
Vallarta is a multicultural crucible that encompasses traditions, languages, customs, artistic expression, and freedom; but above all, the good intentions of its people.
In Puerto Vallarta we like people. We all know a story of somebody or have established our own new and authentic friendships with people from around the world, have been helped through some difficulty by people we barely know, whether colleagues or neighbors, and all of us also have a story that speaks of a place we met with our friends, some adventure we had for the first time or a beautiful memory this land and its people have given us. Each of us have probably said or heard that we are fortunate to live in this paradise.
And yes, Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful place that surprises and inspires every day: a beautiful blue sky frames spectacular moons and incredible orange suns, a warm and generous sea that relaxes and asserts itself, and sunsets that merit a pause in our day and in our breathing.
But in the little over 50 years that have passed since that first international commercial flight arrived into this port, many things have changed. Puerto Vallarta is no longer a "village", but has become a young, forward-looking city. Today it is facing challenges in its economic and social dynamics that test the paradigms of being Mexican. However, neither the requirements of the destination’s maturity nor these difficulties have been able to do away with the beautiful customs of the province we are so thankful for, that give the small village flavor that we enjoy so much.
It is wonderful to see that there is still time to chat with neighbors sitting on the sidewalk outside their home, to take the kids to the river to play, to eat a delicious pozole dinner at home with uncles or grandparents or to say good bye to our dead "as God intended.”
In Spanish there is a very fun word that Mexicans love to use because it gives us a certain rather impossible, rather popular, baroque refinement: idiosyncrasy. Idiosyncrasy is the set of traits, temperaments, character, habits, etc. of an individual or community.
This comes about because Puerto Vallarta, as the young city that it still is, is designing, shaping its character every day, refashioning its customs and adjusting temperaments. The uniqueness of the Vallartan, his idiosyncrasies, is a work in constant process. Vallarta is a crucible in which traditions, languages, customs, artistic expression, freedom, color, confidence, ambition, creativity, inexperience, courage and friendship all fit; but good intentions fit even more.
And as Andrew Oppenheimer says: "Maybe it's time to look at ourselves less in the mirror and start looking through the window, doing what we know how to do best, take care of our friends."

The people of this beautiful port have received the world with open arms and have taken on the commitment to constantly seek a balance between conservation and development, modernity and tradition, between the demands of the future and the virtues of the past. The size of the challenge explains why more and more people must get involved, doing what is necessary so that this paradise will be here for other generations, just like we have been fortunate to have it here for us.
The best of Puerto Vallarta lies ahead. It will not be easy, and it will not be achieved without everybody’s help. From our guests we need feedback, a critical eye, communication. Today it’s easy, easier than ever, to know our visitors’ expectations and experiences through the internet. It is important to let our tourists know that their opinion matters to us and motivates us to improve.
Those of us who have our home in Puerto Vallarta need to strengthen our ties, recognize and appreciate our strengths and commit ourselves to overcoming our weaknesses, but above all we need to take responsibility for our work, doing it with love, engaging in non-governmental groups and working hard, which as Mexicans we do very well, and the world recognizes it.
The best of Puerto Vallarta is still to come. It will not be easy, and it will not be achieved without everyone’s efforts.

And as Andrew Oppenheimer says: "Maybe it's time to look at ourselves less in the mirror and start looking through the window, doing what we know how to do best, take care of our friends."

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