Hike For an Hour or Take a 3 Day Camping Trip in Puerto Vallarta with Aventuras Quetzal
Guide Eduardo Nava Leads Day Hikes and Overnight Backpack Trips in Mismaloya and around The Bahia de Banderas
Lessons on Using Google Maps to Explore Puerto Vallarta
Hello fellow travelers, welcome this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel show. I am your host Barry Kessler and I am just so happy to be introducing you to my favorite vacation destination, and maybe even yours, Puerto Vallarta Mexico.
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That music you were just listening to is performed by Alberto Perez, the owner of the La Palapa Group of Restaurants. Those are La Palapa, Puerto Vallarta’s Oldest Restaurant on the famous Los Muertos Beach, and The El Dorado Restaurant and Beach Club right next door so you can enjoy that fantastic view of the Los Muertos Pier all lit up at night in beautiful colors, or during the day in its grand splendor for breakfast, lunch or dinner, seated with your toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
This week we will be taking a walk or a hike if you will, in paradise. I’m going to introduce you to someone you’ve already met, Eduardo Nava was on the show talking about the Chocolate Museum about a year ago, and now he guides hikes in and around Puerto
Vallarta, so we will talk to him about trails around the area and the hikes and even overnight camping he does with groups, and I’ll be talking about local hikes that should be on everyone’s list, but before we get to Eduardo, let’s see what’s happening in Puerto Vallarta this week, the 28th of December 2019.
Today’s April Fool’s Day in Mexico…
…so whatever you do don’t lend anyone money okay?
April Fools Day December 28th
There’s no need to wait until April to play a trick on someone: Mexico’s equivalent of April Fool’s Day is December 28.
Día de los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Holy Innocents) is a day for all kinds of practical jokes but beware of lending money. According to tradition, there is no obligation to pay back anything borrowed on this day.
The tradition is based on a tragic biblical story. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, when King Herod was warned of the birth of the new king, the baby Jesus, he sent soldiers to kill all boys under the age of 2 to maintain a hold on his kingdom. The children killed on this day are known as the “Holy Innocents.” Jesus escaped the slaughter because his parents were warned by an angel and fled.
The date is set on December 28 in part because it is a few days after the celebration of Jesus’s birth.
But the concept of “a trick” comes into play because King Herod was fooled into believing that he had eliminated the threat, which he had not.
The concept of behaving in a naughty manner dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe, when there was a “festival of the crazies” between December 24 and 31. A blind eye was turned to many kinds of excess but the festival got out of hand in Spain, forcing King Phillip II to ban it. The celebration became a day associated with playing tricks and the practice of borrowing something to be returned on Candlemas, February 2.
Like other Spanish Catholic observances, this made its way to Mexico and has evolved in its own way. There is a phrase recited to those who have been fooled is “Inocente palomita que te dejaste engañar en este Día de los Inocentes, que en nadie debes confiar.” (Innocent dove, you let yourself be fooled on this Day of the Innocents, when nobody should be trusted.)
Source: El Sol de México (sp), La Razón (sp)
In Mexico, April Fool’s Day falls in December and celebrates ‘the innocents’
Total for Cheryl’s Shoebox
We have final totals for the Sinterclaus Shoe Drive at The Reinas Bar, let’s read from the Banderas News…December 27th
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Reinas Bar on the south side of Puerto Vallarta is tackling one of the most visible signs of poverty by giving kids in need new shoes this holiday season. “When you give shoes to a child, you give so many other things like hope, dignity, and joy,” noted Marcus Van Groeningen, owner of Reinas Bar.
Thanks to the bar’s caring patrons, over 800 pairs of new shoes were collected during this year’s ‘fun-raising’ shoe drive.
The shoes will be distributed by Cheryl’s Shoebox, a local non-profit organization. The programs at Cheryl’s Shoebox have changed over the years with the underlying foundation of children and education. What started with a few pair of shoes to neighborhood children has expanded to school supplies, school window repair as well as providing mattresses for children undergoing cancer treatment and the list goes on and on.
Childhood is supposed to be a magical, carefree time. But kids can suffer excruciating stigma, bullying, and ridicule… all for the lack of decent shoes. Reinas Bar has collected over 1644 pairs since the campaign started just 2 years ago.
