Puerto Vallarta, Jal- There’s no doubt we’re the trendiest destination around—and with that comes great responsibility not only for those who live in this earthly Paradise but also for our hoteliers, all of whom have a commitment to uphold the highest of standards in infrastructure and service.

This is why we are very pleased to share with you the latest and greatest news: Forbes Travel Guide, Travel + Leisure and U.S News Travel have all chosen several of our hotels as the best in the world!

According to Travel & Leisure 500, The Worlds Best Hotel 2015, Four Seasons and St. Regis are on their Mexico list as numbers 20 and 21, respectively. On the list of Top 50 Hotels, St Regis takes over position no. 16.

T&L determines the list according to a questionnaire developed with ROI Research Inc. published on TWWorldsBest.com, where readers log in to answer the questions.

Forbes Travel Guide recently classified their first five-star winners in Mexico and the Caribbean; this list includes the Four Seasons with five stars and the St. Regis with four.

Forbes Travel Guide is the originator of the Five Star Ratings and has established the benchmark for excellence in global hospitality since 1958. Their professional inspectors travel the world incognito to test properties against 800 rigorous and objective standards.

U.S News Travel, another leader in the travel industry, spotlighted four of the Riviera Nayarit’s hotels as the best in the country: St. Regis in 3rd place, Villa La Estancia in 14th, Four Seasons in 15th place and Grand Velas in 25th.

U.S. News Travel has 33 million visitors per month with approximately 150 million unique page visits during the same time period.

There are plenty of reasons to come visit—you just have to choose your favorite and come enjoy the hottest destination around, not only for its fabulous hotels and excellent service, but also for its magnificent natural surroundings and the diversity of the experiences offered by its 23 micro destinations.

Click below for more information:
Travel + Leisure
Top 500 - Latin America
http://www.travelandleisure.com/tl500/2015/region/mexico-central-south-america
Top 50
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-best-hotels-2014/2
Forbes Travel Guide
http://www.forbestravelguide.com/about/awardwinners
U.S. News Travel
http://travel.usnews.com/features/2015-Best-Hotels-in-Mexico-Winners/

Click below for promotions:
http://www.rivieranayarit.com/special_deals

This past weekend at Mandala in Puerto Vallarta, DJ Lemarroy enticed vacationers and locals with the sounds of his impressive techniques. Lemarroy has been packing venues from Monterrey to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and beyond.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal- Riviera Nayarit could not have started 2015 at a better note as far as public relations is concerned; at least eight of the most important newspapers from United States, Canada and United Kingdom have included the Mexican Pacific Treasure as their headlines.

The extensive circulation of the newspapers and the monthly impact derived from the publications, gives Riviera Nayarit about 40 million positive contacts for our area; all these, thanks to the work of Nayarit Visitors and Convention Office (OVC).

The most impact has come from United States. In USA Today, one of the most popular newspapers in that country, with more than 20 million readers, Mark Rogers published his eleventh article on Riviera Nayarit, still talking about the FAM Trip of December 2013.

Yahoo Travel caused a big sensation with its article “Forget Cabo: This is Mexico’s New Playground”, referring to Riviera Nayarit. The New York Time dedicated some space to ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championship, to take place in Sayulita. New York Post and Huffington also wrote about the goodness of Riviera Nayarit

United Kingdom has been a very important growing market and Huffington Post UK, whose monthly visits usually reaches 4,600,000 readers, was thrilled with the region’s gastronomy. In that same country, the Daily Mail published Gwyneth Paltrow’s recent visit to Riviera Nayarit.

Meanwhile in Canada, the most important newspaper of that country, The Vancouver Sun, published an article under “Riviera Nayarit Wonderland,” as a result of the FAM Trip organized by Hotel Iberostar Playa Mita.

