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"Twenty-years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover."

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ACTIVITIES AROUND THE BAY​
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    - Whale Watching​
    - Bird Watching​
    - Sailing​
    - Horseback Riding​
    - Snorkeling

    - Exploring​

    - Art Galleries​
    - Tequila Tasting​
    - Tours​
    - Live Music

      
  

SAILING
       
 

Sailing on the Bahia de Banderas offers ideal conditions with perfect winds almost every day in protected bay waters. It is a pleasure not to be missed.

There are sail boats with crew, for rent at the Marina in Puerto Vallarta. From the variety of options you'll find one that fits your needs, from sizes of boats to time on the water, and the number and interests of the people in your group.  They provide a wonderful lunch and are so accommodating. We have seen sea turtles, manta ray, dolphins and whales in great abundance. They will even stop to snorkel and scuba dive as well. The view back toward land is worth the trip alone….jungle clad mountains huddled close to the shore to the south and east and on the north the plains and foothills of Nayarit, with a colorful sprinkling of tile roofs and pastel buildings clustered along the water's edge all under a deep blue sky.

At the end of the day as everyone contentedly stretches out on deck, the boat heads back to the marina and the sun sinks into the sea. You will love this experience!







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WHALE WATCHING   
           

The Bahia de Banderas and the Pacific Coast in the area near Bucerias provide wonderful whale watching opportunities during the winter months when Hump-backed whales winter in the area. They come here to mate and give birth each year. You will have many opportunities to see both adults and their babies frolicking in the bay.

Manny's Tours  offers whale watching trips for small groups in an outboard panga.  He will take you to Las Tres Marietas Islands to see whales, dolphins, mantas, sea turtles and the Blue Footed Booby. This is the only nesting area outside of the Galapagos Islands for these birds. You can go ashore to explore the islands and the water there is great for snorkeling or diving.  Manny has some great reviews on TripAdvisor.  www.mannysbuceriastours.com  facebook:  josemanuelvenegas

If one wants to go further afield there is Rincon de Guayabitos, 40 km north of here, and on the Pacific Ocean. Glass bottom boats can be hired there for bottom gazing in crystalline water and will let you off on an island to snorkel, picnic and splash around in the silky water for as long as you like. The boat will return for you at your prearranged time.

Guayabitos also offers whale watching trips; dolphins are plentiful there, and whale sharks have been sighted in recent years. There are enough adventures waiting to be experienced to provide memories for a lifetime!





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BIRD WATCHING
             
 

The Bahia de Banderas is a bird watchers paradise with three separate areas of vegetation and climate that provide immense bio-diversity. Over 317 species have been sighted in the area, with 269 that can be considered regular residents. This number increases dramatically if you travel outside the immediate bay area.

Birds of the sea and shore include Pelicans, Magnificent Frigates, Boobies (including blue-footed), Petrels, Gulls and Terns. Marsh and pond birds include Cormorants, Anhingas, Least and Pied-billed Grebes, Yellow-Crowned Night Herons, Tri-colored, Little Blue, Great Blue, and Striated Herons, as well as Ibises, Spoonbills, Northern Jacanas, Purple Gallinules and many more.

There are land birds both in the valley and in the mountains. This provides an amazing number of species including Chachalacas, Elegant Quail, a number of varieties of Parrots, Motmots, Purple, San Blas and Black-Throated Magpie Jays, Squirrel Cuckoos, Hummingbirds in great profusion, a number of species of Woodpeckers, and too many more to mention. You can explore on your own, hire people to take you to their favorite spots or take a tour with one of the groups in the area. The Bahia de Banderas offers first class birding in an amazingly beautiful area!

WIND SURFING 
In April, the annual Wind Surfing Championship is held down on the beach just half a block from the house.  Load up the cooler, take your umbrella and chair, and watch them zipping across the surface and then fly through the air…and land again…upright!  Amazing!  Classes are offered for those of you who really get inspired.





















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LUNA LUNA



Beautiful garden restaurant just across the street on the corner from Casa Tranquila. Karla and Alex are open for breakfast and lunch with 5 tables on the patio under a palapa roof. Their menu reflects the best of Mexican home cooking…if your home has a full time terrific Mexican chef.  Great coffee and fresh fruit juices.  Sunday brunch music is performed by the Frixoleros, Danny and Camila, playing a wide range of traditional Mexican music. 















 

 

 

TACOS DEL RIN

Downtown….2 blocks past the Plaza on the corner of Hidalgo is the best tacos in downtown.     The name came from the tire rim that was their grill for the meat…3 legs welded on to a good size tire rim filled with charcoal.  Sadly, those days are gone but the food is still wonderful and the salsas are mouth watering.

 

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MANNY'S TOURS

Manny's Tours  offers whale watching trips for small groups in an outboard panga.  He will take you to Las Tres Marietas Islands to see whales, dolphins, mantas, sea turtles and the Blue Footed Booby. This is the only nesting area outside of the Galapagos Islands for these birds. You can go ashore to explore the islands and the water there is great for snorkeling or diving.
Manny also offers trips into the Sierra Madre Mountains just behind the bay.  You can choose from a long list of possibilities… old mining villages, tequila haciendas, historically important religious sites and pre-hispanic ruins.  You decide how long you want your trip to be and what you want to see. 
Manny has some great reviews on TripAdvisor.  Facebook: Manny's Tours Bucerias 

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RANCHO VALLEJO

Offers sustainable nature tourism activities including:
Hiking through the forest with a local guide focused on the conservation of the biodiversity of our forest. 
Horseback riding
Observation tower…40 ft high with easy steps to view the valley below - endless flocks of birds
Temazcal - sweat lodge - harmonize the body, mind and spirit with Mother Earth and the Universe.  On occasions there is a shaman to lead a pre-hispanic experience of traditional native medicine.  
Mexican restaurant serving handmade corn tortillas cooked over the wood fire with homemade cheese and regional fruits and vegetables.







 

 

 







 

    
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