Puerto Magico is a Cruise Ship Port, and a Shopping Mall
Puerto Magico has Shopping, Food and Authentic Mexican Local Entertainment
Buy Hand Made Chocolates and take Chocolate Making Classes at Cacao Magico in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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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.
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 our toes in the sand right at the water’s edge. It’s so romantic, it’s so, Puerto Vallarta my friends.
This week we are going to the Port in Puerto Vallarta. We are going to Puerto Magico, the new shopping experience in Vallarta a the port where the cruise ships arrive. You will be meeting Dean Regehr who built the place. Also Dean and his son have a chocolate
factory in the port called Cacao Magico. You will learn about that but before we get to Dean and Puerto and Cacao Magico, let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta the 24th day of November, 2021.
Contact Information For Puerto Magico, Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 116 0442
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuertoMagicoMX/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pvmagico
Contact Information for Cacao Magico, Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio Km 4.5 Avenida Heroica, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Zona Hotelera, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 182 9209
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cacaomagicopv/
- Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/cacaomagico/?hl=en
- Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/cacaomagico
Thanksgiving in Puerto Vallarta
Happy Thanksgiving to all you Americans celebrating tomorrow and if you are in Vallarta, there are tons of options for a Thanksgiving in Vallarta complete with all the fixings.
What is Buen Fin?
Mexico’s version of the Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping event —called El Buen Fin— turns 10 this year. As in 2020, the dates have been extended from the original four days over the Revolution Day long-weekend holiday in order to discourage overcrowding at stores and malls.
Each year since its inception in 2011, more retailers and service providers have joined in the event, which is coordinated by the federal government and various business associations.
The past decade has coincided with a rapid increase in the number of people in Mexico buying goods online, and this year it’s expected that online sales will continue to increase.
According to surveys carried out by the Mexican online sales association (AMVO), three of every 10 people who intend to take advantage of the discounts and special offers will buy online for the first time. This willingness to acquire goods through electronic means reflects increasing trust in online markets and the ever-improving network of delivery systems that get goods to customers more quickly and make returns straightforward, and convenient.
The AMVO surveys revealed that seven out of 10 people plan to buy both online and in stores, while 27% said they would only buy online and 3% said they would only buy in stores. One caveat: the surveys were conducted online, so it would exclude many people who not only don’t shop online, but also wouldn’t take part in an online survey.
Most of Mexico’s large retail chains have online shopping options, although the efficiency of their delivery services varies considerably. The best way to find out is to ask a frequent online buyer, preferably a millennial, as they just know these things. They also have an additional advantage in that they will probably also look up and compare Black Friday offers on sites like Amazon and Mercado Libre.
This year’s El Buen Fin is scheduled to run from Wednesday, November 10th through Tuesday, November 16th. Revolution Day is actually on Nov. 20th, but the holiday is marked on the third Monday of the month, which this year is the 15th. The US Black Friday event falls on November 26th this year.
As usual, the most popular articles for online shoppers —according to the same surveys— are likely to be clothing, electronic goods, home appliances and cell phones, followed by personal care items, booking travel, and toys. Only 1% of those surveyed said they would use the event to make advance purchases, such as getting an early start on Christmas shopping.
El Buen Fin has been criticized in the past for the lack of giveaway prices like the ones that lead shoppers to line up overnight in the US and make a mad rush when the doors open. A typical complaint of people surveyed in Mexico is that the offers aren’t all that attractive, or that they’re often restricted to interest-free months of credit if they use certain banks’ credit cards for the purchase.
Nevertheless, people do find worthwhile discounts, and some people will delay the purchase of big-ticket items including domestic appliances and home improvement materials like tiles and blinds as well as bathrooms and kitchens to see what offers are presented during El Buen Fin.
In 2020, when capacity restrictions at malls and stores were still in effect in many places, sales were estimated at 239 billion pesos (about US$12 billion), and organizers expect this year’s event to exceed that, especially as the Covid “traffic light” is on “green” in most of the country.
And I have a link to that article from Mexperience.com in the shownotes.
https://www.mexperience.com/reflections-on-a-decade-of-shopping-el-buen-fin/
Upcoming trip and meet and greet
I’m flying into Puerto Vallarta this coming Monday. I’ll be taking a van to the border crossing in San Diego California, CBX. I’ll take the pedestrian bridge over to the Tijuana Airport and fly nonstop 2 hours, 40 minutes for about $100 round trip via Viva Aerobus. I’ll be staying at an Airbnb located above the Barracuda right on the beach on Playa Camerones in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood.
