U Save Car Rental at Puerto Vallarta Airport

Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) is located in North-West Jalisco, only 6 miles (10km) north of Puerto Vallarta. It features many shops and restaurants within its facilities for passengers to enjoy a comfortable waiting until their flight is ready to depart. The airport’s first level faces the street and has free access. There, you can find small shops, fast food restaurants and bars. There also are several magazine stores, money exchange facilities and a post office. On the main level, you will find flights’ check-in, and domestic and international arrivals. On the upper level you’ll come across domestic and international departure gates and you will have access to the Duty Free Shop and several restaurants and bars. This airport is the gateway to many tourists’ dream beach vacation in Puerto Vallarta, the Riviera Nayarit and Jalisco and it handles approximately 2,500,000 passengers each year.

Puerto Vallarta, also called Vallarta by the locals, or V.P by English-speaking visitors, is a paradisiac city located in the state of Jalisco, on the Western Pacific Coast of Mexico, right in the middle of the Banderas Bay. People’s attention is excellent and friendly, the ocean breeze is mild and romantic and there’s so much fun on the beach and in the city that Puerto Vallarta has won the title of: “The Friendliest City in the World.” Surrounded by beautiful beaches, the breathtaking Sierra Madre Mountains, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls; awarded with mild climate and ever-shining sun, Vallarta attracts thousands of tourists every summer.

In PuertoVallarta you can do so many things and visit so many nearby attractions that you will feel that time just flies away every day. If you love aquatic life you should visit the Bay of Banderas, located to the west of Puerto Vallarta. If you crave adventure, you should take a canopy tour in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains. If you enjoy riding the waves, you should practice surfing in Sayulita near Puerto Vallarta. If you enjoy relaxing in a golf course surrounded by stunning vegetation and the most beautiful sight of the mountains, Marina Vallarta’s international golf clubs are your best option. If you expect to be able to do all that… then, let me tell you that you need to rent a car.

Renting your car in Puerto Vallarta will allow you to visit the incredible nearby attractions without depending on the public transport’s schedules and without paying huge amounts of money for a cab. The cheapest car rental company in Vallarta, which at the same time offers excellent vehicles and services, is U-Save Car and Truck Rental. U-Save is the best car rental company because it has learnt from its thirty-year’ experience that “cheap rental car can and must be accompanied by excellent service.”  U-Save has more than two hundred car and truck rental agencies around the world. The company honors its mission in every new rental agreement: “Earning the right to serve you, each and every time.”

Get into your U-Save rental car and tour the city’s cobblestone streets or take a drive along the stunning coast of the second largest bay in the Northern Hemisphere, the Banderas Bay. In your U-Save car you will be able to travel the distance to Marina Vallarta to admire the amazing panoramic view of the city from El Faro Lighthouse, or take a relaxing trip to the Botanical Gardens located only half an hour distance from Puerto Vallarta.

The renting process is really simple at U-Save! You can rent your car upon arrival at the airport at the U Save Car Rental at Puerto Vallarta Airport office or book your rental car in advance so that when you arrive at Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport all you have to do is to pick it up!

If you expect not to spend too much in your rental car, U-Save offers excellent vehicles at around US$ 13 all taxes and fees included. Moreover, the car rental contract includes free unlimited kilometers. In case you want to add any special accessories (like a baby seat or a GPS) or in case you want to add an extra driver, you should ask for the service at the time of renting. A minimum surcharge will apply in those cases. Just as an example, you can rent a Standard V.W Jetta (or similar) or a Nissan Sentra (or similar) at the incredible price of US$ 13.86 per day (Airport fee and taxes included).

Note!

-          In Mexico, the minimum required age for driving is 21 years old.

-          All additional drivers must present the same personal documentation as the owner of the contract. This includes: personal Id document, valid driving license, a recent personal photo and passport.

U-Save office at Puerto Vallarta International Airport is open from 8am to 8pm. In vallarta.com you will find the best deals to rent your U-Save car and enjoy the best vacation touring the city and its marvelous surroundings. 

When you rent a car at U-Save, you save. 

