EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

066 Police and Ambulances
065 Red Cross
078 Highway Assistance and Tourist Information

Other Important NumbersOTHER IMPORTANT NUMBERS

- American Consulate: (322) 222-0069 or 01-333-268-2145 - Local 4 Int. 17, 2nd floor Paradise Plaza, Nuevo Vallarta
- Canadian Consulate: (322) 293-0098 - Blvd Francisco M. Ascencio 1951, Edificio Obelisco.
- Canadian Consulate 24 hr Emergency line: 01 (800) 706-2900
- British Embassy ( Mexico City)  01-555-207-2449
- Consumer Protection (PROFECO): (322) 225-0000
- Tourism Office: 01 (800)446-3942 or (322) 221-2676
- Immigration Office: (322) 224-7653 or (322) 224-7719 - Across from the Maritime Terminal, next to PEMEX gas station - FMT replacement!
- Immigration Office: Hours 9am-1pm Mon-Fri: (329) 298-1442
- Municipal Services: (322) 223-2500
- Tourist Protection: (322) 223-2500
- Ministerio Publico: (322) 222-1762
- Protección Civil Toll free number for all of México: 1 (800) 004-1300
- Environmental Emergency  (322) 135-5808

Rainy Season

THE RAINY SEASON
The rainy season begins in early July and continues into early October. During this season, the mornings are usually met with sunshine that lasts throughout the day. As the sun sets, rain showers usually begin, continuing for two to three hours.

Dialing Codes

DIALING CODES
To call a Mexican phone number from abroad, you must dial 52. If you are dialing within México, the national long distance code is 01. To call the United States and Canada, you must dial 001. The dialing code is 00 for all other countries.

Currency

CURRENCY
In México, the Mexican peso is used. This currency comes in bills of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos, and coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pesos as well as 10, 20, and 50 cents. The United States dollar as well as the Canadian Dollar and the Euro are accepted in all Currency Exchanges throughout the country.

Tips
 
TIPPING
It is customary to leave up to a 15% tip when dining in a restaurant.
 
Water

WATER
In general, Mexican tap water is not drinkable; however, some hotels do purify their tap water. We recommend that you only drink bottled water, free of charge in most hotels.

Electricity

ELECTRICITY
The electric current in the entire country is 110 volts.

Internet

INTERNET
The country boasts a large network of Internet resources and facilities, which allow travelers to stay connected and informed at many Cyber Cafes throughout the Riviera Nayarit. Some hotels also offer Wireless Internet access or a computer area for guests’ use.

 Tax RefundTAX REFUND
International tourists can apply for tax refund on consumptions, applicable to tourists entering Mexico by air or sea. First of all, you must make sure that the place to shop is affiliated with TAXBACK and make a minimum purchase of $1,200 pesos. You will receive a bill and present it in TAXBACK modules that can be found in the Airport and Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal, fill out a form and you will receive 65% of the total amount of taxes, 45 days after the process. More reports: 01800 NO TAX

There are a few ways to get medical attention if you need it. There are some local clinics and Hospitals nearby.

Nobody plans for accidents, so it’s probably best to get to know the right places before anything happens (and carry around some extra cash too!).

US or Canadian citizens, for more information, please visit the local Consulates.

NOTE: Although the Consulate takes great care in compiling a list, they cannot guarantee or otherwise assume responsibility for the professional competence or integrity of the individuals/companies whose names are listed below.

 
Canadian Consulate
Edificio Obelisco Local 108
Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio # 1951
Zona Hotelera Las Glorias
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
C.P. 48300
Phone: (322) 293-0098 / 293-0099
Fax: (322) 293-2894
    
U.S. Consular Agency
Paseo de los Cocoteros #85
Sur Paradise Plaza, Interior Local L-7
Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit
C.P. 63732

Phone: (322) 222-0069, (322)-223-3301
Phone & Fax: (322) 223-0074

[readon1 url="http://www.rivieranayarit.com/health"]Source:www.rivieranayarit.com[/readon1]

Part of the malecon, Los Muertos Pier, City Hall, the UMA building, DIF installations and most of the government agencies will turn off their lights to create awareness. The Department of Environment and Ecology, through their Department of Education and Environmental Culture invite you to participate in Earth Hour 2014.

