Learn to Dance the Salsa or The Tango in a Puerto Vallarta Nightclub with Dance Instructor Israel Andalon
Learn The Basic Salsa Dance Steps in a One Hour Personalized Lesson in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Hike to a Beach or Waterfall During the Day and Dance the Tango at Night with Israel Andalon in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Listen to The Podcast
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 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 trip the light fantastic in paradise. You will meet my buddy Israel Andalon who teaches people to dance the Salsa and the tango in Puerto Vallarta. Israel also gives hiking tours to tourists as well. Israel has some great ideas for places to dance in town so stay tuned for that. We have Vallarta news, special upcoming events, mailbag hijinks and more but before we get to moving our hips and high heels, let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta, the 25th of March, 2023…
Contact Information For Israel Andalon Salsa Dancing in Puerto Vallarta
- Israel Andalon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goyoman/
- Israel Andalon Website: https://andalon.com.mx/
- Israel Andalon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iandalon/?hl=en
- Israel Andalon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/israelandalon
- Hike with Israel Andalon Blog: https://alalibre.blog/nogalito/
- Hike with Israel Andalon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alalibrepv/
Spring Break in Puerto Vallarta 2023
In Vallarta, spring breakers are flocking to local resorts to enjoy the festivities still appreciated by the very young among us who have mommy and daddy throwing them wads of cash, to spend drunken days and nights, celebrating the crucifixion of Christ. It’s a beautiful thing to behold.
US State Department Warns College Kids to Skip the Trip to Mexico
All this is taking place in spite of the fact that the department of state in the US has been putting on their all points bulletins, warning college kids to skip the trip to Mexico…These warnings were in effect and this article was written before the kidnapping of 4 Americans in Matamoros….That incident was thought to be a case of mistaken identity where members of the Gulf Cartel suspected 4 Americans who were lost, and driving around Matamoros, looking for a cosmetic surgery clinic of being Hatian drug smugglers. The cartel members fired on their vehicle resulting in the death of two of the Americans.
Of course that was tragic, and it highlights the awful scourge of fentanyl production by cartels in Mexico and the flow of the drug into the US.. And now clueless politicians un the US want to declare cartels terrorist organizations so they can send in the military into Mexico to get them? Don’t get me started….Anyway, where was I? Oh yes….the news report…..
This from KTLA Channel 5
https://ktla.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/nationworld/spring-break-is-it-safe-to-visit-mexico/
As Americans prepare to pack up their books and hit the beaches, many are hearing an increasingly strong warning from the U.S. government: Think twice before traveling to Mexico.
Experts who spoke to NewsNation said some resorts, which have long been considered safe areas, may actually be controlled by Mexican drug cartels.
“There is a cartel presence in these resorts,” said Robert Almonte, a former U.S. marshal in the western district of Texas.
Almonte isn’t just referring to drugs being sold to tourists; he says cartels own some of those popular resorts as a way to launder money.
As of today, the U.S. State Department has issued its strongest possible “do not travel” warning for five Mexican states — Colima, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas — due to “crime and kidnapping.”
A sixth state, Guerrero, is on the list due to “crime.”
Of the 32 Mexican states, only two have a “normal precautions” designation, the lowest level.
The popular tourist state of Quintana Roo, which includes vacation hotspots such as Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Cancun, has a Level 2 “exercise increased caution” warning.
So Jalisco was left off the list, but Vallarta’s not off the hook… this article from the Vallarta Reporter…
Puerto Vallarta Considered Main Trafficking Route for Fentanyl
Puerto Vallarta Considered Main Trafficking Route for Fentanyl
Dated March 21st 2023…that’s yesterday….
And I have a link to that article from the Vallarta Reporter Online in the show notes, but you need to have a paid subscription to access their information…. that’s why you need me.
Semana Santa in Puerto Vallarta 2023 April 2nd – 8th
So Easter break leads up to Semana Santa, Saint’s week from April 2nd till the 8th. Lots of religious festivities around the churches and in Public Spaces. And the hotels will be totally booked, and the beaches will be packed with foreign vacationers and Mexican nationals, vying for the last piece of sand to spread their towel and pitch an umbrella. Good times.
Semana Santa is then followed by Pasqua from April 9th till Sunday April 16th. So even more holidays and good times.
Erik My Private Driver
I’ve had several of you send me emails asking about my driver Erik. Erik has a 4 door sedan that holds up to 4 passengers if you can fit 3 in the back. It gets a little cozy, but you can do it. He’s a good guy and a good, safe considerate driver and I put his what’s app
information in the show notes for this episode of the podcast his WhatsApp number is 011-52-322-134-4219, again it’s in the show notes. Eric will save you time and money when you hire him for the day.
Peso is Strong Against the US Dollar
While we’re on the subject of pesos, if you are from the US I’m sure you’ve noticed your dollar isn’t buying as many pesos as it used to. My last visit, the dollar, which has been pretty consistently steady at around 20 pesos to the dollar dipped to 17.75 pesos to the dollar as I check it today, the 23rd of March 2023. In fact, the peso has strengthened against the dollar by 5.87% since the first of the year. Ouch…
Some say it’s because the US keeps printing and devaluing their dollars. And that’s got to be part of it, but Mexico has been seeing higher revenues from exports of oil, remittances from Mexicans sending money home from abroad and foreign investments.