I want to do a meet and greet open microphone podcast, but this time, because they have a bunch of events planned at Nacho Daddy, I’d like to have the meet and greet at a place where we can catch a Puerto Vallarta sunset. Let’s meet at La Traviata at 4:30 and we’ll go till 6:30. Sun sets at 6:19 this coming Tuesday. So, let’s do it. Tuesday, November 30th at La Traviata, on the roof of the Hotel Las Palomas Del Mar on Calle Honduras 309 in the Cinco de Diciembre neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. Come if you are in town. If you have a business, a charity, an event coming up that you want to share, or better still, if you are a listener who wants to share what they are doing in Puerto Vallarta with the world, come and join in the fun. I have the information in the shownotes and I will be posting to the PVTS Facebook page so like the page if you haven’t already so you can get the notification. Anyway, come join me…keep me company…spill the beans…tell me your Puerto Vallarta Story this Tuesday at 4:30..till 6:30. See you there.
Merchants Need to Move From Parque Hidalgo
A few weeks ago I talked about the merchants who were forced out of the Municipal Market after the flooding of the Rio Cuale due to Hurricane Nora, had moved to Parque Hidalgo in Cinco de Diciembre while repairs were being done…well looks like they’ve got to move…from Puerto Vallarta Reporter…
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And I have a link to that article from the Puerto Vallarta Reporter in the shownotes…although it will do you no good if you aren’t paying for their subscription.
https://puertovallartareporter.com/tenants-of-the-cuale-market-must-vacate-parque-hidalgo/
Changes to the FMM or Tourist Visas in Mexico
Last week I started telling you about new rules being put in place to tighten up the timeframes of tourists planning to come to Mexico. It seems the 6 month visa built in to the FMM card, the immigration card you fill out when you enter Mexico is too liberal and there are efforts being made to make visitors be more specific as to how long they expect to stay.
Well here’s an article from Mexperience.com describing in detail what’s going on….
Changes to Time Allowed in Mexico Using a Visitor Permit
The way visitors are admitted to Mexico is changing in regard to the amount of time granted to stay under auspice of a visitor permit (FMM)
by Mexperience
People who come to Mexico for leisure or business visits lasting 180 days or less, and who are passport holders of one of the many countries which don’t require a visa to enter Mexico can complete a Visitors permit, known as Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM, at the port of entry.
The 180-day maximum is no longer the default
Under Mexico’s immigration rules, the maximum time you are allowed to stay in Mexico under the auspice of a visitor permit (FMM) is 180 calendar days.
The number of days granted has always been at the discretion of the immigration official at the port of entry and until now, most (but not all) visitors arriving in Mexico for leisure and business trips tended to be issued with visitor permits granting the full 180-day allowance.
What this change means for visitors to Mexico
If you are visiting Mexico under the auspice of a visitor permit this change to the way visitors are admitted might or might not affect you. If you intend to stay longer than a couple of weeks, then you should explain this to the immigration official who will ask about your intentions and may ask to see evidence in support of your plans; for example, accommodation arrangements and return flights.
Leisure tourists and short-term business visitors
If you arrive in Mexico for a short vacation or a short business trip, you’re unlikely to be affected by this change. Be sure to communicate your plans to the immigration official so that they provide you with sufficient days for your visit.
Longer-term visits
If you intend to stay in Mexico for more than a couple of weeks, or are accustomed to using Mexico’s visitor permit for longer-term visits —for example, if you spend winters in Mexico or own a home here and live part-time as a visitor— and you automatically expect to be granted 180 days because that has been the norm to now, you should talk to the immigration official at the port of entry and explain your plans and intentions before they write the number of days on your permit, and ask for the days you need to suit your plans (it cannot exceed 180 days).
‘Perpetual visitors’
This change is likely to impact ‘perpetual visitors’ as they may not be granted 180 days by default. As we have remarked in the article about the FMM, some people have been using the flexibility of the Visitor permit to continually return to Mexico to remain here longer-term. We also remarked that immigration officials have been checking the arrival records of people coming to Mexico for some while now and questioning the intentions of those who continually return—and we’ve thus been recommending that you consider applying for legal residency if you intend to be in Mexico for longer.
