Vacation Links

Links to Assist in Planning Your Vacation

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Regularly Scheduled Airlines


Aero California:	http://www.reservaciones.com/airlines/aerocalifornia.shtml through Los Angeles
Aeromexico:	http://www.aeromexico.com/usa/english/index.html through Los Angeles
Alaska Airlines:	http://www.alaskaair.com/ through Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles
American Airlines:	http://www.aa.com/ through Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago
Continental Airlines:	http://www.continental.com/ through Newark and Houston
Delta Airlines:	http://www.delta.com through Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago
Frontier Airlines:	http://www.frontierairlines.com through Denver
Mexicana Airlines:	https://www.mexicana.com/app/main.jsp through Denver and Chicago
Ted (United):	http://www.flyted.com through Chicago, Reno, Ontario, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Francisco.
US Airways:	http://www.usairways.com/ through Phoenix

Charter Flights to Puerto Vallarta (PV)


Air Transat:	http://www.airtransat.com from Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria
Apple Vacations:	http://www.applevacations.com/index.do?command=showHome
Apple Vacations' Ryanair:	http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/?culture=GB from Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Miami, Denver and Oakland
Apple Vacations' Skyservice:	http://www.skyserviceairlines.com/ from Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Regina, Montreal and Toronto

Charter Flights from Europe


Holland Air:	from Amsterdam
Pullmantur:	from Madrid

Flights within Mexico

Flights within Mexico include several daily direct flights to Vallarta from Mexico City - the country's major airline hub - and Guadalajara, less than a half-hour flight away. You can also fly directly to Puerto Vallarta from San Jose del Cabo (Cabo San Lucas), Leon and Cancun.
Aero California:	http://www.reservaciones.com/airlines/aerocalifornia.shtml
Aerolitoral:	http://www.aerolitoral.com/
Aeromar:	http://www.aeromar.com.mx/previo/index.asp
Mexicana Airlines:	https://www.mexicana.com/app/main.jsp

Websites for Cheap Flights, Airline Tickets, Cheap Airfare

Kayak:	http://www.kayak.com
Travelocity:	http://www.travelocity.com
Expedia	http://www.expedia.com

Rental Cars


Gecko Car Rental:	http://www.geckorentcar.com/ in Bucerias
Travelocity.com:	http://www.travelocity.com/

Currency Calculator


X-Rates.com Currency Calculator:	http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html An excellent resource for all currency questions.

Guides to the Region of Puerto Vallarta


Bahia de Banderas News:	http://www.banderasnews.com Welcome to Puerto Vallarta's liveliest website!
The Village of Bucerias:	http://www.buceriasmexico.com The village of Bucerias is only 10 miles from the Puerto Vallarta airport. Quiet and relaxed it is a charming spot for you to visit during your stay.
The village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle:	http://www.lacruzdehuanacaxtle.com This is a picturesque, little fishing village on the Bay of Banderas, about 20 kms. north of Puerto Vallarta. With its cobble stone streets and traditional way of life, it is a place to experience the charm of old Mexico.
Guide2Mexico, Puerto Vallarta:	http://www.guide2mexico.com/cities/ vallarta/valindex.htm Information that travellers will want. Be careful! If you read the introduction you won't be able to stay away!
Puerto Vallarta:	http://www.puertovallarta.net/ This site has information on the main events, attractions, maps, city fast facts, weather information, banks, currency, restaurants, night clubs, discos, places to go in Puerto Vallarta.
Frommer's Travel OnLine:	http://www.frommers.com/destinations/ puertovallarta/
VallartaOnLine.com:	http://www.vallartaonline.com/
Fodor's Guidebooks:	http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/ mgresults.cfm?destination=puerto_ vallarta@126&cur_section=ove

Rental and Property Management Service

North Bay Property Management:

http://www.northbayproperty.net/
Do you need someone you can trust to look after your property? Gaby and John Whitten offer a full-service property management and property rental business. North Bay provides complete management for short- and long-term residential rental properties, and customized caretaking service for non-income second homes. They apply all of their professional skills to the quality care and renting of your home. Their staff has the experience to maintain your home to your expectations, to deal with all tenant interaction, and to keep steady income a priority. As professional property managers they provide you with peace of mind and worry-free rentals. References available.

