One of the perks of traveling, especially abroad, is that you get to broaden your consciousness while you experience another culture and meet new people. However, there are times when you really need a getaway to decompress from the stress of daily living. In these instances, you’d rather be secluded, away from the crowd, and lazily lounge in a pool or cozy up beneath a shady palapa poolside and catch up on your reading list. One of the greatest advantages of spending your vacation in Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Nayarit is the availability of luxury villa rentals and the amazing private pools that they have to offer.

So here are the Top Five Best Villa Pools in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit:

Casa China Blanca

This modern architectural masterpiece will blow you away from the moment you drive up to the entrance, where a glass bridge leads you over a modern “moat” into the grand foyer where you’ll be drawn out onto the pool deck by the sweeping views of the Bay of Banderas and the south shore mountains beyond. This Punta Mita villa was featured in the Bradley Cooper film, Limitedless, and the elegant infinity pool was the crown jewel of the scene! Modern lines, sleek and crisp design, and jaw dropping views make this pool the ultimate in cool and give Casa China Blanca a guaranteed spot on our Top Five Best Pools in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit!

Casa China Blanca – Sleek, Modern Lines

Casa China Blanca – Views to Die For!

Casa La Vista

This villa jets cliffside along the south shore of Vallarta and has to be seen to be believed. The extraordinarily designed Puerto Vallarta villa has not one, not two, but three incredible infinity pools with wrap-around views of the Pacific Ocean beyond. Pool #1 is south facing, overlooking the quaint fishing village of Misamaloya and features with a swim-up bar, for those who want to sip their margaritas while soaking in this luxurious dipper. Pool #2 is on the same level, but was added to Casa La Vista during a recent expansion and renovation of this massive estate. This pool faces north along the shore and offers amazing views of the famous rock formations of Los Arcos. But Pool #3 is definitely the “party pool” as it sits deckside just outside of the full-stocked games room, which comes complete with a pool table, poker table, blackjack table, foosball table, air-hockey table, full kitchen/bar, and entertainment system with a home theater, X-box and Bose music system. Casa La Vista will not fail to disappoint!

Casa La Vista – Pool #1 with View to Mismaloya

Casa La Vista – Pool #2 with View to Los Arcos

Casa La Vista – Game Room off the Pool Deck of Pool #3

Casa Tres Soles

This Punta Mita villa is set on the exclusive estate of El Banco and from the moment you enter the property, everything about this home screams luxury. This 9-bedroom, 18,000 square foot palace is sure to please even the most discerning guest and the pièce de résistance is, without a doubt, the 160 ft infinity pool. Set amongst tropical landscaping and overlooking a secluded, white sand beach, the views from this “mini-lake” are hard to beat. But the design is really what makes it special with elegant curves flowing around the dramatic main palapa and complete with it’s own small island, it’s no wonder that this phenomenal pool at Casa Tres Soles made our Top Five Pools list!

Casa Tres Soles – Incredible Curving Lines

Casa Tres Soles – Sitting Poolside Post Sunset

Casa Cosmos

This Vallarta villa, located along the south shore, is the spot to be if incredible sunsets while lounging in a lagoon-like infinity pool surrounded by “Robinson Crusoe” luxury sounds appealing to you. Casa Cosmos is just minutes drive away from downtown Puerto Vallarta, but you’ll feel like you’re on a secluded tropical island from the second you enter this lush and exotically designed property. Rock walls, palm-leaf roofs, open concept living and a semi-private beach will make anyone fall in love with this home, but it’s the solar-heated pool, designed with underwater stools, a waterslide, Jacuzzi and secluded, palm-lined canopy bed that truly make this space magical.

Casa Cosmos – Feels like you’re on your own private tropical island

Casa Cosmos – Lagoon-Like Luxury

Villa Venado

The dramatic views of the surrounding Sierra Madre mountains and the Bay of Banderas are what helped this uber-luxurious infinity pool at Villa Venado land on our Top Five list! Nestled in a private community, this property is just a short distance from the exclusive beach of Garza Blanca, an area known for it’s celebrity visitors, but you’ll feel like you truly got away from it all at this secluded and private home. Guests will swoon over the opulent details put into every corner of this villa but the pool is what makes this location other-worldly! The pool is strategically located right next to the well-thought out game room, with a pool table, wet bar and full entertainment system, as well as being adjacent to the bbq area with a top of the line grill, outdoor bar and shady palapa. Top that off with an oversized hot tub and dramatic waterfall cascading down the side of the villa and you’ve got yourself a pool deck fit for the gods!