Start 2020 off on the right foot by stopping by Reinas Bar at Lázaro Cárdenas 361 to learn more about this wonderful program. So way to go Marco and the Queen’s Bar. I have a link in the shownotes as well as the full scoop on Sinterclaus and his special helpers the Piten, the black petes in last week’s podcast episode if you missed it that is. Next yar, maybe we can help them to 1,000 pairs.
http://www.banderasnews.com/1912/pvrpv-reinas-bar-shoes-for-pv-kids.htm?fbclid=IwAR3WnFBNWXHRkOdBs6F2JxIpm4bv3o2icIS58muE_Qfot5qlfUiwiEnWQQk
Listener Email
Speaking of Cheryl’s Shoebox, I got an email from listener Cheryl, a different Cheryl, and here’s what she says,
Love love loved the interview with Sol. Character isn’t he?
We remember after he first opened and we were waiting on a table. When it was our turn, the table broke! He apologized and we asked if we could bring our own table, could we eat there. He said sure and we walked about 3 blocks to our condo and brought a folding table and had a fantastic dinner! His staff brought the table back the next day. What a guy!
I’ll send pics of him at Thanksgiving one year.
Carry on!
Cheryl
I have pictures in the shownotes Cheryl sent over to me. I can’t wait to get back to Sol’s for some Matzah Ball Soup. It’s so weird right? Thanks Cheryl, for your email, see you and Jim in a week or so.
New Year Celebrations in Puerto Vallarta
And New Years eve celebrations are on tap next in Puerto Vallarta. If you are in town, make sure you have a place to watch the fireworks show from. At midnight the bay will light up with pyrotechnic delights. I wish I could be there but alas, not yet, but soon enough.
Rodolfo The Blind Singer on The Malecon
If you’ve spent any amount of time on the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, you may have heard or seen this incredible voice coming from a blind man, walking along with a karaoke machine box around his neck, walking ailing with cane in one hand, and a microphone and a contribution cup in the other. His name is Rodolfo and the Friends of Rodolfo the Blind Singer have a special announcement. There is a very special event planned for Wednesday January the 8th…I’ll read from his press release…
On Wednesday, January 8 at 8:00pm, for the third year in a row, Rodolfo will be a featured singer at a major Guadalupe Church event. This invitation was extended to Rodolfo again by Canadian musician and producer David Boz, who has helped the church with an annual benefit for eight years.
To prepare, Rodolfo is working by Jean-Guy Comeau, who will perform as well along with Davis Boz, Kathy Overly, Astro Delta, Shanti Doelger, and Lena Bain. These accomplished professionals, who donate their services, will treat you to the works of Bach, Handel, Schubert, Scarlatti, and others.
Don’t miss this very entertaining evening. Arrive early to get good seats.
I’ll be there for sure recording the event.
Also, the in this press release…it reads…
National Blind Singers’ Competition – Second Place Award!!
In Jerez, Zacatecas, December 14 and 15, blind singers from throughout Mexico gathered to compete for honors and recognition. For his impressive work, Rodolfo placed second. First place went to a lady opera singer. When you see Rodolfo, congratulation him on his significant accomplishment.
For the competition, Rodolfo and his wife, Julia, had to take an 11-hour, overnight bus trip. On their return, traffic extended their time in the bus to 14 hours. In additions to the satisfaction that came with Rodolfo’s success, both said that they had a wonderful time with fellow performers and friends.
Rodolfo has a website and I have a link to it in the shownotes.
http://cantantepv.com/index.html
You can hire Rodolfo for parties and events, and in a few weeks, I’m going to have Rodolfo on the show, and we will talk about how you can do just that so stay tuned for that. You can catch Rodolfo during the high season, that’s right now, every Sunday night from January 5th to March 28th from 6 till 9 at Coco Tropical, and at Barrio Bistro every Wednesday night from 6:30 till 9 beginning January 15th and running till March 25th. So, go Rodolfo. I can’t wait to introduce him to you all.
The Puerto Vallarta Travel Show Celebrates the Beginning of Year 4
This is the end of year three and the beginning of year 4 of The Puerto Vallarta Travel Show.
Minimum Wage Raised in Mexico
Good news for Mexican workers, the Minimum Wage is up. From Puerto Vallarta Daily News…
Mexico raised its national minimum wage 20% Monday, but it still doesn’t amount to even $1 an hour.
That is a boost from the 120.68-peso minimum wage prevailing this year.
While the increase well above the 3% annual inflation rate, it is barely enough to keep one person over the poverty line, even though Mexico’s constitution says it should be enough to support a worker and his family.