Spring Breakers may just be getting to Puerto Vallarta but the destination is already getting ready for this fall when two new properties will be opening in Mexico’s most popular international Pacific Coast destination.

“Fundamental, sighted and visionary for water usage,” that was the qualification given by local commissionaires, businessmen and regional authorities in regards to the construction of San Vicente – El Porvenir water collector, in the municipality of Banderas Bay.

Waffle Breakfast at River Café on March 25th

The International Friendship Club (IFC) is celebrating International Waffle Day by holding a Waffle Breakfast at the River Café on March 25.

This activity brings about several positive results for the destination: the tourists love a clean beach, the hotel personnel comes together for a cause and the sand is kept in good shape to receive the turtles that come here to lay their eggs.As a tourist destination, the Riviera Nayarit is charged with caring for the main reason tourists flock to it: its shoreline. Therefore, beach cleanup is a year-round obligation.

On this occasion, about 80 employees from the Villa La Estancia and Villa del Palmar hotels met to clean the approximately 300 meters of beach that fronts their properties.

“We want our guests and those who come to our hotels and to the Riviera Nayarit to enjoy our beaches. Not only do we want to clean them up, but it’s also an opportunity to bring our team closer together, to strengthen it and make us feel more responsible for the environment,” commented Rodolfo Cobos, General Manager for both hotels.

Their objective is for a monthly cleanup, even though high occupancy rates can put a damper on the plan. Right now they are averaging eight cleanups a year, but are also supporting other efforts along the same lines.

“We always go when they invite us to help clean other hotels’ beaches,” added Jade Mañón, Training General Manager.

Another important point that spurs on this type of beach cleanups is so beach turtles can have a clean space to lay their eggs.

“When the turtles lay eggs we call the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources,” explained Cobos. “They come and they take the eggs to care for them and release the turtles in a safer environment that will help their survival. When the turtles are born here, they’re protected so the predators don’t get to them.”

In this manner, they guarantee that their two main predators—humans and birds—can’t hurt them. It’s also one more attraction that tourists can experience during their visit to the Riviera Nayarit.

The International Friendship Club (IFC) announced that their next Cleft Palate Clinic and Surgeries will be held March 11-13, 2014.  The Clinic will take place on Tuesday at the IFC Clubhouse beginning at 1:00 p.m. where up to 30 or more families with children in the Cleft Palate program will gather to see doctors so that assessments can be done. Volunteers entertain the children with games and artwork and provide refreshments as the Clinic often lasts until early evening before all families can be seen.

Surgeries will be Wednesday March 12. CMQ hospital generously donates two operating rooms and as well as hospital beds for the patients in recovery. Depending on availability, surgeries are held at the CMQ on Basilio Badillo or CMQ Premier on Francisco Villa.

Our hard-working volunteer specially trained medical team flies in from Guadalajara for the Clinics and typically performs from 10 to 15 surgeries on surgery day.  Thursday March 13 is the day for follow up visits at the hospital before the children are discharged.

Close to 200 children with cleft palate are enrolled in the program. Most children begin the program shortly after birth and are cared for until they have had all the necessary treatments and surgeries needed, typically by the time they are 18 years old.  This program has been ongoing by the IFC since 1987 and amazingly, Dr. Fuentes from Guadalajara has been volunteering all these years without stop.

The IFC is incredibly fortunate to have some very kind volunteers who give countless hours to the program, both in helping these families and in organizing all the mechanics required to bring the doctors from Guadalajara, as well as coordinate the surgery rooms, nurses, anesthesiologists, medical supplies, working with the families and many other details that go into making this program run smoothly.

At this clinic a new infant, 5 month old José Rodolfo, will be introduced to the program. One day last December, Elly Rohrer, head of Investours, an innovative micro-loan organization in Bucerias, called IFC President Dan Grippo, who had met her the year before, to alert him to the dire condition of an infant in Bucerias. The baby was severely malnourished because he could not be nursed on account of the cleft palate. The parents, who are from Guerrero—one of the poorest states in Mexico—had recently arrived to the area, knew few people, and did not have funds to see a doctor.