Visitor permits cannot be extended or renewed
The number of days written on your visitor permit (FMM) by the immigration official at the port of entry is the maximum time you are allowed to stay in Mexico, even if that is less than 180 days. You might be able to exchange your visitor permit for a residency permit in certain situations.
You cannot have the number of days extended, and you cannot renew this permit.
If you are in Mexico and wish to apply for legal residency, you must leave Mexico to begin the application, except:
if you have certain family connections in Mexico you may apply to exchange your visitor permit for a residency permit in-country; or;
under a special procedure announced by the INM some people with expired visitor permits may exchange these for residency permits in-country without having to leave Mexico; or
the visitor permit may also be exchanged in-country for humanitarian reasons, but the circumstances must be exceptional, and the procedure is at the discretion of the immigration office.
You must otherwise leave Mexico before the permit expires.
Visitor permit time allowance changes: summary
Here are the key points to note about the changes:
Mexico’s visitor permit (FMM) allows visitors to remain in Mexico for a maximum of 180 days but the number of days granted has always been at the discretion of the immigration official at the port of entry
Visitors may no longer be granted 180 days’ stay in Mexico by default; instead visitors are granted a number of days commensurate with their intentions and immigration officials may ask for supporting evidence of those intentions.
The decision about how many days are granted remains at the discretion of the immigration official at the port of entry and the number of days granted (written) on the permit is the maximum time you are allowed to stay in Mexico: it will never exceed 180 days, but it may be less than 180 days.
Visitor permits (FMM) cannot be extended or renewed; they may be exchanged in-country in a limited number of special circumstances as described above.
You must leave Mexico before your visitor permit expires.
If you intend to be in Mexico longer-term, or you come to Mexico for a few months each year and want to facilitate your entry and exit with the least amount of friction, we recommend you apply for residency in Mexico by applying at a consulate abroad, or through the special procedure, if you qualify.
If you are already in Mexico and have concerns or questions about an existing visitor permit, you should contact your local INM office for advice and guidance.
I have a link to that article from Mexperience.com in the shownotes
From another group of expats in Mexico
Oct. 26/2021
Sonia Diaz is an immigration attorney and her husband posts often to JR’s Vallarta Advisor Facebook Group and he writes….
Excellent visa information from Expats in Mexico. Sonia tried to improve the wording but kept the meaning and intent.
Tourist FMM Visas, Temporal & Permanente Visas, Tax Implications etc.
Today there was a live radio broadcast in Espanol with a guest who is a senior executive with Inmigracion in Mexico City.
I took down some notes from the radio feed to share and help clear up some of the confusion in many Facebook groups and forums recently.
INM has been more diligent recently in attempting to crackdown on misuse of tourist visas. This is not to punish travelers but to educate and inform.
INM agents are asking for more proof of travel itinerary such as hotel accommodations and dates; return airline tickets; length of stay, etc .
Regular tourists (typical 1-3 week stay) are given appropriate tourist visas).
Snowbirds and longer term stays means INM agents look at age & retirement factors in their assessment. These people are given appropriate time based FMM’s based upon length requested providing they satisfy the agents questions. Note: there is one exception. If snowbirds own and rent out property in Mexico they are expected to be a temporary resident with a permission to work visa or be a permanent resident.
Remote Workers / Digital Nomads. These tend to be younger travelers. INM officials believe if you work in a country, then you are a resident of that country. You are not a tourist. You are expected to have a temporary resident visa card.
In summary, agents are more thoroughly assessing: age; accommodations; length of stay; return plane ticket; being a landlord; digital nomad; source of income; repeated entries; duration of previous entries; etc.
Length of time for FMM tourist cards are becoming shorter.
Repeat or serial tourists please note all trip history is available to INM agents. It is constantly updated. INM staff can quickly identify misuse of tourist visas.
Other flags that agents look for when assessing visas, include suspected criminal activity, country of origin, etc.
Anyone who stays for 180 days, leaves and comes back for another extended period within the same year are obviously living in Mexico and not living in their native country. These people are now being flagged by agents and given short FMM periods. Some will be denied entry altogether. They will be encouraged to return when they apply for residency.
