Thomas is an American Expat Living in Yelapa, a Seaside Village in Cabo Corrientes, just South of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Thomas Gives us Tips on What to See, How to Get to Yelapa From Puerto Vallarta and Tips on Overnight Accommodations
Also a Visit with Bob Price, Curator, Director and Creator of Vallarta Botanical Garden, What’s new for 2022
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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 Village of Yelapa, in Cabo Corrientes just south of Puerto Vallarta, and we are going to be talking with a very interesting man from my neck of the woods, Hollywood California, his name is Thomas, and Thomas has lived in Yelapa for
many years and one of the things he is known for, is salt. Thomas is the salt guy. But he has some stories to tell about his adopted home, Yelapa. Like out of this world stories kind of stories. If you know what I mean.
We will be visiting the Vallarta Botanical Garden and Bob Price, the guy in charge who will get us all up to date on what is happening at the Garden and what we should be looking for. But before we get to Bob and Thomas, let’s see what’s happening this week, the 24th of December 2021. Merry Christmas everyone.
It’s Christmas in Puerto Vallarta 2021
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Puerto Vallarta along the Malecon. The Ice rink is busy, a carousel, a train that goes up and down the Malecon, and the little posadas and processions along the Malecon and the little Christmas Village is bright and colorful and festive.
It seems they finally figured out what to do with The little huts or structures for the Christmas Village built along the Malecon beginning at the McDonalds, extending to the
ice rink area. Businesses along the Malecon are individually sponsoring these stands, and thus, paying for the opportunity to do so in order to offset the cost of the project said to be costing the city approximately 8 million pesos or about $400,000 US. A figure that
caused many to wonder where on earth the money was coming from while the city is struggling to pay their employees. I have some clips of the happenings in the shownotes, recorded by my on the ground reporter Salvador Estrada, the Candyman on the Malecon
with his new phone. When you see Salvador, throw him a couple of extra pesos, he had to buy a new van. The engine on his old one was shot. I’m going to tell you a little story next
week about his old van, and share some pictures of the old van and the new one and my many experiences with Salvador, having helped him set up in the morning, and break down in the evening that will give you a whole different perspective on being wheelchair bound in Vallarta, or anywhere for that matter.
Speaking of the city having no money to pay its employees, have you noticed prices going up in your neck of the woods wherever you happen to live? Well, it’s happening in Mexico too… from Puerto Vallarta Reporter online….
” Inflation, Price Hikes a Huge Concern as the Year Ends”….
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I have a link to that article from Vallarta Reporter in the shownotes.
https://puertovallartareporter.com/inflation-price-hikes-huge-concerns-as-year-ends/
Show us your Papers…New Rules to Follow Regarding Visitor, Temp Residents and Permanente
A couple of weeks ago we talked about changes to the FMM, the tourist card. We discussed the crackdown on those who touch base every 6 months at their countries of origin, then turn around and spend another 6 months in Mexico, essentially making Mexico their home without going through the process of qualifying for, and applying for temporary residency or permanent residency as is required, by law. If you missed that episode you can listen or read about it in the episode two weeks ago about Puerto Magico and Cacao Magico. Well, there are new rules that we now must follow as tourists, that are not really new rules at all, it’s just that they were never enforced to the letter, but now they are and that is, we must carry with us, our passport and FMM card with us at all times now it seems.
Before, I’ve always suggested you make black and white copies of your passport and drivers license to carry with you when you are out and about, to serve as adequate identification in case you were stopped by the authorities, and just leave the originals in the safe at your room. Well, that won’t work anymore. You need to have the originals with you or risk being hauled to jail. Here’s the law as it’s written and as it’s being carried out…listen up…
U.S. EMBASSY & CONSULATES IN MEXICO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
OCTOBER 13, 2021
U.S. citizens are reminded that if you enter Mexico by land and plan to travel beyond the immediate border area you must stop at a National Migration Institute (INM) office to obtain an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple, or FMM), even if not explicitly directed to do so by Mexican officials.
When traveling in Mexico, the law requires that foreign visitors carry a passport and entry permit. You may be asked to present these documents at any point. If you do not present these documents, immigration authorities may lawfully detain you for up to 60 days while they review your immigration status.
Immigration check points are common in the interior of Mexico, including in popular tourist areas far from the border.
U.S. Citizens resident in Mexico should carry their resident identification cards at all times.
Actions to Take
- Obtain entry permit (FMM) at INM office if entering Mexico through a land border and traveling beyond the immediate border area.