The minimum wage in a narrow stretch of territory along the border with the United States is higher than in the rest of the country, due to higher living costs. Starting next year the border minimum will rise about 5%, to $9.75 a day.
The Labor Department said the lowest legal wage will be 123.22 pesos a day starting Jan. 1, or about $6.50 at current exchange rates. And that’s the scoop on the minimum wage in Mexico.
Hiking and Backpacking in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Let’s get to the subject of hiking in Puerto Vallarta.
Contact Information For Aventuras Quetzal
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/aventuraquetzal/
- Phone:+52 322 235 7777
The first thing I want you to do if you haven’t already, is to go to Vallartainfo.com, that’s JR’s website, and download and print out his maps. They are great to have in hand or backpack as you wander around town.
Next before you come to Vallarta, download the Google maps offline version to your cellphone. Make sure to download it while you are at home using your WiFi because It uses a lot of data. If you have an android device as a phone and can add an SD card for extra data, that can serve you well if space is limited on your phone, but the offline version of the Google maps app works better if the stored map in stored in the phone memory. That is optimum. The maps will disappear in 15 days if you aren’t connected to an internet connection. So keep that in mind Google will automatically update the map as long as you are connected to WiFi.
There are apps for your phone for trails and walks…distance and elevation. But I really like the Google Map function for city hikes and walks.
Go to your google map function and type in a starting point. Let’s say we are walking from Lazaro Cardenas Park to Balam Balam. Type in Lazaro Cardenas Park, then look for the button that says directions, hit that and it will have two boxes at the top of the screen, one will have the starting point, the other will say Lazaro Cardenas Park. Type in Balam Balam as the starting point, or you can reverse them using the up and down
arrows alongside the locations. The screen will show you directions. Click on the hiker icon above the map, and you will see the quickest way to get there, as well as alternate routes. Looking at my map, it tells me the distance, 1.1 km, It tells me it will take me 13 minutes, if you look at your screen at the bottom left hand corner you will see a button that says preview and it tells you where and how to start your walk. Next to the preview
button is a button that says steps and more. Press that and it gives you step by step, turn by turn instructions including 360 degree photos. It’s amazing! But there’s more. You look at the hiker icon on the screen above the map and there are other icons. Next to the hiker is an Uber Icon. Press that and it tells you how long and approximately how much, to take an Uber from where you are to where you want to go, if you decide your walk isn’t going so well. You can go right from the map, to the app and summon your Uber from where you are. There’s a bus icon that you can push and it will tell you how to get to your nearest bus stop by foot, and which buses will take you where you want to go including the best routes. So if you don’t use Uber, but do use public transportation, bingo. They also can calculate routes by bike and car of course. But wait, there’s more. Go to the top of the screen next to the destination area and over the up and down arrows is a three dot stack. The magic stack. Press the dots and you will get an option to select your rout options, add a stop to your trip, search for something along the route, add the map to your home screen, share the directions with yourself or friends via whats app or messenger or email. You can also share your location with your friends too the same way.
Google maps give you the option to see the terrain, bus routes, satellite and map versions. Learn how to use that map app. It’s invaluable.
Some of my favorite hikes in Puerto Vallarta would have to be the hike up to the cross and a walk along the length of the Malecon.
To get to the cross from the Malecon, Begin at Mandala, on Abasolo and go straight up Abasolo. Follow the signs when you see them. The cross sits at approximately 500 meters or 1,640 feet up from sea level. It’s a hike but you will be rewarded with an incredible view of the bay, and the mountains and colonias east.
My very favorite walk is along the Malecon. If you start at Daquri Dicks and head north to the end of the Malecon at the Hotel Rosita and the McDonald’s, the distance is 1.5 km and they say it will take me 19 minutes and If you double back, the total is 3 km.
Another one of my favorite hikes in Vallarta is Up in Paso Ancho bus end of the line to Moro Paraiso. It’s an easy hike. Flat, and on a good gravel road. Only about 1 KM from the bus stop to Morro Paraiso.
I’ve taken Ubers back there if you don’t want to hike, but this is an episode about hiking.
Las Animas on the google maps function doesn’t work, by the way.
The walk from Boca de Tomatlan to Playa Las Animas is a great hike for those of you who are mobile.