So, if it seems that it costs more dollars to have fun in Mexico, that’s part of the problem there.
Speaking of money, how’s your cash? Did your bank survive the week? Was the failure and bailout of SVB, Silicon Valley Bank and the shockwave it sent through the banking system portend to something bigger? Is it the first of many hints we are seeing as to governments maybe turning to the digital dollar?
I mean, going cashless seems to be the new thing that’s being pushed.
We’ll talk about how close Mexico is to going cashless next week. You’ll be surprised at how soon Mexico, which is so deeply into cash money at the moment, is moving towards a cashless society.
Let’s get to some emails! This one is from Bryan…
Mail Bag
Hello Barry. Just wanted to thank you for all of the incredible episodes I’ve been able to listen to over the last few months. I just spent 8 days in pv visiting family and friends and I absolutely fell and love and have never been so heartbroken to return to cold and snowy Northern Ohio. Your show continues to help me through the rough days until I can return again. I’m hoping for 16 days next February and the info I was able to get from your episodes for my first trip was priceless. I have a ways to go to my retirement years but plan on making this a lifelong endeavor. It was the best 8 days of my life and I can’t wait until I can do it again. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
Bryan
I stayed at Puerto de Luna up towards the marina. Mid grade place. Nice pool, nice grounds, great bed and amazing air conditioning. I got a basic room, clean bathroom, worked great for me. Great location next to a awesome food court and two blocks from a big grocery store and atm. I’ll be back there for 17 days next February and if all goes well maybe move into town for return trips down the road.
Quick synopsis and I’ll try not to bore you. Spent the days with my parents and I would get cleaned up and go exploring at night. I ubered everywhere. Worked great. It really was life changing for me. Took my mom on rythem of the night cruise and dinner. Nice boat ride, great dinner, fun show. Well worth every peso but no need to do it more then once.
Took a day and went to Yelepa. Great day, and hiked to the first waterfall. Eating shrimp tacos out of a locals kitchen was mind blowing. Spent a morning hiking the cross with my dad. Best view in the city. Had a food tour with Joanna from pv food tours. The taco stands, nothing better.
After days spent with my parents I would get cleaned up and go exploring at night. Margarita time, best Margaritas I found. Wild and crazy nights at Andeles, Elixir, Pour Favor (funnest bands ever) and even being a straight guy, Mr. Flamingos was a blast. Lol.
The people and friends I made were just the greatest. Some of the shanigans and “trouble” we got into will have to get saved for a night over drinks. Lol. Drinks at Langostinos during sunset and lunch at the Blue Shrimp will be ingrained in my mind forever.
I could go on and on but you have heard it all before. A quick 7 days felt like 30 min. A lifetime spent there wouldn’t be enough. It changed me forever.
I’ve been lucky and fortunate enough to do some traveling and see and spend some time in some great places. I’ve never been anywhere where I almost cried as the plane took off. I left a big piece of my heart there. The locals were just the kindest people you will find.
Again I thank you for what you do and for taking the time to even reply to me. Very generous of you with your time considering just how busy you are. If you are ever in the area, next February pizza or a ipa at Los Muertos and or Monzons……it’s on me. We would have a great time chatting it up.
Two quick parting things. First I’m spending the next year attempting to learn some Spanish. I feel its the respctful thing to due at the minimum. As of now it’s like trying to teach a fish how to walk on land….lol…..but I’m making the attempt.
Lastly I’ll leave you with this. Last night there me and friend chatting over a beer and I said to him “can you come up with one negative, one bad thing about visiting here? Just one?” We both sat in silence for a minute and he finally said “the traffic. The traffic when cruise ships dock. It’s brutal” and I replied “you are absolutely right. But, sitting in a car, staring out the window in paradise….. is still better then sitting in a car, in any other place in the world” and that, summed up my trip.
Take care. Keep enjoying your life, and I eagerly await your next episode. Thanks again.
Bryan
Well thank you Bryan…That’s making some trip out of your first try. Sounds like you didn’t waste a moment of your time amigo. My parents are both from Ohio, my mom from Cleveland and my dad from Toledo, but both their families moved west, and they both met as teenagers at LA high and were high school sweethearts. I imagine you miss the warm Vallarta weather. Me too. It’s been a cold and wet winter here in Southern California. I can’t wait for some Vallarta sunshine myself.
So Bryan, thanks for the email and thanks for playing the game…listening and getting a feel for the place before you land which is the whole idea of the show in a way. Very cool. Oh, and that feeling you get when the jet turns up the thrusters as it heads down the runway to leave paradise, I still get it every time Bryan. Every time.
