Life in Mexico (crime rate, how much, gated)

[pigeonhole]

You cannot imagine how happy you've made me, telling me about all the animal rescue groups that have sprung up since my absence. When I first started, I was just one, lone person, catching resort cats and working out deals with the local vets to spay and neuter them ($20U.S.!!), getting them recuperated, then either adopting them out or returning them to the resort properties. The condition I found some of the dog and cats in that I rescued, was often truly horrifying. But even the worst of them cleaned up beautifully and made awesome pets! I have some pictures -- I'll have to scan them and get them uploaded.

I've been talking for years about bringing my husband to Vallarta so he can see where I used to live. The biggest hurdle we have is that I imported him from Denmark, so most of our travel budget goes to visiting our family over there every year (we just got back from celebrating a confirmation and three birthdays!). After traveling to Europe, there's not a lot of discretionary budget left for a Mexico vacation. Especially since I'd love to make it an extended trip and spend some time in Guadalajara, which is one of my favorite cities in the world.

I've heard and read about some of the changes Vallarta has gone through, but I know I'll be shocked to actually see it. I left right before the big hurricane that destroyed the Malecon. When I left, the cobblestone streets were all hand-laid and packed with dirt. It made rainy season really interesting! And there was one, one resort on Nuevo Vallarta. One! I have mixed feelings about the development. On the one hand, it brings jobs and livelihood to local residents. On the other hand, it spoils the natural beauty. I used to drive up the coast with a girlfriend, park along the road, hike half a mile to the beach, and hang out reading (sometimes out loud to each other) and relaxing, totally away from the crowds (and beach vendors!). ::sigh::

If you're ever in the mood for a trek and want the best fish tacos you've ever had in your life, bar none, head through town and find Marisma Fish Taco stand. I can't remember the exact street it was on, but it's somewhere around the corner of Calle Naranjo & Venustiano Caranza. I'll bet if you head to that general vicinity, the locals could point you to it. OMG, I'd come back to Vallarta just for that! AHA! I found an article about it. Woo Hoo!


You seem to know Vallarta very well, I was threre only twice in my life but enjoyed it.
However, lots of people on this forum are speaking in high terms of the Yucatan peninsula too (Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel...). Personally, I've never been there, do you think it's worth giving it a try (for extended vacations, 3 months) or should I stick to Vallarta and Jalico?
Thank you for your hindsight (?)

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by pigeonhole

You cannot imagine how happy you've made me, telling me about all the animal rescue groups that have sprung up since my absence. When I first started, I was just one, lone person, catching resort cats and working out deals with the local vets to spay and neuter them ($20U.S.!!), getting them recuperated, then either adopting them out or returning them to the resort properties. The condition I found some of the dog and cats in that I rescued, was often truly horrifying. But even the worst of them cleaned up beautifully and made awesome pets! I have some pictures -- I'll have to scan them and get them uploaded.

I've been talking for years about bringing my husband to Vallarta so he can see where I used to live. The biggest hurdle we have is that I imported him from Denmark, so most of our travel budget goes to visiting our family over there every year (we just got back from celebrating a confirmation and three birthdays!). After traveling to Europe, there's not a lot of discretionary budget left for a Mexico vacation. Especially since I'd love to make it an extended trip and spend some time in Guadalajara, which is one of my favorite cities in the world.

I've heard and read about some of the changes Vallarta has gone through, but I know I'll be shocked to actually see it. I left right before the big hurricane that destroyed the Malecon. When I left, the cobblestone streets were all hand-laid and packed with dirt. It made rainy season really interesting! And there was one, one resort on Nuevo Vallarta. One! I have mixed feelings about the development. On the one hand, it brings jobs and livelihood to local residents. On the other hand, it spoils the natural beauty. I used to drive up the coast with a girlfriend, park along the road, hike half a mile to the beach, and hang out reading (sometimes out loud to each other) and relaxing, totally away from the crowds (and beach vendors!). ::sigh::

If you're ever in the mood for a trek and want the best fish tacos you've ever had in your life, bar none, head through town and find Marisma Fish Taco stand. I can't remember the exact street it was on, but it's somewhere around the corner of Calle Naranjo & Venustiano Caranza. I'll bet if you head to that general vicinity, the locals could point you to it. OMG, I'd come back to Vallarta just for that! AHA! I found an article about it. Woo Hoo!