IFC Cleft Program volunteers, including April and Bill Miton, Mary Carmen Bernal, Patricia Mendez, and others, immediately went to meet this baby and his family.  With the invaluable help of Doctora Luz Meda Anaya, a dentist in Nayarit with special training in Cleft Palate conditions, there have been regular visits since December to make sure José Rodolfo gets the nourishment he needs to gain strength, and to provide the family with the training, nursing equipment, and support they need until the doctors can begin working with Jose Rodolfo this month.

The IFC is able to operate the Cleft Palate program in large part through the funds raised from the popular Home Tours and Botanical Gardens/Zoo Tours, as well as the efforts and support of nearly 600 member volunteers. For more information on the IFC go to: ifcvallarta.com.

Through the collaboration agreement opportunities for people that are trained and certified in the various courses offered at the institution will be provided.

With the aim of promoting the training of children, youth and adults, the System for Integral Family Development (DIF) and the Training Center for Industry (CECATI) 63 Puerto Vallarta, signed a cooperation agreement to support poor people to get discounts, grants and certification in different courses and workshops taught at both institutions.

Fregoso Magaly Ortiz, president of the Municipal DIF, expressed his appreciation to the educational authorities to join the project to support families who need it most with this type of action.

He said that in the Year of the Mothers' Heads, the charitable institution will seek to reach a greater number of women through this support and invited them to meet both the Training Center as CECATI 63.

Meanwhile, Ramiro Herrera Godina, manage CECATI 63, said long been working with DIF, mainly through PAIDEA program that serves pregnant teens.

He stressed that the institution will offer discounts and scholarships so that more people are trained and certified by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP). Among the courses offered include: refrigeration and air conditioning, electronics, styling, massages, English, to name a few.

In his 35 years of coming to this city, and approached CECATI has provided this type of support that families can earn extra income or even start your own business.

This episode of national history confirms the commitment and loyalty of the military to the Mexican people

Volunteers conduct four fundraising events throughout the year in order to strengthen the work of the humanitarian institution

Magaly Ortiz Fregoso, honorary president of the Red Cross Delegation Puerto Vallarta and the System for Integral Family Development (DIF) swore to Volunteer committee members who made the commitment to implement the principles and resources to manage continue the noble work of the distinguished institution.

The president of the Municipal DIF, welcomed the opportunity and confidence of board members and emphasized that apply the principles of the Red Cross during his tenure, which are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

He acknowledged the work done in the Red Cross Delegation Puerto Vallarta and especially those who have the passion to help the less fortunate. To continue this work, four major events held during the year of collection, which will be announced in due course.

Fregoso Ortiz stressed that although the institution has limited resources, seek and manage support to the government and associations, as well as society in general, so not only will continue to serve society, but is closer to a human institution away from the bureaucracy, to assist in more complicated Vallarta moments of his life.

For his part, the president of the local council of the Red Cross, Uriel Almaraz, said that while the institution has improved in quality, services and infrastructure, it requires more support from society.

He said the current spending amounts to 150 thousand pesos, excluding payroll is more than 30 people working in three shifts. He said the main challenge is to keep the ambulances in optimal conditions to ensure service to people who need it. Also called individuals, companies and institutions to come to the Red Cross and are trained in first aid and other courses that contribute to saving lives.

It should be noted that the Committee Volunteer of the Red Cross, the first in the town of Puerto Vallarta, is formed by Magaly Fregoso Ortiz as honorary president, Norma Jewel Carrillo, Guadalupe Anaya and Olivia Arteaga Montoya, coordinator, treasurer and secretary, respectively . Also participating in the Voluntary, Emilia Venegas, Eliza Ramirez Aviña Carolina, Gabriela Peña Palacios, Jesica Cruz Reyes, Teresita de Jesus Lopez and Eva Gonzalez.

 {component index.php?option=com_eventgallery&view=event&layout=imagelist&folder=fregoso-magaly-takes-protest-as-a-red-cross-volunteer}

The CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, the US Consular Agency in Puerto Vallarta and HealthCare Resources, proudly present the 2014 Medical Matters Conference on Monday, February 10, 2014 from 9 am to 5 pm at the aforementioned hotel in Marina Vallarta.