The following is on our FB page Exapts in Mexico with 71000 members. The poster is Lita Cruz. Her husband worked for INM under the Comisionado. He was in meetings with AMLO & the Comisionado while all this was being decided in 2019/2020. He retired last year. Please, this is to inform of what is likely to happen regarding Inmigracion. These issues have been covered by AMLO in morning briefings.
There is no need to comment.
Exapats in Mexico
Lita Cruz · 8h ·
We were getting my mother’s Visa handled. My husband was told (again-because he knew before he left) that as this year goes on all airports will follow in limiting FMMs. Land borders will begin limiting in January.
Immigration will continue to evolve this next year as México is no longer the country it once was. Over the next 3 years, immigration will become more difficult.
* These changes have nothing to do with caravans or arrivals by shipping containers.
* These changes have everything to do with foreign populations in México and sustainability (ie: food supply, housing, medical care, etc) all of these are being stretch too much at the current level already.
* COVID is creating even more pressure on systems and will possibly complicate the planned actions.
* An upsurge in unexpected applications by peoples wanting to sit & wait for entrance to the US. While they qualify for Residency in México their applications to the US are being denied. This is putting México in a queue state and that was never the intention of México. These applications will be more closely scrutinized.
* In January, the plan is to start detaining and deporting all foreign nationals who violate immigration policies. ** Please note Residents are required to carry their ACTUAL card on them all at all times. Failure to do it will result in the person being detained.
* México realizes people are coming to avoid COVID restrictions in their home countries. México is considering requiring that new Residency applicants be vaccinated prior to receiving their Residency appointments at their home Consulate. ** México still does not agree with vaccination of children so anyone under 17 would be exempt. Anyone over 17 would have to comply. ** If this is decided on it will start in January possibly December.
Will everything happen according to the schedule? Who knows. INM has been working on the policies (not Covid obviously) for a couple of years now. The policies were supposed to already be in place. Covid pushed back the start of the roll out.
But this is just the tip. Everyone saying México will back down? Not likely. México has plenty of resources and growth because of NAFTA. It does not need foreign money like 30 years ago. México is on a level playing field. Sure there are beach communities that rely heavily on foreign money. But those dollars come from TOURISTS aka VACATIONS not residents or snowbirds. The latter drive up prices more than they contribute to the economy. That’s a double edge sword. Tourists come in for 2 weeks, toss a few thousand into the economy and fly home. HUGE DIFFERENCE.
So it’s time to get off the pot folks….get your residency…if you have that…maybe start thinking about that passport…..quick…I know I am.
Homelessness in Puerto Vallarta
From Tribuna de La Bahia.com….
Alarming increase in homeless people in Vallarta
November 15, 2021
Miguel Gonzalez Guerra
CPS Average
Benjamín Martínez Núñez , president of the Neighborhood Council of the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood, indicated that the problem of homeless people in the romantic area and center of the city is worrying, where there are around 50 homeless people, of all ages, even women.
“I have counted more than fifty homeless people. Here the problem is that they are coming to live in the river, they are taking it as a home and if the authorities do not do something the situation will worsen, these people here eat, sleep and use the bathroom ”, he pondered.
The neighborhood leader indicated that he has spoken with the needy, who confessed that life here is easy, because there are many restaurants where they go to order a taco and they always provide them with food, others are given work washing cars and others open doors in convenience stores to get a few coins:
“That causes … why are they leaving? The problem is that more are coming,” he warned.
Inhabitants of this central area are already extremely concerned, as it has become commonplace to see homeless people lying on the sidewalks, drinking alcohol or taking drugs, even in streets near the boardwalk, outside businesses and restaurants have reported that they make their physiological needs, causing bad odors and pollution.
Dozens of them have already settled on the Island of the Cuale river and its banks, some have appropriated an empty place and others have erected tents with plastics, cardboard and fabrics, there are those who adapted caves under the hanging bridges:
“At night you will see full here, it is as if it were a hotel”, denounced Mr. Benjamin.
Neighbors and businessmen on the road are already desperate, as they have to clean up the dirt they leave on their sidewalks and be on the lookout for vandalism.