With all the attention Riviera Nayarit is getting through all these very important and popular newspapers in these three English speaking countries, which at the same time are placed among the first four countries of origin of people visiting Riviera Nayarit, OVC is fulfilling its commitment to bringing more tourist for the benefit of the residents of these areas.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2015/02/09/diarios-anglosajones-iniciaron-2015-hablando-de-riviera-nayarit/#sthash.8AEEzzcI.dpuf"]Source:notivallarta.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.-Oscar Rito, the chef patron of Jumeirah’s Tortuga Mexican Kitchen and Bar in Dubai’s Mina A’Salam, joined the restaurant in November 2014, fresh from the kitchens of his homeland, Mexico. Previously, Rito ran the award-winning Taste restaurant in Puerto Vallarta, before overseeing the operations of 12 speciality restaurants at Vidanta Mayan Resort Nuevo Vallarta, Jalisco. He trained at a number of world-class restaurants, including elBulli in Spain, Restaurant Vermeer in Amsterdam and Martin Berasategui in Lasarte, San Sebastian. Here, he shares two delicious recipes that will help showcase the flavours of your home-grown coriander.

Green ceviche with tuna and coriander

Duck tostadas with coriander sauce

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Everyone loves a good beach, but where are the best of them? With most of the country plunged in the bitter cold depths of winter, planning a trip to the beach sounds like heaven just about now.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- I have heard the expression “yo no espico inglish” far too many times already. It is a shame! It is hard to advance to a high level of life, and talk about globalization as a society, if we do not accept generation changes in existing businesses, technology, science and education. A monolingual person misses important opportunities by not learning a second language. Perhaps a second language is not as important for certain jobs, but it is important for those of us who live in a multicultural city like Puerto Vallarta, where you are constantly communicating with people from different parts of the world.

“Spanglish” exists and persists in Mexico, and we express ourselves in that frame of mind. 75 % of the music we listen in national radio is not in Spanish, 65 % of those going to movie theaters select movies with subtitles. We ask ourselves: how come only 9.5 million adult Mexicans can speak English? This is a worrisome topic. At the national level, only 19% of people younger than 30, and 6 % of adults older than 50, speak a second language; even thou Mexico has been teaching a second language for over 90 years as a public policy.

Surveys done by consultant firms and national organizations reflect an interesting fact: 38 % of BA students are fluent in a second language, while 79 % of High Schools students cannot speak a word of English. When the levels of commitment increases, the monolingual person study a second language at the university: Chinese-Mandarin, French, English, Germany, Italian or Portuguese; these allows them the chance of obtaining scholarships or joining an exchange student program. Once they graduate this knowledge and experience increments their opportunities to get a good and well paying job.

North and Central Mexico are the areas were most bilingual, trilingual or polyglots Mexicans live. Schooling, socioeconomic level, or living in the city, are factors that facilitate the access to second language studies; but in any case, those that do speak English is just a minority of people. David Calderon, General Director of Mexicans First, said that the teaching of English in our country is a “big simulation”. We mention this because we see the low level of English demonstrated by elementary and secondary students, who do not know how to read, write and much less carry on a simple conversation in English.

It is important to understand this topic and to inform ourselves correctly. They are Academies, Institutes and Specialized Language Centers that have responsible and highly qualified professionals.

Veronica Rendon, Coordinator of the Link and Extension of the Foreign Language Teacher Center of the ‘Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico’ said that “the study of another language increments metacognitive and metalinguistic abilities (metacognitive makes you aware of the way you think and metalinguistic gives you the ability to see languages as a process and as a tool). Being trilingual increases your ability to think, analyze and process information as well as to solve problems.” To excel in life and to project oneself to a modern competitive society, learning another language is almost mandatory.

As of now, this topic will be a priority to the Minister of Education and Institutions of Higher Education in our country.

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- Chisko is an artist who has established his style; his character and strength are impregnated in every brushstroke.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.-Ash Wednesday marks the first day of the 40-day Lenten fast for Western Christians. The Christian holy day, this year falling on Feb. 18, is observed by prayer, repentance and fasting ahead of Easter.

The day follows Fat Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, where revelers partake in their last bout of merrymaking before Lent begins. While many see the observance as a Catholic one, most liturgical churches include Lent in their practices. This includes Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations.

For those unfamiliar with Ash Wednesday, below are three answers to common questions surrounding the holy day.

How Is Ash Wednesday Observed?

During Ash Wednesday services, clergy use ashes burned at last year’s Palm Sunday to mark a cross on member’s foreheads as they bow. While services may take place in the morning and evening, churches have found innovative ways for members partake in the ritual. Some organizations dispense ashes on street corners, subway platforms, outside coffee shops and grocery stories. This year a number of churches are offering drive-through services where members can receive the ashes on their forehead from their car.