Everyone says walk the streets, so Walk the Streets of The Romantic Zone. Go up and down the streets beginning at Aquellis Serdan up and across to Madero and go down and so-on. The walk will be about 6 km when you finish on Basillio Badillo, and you will know all about that part of town in the meantime.
Take the Street Art Mural Tour. Go to PVstreetart.com, and there’s a map and turn by turn instructions broken down by neighborhoods. It’s cool and I have a link in the shownotes. They also give tours too so if you are looking for a guided tour by a local artist, that’s available through PV Street Art too.
PV Street Art Strolls Map
PVStreet Art Website
https://www.pvstreetart.com/interactive-street-art-map
You can customize a walk for yourself and family and friends. Do a Church Hop. Hit all the big churches in town.
Do a bridge walk, cross all the bridges that cross the Rio Cuale beginning at the ocean Malecon bridge, then crisscross your way up the Cuale Island to Colonia Canoes and the Puente Colgante Bridge. That would be a great walk.
Walk up in Alta Vista or Conchas Chinas. Make your own customized walks using Google Maps.
Aventuras Quetzal and Eduardo Nava, Hiking in Puerto Vallarta
Now our next guest has been on the show before as I said at the beginning of the podcast. I first met Eduardo Nava at the Choco Museum about a year ago, and he told us
about that great place just off the Malecon. That was the same show that we met Javier Nino, one of my favorite artists here in town. That episode. At the time Eduardo told us that he was going to do hiking tours designed for those who want to get out and do
something physical. And he did, and his tours are called Aventuras Quetzal. I liked the idea then and I really like it now. Eduardo invited me up to lunch at his place in the El
Cerro Neighborhood, above the Church at the Inglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, where we talked about what’s happening around the town, some of those things we will
be talking about on later episodes, but finally we got down to the subject of hiking, and taking in the nature and beauty of the Bahia de Banderas a little differently than usual, by foot, maybe with a pack and bedroll and tent.
So let’s go right now and get in on the conversation, let’s talk with Eduardo Nava of Aventuras Quetzal about commuting with nature in paradise, hiking and camping in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
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Wow, lot’s of information here.
I have links in the shownotes to the camping gear outfitters that Eduardo was talking about. Also maps and instructions of then different hikes I talked about, and the walks that Eduardo took us on also in the shownotes for this podcast featuring Eduardo Nava. If you are listening today, the 28th of December, give me a day or two to fully update the blogpost, then you will find all of that information so check back in a couple of days for a more complete post.
Okay that should do it for this week.
Next week, stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and more. Until then, remember, this is an interactive show where I depend on your questions and suggestions about all things
Puerto Vallarta. If you think of something I should be talking about, please reach out to me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending us your message.
And remember, if you are considering booking any type of tour while you are in Puerto Vallarta, you must go to Vallartainfo.com, JR’s website and reserve your tour through him, right from his website. Remember the value for value proposition. His experience and on the ground knowledge of everything Puerto Vallarta in exchange for your making a purchase of a tour that you would do anyway, you’re just doing it through him as a way
of saying thank you. It costs no more than if you were to use someone else so do it. Really. And when you do take one of these tours, email me about your experiences. Maybe you can come on-board and share with others what you liked or didn’t like about the tour. Again, contact me by clicking on the Contact us tab and sending off a message. Don’t forget his maps, his DIY tours and his revitalized Happy Hour Board. I have links to all of those in the show notes.
And once again, if you like this podcast, please take the time and subscribe and give me a good review on iTunes if you would. That way we can get the word out to more and more people about the magic of this place. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Remember I made it easy
for you to do just that with each episode I create. But if you haven’t been to my website, you really need to have a look there. I have the links to the places we talk about, interesting pictures and the more all right there in my blog-posts and show-notes for each episode of the show so check them out for sure if you haven’t already all-right? All right.
Okay, thanks so much Eduardo Nava of Aventuras Quetzal, check out all his contact information for a short one hour hike, to a three day weekend. Eduardo is your man. I
have links, and photos, even of the group tossing tortillas. I have maps and instructions on using your Google Maps function in the shownotes too and next time down, put a hike on your list the next time you visit paradise and want to try something a little different.
Learn to use Google maps like a pro. Okay, and thanks to all of you for listening all the way through this episode of the Puerto Vallarta Travel Show. This is Barry Kessler signing off with a wish for you all to slow down, be kind and live the Vallarta lifestyle. Nos Vemos amigos!