CALENDARIO DE EVENTOS / EVENTS CALENDAR

2001-2002

ENERO - ABRIL
Temporada de ballenas

Cada invierno un número cada vez mayor de turistas disfruta de las excursiones para admirar a las ballenas jorobadas que visitan la Bahía de Banderas. De diciembre a abril estos majestuosos animales pueden verse saltando fuera del agua mientras cortejan a las hembras y enseñan a los ballenatos los trucos necesarios para su subsistencia. Operadores autorizados por la SEMARNAP siguen los procedimientos necesarios conducir tours sin perturbar la tranquilidad de estos extraordinarios gigantes.


ABRIL - MAYO
Primavera para la tercera edad

Viajeros de la Tercera Edad reciben una bienvenida especial a Puerto Vallarta durante esas fechas. Una serie de hoteles ofrecen descuentos especiales y se esta organizando un calendario de actividades, conciertos, eventos y excursiones dirigidos exclusivamente a este mercado. Además varias tiendas y restaurantes ofrecen descuentos especiales comenzando desde un 15%, para los visitantes mayores de 60 años. Esta primavera los mayores de edad encontrarán muchos atractivos en Puerto Vallarta para darle más valor a su dinero.


MAYO
Fiestas de Mayo

Una celebración primaveral en la que visitantes y locales disfrutan de las fiestas regionales con juegos, espectáculos, charreadas, palenques, exposiciones, comidas y bebidas típicas.


JUNIO - AGOSTO
Meses Ecológicos en Puerto Vallarta

El verano y las vacaciones familiares coinciden con las fechas en las que Puerto Vallarta enfoca sus esfuerzos en la conservación del medio ambiente y la protección de las especies. Niños y adultos pueden participar en las liberaciones de tortugas marinas. Puerto Vallarta es un importante centro para la reproducción de varias especies de tortugas marinas y la comunidad y autoridades han implementado un exitoso programa para la recolección he incubación de los huevos de tortuga y posteriormente su liberación en combinación con varios programas educativos.


SEPTIEMBRE
Fiestas Patrias

El tradicional grito se conmemora en medio de una gran celebración en la plaza principal y con una verbena popular y fuegos artificiales. El 16 se realiza un desfile que cruza todo el centro de la CD. Y las festividades continúan por la tarde.


NOVIEMBRE
Día de Muertos

Además de las tradicionales vigilias en el cementerio y los altares en las casas, el Ayuntamiento organiza un concurso de altares en el Palacio Municipal, y el Centro Cultural de la Isla del Río Cuale monta una interesante exhibición sobre el mismo tema.


DICIEMBRE 1 - 12
Peregrinaciones de la Virgen de Guadalupe

Durante doce días se realizan peregrinaciones que pasan por el Centro de la ciudad hasta la catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe la patrona de Puerto Vallarta. Las peregrinaciones son todo un desplegado de creatividad y devoción con carros alegóricos, música y fuegos artificiales. En ellas participa prácticamente en toda la comunidad vallartense incluyendo hoteles, restaurantes y demás establecimientos.

JANUARY - APRIL
Whale watching

Each winter season a growing number of travelers enjoy excursions to view the migrating Humpback whales in Banderas Bay. From December to April, these gentle giants can be seen breaching out of the water as parents instruct their baby calves in the ways of their watery world. Local eco-tour operators are licensed by the National Environmental Agency to assure respectful watching of these magnificent mammals.


APRIL - MAY
Spring is for Seniors!

Senior travelers are offered an extra special welcome to Puerto Vallarta during these spring months, in the first year of what is planned to be an annual promotion. A broad selection of hotels are offering special rates and packages for seniors, and the town is putting together an extensive calendar of activities, concerts, events and excursions geared just for seniors. In addition, many shops and restaurants in town will offer discounts (15% off and more) just for those over-60 travelers enjoying Vallarta during the spring. Seniors will be certain to find Puerto Vallarta offers the best vacation values for spring travel!


MAY
Fiestas de Mayo

Visitors can join the local residents in this spring celebration! It' s a traditional fair, complete with midway games attractions, livestock displays, exhibits, food, drinks and entertainment... a Vallarta tradition!


JUNE - DECEMBER
Sea Turtle Preservation Months

Summer fun an family vacation times occur when Puerto Vallarta is at its peak in terms of ecological preservation and protection. Children and adults can participate in Turtle Liberation ceremonies, held daily during the season at participating hotel beaches. Puerto Vallarta is an important breeding ground for several endangered, protected species of sea turtles, and has implemented a community-wide preservation program that combines protected nurseries for the eggs, plus educational projects.


SEPTEMBER
Independence day!

Mexico' s independence is commemorated during the month of September, with the famed Independence Eve celebration taking place on the 16th. On this night, the central plaza is filled with revelers participating in the traditional "grito", or Cry for Independence. The following day is a national holiday, celebrated by a parade through the center of townand a continuance of the evening festivities and more fireworks in the center of town.


NOVEMBER
All Souls Day and Day of the Dead

In addition to being one of Mexico's most fascinating holidays, it is also a tradition that defines this cultures' attitude and acceptance of death. The idea is that on these two days, the souls of departed loved ones return to earth for an annual visit. November 1 is for children who have passed on, with November 2 reserved for adult souls. Families hold a graveside vigil, or at least leave the favorite foods and drinks on a special alter constructed in their home or on the tomb of their departed ancestors. Each year City Hall offers a special alter exhibition, as does the Cultural Center on Rio Cuale Island.


DECEMBER 1 - 12
"Virgin of Guadalupe": Processions and Festival

For this period of twelve consecutive days, processions are made to the downtown cathedral that bears the name of the patron saint of both Puerto Vallarta and of Mexico.
Guadalupe Day (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) is celebrated on December 12, and most businesses, hotels, restaurants, neighborhoods and civic associations make a procession to the church for a special mass they have devoted to the Virgin.
For the larger groups, these processions resemble a small parade with folkloric dancers, floats, singing and even fireworks.

The day of December 12 is Guadalupe Day (Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), an important religious and social day marking the anniversary of the day the Virgin made her miraculous appearance to a peasant in Mexico.
The processions culminate on this day. Look for the central plaza to be filled with people, and street vendors selling fruits, foods, and fireworks on this evening and the ones immediately preceding it. This is a beautiful display of traditional Mexico.

This date is also the anniversary of the founding of Puerto Vallarta by Don Guadalupe Sanchez Torres in 1851.
On this day , Don Sanchez brought his family and a few friends to settle in a area alongside the Cuale River, calling the location "Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe".