Banderas Bay - A paradise for living and investing
Text and Photos by Jesús de Avila - June 2007
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There is no doubt that today, Banderas Bay (Bahía Banderas) is a paradise for tourists and a space of continuous progress. It is a place that can be enjoyed temporarily or permanently, as well as offering golden opportunities for real estate investment. There is no other destination in Mexico offering such a diverse range of opportunities for investors as well as for those who would like to live in a safe place with an optimum standard of living.
Growth in this region has been supported by a series of agreements between private enterprise and public institutions. The Jalisco and Nayarit state governments have maintained close involvement to assure that the bay’s development be based on a well-prepared plan, thus ensuring that every investor or new resident’s decision to integrate and contribute to local progress is a well-made choice .
With an approximate extension of 48 kilometers, Banderas Bay is the 7th largest bay in the world. It is home to various villages located along its length and, and thanks to them, the region has maintained a well-consolidated mixture of cultures, represented through the traditions that are still a real part of many people’s lives. This gives greater brilliance to the most precious gem that the bay relies on: its people.
Geographically speaking, Banderas Bay is a privileged place, with a unique territorial wealth. The bay is divided by the Ameca River, which is the border line between the states of Jalisco in the south and Nayarit in the north. The two states are connected by two ample highway bridges crossing the riverbed. Most types of terrains can be found here: abundant tropical vegetation, deep blue ocean, golden beaches and a pleasant climate are main reasons why travelers decide to become residents and/or investors.
 The northern boundary of the bay is Punta Mita, a place with beautiful white beaches, where hotel and residential projects are being developed, propelling an accelerated real estate growth. Punta Mita is a border town for the towns of Higuera Blanca, Sayulita, San Pancho, San Ignacio, Lo De Marcos and Rincón de Guayabitos. Even though they are not found within the bay, they are also bathed by the Pacific Ocean and form a part of this coast’s investment community.
From the beautiful beaches of Punta Mita, you can embark on a visit to the Marietas Islands. These are marine bird sanctuaries, surrounded by a turquoise-blue sea that is home to a diverse marine fauna, which makes it a favorite spot for scuba diving and whale-watching. With this spectacular natural backdrop, the Four Seasons Resort established itself in this area several years ago, attracting international travelers with a high purchasing power. Since then, the demand of this area started to grow in an unsuspected way. With exotic and impressive residential developments and a championship golf course designed by the living golf legend Jack Nicklaus, this area has become known as one of the most luxurious and exclusive areas in Banderas Bay.
The fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is also located in the northern part of the Bay, about 30 minutes before Punta Mita. With its few cobblestone streets the place maintains a typical coastal charm, very attractive for foreigners who wish to retire in a quiet place .
Continuing south, we find another village called Bucerias. Due to the tranquility of the sea here and the extension of its beaches, it is popular for family tourism. A hotel and residential zone created in the northern part of the village in the early stages of development is still a favorite destination during summer vacation periods. Bucerias is also well-known for its beachside restaurants, specializing in fresh seafood.
At present, this area and its surroundings are being developed very rapidly, principally towards the opposite side of the ocean.
Continuing south, just before Nuevo Vallarta, there is a fork in the road with a sign showing the way to the villages of Mezcales, Valle de Banderas and San Juan de Abajo, Nayarit. Long isolated, these villages are now being benefited by the growth of the bay, attracting visits from merchants, investors and visionaries.
Beyond the road junction but still in the state of Nayarit, we reach Nuevo Vallarta, which offers first-rate infrastructure including three championship golf courses. The growth of Nuevo Vallarta has been impressive and appears unstoppable. At present, its two entrance avenues are enlarged, auguring that they will turn into an attractive place for a stroll. The infrastructure of Nuevo Vallarta includes an internal network of broad avenues decorated with palm trees and flowers, connecting the visitor with all  its corners. Here we find a yacht club, receiving more vessels each day. Between the canals of the estuary there are hacienda-style residences valued at millions of dollars. At present, this area is also the center for developing spectacular condominium projects. The vision that some entrepreneurs and developers had several years ago for this part of the bay is a reality today and was achieved in a much shorter time span than imagined. Today, Nuevo Vallarta is a territory of comfort, luxury and exclusivity for daring and demanding investors and business people.
At the beginning of the new millennium, it was predicted that the northern part of the bay would be the future of the real estate industry. Today, there is no doubt that this zone has turned into an inexhaustible source of investment opportunities and for the construction of mega-development projects.
After crossing the road bridge, we enter the state of Jalisco. Here, there is another junction indicating the way to the villages of Las Juntas, Ixtapa, El Colorado and Las Palmas. Just like its fertile land, the opportunities offered in this area are vast, especially with the new highway connecting Puerto Vallarta to Guadalajara. The promise of this area tempts one to create projects that take maximum advantage of its rich soils.