Villa Venado – Serenity at Sunset

Villa Venado – Opulent Seclusion

[readon1 url="http://agavevillasmexico.com/blog-puerto-vallarta-news/" ]Source:Agave Villas Mexico Puerto Vallarta Blog[/readon1]

Several states, including Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Coahuila and Guerrero, have issued heat advisories to residents as temperatures rise above 37 C (98.5 F), the Mexican National Water Commission, or Conagua, said.

"For this year, 2014, based on the monthly forecasts, it is expected that the midsummer heat will be moderate; however, it could be intense in some regions," the Conagua said in a statement.

Low precipitation is likely in August, mainly in eastern, western, southern and southeastern Mexico, as well as above average temperatures, the Conagua said.

The midsummer heat is a climatic event that affects different regions of Mexico year after year, with high temperatures and scarce rainfall.

The climatic event usually starts in July and can last until early September in some states.

"The midsummer heat is part of the changing weather in Mexico and its intensity and seasonality is different in each region since it is related to the annual rain cycle in the Mexican Republic," the Conagua said.

The climatic event affects agriculture because growing areas depend on rain and low precipitation can threaten corn and other crops, causing prices to rise.

Residents should monitor the daily bulletins and advisories issued by the weather service, the Conagua said.

High temperatures can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, dehydration and heat stroke, the federal agency said, adding that people in affected areas should follow Health Secretariat guidelines for dealing with intense heat. EFE

[readon1 url="http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2014/07/27/states-issue-heat-advisories-in-mexico/"]Source:latino.foxnews.com[/readon1]

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe agreed to work toward wrapping up a 12-nation trade agreement, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, in the near future.

They also presided over the signing of 14 cooperation agreements in the oil, education, health and agricultural sectors and the areas of environmental protection and renewable-energy promotion.

In a message to the media after the accords were signed, Abe said he and Peña Nieto agreed during Friday's meeting to work together to help ensure the proposed TPP, which is to link 12 economies of the Pacific Basin, is signed shortly.

The TPP negotiations involving Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam have hit a snag, however, due in large part to the Japanese government's desire to maintain its barriers to farm imports.

Peña Nieto's administration has expressed confidence that the ambitious trade accord will be signed before year's end.

Both leaders also pledged to continue to review the bilateral Economic Association Agreement that Mexico and Japan signed a decade ago.

Peña Nieto noted that bilateral trade has risen by 64 percent since then and totaled nearly $20 billion last year.

Japan is Mexico's fourth-largest trade partner overall and second-biggest in Asia after China. More than 800 Japanese companies have set up operations in Mexico, with 20 percent of them arriving in the past two years.

The instruments signed Friday, Peña Nieto said, will help strengthen bilateral cooperation.

"There will be more academic exchanges," greater access to the Japanese market for small and medium-sized enterprises, a greater push for renewable energy and the development of sustainable agricultural models, the president said.

For his part, Abe referred to the shared commitment to spur "collaboration and investment promotion in the oil and shale gas area."

Mexico's recent energy overhaul, approved late last year, ends state-owned oil giant Petroleos Mexicanos' monopoly and will allow private companies to develop crude reserves for the first time since 1938.

The Japanese prime minister began his first official visit to Mexico on Friday morning.

Mexico is Abe's first stop on a tour of Latin America that will also take him to Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, Chile and Brazil and which is aimed at promoting cooperation with that region. EFE

[readon1 url="http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2014/07/26/mexico-japan-agree-to-work-toward-completing-12-nation-trade-deal/"]Source:latino.foxnews.com[/readon1]

This international institution with an ample range of media to its name published the travels of Dr. Kenneth Broad throughout the Riviera Nayarit, which was seen by thousands of people within a few short hours.

The Marietas Islands, located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean facing the shores of the Riviera Nayarit and geographically situated within the State of Nayarit, were highlighted during an exploration conducted by National Geographic, which resulted in a post with an ample spectrum of readers.

The expedition took place on July 19th headed by anthropologist Dr. Kenneth Broad, who was recognized by National Geographic as the top in his field in 2011. Broad was one of the special guests at the Punta Mita Beach Festival; the author of the content was Erick Pinedo, who published the piece on July 21st.

