El Torito Sports Bar and BBQ House in Puerto Vallarta is Famous for BBQ Ribs and Multiple Big Screen TV’s For Your Favorite Sporting Event
Take a Private Tour Through the Historical and Haunted Streets of Downtown Puerto Vallarta. Learn About the Local and National Legends with Manny and Vallarta Ghost Walk
Take an Art and Mural Walk Through Downtown Vallarta With The Kika and Ernesto
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Hello fellow travelers, welcome to 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, in fact my new home, and maybe even yours too and that’s 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 are going to one of the iconic restaurants with a lot of history in Vallarta, it’s The El Torito Sports Bar and BBQ House, now in Marina Vallarta. We’ll be talking with the man in charge, Reno Perez.
Then with Día de Los Muertos fast approaching, I thought it would be fun to talk to a guy who does Ghost Tours, in Puerto Vallarta. His name is Manny Hernandez, and his company is called Vallarta Ghost Walk. He’ll even tell us a ghost story or two. So, stand by for that.
Ernesto Garrigos will be telling us a bit about what’s happening on the Isla Cuale at the CCV, the Centro Cultural Vallartense Gallery on the Isla Cuale. If you are in town, the Isla Cuale will be hopping this afternoon and on into the night. He will be talking to us about their tour they put on called Vallarta Murals and Artwalk that they do weekly.
We have Vallarta news and more so let’s see what’s happening this week in Puerto Vallarta, the 1st of November, 2024.
Contact Information For Centro Cultural Vallartense (CCV)
- Address: Aquiles Serdan #437 (Isla del Río Cuale #33) 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
- Phone: 322 322 8477
- CCV Instagram Page: https://www.facebook.com/@IVCultura
- CCV Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/@centroculturalvallartense/?mibextid=kFxxJD
Contact Information For Vallarta Ghost Walk
- Chat on WhatsApp with +32 2 326 70 09
- Website: https://vallartaghostwalk.com/
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VallartaGhost
- Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/vallartaghost/
Contact Information For El Torito Sports Bar and BBQ House Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Marina Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
- Phone Number: 322 209 2244
- Website: El Torito Sportsbar and BBQ House Website
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@ElToritoSportsbar
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_torito_sportsbar/
Day Of The Dead in Puerto Vallarta, 2024
Puerto Vallarta is gearing up for tonight’s and tomorrow’s festivities celebrating Day of The Dead, better known as Dia de Los Muertos.
There is a great big Catrina on the Malecon next to the Lighthouse. The rumor is that it’s more than 28 meters tall. There are dozens of smaller Catrinas, set up along the Malecon, sponsored by restaurants and Hotels and associations along the bay. I’ll post pictures in the show notes later tomorrow.
This afternoon, all eyes are on the Isla Cuale, beginning at 4. There’s going to be live music, food and drink, from 4 till 10. There’ll be face painters painting faces I suppose, from 4 till 9 tonight, the 1st of November, and there’ll be loteria, lottery games from 4 till 9.
It will be a full day on the Isla, so if you’re in town, check out the action.
On the Malecon, the Puerto Vallarta School Orchestra will be at Los Arcos Amphitheater as well.
Now tomorrow is the Day of the dead, and the big event for the 2nd of November, is the parade that. The starting point is the Sheraton Hotel, and the ending point is Parque Lazaro Cardenas, or Tile Park.
We went up to the cemetery in Cinco de Diciembre, the Pantion, the other day, actually to give a tour to our first visitors from California, who came in on a cruise ship.
Anyway, they were painting the walls, touching up some of the murals on the walls of that very interesting graveyard. It’s very different. Like a little city in there. Manny from Vallarta Ghost Walk will be talking a little bit about that in a couple of minutes.
So, it looks as if most of Calle San Salvador, the street that goes up from the ocean to the graveyard, is almost finished. They did a
total redo, kinda like they did on Calle Honduras, with new streets, wide sidewalks. Wheelchair and stroller friendly sidewalk ramps, I guess you call them. But the street isn’t completed for Día de Los Muertos. It’s been a long haul for those businesses along San Salvador, getting that street done. It was a real muddy mess during the rains.
Speaking of rain, hurricane season is officially over according to the weather gods.