For devout Catholics between the ages of 18 to 59, Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are mandatory fasting days. Abstinence -- in this case, refraining from meat products -- must be practiced from age 14 and up. Fasting denotes eating one full meal and two small meals each day. Lent is also a time to refrain from any bad habits that can interfere with one’s relationship with God. This can range from giving up chocolate to performing community outreach.

What Do The Ashes Mean?

Ash Wednesday and the 40-day Lenten fast are not mentioned in the Bible. Rather, Lent formally appeared in A.D. 325 after the Council of Nicaea.

Ash Wednesday comes from the Latin name "dies cinerum" (day of ashes). The earliest record of the practice comes from copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary around the eighth century when the faithful would approach the altar and a priest would mark their heads with the sign of the cross in ashes.

Even before their liturgical use, ashes were seen as a sign of repentance. The Hebrew Bible makes several references to how ashes symbolized mourning, mortality and penance. Biblical figures including Jonah, Job and Daniel usesd sackcloths and ashes to repent. Until the Middle Ages, ashes adopted a symbolic meaning. Around the eighth century, the church began sprinkling ashes on those who were about to die, referencing the biblical passage in Genesis 3:19: “For dust you are and to dust you shall return.”

Over time, ashes were used to mark the beginning of Lent. An early reference to sign one’s forehead with the shape of the cross was written in the year A.D. 1000 by an Anglo-Saxon abbot named Ælfric of Eynsham who remarked, “We read in the books both in the Old Law and in the New that the men who repented of their sins bestrewed themselves with ashes and clothed their bodies with sackcloth. Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent that we strew ashes upon our heads to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten fast."

What Is Clean Monday?

Ash Wednesday is a Western Christian tradition. For those belonging to Eastern Orthodox churches, Lent starts on a Monday.

Eastern Catholics (e.g., Coptic Christians, etc.) start the Lenten fast on the Monday preceding Ash Wednesday. Eastern Orthodox churches begin Lent later, on the Monday after Ash Wednesday. Known as Clean Monday, the date falls seven weeks before Easter. This year Clean Monday falls on Feb. 23.

Unlike Western traditions that exclude Sundays in their 40-day counts, Orthodox traditions include them as fasting days. The idea of starting the fast on Monday, the first day of the week, acts as a reminder to start the Lenten season with the intention of spiritually purifying oneself. Orthodox Christians follow stricter fasting rules during this time where they refrain from meat, eggs and dairy products.

Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- State Employees Social Security and Social Services Institute (ISSSTE) has started training doctors, nurses and families with the skills needed to provide home care to the sick, said Antonio Sandoval Pasos, representative of the Institute. This is done to alleviate operating rooms and have more beds available at Tepic ISSSTE central hospital.

Dr. Sandoval Pasos explained that this training is offered to those families that have patients who, given their medical condition, can remain at home and be taken care of by the families. Doctors, specialists, nurses and Social workers will be visiting patients at home. He said that patients will be better taken care of at home, so, those that can stay home let them go home. The idea stills needs to be socialized and sincerely considered, he said.

ISSSTE Nayarit official also said there are a total of 243,000 members of ISSSTE in the state, and the hospital only has 89 beds accounted for, 42 that are not; three operating rooms and 100 % occupancy year around.

The official ended up by saying: “That’s why we need another hospital; we need 40 beds and two more operating rooms. The hospital is 100 % full all year, and some surgeries have to be postponed because we do not have enough beds.”

[readon1 url="http://nayaritenlinea.mx/2015/02/07/propone-issste-cuidar-enfermos-en-casa-para-no-saturar-hospital-en-tepic"]Source:nayaritenlinea.mx-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- State authorities, through Nayarit Youth Institute (INJUVE) held “Poder Joven Generacion 2015” – Young Power Generation 2015 – to select composers and producers for the programs the Institute is opening for young talented persons with radio phonic skills.

The casting, for the program called the “Cuarenta Principales” took place at the Main Plaza. The “Cuarenta Principales” is transmitted by Radiorama at 96.1 FM. More than forty youngsters came to compete; they were graded by their diction, voice modulation and improvisation on several topics.