The note was originally created for the website and the Spanish-language version of NatGeo magazine, but it was also published on social media accounts within the different departments of this conglomerate, which has resulted in thousands and possibly millions of impressions for the destination.

Just 48 hours after publishing the post already had eight thousand “likes” in the Traveler section on the website. During this same time period both Facebook accounts for NatGeo Magazine in Spanish (with more than five million followers) and NatGeo Traveler (with more than 1 million followers) already had over 300 shares each per account.

From the article: “Thanks to the detachment of a part of the dome of t he caves, the islands have created small beautiful beaches in the middle of the ocean. The crystal clear waters, which sometimes resemble the Caribbean sea, make this a special place to go diving or snorkeling and enjoy the colorful marine life that abounds here, including brilliant fish, dolphins and turtles, among others.”

The Marietas Islands are a Bioshpere Reserve Recognized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and have become an icon representing the Riviera Nayarit around the world.

Here’s a link to the post titled “Descubriendo Las Islas Marietas” (“Discovering the Marietas Islands”):

In the last 20, the region of the Bay of Banderas, Vallarta-Nayarit registered hailstones on at least three occasions, including this Wednesday night.

Although there is evidence that state that there was slush in the region over the past 30 years, the reality is that in two decades has been three hailstorms.

The first hail of living memory in these two recent decades occurred in the delegation of Ixtapa, Jaliaco, in the late nineties, which reached a high level that surprised the inhabitants of that place.

The second hailstorm remember was in the early years of the two thousand and although it was less dense than that reported in Ixtapa, itself covered the streets and avenue ice for several minutes.

The third was the hailstorm on Wednesday night, which was accompanied by a thunderstorm and heavy rain that lasted more than two hours as authorities confirmed the Municipal Civil Protection Unit.

It should be noted that hail is a type of solid precipitation which consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice, each of which is referred to as a hailstone.

Unlike graupel (which is formed by frost and hail, which are smaller and translucent), hail is formed mainly of water ice and its size can vary between 5 and 50 millimeters (0.19 to 1.968 inches ) in diameter, and even exceed that measure.

Hail formation originates with the presence of a solid particle. This is driven by strong updrafts within the cloud, which you will be attaching water particles. When ascending, the cooling of these particles, freezing occurs. Upon reaching the top of the cloud, hail falls to earth by its own weight.

[readon1 url="http://vallartaopina.net/2014/07/25/en-region-vallarta-nayarit-tres-granizadas-en-20-anos/"]Source:vallartaopina.net[/readon1]

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico, Over the last century, the city of Puerto Vallarta has gone from fishing village to major beach destination. Starting at the innermost point of the Bay of Banderas, the city wraps its arms around the immense deep blue body of water. The entire postcard-perfect scene is ringed in lofty mountains. The hub of activity is the malecon, a fun party-like boardwalk.

Not far away is the old city with its cobblestone streets and an ornate church as its centerpiece. With such a variety of sites, it’s no wonder so many vacationers flock to the Vallarta region. Many stay in one of the beachfront high-rises, however there are some unique lodging alternatives that can make a trip even more special.

Grand Miramar

Floating above the bay, seemingly in the clouds, is the Grand Miramar Hotel, one of the most architecturally stunning hotels in the region. Its two whitewashed towers with thatched roofs combine a Mediterranean feel with a high end Mexican resort atmosphere. The balconies softly weave in and out of the structures, creating a sense of privacy and offering up a stunning view of the bay and city.

The two pools are on ground level along with a hot tub, a bar, and even a Ping-Pong table. Shade is a premium on the pool deck during the hottest part of the day. Staffers keep the cold drinks flowing to those trying to keep cool, but arriving early is the key to grabbing the coveted shade.

That commanding view of the bay is truly the gem of the resort, but those with an aversion to heights may want to request a lower floor. The view is even more inspiring from the rooftop restaurant, SKY Lounge. The menu has a strong Mexican influence for its base and leans heavily on the seafood of the region. The choices are mostly the same each day but a few items rotate on and off to create just enough variety. Those who like change and sampling the local fare will want to leave the resort every few days, but there are plenty of exceptional choices nearby.

River Café is an excellent option for a romantic dinner out. Built into the bank of the Cuale River, it is filled with the sounds of chirping birds and croaking wildlife. The meals range from $20-40 per plate and fuse Mediterranean cuisine with traditional Mexican dishes. The lush natural vegetation surrounding the open-air seating seems by design and the ambiance of the River Café is certainly the main draw.