- Carry your passport and entry permit (FMM) with you.
- For U.S. citizens who reside in Mexico, carry your resident identification card.
Assistance
- Contact Form
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico
- From Mexico: (55) 8526 2561
- From the United States: 1-844-528-6611
Links
- Mexico International Travel Information
- U.S. Passports
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
- Traveler’s Checklist
- Department of State on Facebook and Twitter
- U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and Twitter
I have a link to that announcement from the website at the US Consulate in Mexico in the shownotes…
https://mx.usembassy.gov/message-to-u-s-citizens-immigration-enforcement/
So now it’s important to carry around your Passport and tourist card at all times, especially when traveling from town to town. Also if you are a holder of a temporary residency or Permanente, you must carry the original card with you at all times too.
There have been reports of immigration officials checking the status of tourists walking around town.
They will arrest you and take you to jail if you can’t present them with the proper identification. It can be tricky if you are like me, a single traveler, usually traveling and walking alone. If I were to get stopped, I could be arrested and nobody would be there to help me. At least if you are with friends, one of them could go back to your hotel or wherever you are staying to locate the passport and FMM, bring them to the jailed friend so they can prove they are who they say they are. In original document form that is.
Now it’s time to look into ways to carry your passport and FMM like money belts, built-in pockets…I’ll report back if I find something that works. If any of you have ideas on how to carry around a passport without it getting wet or even worse, lost, please share with us. Looks like we are going to have to get used to it.
And speaking about getting rousted by the authorities, looks like some rogue police officers in town have decided to extort pesos from tourists just in time for holiday gift buying. Hey, cops need to buy stuff for their loved ones too.
Some Vallarta Cops are Shaking Down Tourists
Seems that cops have been harassing folks as they leave clubs in the romantic zone. They seem to be harassing and extorting members of the gay community. The police chief met with expats and members of the LBGTQ community and I have a link to a story from Out and About PV, titled Commissioner Responds to Concerns Over Police Extortion in Puerto Vallarta in the shownotes.
but the gist of it is that there was a meeting between members of the gay community and the police chief regarding alleged extortion of tourists in Puerto Vallarta by cops.
People were being stopped late at night or very early in the morning and cops were hassling them, demanding money, and in some cases, would drive the victim to their hotel or resort or Airbnb, and have them retrieve their credit cards and then drive them from ATM to ATM to empty their accounts.
This is very disturbing and it’s not the first time this has happened in Vallarta.
The last time they had this type of chicanery going on, it was about 3 years ago, and the officers who were doing the bad stuff were allegedly rooted out, and transferred out of the area. The result and advice from the police commissioner is the following, From the article in Out and About PV
“Nationals or foreign tourists are urged to make this report in person at the Security Police Station, on their website, or through a QR code that was created for this type of situation. The QR code opens up a chat on WhatsApp to report the cases. The WhatsApp account is labeled, Comisaría de Seguridad Ciudadana Puerto Vallarta Jalisco, and you are urged to add it to your contact list in case it’s needed.
Complaint Line Established
The Anonymous Complaint Line via WhatsApp was established in late October by the Directorate of Citizen Security and Municipal Road of Puerto Vallarta, in order that Vallartens residents report criminal behavior (including police extortion) and request advice if they have been victims of insecurity or abuse. The calls should be to the number 322 242 69 82 or scan the QR code that comes attached to the advertisement photograph.”
I have a copy of that ad as well as the QR code as well as the WhatsApp number in the shownotes. You will want to add this to your phone list if you have one that is.
My suggestion and theirs too, is to be very careful leaving clubs late at night alone. Go with a group. Don’t get wasted and hit the streets late at night. Take an Uber if possible, and if you take a cab, don’t let them split up the ride. Don’t let them separate you from your friends. I’ve heard about taxistas doing the same stunt, recently several people I know have been abused by taxi drivers in coordination with some rogue police. You really need to be careful and have your wits about you. Gay or straight.
I really need to behave because I’m almost always walking around late at night alone. Just saying.
Okay well that link and the WhatsApp number and QR code are all in the shownotes.
Also, watch your purse, don’t hang it over your chair. Keep an eye on your cell phone. There have been a spate of purse snatchings or lifting of wallets lately in town as well.
Lady’s try not to carry a bag if you can help it. But if you must, a cross body strap works well. And when you are seated at a table, the purse in your lap is preferred to slung over a chair. We must keep aware…folks are looking for opportunities and if you give them a chance, they will take that opportunity.
