beautiful beach days to posts that make you wonder whether anyone should even unpack a suitcase here. Let’s look at the actual tourism figures, what happened aft

PUERTO VALLARTA REAL ESTATE: MORE LISTINGS, MORE NEGOTIATING POWER—BUT PRICES ARE STILL RISING If you have been waiting for the Puerto Vallarta real estate market to become a little more buyer-friendly, this may be the opening you have been waiting for. But let’s be clear: the market has not crashed, and sellers are not giving properties away. What has changed is the balance of power. Buyers now have more properties to choose from, listings are taking longer to sell, and some

I drive around Mexico enough to know one thing: The stuff you need is usually the stuff you wish you had packed before you needed it. Not when you’re already pulled over. Not when your phone is at 4 percent. Not when you’re trying to explain where you are. And definitely not when you’re standing on the side of a highway thinking, “Well… now what?” So this is my own little Mexico road-trip kit. Nothing dramatic. Just the things I like having in the car because they make life a

August Update for Buyers and Sellers Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Market 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know This August Is the Puerto Vallarta real estate market slowing down? Yes. Is it crashing? No. And those are two very different things. If you spend five minutes on Facebook, you’ll probably find someone saying Puerto Vallarta real estate is booming, another person announcing that the market is dead, and someone else convinced their condo is worth $900,000 because

The Dance of the 41: The Scandal That Changed LGBTQ+ History in Mexico If you’ve ever heard someone in Mexico reference the number 41 and wondered why it carries a certain meaning, the answer goes back more than 120 years. It starts with a private party, Mexico City’s social elite, a police raid, men dressed in women’s clothing, and a rumor involving the president’s own son-in-law. Welcome to the story of El Baile de los 41 — The Dance of the 41. Mexico City, 1901 It was Nove

Closing Costs in Puerto Vallarta: Why the Number Is More Than Buyers Expect You found the condo. Your offer was accepted. You are already deciding where the furniture will go. Then the closing-cost estimate arrives. This is usually the moment when a buyer calls me and says, “Will, what are all these charges?” I understand the reaction. The estimate may include acquisition tax, registry fees, certificates, an appraisal, notario fees, government permits, bank charges, escrow ex

Why Mexico Doesn’t Really Have Mailboxes — And Why That May Not Be a Bad Thing One of the little surprises for many Americans and Canadians moving to Puerto Vallarta is this: most homes do not have a traditional mailbox. At first, it feels strange. In the United States, the mailbox is almost part of the house. You check it every day. You expect bills, bank notices, birthday cards, government letters, credit card offers, catalogs, coupons, political flyers, insurance ads, groc

Puerto Vallarta Just Broke Records — And If You’re Watching the Market, You Should Be Paying Attention Let’s talk about what’s really happening here. While the world debates markets and interest rates, Puerto Vallarta is quietly doing what it does best — growing, expanding, and outperforming. According to the latest numbers from the State of Jalisco, tourism didn’t just do well in 2025… it hit a record. Over 33.9 million visitors came to Jalisco last year. That’s a 3 percent

If you’ve strolled through the Romantic Zone and admired a bold, art-filled boutique bursting with color — you may have walked right past one of Mexico’s most established designers. Meet Armando Mafud. And yes… he’s kind of a big deal. The Part You Might Not Know Armando Mafud isn’t just a local shop owner. He’s a designer with over four decades in the Mexican fashion industry. He began his career in the 1980s and built a name for himself blending traditional Mexican artistry

February in Puerto Vallarta is the month I pay the most attention to, because it is peak season and the market has nowhere to hide. If demand is real, you feel it in February. Bookings, rates, restaurants full, beach clubs buzzing, and yes, the numbers. But here is where people get confused fast: occupancy is not a “Puerto Vallarta popularity score.” It is a math problem. Rooms sold divided by rooms available. So a destination can be absolutely slammed and still show a tiny y

Puerto Vallarta is often seen as a vacation spot, a place to visit for a few days of sun, sand, and relaxation. But living here means something very different. It means waking up to a lifestyle where the ocean, jungle, and vibrant culture are part of your everyday routine. This city offers more than just a getaway—it offers a way of life where every day feels like a long weekend filled with adventure and calm. Boating: The Coastline Becomes Your Backyard Puerto Vallarta sits

February in Puerto Vallarta is far from quiet or calm. It’s the height of the season, when the city pulses with energy, packed with visitors and locals alike. Flights are full, restaurants buzz with activity, and every rooftop pool seems to overflow with sunseekers. Even the taco stands have lines that move faster than airport security. The sunsets? They look almost too perfect, as if someone dialed up the colors just for this month. Yet, amid this lively chaos, no one compla

April stands out as a prime time for condo buyers in Puerto Vallarta. The winter crowds have started to thin, the weather remains inviting, and the city settles into a calm, authentic rhythm. This combination creates an ideal environment for those serious about finding the perfect property. If you want to experience Puerto Vallarta as a local rather than just a tourist, April offers a unique window to do so. Here’s why this month is one of the smartest times to explore the co

February stands out as the busiest month in Puerto Vallarta, drawing visitors and real estate buyers alike. The weather is ideal, flights are full, restaurants buzz with activity, and rental properties reach peak occupancy. For anyone interested in buying property here, February offers a unique opportunity to see the market at its liveliest and most revealing state. Understanding what to expect during this time can help you make the most of your visit and investment. @BEACHPL

Puerto Vallarta in February offers a unique charm that captures the hearts of visitors and locals alike. The warm nights, glowing sunsets, and ocean breeze create an atmosphere that feels both relaxing and invigorating. This is the time when many find themselves falling in love with the city’s pace and lifestyle, often whispering the same thought: “We should live here.” This blog explores why February is the perfect month to experience Puerto Vallarta’s magic and how it can i

Water is the quiet currency of the future, and this headline matters If you follow Mexico and the U.S. even casually, you know the loud stuff always grabs attention. Trade. Tourism. Politics. Real estate. But water? Water is the “behind the scenes” system that makes everything else work. You do not think about it until it becomes a problem. And that is exactly why this update is actually good news. What happened Mexico agreed to make its water deliveries to the U.S. more pred

Romantic Zone After Dark, From a Local Lens The Street Is the Main Event If you have only done the Romantic Zone at night as a visitor, you have seen the highlight reel. If you actually live here, you start noticing the real story. The in between stuff. The little moments that make you look around and think, wait, this is my normal life now. Night in the Romantic Zone is not one scene. It is five scenes happening at the same time and you just slide in and out of them dependin