Hotelito Desconocido

Hotelito Desconocido is a remote eco-resort, a 2-3 hour drive from Puerto Vallarta, may seem too far off the beaten path for some, but as any wise traveler knows, the best things are often not on the main road. That most definitely rings true here and for an exquisitely relaxing experience, this is the place.

The entrance to Hotelito is less than stellar; the dusty road gives visitors the impression they are entering a farm. Rows of cabbage and herbs grow to one side while goats and chickens graze and peck together in the same large pens on the other. The only recognizable landmarks that denote one has entered the resort are a hand painted sign and a small gate.

Once inside the vegetation becomes a brighter green, and the soothing sound of birds greets guests as they enter, a modest rustic welcome foyer. After check-in and a short walk along the sandy palm-lined paths, sipping cool jasmine tea, the sound of thundering surf can be heard in the distance. Once visitors enter their personal “palifito,” or hut, it becomes clear, Hotelito is very special.

The palifitos open to the outdoors on one side, have no air conditioning, no television, no Wi-Fi, and only a few plug-ins. What they lack in technology they makes up for in atmosphere. The ocean provides not only the sound of the waves, but a welcome cool breeze and soon memories of emails not sent or TV episodes missed fade.

Hotelito Desconocido has two open-air restaurants serving at different times. El Diablito , open for breakfast and dinner, resembles a giant tiki hut transplanted from the south pacific, with its lofty thatched roof, devil masks hung near the bar, an eclectic variety of furniture, and a beautiful view of the lagoon.

For a beachside lunch, staff members row colorful rowboats, caring patrons across the lagoon. Once there, a walk over a small rise reveals the ocean in all its glory. Massive 10-12 foot waves pound the beach, so ocean swimming is forbidden most times, but the gorgeous hammock-laden infinity pool is a handsome upgrade from the salty waters of the Pacific.

At the pool restaurant, attentive staff treats every guest like a star – and some are. Hailing from Hollywood, Mexico City, New York, and around the globe, Hotelito is a place to hide away from paparazzi and busy lifestyles.

Hotelito Desconocido is an incredibly romantic resort in its own rite, but it’s the staff and management who take the experience to another level. Hearts formed from flower pedals are strewn on mosquito netted beds each night, naturally scented soaps, crafted by local artisans, and shampoos in the outdoor showers, meticulously raked sands on the pathways, and attentive servers and staff are just a few of the ways they make guests feel like royalty.

No matter which experience vacationers want, mountainside or remote beachfront, Puerto Vallarta offers it. The city can be reached easily from most anywhere in the U.S. Flights from major hubs like Dallas, Denver, and Atlanta fly in daily on major airlines.

The airport is roughly 30 minutes from the resort areas of PV and taxis are always available. A good rate from the airport is currently between 250-300 pesos or 25-30 dollars. As with many places, it’s best to negotiate the rate before hopping into a cab.

 IMAGES COURTESY OF: Hotelito Desconocido

[readon1 url="http://www.commdiginews.com/travel/puerto-vallarta-mexicos-premier-beach-destination-with-great-lodging-21963/#Dgl3CM1wTPWMTrF4.99"]Source:www.commdiginews.com[/readon1]

When visiting Puerto Vallarta this summer, Krystal International Vacation Club reviews a trip to the stunning Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Krystal International Vacation Club knows that Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a premier destination for travel this summer and truly has something for everyone who visits. Puerto Vallarta is home to numerous pristine beaches with silky sand and crystal clear waters that are ideal for a variety of water sports, a gorgeous boardwalk, and a variety of unique historic sites.

As people visit the area this summer, they simply must check out the stunning Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

The Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens spans over twenty acres and prides itself on providing a large diversity of plant species that are found all throughout Mexico. These species have been harvested in a safe environment that can be viewed by the public by walking along specially designated paths. The Gardens focus on harvesting endangered species that are found throughout the tropical western Mexico region.

Krystal International Vacation Club claims that the objective of preserving these unique plants is to conduct research, propagation, and conservation and education programs to further promote a more sustainable, biodiverse future for the planet.

The stunning attraction is also home to a vast range of orchid species. Starting in 2009, this attraction began construction on a project called the National Collection of Mexican Orchids. The goal is to create the most complete collection of orchids that can be found throughout Mexico.