Cecilia Vittori

The Underwater Art Museum on Isla Mujeres

·         Jason deCaires Taylor is the son of a Guianese mother and an English father. He was raised in Europe and Asia and developed a deep love for the sea and the natural world by spending his childhood playing among marvelous coral reefs in Malaysia. He worked as a dive instructor around the world learning all he could about natural preservation, underwater naturalism and photography. In 1998 he graduated from the Institute of Art in London, where he specialized in sculpture and pottery.

·         Roberto Díaz Abraham defines himself as a “versatile” and imaginative person. His love for art first manifested when he was a seven year-old child when he loved transforming a piece of wood into something useful. After high school he started painting as he studied Economy at Boston University. He moved to Cancun with his family about 20 years ago and is involved in several important projects there, one being his Monteverde Educational Center. One of his favorite quotations is: “there still remain one thousand and one projects to develop and my only limit is imagination.”

·         Doctor Jaime Manuel Gonzalez Cano got a PhD in Natural Resource Management at the prestigious Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine at London University. At present he is a research associate to the Marine Resources Assessment Group at the same institution, and a Witness Expert in Environmental Impact before the Mexican College of Biologists.

But these men are not only the individual successful people mentioned before. They also are the successful founders of MUSA, The Underwater Art Museum on Isla Mujeres  (Museo Subacuático de Arte), Mexico.  This impressive museum is the largest underwater museum in the world and features almost 450 life-sized sculptures made from ph neutral clay with the final objective of conservation. MUSA was designed with the intention of counteracting the effects of hurricanes and climate change on the ocean and reef systems. The special material used in the sculptures fosters the overgrowth of coral life and the colonization of the area by all forms of marine life.

MUSA is located very close to the famous Manchones Reef in the National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. It covers an area of over 150 sq meters and weighs approximately 120 tons. Being visited by over 750,000 tourists every year, the park holds an immense pressure on its resources. The installation of the sculptures promotes the recovery of the natural reefs and relieves pressure on the park resources by drawing visitors away.

MUSA (Isla Mujeres)was formally opened to the public on November 26^th 2010 and is divided into two galleries: the Salón Manchones, which is eight meters deep and suitable for snorkelers and divers alike; and the Salón Nizuc, which is four meters deep and suitable for snorkelers only.

The sculptures were designed and created by Taylor and look beautiful in the underwater, surrounded by the most colorful and diverse marine life. Some of the pieces are: “The Dreams Collector”, “Silent Evolution”, “Anthropocene” and “Silent Evolution” among many others.

If you visit Isla Mujeres, make sure to enjoy the marvelous experience of knowing MUSA. I can ensure you that you will never ever experience anything like this during your lifetime.

Cecilia Vittori

The Gentle Current in Garrafon Park

Isla Mujeres is an impressive little island located only eight miles away from the Bahía Mujeres. It covers an area of five miles long and just half a mile wide but within this tiny space, the most spectacular magic of nature abounds. Isla Mujeres used to be a fishermen village, but over the years it has become a major vacation destination for tourists from all over the world.

If you have ever imagined how paradise could be, Isla Mujeres is it. From bird-watching to snorkeling; from hiking to zip line flying, there are so many eco-friendly activities on the island that you can never get bored! If you are a Nature devotee and expect to enjoy the most relaxing and tranquil vacation surrounded by lush vegetation and the most diverse terrestrial and marine fauna, then Isla Mujeres is the best destination for you.

Two of the main tours on Isla Mujeres are the snorkeling and scuba diving ones. There are several amazing sites to submerge and visitors are always accompanied by an expert guide. It doesn’t matter much if you are a professional snorkeler or an apprentice: Isla Mujeres has an activity suitable for each of its visitors. But do take into account this piece of advice: if you are going to take a snorkeling tour, visit Garrafón Park.

Garrafon Natural Reef Park is an amazing natural park located at the Southern tip of the island. The real origin of its name is not yet clear. Some attribute it to the clarity and serenity of its waters, which turn this beautiful site into a magnificent “container” to swim or snorkel without being posed to any kind of risks. Others state that due to its strategic location, this reef was used as a refueling station for both Punta Sur Lighthouse and vessels travelling to Cozumel. It is said that fuel was stored in huge “garrafas” or “garrafones” and that the reef was named after this fact.