It’s a never-ending story, they keep reporting them to Public Safety, but they only get their attention, they take them away, but after a few minutes they come back:
“The police cannot take them, so they run away, but after half an hour they return,” he lamented
This phenomenon has become a social and health problem, which grows more every day, as there are often fights, some are aggressive with people who do not give them money or what they ask, in addition to the bad image that is given to tourists, so they ask the authorities to fully address the situation.
And I have a link to that article from Tribuna de la Bahia.com in the Shownotes…
So, homelessness is not just limited to your town anymore is it. Hope they can get their arms around the problem before it gets out of hand don’t you?
Okay…let’s see, usually this time of year we are getting ready for the processions and the pilgrimage and I have news for you….it ain’t happening this year. Like last year….by order of the governor of the state of Jalisco there will be no processions…no fun…no party…nada. Cuz….the rona….
Enough of this good news, let’s get to our guest and the interview.
Puerto Magico and Cacao Megico in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
I’ve been holding back on this interview because the cruising industry has been on a sort of hiatus over the last 20 months or so, but it’s time to visit the place where the cruise ships dock in Puerto Vallarta. It’s a new venue built by the man you will be hearing from,
Contact Information For Puerto Magico, Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 116 0442
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PuertoMagicoMX/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/pvmagico
Contact Information for Cacao Magico, Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio Km 4.5 Avenida Heroica, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Zona Hotelera, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 182 9209
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/cacaomagicopv/
- Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/cacaomagico/?hl=en
- Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/cacaomagico
my friend Dean Regehr, and it’s called Puerto Magico. Puerto Magico is a lovely place for cruisers to Puerto Vallarta to disembark and immediately feel the friendly Bienvenidos,
welcome to Mexico feeling. It’s a shopping and entertainment, complex where a cruiser can get a Vallarta Experience without leaving the port. I’m going to let Dean tell you about it of course. Dean also has a wonderful chocolate factory and boutique inside
Puerto Magico, called Cacao Magico, where I met his son Mitch, Mitch runs the chocolate store…gee…what a bummer. The smells are amazing and the chocolates are works of art. and it’s a beautiful place where sweet magic really happens.
It’s very simple to get to Puerto Magico. It’s easy to pick out when one of the giant cruise ships are sitting there, but it’s across from the Hospital Loya right off of the caraterra 200. You can see a good sized parking structure with free parking by the way, and three towers rise from the complex which are easy to see from afar. Of course easy access for cabs and Ubers to drop you off.
Now this is where most of the day and dinner cruises depart on tours as well, so even if you aren’t arriving by ship, or picking up a friend who is arriving at the port, if you are taking the pirate ship cruise, or boat to Yelapa or any of those tours, you may still be coming to Puerto Magico.
I arrived by cab and was given a tour of the complex by Dean and Mitch as well as a tour of the chocolate store. I have pictures in the shownotes. I also had a wonderful
opportunity to see how the chocolate is made at a gathering of Vallarta notables for a fundraiser with Amy Armstrong and the group Piel Canela. I have some pictures from
that event as well. So let’s go right now, to Vallarta’s coolest newest shopping and entertainment spot, Puerto Magico, as well as its swanky sweet spot Cacao Magico, let’s
meet the man with a vision on a mission… my friend Dean Regehr, Puerto Magico, and Cacao Magico in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
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Okay, thank you Dean. I have links and pictures of the complex, and of the chocolate shop. It’s a chocolate factory you need to go to. They do deliver as Dean said and they currently have a location in town. If you go to Lix, they carry chocolates from Cacao Magico.
Also I have the latest cruise ship arrival schedule in the shownotes as well. Currently I have the November arrivals, and will add the December schedule when it becomes
available in a couple of days. I love Dean. The guy has a heart of gold and is always upbeat, he loves the people of Vallarta as much as I do. He’s always there for me with
great ideas for interviews. You will be hearing from more of them over the next couple of weeks, that’s for sure. Dean’s an ambassador to this lovely town we all know and love. Let’s hope the cruise ships keep coming, in larger numbers than ever… to Puerto Vallarta, and to Puerto Magico.
Okay, that should do it for today…Next 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.
Thanks to Dean Regehr of Puerto Magico and Cacao Magico. Take a chocolate making class, go shopping, taste tequila, have fun in paradise. I have links and pictures and cruise ship schedules in the shownotes at www.puertovallartatravelshow.com.
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.
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