On the property, Krystal International Vacation Club says that guests will also be able to discover over six thousand Blue Agaves that have been situated on the “Blue Agave Hill,” as well as a multitude of native tropical hardwood trees.

Guests are able to admire a wide range of orchids and plants, trek on miles of hiking trails, swim in the Crystal Pools, and do so much more. There is also a unique dining experience available at the Hacienda de Oro Restaurant. This eatery has a diverse menu that includes everything from wood-oven baked pizza to delicious Mexican specials.

Because of its beautiful views and outstanding amenities, no trip to Puerto Vallarta is complete without traveling to the Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens

To learn more about travel to and outstanding amenities in Puerto Vallarta visit http://www.krystalcancun.com/. To view this press release in Spanish, visit Enterate Ahora.
******
Krystal Resorts Contact Information:
Toll Free: 1-888-774-0040
Locally: (305) 774-0040
info(at)krystalcancun(dot)com

[readon1 url="http://www.prweb.com/releases/KrystalInternational/VacationClub/prweb12014356.htm"]Source:www.prweb.com[/readon1]

With 15 million pesos, the Governor of the People, Roberto Sandoval Castañeda, had to face the payment of half of the employees of the Tepic City, because the municipality do not had sufficient resources to pay salaries.

"Today again to support workers of the City of Tepic, currently being deposited 15 million unique for wages, again calling on the mayors prepare for quedarle not bad worker," said Roberto Sandoval.

He said that for the Government of the People the worker's wage is First "despite our financial problems, that same urge mayors." And he explained that this support is thinking of workers as the state government faces an inherited debt of almost 10 billion pesos so for state administration has been difficult, but has been fulfilling METER as austerity.

He added that the State has complied with liability payments of workers and has achieved compliance with the commitments security, health, education, country, tourism, transparency, job creation and works great, same as other are the responsibility of the Government State.

Minutes before instructing the reservoir to cover the wages of workers in the capital's City Hall, the state governor demanded mayors meet their obligations and respect the wage of workers is the most important of an administration.

"With full support and compression to the employee of the City of Tepic, Santiago, Tecuala and San Blas ask the president and mayors to resolved immediately what in his rightful wage worker, counting as ALWAYS supported the Government of the People but also requiring each responsibility and respecting the autonomy of each of the municipalities, "he wrote on his facebook wall.

On different occasions the State Government has decided debts that belong to municipalities, mainly having to do with the workers, and that the Governor of the People, they are the priority of each service.

Mexico City: Mexico said on Tuesday it will restrict TV ads for soft drinks, snacks and other high-calorie foods in a bid to tackle rampant obesity.

With immediate effect, such ads will be banned from open air and cable TV from 2:30 pm to 9:30 pm during the week and from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm at weekends.

Ads in movie theaters will also be restricted.

In total, 40 per cent of advertising seen until now each year for soft drinks and other high-calorie products will vanish from Mexican TV, the health ministry said.

The government says 70 per cent of Mexican adults and 30 per cent of children are overweight or obese.

Mexico is the world's largest consumer per capita of sugary drinks, at 163 liters per year. The Mexican diet is also heavy in fried foods.

Mexico also has the highest incidence of diabetes among the 34 countries that make up the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The direct or indirect cost of weight problems will cost the public health care system 11.7 billion dollars in 2017, experts say.

In an earlier effort to tackle the scourge, late last year the government slapped taxes on high-calorie foods and drinks.

[readon1 url="http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/mexico-restricts-soft-drink-ads-to-fight-obesity-559421"]Source:www.ndtv.com[/readon1]

Several West Leyden High School Dist. 212 Service Club students and school staff returned from their June 3-9 volunteer trip to help an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta pleased with the experience.

This was the first Service Club trip for the school and the 46 students who made the journey. Students raised funds for the trip in many ways including selling Chicago Cubs baseball tickets.

According to Leyden High School Dist. 212 spokesperson Maryann Mills, students and staff who volunteered their time and expertise to the orphanage learned much about working with children in need. She noted the learning experience was invaluable for students.

West Leyden Assistant Dean Byron Benion noted when the club was first organized last year, close to 70 students showed up for the initial meeting illustrating their interest in helping others.
The service trip came about after Benion told West Leyden Principal Wil Wagner he had visited an orphanage in Mexico last summer to help. Wagner asked him about the possibility of students doing a service trip to an orphanage in Mexico.