Now I was going to read you some hate mail, but I decided after reading them over I’d not pick that scab. Most of them were written out of fear. Some of them were pretty mean, and I’m a little sensitive and protective of you my listeners. Look, I’ll just say this to all of you who still listen, who write me to tell me I’m not a doctor. You’re right. I’m not a doctor, and you know what? I’m not a travel agent or an airline pilot, but I still tell you to get on a jet plane to fly to Mexico.
And thousands take my advice.
Did you know that there is a law now, in the state of California written up and passed by a bunch of politicians, who aren’t doctors by the way, making it illegal for a doctor, a medically trained doctor, to prescribe medications that these politicians deem to be dangerous for these physicians to prescribe to their own patients, for the treatment of Covid.
So, politicians, setting the rules for doctors. And if a medical doctor chooses to speak out against the current state of care, and choose a different medical course of action for their patients, the doctor then, runs the risk of being punished with fines and having their medical licenses revoked. So no, I’m not a doctor, but it doesn’t matter what a doctor says any more now does it, if the doctor faces losing their license if they don’t obey the politicians who again I will re-iterate, are not doctors. Anyway, I apologize to anyone out there who I’ve killed doling out medical advice like taking your vitamins, which by the way, a doctor can’t legally prescribe for their covid patients.
Once again, my condolences to all of you I’ve murdered. How’s your supermarket checker by the way? How on earth did any of them survive the last 3 years?
Anyway, thanks for the emails.
Hey, let’s get some exercise, something doctors should have been prescribing during the pandemic, but didn’t…. and let’s learn about dancing salsa and tango, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Learn To Dancing Salsa and Tango, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Now Salsa, is not a native Mexican dance, nor is the tango.
In Mexico, the most most well-known Mexican dance is the Jarabe Tapatío, often called the “Mexican Hat Dance”. This is because, in the past, the dance was performed around a sombrero placed on the floor.
In the 1980s, Jarabe was incredibly popular in Mexican high society. The dance was about courtship, as such, it’s usually performed in a pair – one woman and one man. At first, the man’s romantic advances were refused by the woman. But, by the end, he would be accepted and they would dance “happily ever after”.
Similar to other Mexican dances, Jarabe performers are costumed. The man and his partners are dressed elegantly. He would be attired in the signature Mexican charro suit, while she would wear a China Poblana dress.
Jarabe Tapatío is mostly performed on Mariachi music and you will see performances on major holidays like Las Fiestas Patrias, Cinco de Mayo, and El Dieciséis de Septiembre.
Due to its popularity, Jarabe has been studied and adapted thoroughly. If you’re well-versed with the dance, you could see its influences in many modern Mexican dance styles.
The dance styles that my buddy Israel is going to be talking about are totally different than the traditional Mexican hat dance.
Originally originating in Cuba and Puerto Rico, salsa dancing has a history of being cultivated into its own style within the Latino community in New York. Salsa is a fusion of many music and dance styles from the Caribbean, including Cha cha cha, Rhumba, Mambo, Cumbia, Festejo, and more.
The tango on the other hand The Argentine Tango originated in the streets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, in the late 19th century. The roots of this dance lie in African candombe, Cuban habanera as well as waltzes and polkas. It was a popular dance among European immigrants, former slaves and the working and lower classes.
And whenever I’m in Vallarta, I’m always drawn in by the Latin dancing styles and the Latin beat. And I wish I knew a little bit, about how to dance to this music.
So, I thought I’d hunt down one of the more sought after dance instructors in town, and his name is Israel Andolon. Israel is going to tell you his story and about his dance classes, places to dance in Vallarta as well as hiking tours he gives to visitors and locals in paradise.
I met with Israel at his brother’s coffee shop in Jardines de Vallarta, called El Forotofo
So let’s go right now, to a coffee shop on Av. De lo Tules #168 local 4. Jardines de Vallarta and let’s meet a dance teacher extraordinaire, Isreal Andalon, teaching Salsa and the tango, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Listen to The Podcast
Thank you Israel. I have links to the places we talked about in the show notes, as well as directions for Israel Andalon’s brother’s coffee shop. In the show notes…at www. Puertovallartatravelshow.com.
Contact Information For Israel Andalon Salsa Dancing in Puerto Vallarta
- Israel Andalon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goyoman/
- Israel Andalon Website: https://andalon.com.mx/
- Israel Andalon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iandalon/?hl=en
- Israel Andalon on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/israelandalon
- Hike with Israel Andalon Blog: https://alalibre.blog/nogalito/
- Hike with Israel Andalon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alalibrepv/
Okay, that should do it for today…next week Stay tuned for more on the ground reports from Puerto Vallarta Mexico, with travel tips, great restaurant and excursion ideas and
Coffee El Forotofo, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Address: Av. De lo Tules #168 local 4. Jardines de Vallarta
- Phone: +52 322 293 7861
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elforoteo/
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 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 follow share with a lover of Puerto Vallarta or give me a good review wherever or however you happen to be listening. 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 so much to Israel Andalon, your Salsa and tango instructor in paradise. Also your hiking tour guide as well so day or night, Israel is your man. Don’t forget to make plans to learn to dance the salsa your next time down. I have all the contact information in the show notes.
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.
Listen to The Podcast