If you are a natural adventurer but you have never experienced high adrenaline activities, Garrafón is the ideal place for you to start!  Garrafón is considered one of the most stunning reefs in the world. It is only 4 meters deep and 320 meters long. Its waters are incredibly gentle and crystal clear. This allows for amateur people to try the marvelous experience of snorkeling and scuba diving surrounded by the most beautiful and colorful fish schools and coral reef formations (which an amateur wouldn’t be able to do at deeper sites).

Kayaking is another of the adventure sports you will be able to practice at Garrafón. Currents are so soft that you will feel safe and during your adventure you will be able to admire the marine fauna through the transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea.

As a matter of fact, the current is so kind, that you can take a Sea Trek tour and walk at the bottom of the sea like becoming part of the amazing underwater life. You will be provided with a special helmet full of compressed air for you to be able to… literally walk underwater!

Nothing is more relaxing; nothing could be. The gentle current of Garrafón Park invites you to enjoy an adventure of color, relax and magic. Don’t miss it! Because this is the experience you will take in your heart forever.

Cecilia Vittori

The cheapest car rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, also called Vallarta or simply V.P, is a paradisiac resort city located in the state of Jalisco, on the Western Pacific Coast of Mexico, right in the middle of the Banderas Bay. People there are so kind, the ocean breeze so mild and there’s so much fun on the beach and in the city that it has been declared “The Friendliest City in the World.” Its beautiful beaches, mild climate, the exceptional Sierra Madre Mountains, lush jungles and sparkling waterfalls attract thousands of visitors every summer.

If you are an aquatic life devotee, the Bay of Banderas, located to the west of Puerto Vallarta will offer you a unique experience. If you crave adventure, a canopy tour in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains is just perfect for you. If you enjoy riding the waves, Sayulita offers an excellent surfing beach near Puerto Vallarta. If, instead, you are a golf lover, you will find several international level golf clubs in Marina Vallarta and its surroundings.  But if you love all what I’ve mentioned… then you will need to rent a car.

Renting your car in Puerto Vallarta will allow you to visit certain incredible nearby attractions without depending on the public transport’s schedules and without paying huge amounts of money for a cab. With your cheap rental car you will be able to tour the city’s cobblestone streets or take a drive and get to know the stunning scenery along the coast of the second largest bay in the Northern Hemisphere, the Banderas Bay. With your rental car you will be able to travel the distance to Marina Vallarta to admire the amazing panoramic view of the city from El Faro Lighthouse, or take a relaxing trip to the Botanical Gardens located only half an hour distance from Puerto Vallarta.

Of course when planning your car rental you need to take certain tips into account. For example which size of car you need according to the amount of passengers and luggage that you will carry in it; which special services and equipment you may need (if you don’t know the area you may want to ask for a GPS service); and which price you are ready to pay for your rental car.

In general, renting a car in Puerto Vallarta is not expensive at all. There are several rental car agencies to select among and all of them offer similar car classes. You can either rent your car upon your arrival at the Gustavo Días Ordaz International Airport or you can rent it in advance before your trip. This last option tends to be the best one in order to ensure that there’ll be car availability when you arrive and to get better deals and offers in your rental contract. Vallarta.com offers the best rental car deals in Puerto Vallarta.

In order to save money in your rental, please take into account the following information:

CAR CLASSES

The price you will pay for your rental car varies according to the type of car you rent and the special services you expect it to have. In general the cheapest cars are the smallest one which feature basic amenities: the economy (Atos or similar), the compact (Clio or similar), medium (Aveo or similar) or standard (Megane or similar).  Premium (Audi A6, Chrysler Grand Voyager or similar), luxury (BMW 730, Mercedes SLK2 or similar), minivans (Durango, Van Express or similar) and vans (Traffic or similar) are also available but at a higher rates. If you need to rent an SUV (Patriot or similar) or a van, it’s better for you to do it in vallarta.com so that you can get a better deal than at the car rental offices.

SPECIAL SERVICES

Of course the price will vary according to the special services and amenities you may want to include. All car rentals offer an array of services and equipment additional to the basic ones. These services include equipment like baby seats, GPS or city maps and unlimited mileage among others.