Students helped the Casa de Hogar Maximo Cornejo Quiroz orphanage, which serves 45 children ranging in age from one to 14, according to school officials.

[readon1 url="http://www.journal-topics.com/news/article_974f8066-0d26-11e4-84f1-0017a43b2370.html"]Source:www.journal-topics.com[/readon1]

Puerto Vallarta is located in Mexico’s largest natural bay, the Bay of Banderas. The horseshoe shaped bay, known for its exquisite deep waters and rich biodiversity is a member of the World’s Most Beautiful Bays Club, a select club regrouping the world’s most impressive coastlines. Banderas Bay shelters numerous diverse ecosystems, including tropical lagoons, rainforests, mangroves, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and spectacular mountains, making it a prime ecotourism destination.

Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins are a common site in the area’s waters, but for those visitors who would like an up close encounter with these fascinating animals, the town is also home to one of the best dolphin education and research facilities in the region. Banderas Bay is also the birthplace of the magnificent Humpback Whales. Every year, from December to April, humpback whales migrate to the area to breed, and visitors can watch in the whales play in the calm waters of the bay. The Olive Ridley marine turtle is also protected under a government sponsored conservation program. From July through November, Olive Ridley Turtles come to lay their eggs on Puerto Vallarta’s beaches. A hotel and government sponsored initiative invites children and adults to partake in the protection of this beautiful species in an annual nighttime ceremony in which the baby turtles are released into the ocean.

The Sierra Madre Mountains are also a center of many ecological wonders, with its wide array of vegetation and wildlife including tropical flora, fauna, amphibians, reptiles, deer, hares, and mountain lions. Visitors also have the chance to explore high above the forest floor in a canopy tour offering up-close views of the areas native birds, including woodpeckers, parrots, yellow winged cacique, and parakeets.

From the highly educated eco-tour guides to the government sponsored conservation programs for endangered species, Puerto Vallarta exemplifies a responsible ecotourism destination. Every September, the community joins together for its annual beach and underwater clean up and awareness day, an event which is organized by the local Center for Marine Conservation. A collection of rich ecosystems, and incredible diversity, the following is a compilation of just a few of the locations that Puerto Vallarta has to offer its eco-friendly travelers.

LAS CALETAS ISLANDS

In the southern section of Banderas Bay lies Las Caletas, a hidden cove made famous for being a favorite retreat for renowned film director John Huston. Las Caletas is a secluded paradise, with a spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains, beautiful beaches, and even a tropical reef. What’s more, Las Caletas offers visitors an endless number of activities, including snorkeling, sea kayaking, bird watching, and hiking through jungle trails to lovely orchid gardens.

LOS ARCOS NATIONAL MARINE PARK

Los Arcos is another popular diving and snorkeling destination for visitors in Puerto Vallarta. Located near the small village of Mismaloya, this protected park consists of towering rock arches, caves, tunnels, and reefs full of marine animals including angelfish, butterfly fish, puffers, eagle rays, sea turtles, and giant mantas. For the adventurous travelers, Los Arcos offers an amazing opportunity to dive the “Devil’s Drop” underwater cliff, an approximate 1600 foot drop to a spectacular underwater mountain range.

YELAPA & MAJAHUITAS

The small fishing villages of Yelapa and Majahuitas are two relaxing and unspoiled paradises. With their calm, glittering waters and white sandy beaches, these secluded locations offer visitors a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the wildlife inhabiting the hills of the jungle, and the sea turtles and dolphins that call Banderas Bay home.

COLOMITOS

Southeast of Puerto Vallarta lies Colomitos beach, a remote cove hidden in a valley of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Hiking through the tropical forests and over a rope suspension bridge, visitors observe iguanas, red foxes, armadillos, yellow-winged cacique, and colorful dragonflies. Upon arriving at the sparkling waters of Colomitos beach, visitors can choose from a variety of activities including snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking. A hidden jewel, Colomitos Beach is an exotic and relaxing getaway for all travelers.

EL SALADO MANGROVE ESTUARY

The Estero del Salado lagoon is a paradise for birdwatchers; a beautiful expanse of white mangle, palm trees, mosses, ferns, and fauna. The estuary is also a sanctuary for fish, crustaceans, reptiles and assorted mammals. Visitors can enjoy the fabulous vegetation as they kayak down the narrow canals deep in the mangroves.