You seem to know Vallarta very well, I was threre only twice in my life but enjoyed it.
However, lots of people on this forum are speaking in high terms of the Yucatan peninsula too (Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel...). Personally, I've never been there, do you think it's worth giving it a try (for extended vacations, 3 months) or should I stick to Vallarta and Jalico?
Thank you for your hindsight (?)

I've never visited Mexico's other coast so can't do an adequate comparison.. I guess it depends on what you're looking for and needing for a long-term stay. For us, after first visiting the southern state of Oaxaca several times and finding it beautiful but *very* hot, we then landed in Vallarta and were thrilled first by the cooler temps. We also appreciated the proximity to everything that a larger city (Vallarta) has to offer - although we live in the countryside of Bucerias, about 10 miles north of the PV airport. And we totally LOVE the incredible mountains that surround the Bay of Banderas and the access to colonial mountain towns. I also know the water isn't nearly as blue as the Carribean side - except maybe in the Mismaloya area (south of Vallarta). But all in all we just think the Vallarta area comprising the adjoining states of Jalisco and Nayarit offer diversity and everything a visitor could want for either a vacation or part-time living.

[Jill61]

Originally Posted by pigeonhole

You seem to know Vallarta very well, I was threre only twice in my life but enjoyed it.

However, lots of people on this forum are speaking in high terms of the Yucatan peninsula too (Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel...). Personally, I've never been there, do you think it's worth giving it a try (for extended vacations, 3 months) or should I stick to Vallarta and Jalico?

Thank you for your hindsight (?)

¡Hola pigeonhole! I'm afraid I cannot give you any current insight as to the Yucatán, because it's been nearly 30 years since my last visit. I was last in Cancún several years before Hurricane Gilbert, which wiped most of the city out, after which it basically had to be completely rebuilt. (Hmmm, I think I'm starting to notice a pattern here - .) Cancún had only been in existence as a city for about 9 years at the time I traveled there, and although there were a handful of hotels, it was still relatively primitive.

When development was started on Jan. 23, 1970, Isla Cancún had only three residents, caretakers of the coconut plantation of don José de Jesús Lima, who lived on Isla Mujeres, and there were only 117 people living in nearby Puerto Juárez, a fishing village and military base.

From what I'm told, I wouldn't even recognize it now.

I don't think you can go "wrong" either way -- it just depends on what you're looking for. If I had to characterize any differences in the two coasts, I'd say that the Yucatán is more ancient historically (Mayan -- Chichen Itza and Merida), whereas the West Coast is more modern historically (Spanish, from the 1500s).

You'll have to let us know if you decide to visit, and how you liked it if you do.

[pigeonhole]

Now Jill you leave me in a quandary!(lol)
after all for the time being I give up Mexico, maybe I'll go to Florida : by the way, is Delray as nice as Vallarta ?

[fbc]

I like my life alot better here in Mexico. I probably would have died from stress or a heart attack back in the states.

I met a nice person 14 years younger than me. Can't really complain, can't I. We are happy with 1 child and she wants another.

I began a food shipping business which has started to pickup, alot and keeps us busy. But we work when we want to; at our own pace.

Can't say moving back to Mexico was bad choice for me at all.

Frank
Mexicoetal.com

[Jill61]

Welcome, Frank!

[elvia25]

well wen i go to Mexico i visit a state called Queretaro.l... my fam. and i usually stay there for a couple of weeks...but the part i like alot is the trveling part...there is alot of mountains...and i love the food cant leave that out...Especially the Tacos or the Botanas omg...they are the best...

[lakechapala]

I want to share this pictures of Ajijic and Lake Chapala:

[lakechapala]

More Ajijic Pictures:

[lakechapala]