Activities and Adventures


Marla's Sport Fishing:	http://www.marlasportfishing.com/ Charter Fishing leaving from the new La Cruz Marina with Danny Osuna. The Osuna Brothers (Danny, Scotty, and Alonso) are considered the very best charter captains. We'll make reservations for you at no charge. Best fishing months for dorado (mahi mahi), marlin, yellow fin tuna, and sailfish are June through December. Oddly, while Puerto Vallarta offers excellent fishing much of the year--especially for really huge tuna and marlin--and the city is one of the world's most famous and important vacation destinations, the Puerto Vallarta area's sportfishing opportunities are even today still in the process of being "discovered" by the outside world. The International Puerto Vallarta Sailfish and Marlin Tournament is generally around November 15-21.
International Friendship Club:	http://www.pvmexico.com/news/ Come stroll through some of the most beautiful homes in Puerto Vallarta and experience a Vallarta that is rarely seen. Meet at the Hotel Posada Rio Cuale, Auiles Serdan #242. Tours take place every Wednesday and Thursday, beginning mid-November through late April. Ticket sales begin at 10 AM and the bus departs at 11 AM. The tour is approximately 2.5 hours. Questions? Telephone the International Friendship Club at 01 322 222 5466. All proceeds go to Puerto Vallarta charities.
Vallarta Adventures:	http://www.vallarta-adventures.com One of the best companies to arrange activities (Swim with Dolphins,Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Whale Watching, Sailing, Air Adventures, Visit Huichol Indians, Tequilla and Guadalajara Tour, Sierra Madre Expedition, Las Caletas, San Sebastian Air Tour, Rhythms of the Night, Canopy Tour and Private Tours).
Chico's Dive Shop:	http://www.chicos-diveshop.com (scuba dive and snorkel in Puerto Vallarta)
Four Seasons Punta Mita:	http://www.fourseasons.com/locations/ PuntaMita/ (Golf and Dining)

Volunteer Opportunities

Please contact Amy Welch (see contact information at bottom of this page) or Gaby Whitten (see North Bay Property Management Services) for more information. Amy is the owner of Casa Parota, rental manager of homes in the North Bay area, and co-founder and Board Member of the Children's Shelter of Hope Foundation. Gaby is owner of North Bay Property Management, and Board Member of the Children's Shelter of Hope Foundation and PEACE.