It stopped raining about 3 weeks ago, and the weather changed, noticeably just the other night here in paradise. So, things seem to be cooling off at long last.
My Computer Died
Now the reason it’s taken me some extra time to get this episode out, is because my 9-year-old laptop, finally died on me, and I had to scramble to get back up and running again. I’ve been putting this off for almost 2 years now, when I left my laptop in a carry-on piece of luggage, that was crushed by a stack of bags on the flyaway bus to the airport on one of my trips to Vallarta. When I went to work on the laptop the next day, I noticed the touchscreen was cracked, and I’ve been limping this machine along, just so I didn’t have to get a new machine and move the world over to it.
Luckily, my wife and I both purchased new laptops at our Costco in LA before we left to live in paradise, so I had a spare to work with. Also lucky for me, I had a backup of all my files on two external drives, so I wasn’t dead in the water. But what a pain with passwords, and new editing software, and learning the new software. Well, that just kinda slowed me down a bit. But I’m back up and running.
By the way, speaking of bringing in multiple laptops into Vallarta. Last episode we had listener Stacey write in regarding ridiculous taxes people were forced to pay for having multiple devices, like tablets, smartphones and laptops, flying into the Cancun airport.
And he was actually kind of worried that the same thing was happening in Puerto Vallarta at their airport. And of course, I said no. Well, and the reason was we just came rolling through with a bunch of electronic stuff and including, well, those two new brand new computers along with our old ones.
So, well, Stacy emailed me back to tell me that the governor of Quintana Roo put an end to that particular thievery and made sure that changes were made. And currently all is now well when you fly into Cancun as far as your electronics are concerned. I actually, I don’t suggest that you go all out now and bring in a bunch of computers. Okay. Don’t, don’t do that. But, I want to thank you again, Stacey, for sending me that article from the Riviera Maya dated October 12th and it was entitled, no more limits. Cancun travelers no longer charged for arriving with too many electronics. And I have a link to that article in the show notes if you want to do a little bit deeper dive on that. But for now, according to this article, it’s all cool right now, in Quintana Roo, and in Cancun.
https://riviera-maya-news.com/?cn-reloaded=1
Now, the beginning of November traditionally is the start of the high season in Puerto Vallarta, and tomorrow, November the 2nd, not only is Día de los Muertos, but it’s also the first day for the Saturday Olas Altas market at Parque de los Azulejos over in Lazaro Cardenas Park. And then all the daily markets will start up as we just love them too, including the one at the Marina at Marina Vallarta.
All right, let’s get to our first interview, and let’s hear from Ernesto Garrigos before the music starts down there on the island, who has some news for us about what you’re going to find over at the CCV, the Centro Cultural Vallartense Gallery on the Isla Cuale.
Now, Kika and Ernesto are quick to point out that neither of them works for the government. The Centro Cultural Vallartense is an independent cultural center. (IVC = Instituto Vallartense de Cultura is the government office) and although they are located in the same area, they do not have a working relationship. They are just neighbors.
So we decided to go have beer and talk with Ernesto, and we’re going right now to Federico Madero 333, restaurant El Granero for some of that beer and some of the air conditioning space that they have there as well. And let’s talk with Ernesto Garrigos and Kika Gomez in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Interview with Ernesto Begins at 13 minutes and 55 Seconds
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Thank you so much, Ernesto and Kika, too. I got a hello out of her. We’re going to be talking with her next week. Anyway, I have information for that art mural walk. They’re getting ready to get that up soon. So that’s all in the show notes. And make sure you go and take that walk. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Now, next, we are going… Oh, and make sure you get over there and see the Ofrenda over on the island as well.
Contact Information For Centro Cultural Vallartense (CCV)
- Address: Aquiles Serdan #437 (Isla del Río Cuale #33) 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
- Phone: 322 322 8477
- CCV Instagram Page: https://www.facebook.com/@IVCultura
- CCV Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/@centroculturalvallartense/?mibextid=kFxxJD
Vallarta Ghost Walk
Now, next, we’re going to go to the other side. That’s right. We’re going to go to the spirit world. We’re going to take a ghost walk, shall we?