The town of Las Palmas is on the edge of the historic towns of San Sebastian del Oeste, Talpa de Allende and Mascota, amongst others. These places are an entrance to a part of the country rich in history, charming anyone who comes close enough to take a look.
Beyond the junction in the road, we reach the Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. This is the most active space in the bay, with the constant movement of millions of passengers each year.
Marina Vallarta is located after the airport. Due to its many hotels, residential and entertainment infrastructure, it is practically a separate small town within Puerto Vallarta.
Marina Vallarta is an exclusive zone with a subdivision of versatile condominiums inhabited by numerous entrepreneurs, professionals, managers and top executives. Marina Vallarta is  considered to be the best planned and most luxurious marina in Mexico. Whatever a visitor desires is found here. With a championship golf course, deluxe and five-star hotels, luxury condominiums, a very exclusive residential area, a yacht club and a boardwalk with a commercial area and millions of flowers and palm trees embellishing the whole area, an air of glamour can be felt in Marina Vallarta, even while it maintains a slightly provincial flavor. The demand for Marina Vallarta has turned it into one of the most popular areas in Banderas Bay.
Three minutes from Marina Vallarta is the maritime terminal, which is the main sea port of the bay. Each week it receives dozens of luxury cruise ships, bringing thousands of visitors to the area. It is here that the so-called Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta begins, ending right at the entrance to the city’s downtown area. In front of the port, there is the junction that leads to the suburbs of Pitillal and Coapinole .
Concentrated in the hotel zone are the majority of businesses that offer all types of services to the community, locals as well as visitors. Hotels, commercial malls, restaurants, night clubs, medical services and others are easy to find along the length and width of this area. After many years, the few remaining spaces available for construction are finally being developed.
Crossing a small bridge where the entrance avenue turns into a broad cobblestone street, we find the center of Puerto Vallarta. For everyone, an adventure of color, sounds, fragrances and flavors starts here. No destination in Mexico compares to what Puerto Vallarta offers. It is just as a commercial slogan says: “Puerto Vallarta has everything.”
There are many reasons why Puerto Vallarta continues to captivate visitors. Without doubt, one main reason is the city’s downtown area, where a typical village flavor has been maintained, despite the passage of years and the advent of progress. This has turned it into as one of the main and most fascinating tourist destinations anywhere.
 In Puerto Vallarta, there are investment and business opportunities ready for those who are convinced that excellent service and quality are the key ingredients for success. On the one hand, it is a city of constant movement and high competitiveness, good for investors or businesspeople. For others, it is an exuberant place where you can live securely and calmly. During the day, one is caressed by the breeze of the ocean and during the night, one is refreshed by the wind coming down from the mountains.
Puerto Vallarta is located exactly in the center of the bay, but it is also the center of tourist action -- not only in the bay, but in the entire state of Jalisco. Due to the variety and quality of its gastronomical offer, Puerto Vallarta is considered to be the second gastronomical capital of Mexico, second only to Mexico City.
Towards the east, the demand created by new residents has resulted in the city’s growth. Until just ten years ago, there were houses as far as the districts of Las Gaviotas and Versalles. Today, the increase in demand and subsequent growth in housing has been such that new developments have are being constructed in the villages of El Pitillal and Coapinole, previously considered far way from Puerto Vallarta. Thus, new options continue to exist for all kinds of real estate markets.
On the southern side of the city, the entrance is through Conchas Chinas, which offers spectacular natural scenery full of life and color. In this area, the Sierra Madre mountain range meets the ocean in a dramatic way, creating a separate world which is very popular in the investment market. In the direction of Mismaloya we find millionaire villas and condominiums overlooking the most impressive bay views. The beaches in this area are also considered to be among the most beautiful in Puerto Vallarta.
Boca de Tomatlán is a small coastal village with a water taxi service that connects it to the paradisiacal places of Las Animas, Majahuitas, Quimixto y Yelapa. After Boca de Tomatlán, the mountains take over the scenery, announcing that the municipality of Cabo Corrientes is beginning. This is the municipality where one enters the so-called Costa Careyes. Today, this area offers a whole exciting investment adventure where visionaries will become the creators of dream places, developments and businesses.
The Banderas Bay area and its surroundings depend directly on tourist activity, which consists of foreign travelers, primarily people from the United States, followed by Canadians. Through specific joint actions, the area is currently being promoted in new international markets.
With seven championship golf courses, Banderas Bay is also considered a world golf destination, an aspect which makes the bay more attractive each day for investors and travelers with a high purchasing power .
For a little over twenty years, Banderas Bay has been the central axis of a solid and consistent growth in the real estate market, and the entire region has seen significant benefits from this tendency. Given the results, and the great variety of investment options offered, Banderas Bay has and will continue to attract investments. It continues to generate challenges that will take us to places that we have never even been able to imagine.
Banderas Bay is a permanent “open house tour” and land of opportunities.
Welcome to Banderas Bay – Bahía Banderas.
Jesús de Avila
E-mail: editor@pvmirror.com
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