CAR RENTAL AGENCIES

 The cheapest car rental agencies in Puerto Vallarta are Alamo, Thrifty, Payless, Budget, Dollar car Rental, National Car Rental and Hertz Car Rental. All of them offer the same types of cars and prices are quite similar, too. Take into account that a third-party insurance policy is mandatory when you rent a car in Mexico, so that you will have a little extra charge for the policy.

With countless tourist attractions to visit and unbeatable friendly attention everywhere in Puerto Vallarta, once you visit this paradisiac city you will certainly feel like returning again and again. By renting a car in vallarta.com you will find the best service possible at the lowest price available and you will be able to enjoy a much better vacation than you could have imagined. Visit vallarta.com and start making your luggage.

Cecilia Vittori

The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks Isla Mujeres

Apart from its natural beauty, Isla Mujeres seems to cast some kind of spell on animals’ behavior. A good example of this is the gathering of whale sharks in the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea in the area. The point is that whale sharks are solitary animals but hundreds of them gather near Isla Mujeres during the summer season to feed from the rich plankton and algae in the area.

Another amazing phenomenon takes place at the Manchones Reef at about 65 to 100ft underwater (20-30mt). If you get close enough to the cave called “Los Cuevones,” made up of coral formations, you will be able to admire the magic view of nurse sharks sleeping with their eyes wide open. This wouldn’t be surprising at all if we didn’t know that sharks never sleep. They need to keep in motion to be able to breathe. If they stay still, they die.

In 1969 Carlos García Castilla, a lobster diver from Isla Mujeres, was diving for work when he felt intrigued by a strange phenomenon.  He saw that sharks entered the cave but he never saw them come out of it. He got closer and got astonished by the image. The sharks remained still with their eyes wide open. He then contacted the oceanographer and journalist Ramón Bravo. Mr. Bravo was quite skeptical about the news but decided to take a look at the cave. So he took his snorkeling gear and his camera and dove to the famous cave. Bravo saw the sharks resting at the bottom of the cave in a state of dormant inactivity and called Dr. Eugene Clark to study the phenomenon.  Dr. Clark settled on the island and pursued an investigation to find out the biological causes of such a strange behavior. She finally concluded that these sharks take oxygen from the fresh water bubbles by standing still against the current. They are not completely asleep because they follow the divers around them with their open eyes. From then on, Isla Mujeres became the selected site of oceanographers and scientists. Even Jacques Cousteau moved to Isla Mujeres for a couple of weeks to study the sleeping sharks.

The cave was renamed as “The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks” and became one of the main attractions of Isla Mujeres. The most common shark type that can be found is the nurse shark; but lucky divers may spot tiger sharks, mako sharks, bull sharks, lemon sharks, manta rays or black tip sharks. Only experienced divers can access the cave due to its location deep below the sea surface. The experience is incredible and the most adventurers cannot miss the opportunity of visiting it.

Can you imagine the adrenaline of swimming so close to these marvelous and dangerous fish? Of course you will be accompanied by a professional diver who will give you all the necessary tips to enjoy the tour to the most. Please, remember to do exactly what your guide indicates so that you can experience a safe tour.  If you are planning to visit Isla Mujeres sometime, start taking your snorkeling lessons! The Cave of the Sleeping Sharks is a tour not to miss.

Cecilia Vittori

Hiking Tour to the Manchones Reef on Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is located eight miles away from the Bahía Mujeres. It is only five miles long and half a mile wide but it is full of natural treasures to know, which turn this tiny island into a paradisiac vacation site. Its incredible history and archeological sites; its legends and stories; its amazing landscapes and its diverse natural life are the main attractions that Isla Mujeres has to offer to its thousands of tourists every year.

This former fishing village is now a paradisiac vacation site where shopping, dining, and enjoying are everyday routines for tourists from all over the world. There are plenty of tours for visitors to select among: from getting to know the island by hiking or bike riding to getting into the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea for snorkeling or fishing. Fun never ends on Isla Mujeres.

If you are a Nature devotee and expect to enjoy the most relaxing and tranquil vacation on the beach, then Isla Mujeres is the best destination for you. The typical tours include snorkeling or scuba diving in the marvelous reefs of the island accompanied by professional guides. But if you prefer to spend a day out of to the water sometime, try enjoying the hiking tour to the Manchones Reef on Isla Mujeres. This reef is located southwest, just off the shore of Isla Mujeres and is the most popular reef on the island.