The Jury was integrated by professionals on communication and voice expression, such as Jose Luis Gonzalez, director of informatics and State Government Media; Jorge Inda, radio commentator and producer; Edgar Macias, Radiorama Operation Manager and Otoniel Perez, Director of INJUVE.

Those selected will have the responsibility to design and in general, to collaborate in the process of the production of this program.

Perez Figueroa, besides congratulating each of the participants and winners, also assure them that they will be getting a monthly monetary recognition for their work, as an incentive to their talent and as means for them to continue with their studies. He invited other youngsters to participate in the next three casting which will be announced within the next few days.

“The Governor recognizes your talent; we know you have loads of energy and fresh ideas to create a good and original radio program, involving topics of interest to your generation. It is through this project that we support the artistic talent of the young, and through this radio program we contribute to create a place for Nayarit’ youth to express themselves,” the official pointed out.

Those selected were: Tania Fernanda Blanco Ruelas, Mario Edwin Salazar Dias, Miquel Alberto Delagafdillo Ibarra, Georgina Guadalupe Hernandez Gonzalez and Isaac Graciano Cristobal.

[readon1 url="index.php?option=com_sobipro&pid=1&sid=703:mar&Itemid=212"]Source:www.VallartaToday.com-by MAR Translation Services[/readon1]

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.-430 national travel agents throughout Morelia, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Aguascalientes and León received training on the most relevant updates from the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta.

The traditional Bajío Tour to promote the destinations of the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta in this important region of Mexico took place from February 9 – 13, meeting with great success throughout five cities.

Four hundred and thirty travel agents were updated on the most relevant news from the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta during these five days of intense promotional work. Twenty-four bay-area hotels participated in the different events.

The cities on the tour included Morelia, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Aguascalientes and León; these are among the top ten cities of origin for tourists to the Riviera Nayarit according to the 2014 Annual Visitor Research Report conducted by the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB).

These events include different interactive situations where the agents participated and competed. Through these games they receive promotional information that can later be put to the test to guarantee the objectives were met.

At the end, their enthusiasm for selling both destinations is rewarded and encouraged when the winners are given complimentary stays at the hotels.

The importance of focusing on certain regions of Mexico speaks to the need of maintaining market diversification, thus guaranteeing the influx of tourists to the destinations.

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Puerto Vallarta, Jal.- The kids and teens of San Pancho are ready to show off the talent and know-how they obtained in EntreAmigos; Lo de Marcos will showcase the region’s delicious gastronomy by replicating the successful format of the “Taste of” events.

The Riviera Nayarit continues to offer a great variety of events for locals, with a special emphasis on those who visit. Next weekend, San Pancho and Lo de Marcos will each host their own for everyone’s enjoyment.

The 7th Annual Children’s Art Festival will take place on February 21st and the Taste of Lo de Marcos will happen on Sunday, February 22nd.

7th Annual Children’s Art Festival

San Pancho, the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit, celebrates children’s art this year with the slogan “Love Your World,” which refers to the underlying connection between all things. Over 80 kids and teens will be showing off their original artwork.

These will be presented free to the public in the facilities of the Centro Comunitario Educativo EntreAmigos on Friday the 20th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The gala event will take place on the 21st from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a fundraising entrance fee of $250 pesos. There will be auctions, theater, music and plenty of art. For tickets contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“We’re very grateful for the support of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau,” commented Nicole Swedlow, Director of EntreAmigos. “We want them to know we’re very happy and are looking forward to working together to proudly promote our tourism destination.”

2nd Taste of Lo de Marcos

On Sunday, February 22nd, the second annual Taste of Lo de Marcos will take place from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Centro de Fiestas Los Delfines, alongside the main plaza where the Saturday markets are held.

In addition to the live music the event will offer attendees dishes from different local restaurants, from casual to very elegant. There will also be artisans exhibiting their handmade wares for sale.

Proceeds will be donated to the Amigos de Lo de Marcos and the Comité de Acción Ciudadana, nonprofits in charge of organizing the different cultural and traditional activities that take place during the year to promote this lovely coastal village that adorns the Riviera Nayarit.

For reservations call (327) 275-0233 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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