Children's Shelter of Hope Foundation:	http://www.childrens-shelter-of-hope-foundation.org/ Visitors and Volunteers are welcome at the Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza and Pasitos de Luz. This US foundation, and its sister organization Canadian Children's Shelter of Hope, receive tax deductible donations to support this corporation's primary purpose to support the needs of children and families living in the Bay of Banderas (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) area through direct cash grants and donations of needed equipment or items. Beyond seeking funds and donations for basic needs and projects identified by our Board of Directors, this corporation is concerned with potential future needs such as funding for medical and dental check-ups and emergencies; specialized medical treatment; improved hygiene; educational needs; building expansions; placement of teens in safe environments; and scholarships to support children with tuition and transportation.
Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza:	http://www.refugio-infantil.org Visitors and "short-term" volunteers are encouraged to come during lunch times (approximately 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.) when extra help is needed in serving meals and clean up, or in the afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. to help entertain the toddlers downstairs.
Pasitos de Luz:	http://www.pasitosdeluz.org/ Pasitos de Luz is a daycare for handicapped children, located in the Puerto Vallarta suburb of Pitillal, near Sam's Club. At any one time, there are approx. 40 children at the center, open Monday through Friday. This free daycare, allows working families of children with various disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy and Down syndrome, to have their children cared for, receive meals and therapy.
Punta de Mita Foundation:	http://www.puntademitafoundation.org/ The Punta de Mita Foundation has been created to serve the greater region of Punta de Mita, enhancing the quality of life for the people and communities in this area. This is a resident-led, community-based organization dedicated to assisting the communities of Punta de Mita to become good places to live, do business, work and raise families. The Foundation provides capital, technical expertise, training and information, to support local leadership, better education and facilitate sustainable economic development. Our primary means of doing this is through helping existing non-profit organizations or helping to establish new ones that can provide this support. Grant-making will occur semi-annually according to the following categories: education, environment, community development, and public safety. Annually, Punta de Mita Foundation has had one fundraiser during US Thanksgiving week generously hosted by the Four Seasons Punta Mita. The 2007 fundraiser has funded PEACE (see below), along with a highway clean-up project, and building and furnishing new elementary school classrooms in Punta Mita.
Casa de Communidad:	http://www.casacomunidad.org/ Casa Comunidad is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children and adults develop the necessary skills to be successful, positive contributors to their multi-cultural, bilingual community. You can be involved in the after-school program, the women´s co-op, adult education classes or the cultural center. You can teach English, computers, health, art, music, or ecology.
Art and Philanthropy:	http://www.artandphilanthropy.com/ Art and Philanthropy is currently collaborating with PEACE, a non-profit in the US and Mexico, which works with rural Mexican families, specifically women and children, helping to better their living and working conditions, as well as their environment. This organization primarily works with women and children to sell their arts and crafts to give them spending money and more independence.
PEACE:	http://www.peacemexico.org/ Protection and Education: Animals, Culture, and Education. This organization was founded and is administrated by Molly Fisher. P.E.A.C.E. facilitates sustainable programs and nurtures self-empowerment throughout Mexico by providing communities and individuals with tools to improve their quality of life. One of their programs, Casa Comunidad, provides children and adults with programs and opportunities to develop the necessary skills to be successful, positive contributors to their multi-cultural and multilingual communities. There are currently nine programs up and operating in Casa Comunidad. P.E.A.C.E. also runs Manos Unidas por la Mujer, and Ayuda a los Animales. Accion Ciudana, a community based organization, has facets in both Emiliano Zapata and Corral del Risco. These groups work to support community needs by raising funds and granting them to the identified project or program.
Help the Animals:	http://www.mexicoanimals.org/ Help the Animals is a non-profit organization dedicated to decreasing the unwanted pet population in Mexico through aggressive dog and cat spay/neuter programs, education and adoption.
Mundo Mexico:	http://www.mundomexico.org/ Mundo Mexico is the only organization in Bahia de Banderas connecting volunteers to opportunities throughout the Bay area. They are dedicated to helping you find the ultimate volunteer opportunity to fit your needs and time schedule. They will guide you, set up all accommodations and support you from the moment you sign up until you complete your important work and are heading home. Help the children and women of Punta Mita, work to preserve the turtles and work with the sea lion, Flash, the sweetest 300 kilo guy in the world. You will help with daily chores, feeding, cleaning, training, shows and more! Turtle work includes scientific monitoring and incubation of eggs as well as releasing the hatched turtles into the ocean. The work involves saving the mothers and the young of three species: Leatherback, Hawksbill and Ridley from the effects of human settlements, poachers, and other predators.
Manos de Amor:	http://www.manosdeamor.com/ Manos de Amor is a US nonprofit organization that was born from the desire of a group of citizens of Bucerias to help the less fortunate, especially the children of Bahia de Banderas. It was formed on April 13, 2004. The main project of this group is to construct an orphanage/shelter in Bucerias. This will be the first in this area. Presently there are several shelters in Puerto Vallarta: Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza, Casa Hogar, and New Life Mexico Street Boys Shelter.

Casa Parota - Information

Sunworx - Casa Parota:	http://www.sunworx.com/board/ lacruz/parota/
Sunworx La Cruz Bulletin Board:	http://www.sunworx.com/board/lacruz/

The beach, looking east towards Bucerias

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Other Vacation House/Condo Recommendations

For more information or to request a brochure:

Contact the owners:	Bill and Amy Welch 505 N. Tomahawk Is. Portland, Oregon USA 97217	Telephone: Fax: E-mail:	(503) 285-4007 (503) 283-1074 wjwelchpc@comcast.net
For an e-mail message, we have provided a convenient browser-based form for you to use.