Manchones Reef is the perfect site for snorkelers and scuba divers because there, they can appreciate the most amazing and diverse marine life and the beautiful and colorful reef formations. Some of the underwater attractions include the famous MUSA, an underwater museum that displays ph neutral human-size sculptures that foster varied and interesting coral formations; the Sleeping Sharks Cave with the marvelous view of wide-open eye sleeping sharks and El Farito with its famous Virgen del Carmen. If you walk along the shores on Isla Mujeres, you will be able to admire the beauty of the scenery: an immense mass of crystal water where boats and ships of all sizes and colors slowly sail along the sea and “human fish” taking a dip into the sea in their snorkel gears to admire the natural paradise that the Caribbean Sea has to offer.

Taking care of nature and respecting it is one of the main rules on Isla Mujeres. For that reason visitors are not allowed to throw garbage on the floor and should always remember to wear biodegradable sunscreen.  It is advisable that you take your hiking trip on comfortable shoes because the ground may be slippery or steep on certain areas. Also, bringing your camera is an excellent idea! You will certainly want to take photos of everything during your walk since the scenery is amazingly beautiful and you will be able to spot the most strange ground fauna and many different types of plants and vegetation.

For a relaxing and tranquil experience on Isla Mujeres don´t miss the opportunity to take a walking day along the marvelous Manchones Reef. The experience is unique and invigorating and nature will wrap you in its arms.

Cecilia Vittori

Gran Real Yucatan in Merida

If you are planning a vacation in Merida and need some help with the selection of cheap but at the same time good accommodation in the city, cancun.com has the answer to your need:

Gran Real Yucatan in Merida is an elegant baroque style hotel located in the Historic Centre of Merida. It stands in what used to be a wealthy hacienda built by the end of the 19^th century and still preserves the elegant and picturesque main patio surrounded by antique columns and wide passages. Its colonial style along with its spacious facilities, and excellent services and amenities turn this hotel into the most comfortable and home-like hotel in the city.

 Gran Real Yucatan is strategically located in downtown Merida, just a few blocks away from the city’s main attractions: the main Cathedral, the main Square and the famous Paseo de Montejo Avenue. Nearby you can also visit the Plaza Grande, The History and Anthropology Museum, Centenario Park and the Government Palace. The best malls, the finest restaurants and theaters are only steps away from the hotel, too.

This four-and-a-half star hotel features 73 elegant rooms divided into four categories: Deluxe, Deluxe Plus, Junior Suite and Master Suite. All the rooms offer a private balcony overlooking the hotel’s pool or lush gardens, air conditioning, LCD monitor TV, cable TV, telephone in the room and in the bathroom, shower, bathtub, hairdryer, purified water system, safe box, smoke detectors and vanity mirror. The suites are also equipped with living room, kitchenette (featuring coffee maker, microwave and minibar), bathrobes and slippers.

After a tiring tour day, you will be able to return to the hotel and feel like a monarch. Take a dip in the hotel´s pool or just relax by it; enjoy a cocktail at the hotel’s bar or take a soothing massage by the pool. After these relaxing experiences you can either enjoy the view of the stars from your balcony, rest on your cozy bed or sit in the patio to admire the Mexican sunset.

If you are a lover of good cuisine, visit the hotel’s restaurant, El Emperador, where you will be able to enjoy the best meals either inside the colonial style restaurant or on the beautiful terrace facing the hotel´s charming courtyard. A professional chef prepares exquisite regional food varieties, seafood, pasta and delicious steak. El Emperador is open from 7am to 11pm. If you prefer a snack accompanied by a good wine or a cocktail, enjoy it in Los Vitrales bar. This picturesque bar is made of onyx and granite, and features huge 19the Century stained glass windows. It is open from 12am to 10.30pm.

If you are travelling with your family and you want to enjoy Merida’s nightlife you will be able to leave your children in the hands of a professional babysitter who will take excellent care of them until you return.

Book your stay at this amazing hotel in cancun.com and enjoy this offer!

US$81 per night taxes and fees included. Stay longer and get every second night free! This promotion is valid for stays between August 27^th and October 31^st 2012. Don’t miss the opportunity! Make your reservation now and enjoy “The White City”.

Cecilia Vittori