[readon1 url="http://www.visitpuertovallarta.com/blog/press/discovering-a-natural-paradise-blessed-with-ecological-diversity-and-beauty/#.U8a7XPldXKA"]Source:www.visitpuertovallarta.com[/readon1]

In envisioning its transformation into a “smart city,” Guadalajara started with its strengths—among them, an unusually large and strong network of colleges and universities, a high-tech community so vibrant that the city is regarded as “Mexico’s Silicon Valley” and a distinctive and historic city center that throbs with the life of theater-, museum- and restaurant-goers. Through the Ciudad Creative Digital (CCD) project, Guadalajara is striving to build on those assets and turn itself into one of the world’s leading centers of digital creation.

Development has commenced on a 40-hectare area of downtown, to create a socially integrated urban environment that attracts and keeps some of the world’s brightest minds in advertising, gaming, film, TV and other areas of digital-media innovation. Eventually, Guadalajara’s CCD project would expand to cover 380 hectares and to leverage information and communications technologies in inventive ways to improve other areas of the city’s infrastructure and services.

It’s all part of a proactive, comprehensive strategy embraced by the city’s leaders to seize the opportunities presented by Guadalajara’s differentiating characteristics and the brand-new possibilities created by revolutionary technology innovations in areas such as the “Internet of Things” (IoT), the smart grid, e-health and augmented reality. In this light, Guadalajara is a global leader in its forward lean into its smart-city future.

But, of course, standing still is really not a viable option. With about 1.5 million people, Guadalajara is Mexico’s second-largest city, and, like other cities around the world, it is under pressure to figure out how to accommodate and adapt for a projected boom in its population over the next decades. The United Nations predicts that the number of people living in cities worldwide will nearly double by 2050, and cities are already home to half of the world’s population.

In anticipation of so many more people straining systems for food, water, energy, transportation, housing, healthcare, etc., what can cities do today to ensure that their residents enjoy a clean, safe, pleasant and prosperous environment in which to live, work and play tomorrow? The IEEE Smart Cities Initiative was created precisely to help cities address questions just like this one—and to help each other to do so.

The world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity, IEEE numbers more than 430,000 members in more than 160 countries. Their expertise spans the gamut of existing and emerging technologies that municipalities will leverage in their evolution to smart cities, and the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) provides a democratic platform for globally open development of standards in such technology areas. For example, IEEE P2413 “Draft Standard for an Architectural Framework for the Internet of Things (IoT)” is under development to define an architectural framework that would be designed to promote cross-domain interaction, aid system interoperability and functional compatibility and fuel the growth of the IoT market.

In March 2014, IEEE announced the launch of the IEEE Smart Cities Initiative to avail municipalities to strategic and practical education and expertise and to facilitate collaboration among the world’s smart-city builders on the technological and behavioral innovations that the future will demand. IEEE plans to provide investment and assistance to 10 selected municipalities in developed and developing markets through 2016, and Guadalajara was selected as the first participating city.

“Guadalajara was an ideal candidate for the inaugural pilot and an excellent model for future projects,” said Gilles Betis, chair of the IEEE Smart Cities Initiative, in an IEEE press release.

Every municipality undergoing the smart-city transition is different. For example, beyond the development of the historic city center into a hub of digital creation, the CCD team in Guadalajara is concentrating its attention on its cities’ future needs in public transportation and parking, waste collection, safety and security, telecommunications, the economy, the environment, government operations and citizen involvement. Not every municipality will prioritize its challenges and opportunities in smart-city evolution in the same way.

And yet there are common elements on which the world’s smart-city stakeholders can share lessons learned. For example, cities traditionally have different departments focusing on different problems (transportation, health, education, public security, etc.) A lack of efficient information sharing among those departments results in substantial waste of resources because of a lack of coordination. Technological and behavioral innovations will help smart cities connect, analyze and optimize processes and better adapt for the needs of their citizens.

The IEEE Smart Cities Initiative provides the global, open forum for Guadalajara and its neighbors around the world to collaborate and share information on issues such as these, which will only grow in importance as the population of our cities swells.

Dr. Victor M. Larios holds a full professor-researcher position at the University of Guadalajara, Department of Information Systems at the CUCEA Campus. He is also the chair of the IEEE Smart City Initiative Pilot in Guadalajara, Mexico. [readon1 url="http://www.intelligentutility.com/article/14/07/guadalajara-charts-its-smart-city-course"]Source:www.intelligentutility.com[/readon1]