Okay, enough of this bad news. For some good news, it’s whale watching season again and the whales have found their way back to the bay. So get out on an excursion or keep your eye on the bay. You never know what you may see.
Okay. Let’s get some more good news from our guests shall we?
A Visit to See What’s New at The Vallarta Botanical Garden
It’s been too long since our last visit with Bob Price, The Founder and creator of the Vallarta Botanical Garden, just 40 minutes by bus south of Puerto Vallarta. If you have
never been to the garden you need to come. When I bussed it up there a couple of weeks ago with my friend Polly, I couldn’t believe how things have grown and matured. And so many flowers and butterflies. The beauty of nature at every turn. It’s just lovely.
Contact Information For the Vallarta Botanical Garden
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vbgardensac/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbgardens/?hl=en
- Website: http://www.vbgardens.org/
- Puerto Vallarta Office: Ignacio L. Vallarta 399-Local A, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 688 6295
I set up my recording equipment in the middle of the beautiful restaurant. Surrounded by flowers, hummingbirds, and the beautiful green mountains as a backdrop with the faint sound of the Rio Horcones in the background. It’s a magical place…to have a
conversation about a garden of the botanical variety. So let’s go right now to the Vallarta Botanical Garden, and talk with our friend, Roberto….Bob Price…
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Conservation in Action Program at The Vallarta
Botanical Garden
Because ensuring a secure place in the Future for flora and fauna of Mexico
must start with action today.
The wild areas and forests around Puerto Vallarta are among Mexico’s last remaining natural refuges for many native species of plants and animals, including orchids and endangered birds, jaguars and river otters, among many others. The Vallarta Botanical Garden is uniquely positioned and has been conserving habitat for wildlife since 2004 and is again acquiring additional properties to expand our globally important wildlife preserve. Help us protect against deforestation and fight climate change! Working together we can secure this natural sanctuary forever.
CLICK HERE TO GET STARTED
Thank you Bob. I have links to all we talked about in the shownotes. Get to the Garden if you get a chance. You will love it there.
Thomas The Salt Guy in Yelapa, Cabo Corrientes, Mexico
Okay, now my featured guest is a guy I met at a bar.
That’s right. Well, actually in front of a bar, Okay, it was The Salty Caesar, on Madero, I was delivering some terpenes I muled down for a buddy of mine who makes oils, the medicinal type you know the kind you smoke…drop on your tongue. Terpenes are what gives your vape oil that girl scout cookie flavor, or the wedding cake, or the Maui wowie. That’ what terpenes are. So we were discussing his chemistry projects and at the same time we solved the world’s problems with a group that began to gather. One day I need to recount that discussion…that’s for another day, but as we were solving the problems of the world, up walks Thomas, the guy you are about to meet. And we got to talking and immediately I knew I had to have this guy on the show. Lives in Yelapa, Southern California dude with a lot of knowledge of the area, and he introduced me to some of the best tasting salt I have ever tasted. That’s right…Salt. I cornered him and he said yes, he’d talk with me. So the next day, before he took off on a panga all supplied up and ready to
return to Yelapa I asked him if he would join me for breakfast at one of my favorite places. Hey, I interviewed Amy Armstrong last week there, at Cuates y Cuetes where I
love their chilliquelles verdes con pollo. Thomas came to join me and share his story and knowledge and experiences of a magical place south of Puerto Vallarta, So off to Cuates y Cuetes and Let’s talk about Yelapa with my buddy Thomas…the salt guy…
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Okay…thank you Thomas. Thomas is really shy about putting out his information about the salt. He will give me a few locations where you can find his product, and I’ll put it in the shownotes. I do remember the old days when they had these little salt bowls on the restaurant tables…back in the 80’s. That brought back memories.
Now about those flying saucers…….I gotta spend a few nights in Yelapa…and I intend to next time down.
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.
Thank you to Bob Price from Vallarta Botanical Garden. Make sure to visit the garden next time you are in Vallarta. Do heed Bob’s advice and dedicate time to helping improve the environment around where you live. Do your best to use less water as it’s o precious here in Vallarta. And if you do live in Vallarta, maybe join forces with neighbors and do something about the trash in your neck of the woods. Every little bit helps.
And thanks to Thomas, the salt man from Hollywood California and Yelapa. Check the shownotes for some pictures of the salt mines and a few pictures Thomas sent me to share with you, all that 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.