Now, I thought that, you know, it’d be kind of fun to introduce you to the only guy, actually, who does ghost tours in Puerto Vallarta. And his name is Manny Hernandez. And Manny’s company is called Vallarta Ghost Walk. And I’m going to let Manny do all his stuff. Let’s go right now and meet up with Manny right now. Let’s hear about some of the ghosts who roam the town that you may or may not know about. Maybe you know a few ghosts here, and maybe you can tell Manny about them.
I asked Manny and his daughter, Gia, to meet me at a little restaurant that I wanted to try for breakfast. And these folks were kind enough to actually let us record our interview out on their front patio. So that’s what you’re going to hear a little bit. You’ll probably hear a little traffic here. But the restaurant is called El Mesón de los Sabores. And I got to say, it was really good. It was really, really good.
So let’s stop with the breakfast stuff. Anyway, we need to get to ghosts, shall we? Let’s go to that front patio that I talked about over on Calle Roma. 193A in Colonia, Diaz Ordaz. And let’s learn about ghosts with Manny Hernandez and Vallarta Ghost Walk in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Interview With Manny Hernandez Begins at 24 Minutes and 11 Seconds
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All right, thank you so much, Manny. I cannot wait to take one of those ghost walks with you, my friend. I’m going to, I can’t wait. Soon, soon. Now I have all of his information and some pictures as well. You can find them in the show notes over at www.puertovallartatravelshow.com
Contact Information For Vallarta Ghost Walk
- Chat on WhatsApp with +32 2 326 70 09
- Website: https://vallartaghostwalk.com/
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VallartaGhost
- Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/vallartaghost/
El Torito Sports Bar and BBQ House, The #1 Sports Bar in Puerto Vallarta Mexico
Next, we are going to an iconic Vallarta restaurant with very deep roots in Puerto Vallarta. and the name of that restaurant is El Torito Sports Bar and Barbecue House. It is known as the number one sports bar in Puerto Vallarta. It’s one of the first restaurants that my wife and I frequented when we first came to Vallarta in the 1980s. It was, El Torito over in the romantic zone.
Back then it was drinking and dancing and ribs. It’s always been ribs, even back in the day. But then it transformed into more of a sports bar. The ribs are still there. And the barbecue. It’s very, very good. I could go on and on about this. But I think that you’d
enjoy the story told by the son of the creator of this concept behind El Torito’s. And the history of this famous restaurant now located in the Marina Vallarta. So let’s hear it from the son. Let’s go right now to Cuella 112 in Marina Vallarta, and let’s talk
with Reno Perez at El Torito Sports Bar and Barbecue House, the number one sports bar in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
The Interview With Reno Perez Begins at 42 Minutes and 14 Seconds
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Thank you so much, Reno. Thank you so much for sharing the story of your family and your restaurants and, of course, the hotel.
The Hotel Lina, too. What a surprise. I have links to all of that and more in the show notes, including some food porn, too. But remember, if you’re looking for it today, the day the podcast comes out, you will be disappointed. Look for it tomorrow evening.
Contact Information For El Torito Sports Bar and BBQ House Puerto Vallarta
- Address: Marina Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
- Phone Number: 322 209 2244
- Website: El Torito Sportsbar and BBQ House Website
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@ElToritoSportsbar
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_torito_sportsbar/
Contact Information For the Hotel Lina, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Address: Francisco. I. Madero 376 Col. Emiliano Zapata 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico
- Phone: +52 322 222 1661
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/linahotel/?locale=es_LA
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 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.
Thank you to Ernesto Garrigos and Kika for coming on to give us the latest from the Isla Cuale and the CCV, The Centro Cultural Vallartense. Take an Art Mural Walk with them.
And talking about taking a walk, thanks so much to Manny Hernandez from Vallarta Ghost Walk. Take one of his two ghost walks, or both for that matter.
And thank you so much to Reno Perez from El Torito Restaurant and Bar in Marina Vallarta. Stop in and catch your favorite sporting event while enjoying their world famous BBQ ribs…yum, so good.
As I said, I’ll have all the pictures and the links in the show notes for you by tomorrow, after the Dia de Los Muertos Parade on the 2nd of November. So look for all their links 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.
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