Once at the camp, we decided the puppy needed a name and within a few seconds, it was unanimously decided and he was christened with the very fitting name of “Zippy.”  Everyone around wanted to have their photos taken with this cuddly creature and even take him home.

Luckily,  Zippy was adopted by Francisco, one of our technical supervisors and now lives in a happy home and sometimes even goes to work with Francisco as the official “unofficial” mascot of the Canopy Adventure Park zip line tour in Vallarta.

On Sunday, January 31^st, Vallarta Adventures invited 450 children from Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay and Tepic, Nayarit to join them on a Humpback Whale Watching Adventure. The young guests came from various backgrounds; children’s homes, boarding schools, assisted living homes and children’s shelters, many with physical or emotional challenges.

In the morning you could feel the energy as the children from Tepic arrived on the buses that Vallarta Adventures arranged to transport them to their adventure. Many of the children had never been on a boat before let alone had the enormous pleasure of going out on the ocean to see observe the Humpback Whales, dolphins and other marine life.

The children excitedly boarded the catamarans and their voyage began with the staff presenting an educational program about the visiting whales and the importance of the protection and conservation of the inhabitants of the bay. The children participated by asking questions, intently listening and expressing amazing interest about the marine life and environment. As they toured the bay, they enjoyed lunch and juice as they were greeted by many whales and their offspring, dolphins, sea turtles and birds.

The children all expressed they had an unforgettable day and the true testament at the end of their adventure was the giant smiles that adorned their beautiful faces.

Participating Organizations:

Refugio Infantil “Santa Esperanza”

“Manos de Amor por Bahía”

“Arturo y los Hijos de Dios”

Casa Hogar “Agape”

“New Life Mexico”

“Children of the Dump”

“Pitillal busca un Amigo”

Asociación “Down”

Grupo CANICA (Centro de Atención de Niños con Cáncer)

DIF Bahía de Banderas

DIF Nayarit

Casa Infantil “Mojoneras”

Casa de Niños “Frank González”, Tepic, Nayarit

Casa “Nana”, Tepic, Nayarit

Internado “Juan Escutia”, Tepic, Nayarit

Around 11:00 AM, on January 28th, 2010, a tour boat spotted a humpback whale and her calf appearing to struggle and behave abnormally on the top of the ocean’s surface. After approaching the whales cautiously, the boat crew confirmed that the whales were indeed entangled in a giant fishing net and would need to be rescued.
Vallarta Adventures, an eco-tour provider in Puerto Vallarta, heard the radio call about the distressed whales and their team of Marine Animal Rescue staff immediately sprang into action to assist in the rescue and recovery of the trapped whales.

Enroute, the Vallarta Adventure’s team met up with the Mexican Navy, where Lieutenant Luis Vidal boarded the Vallarta Adventures’ boat to assist in liberating the pair. Once they reached the distressed whales they were able to asses that the mother was entangled from tip to tail in the illegal fishing net and that her calf was also becoming entangled as it swam closer to its mother.

With all hands and arms into the water at once, everyone began grabbing lines and cutting them and the ropes and buoys that encompassed the pair. Once the whales started to get free, they began to move about which made the effort to free them more difficult and dangerous.

With persistence and quick action, the staff and Naval officer quickly removed the offending net from the whales and within an hour, the pair was safe and free, gloriously swimming off into the Bay.

Canopy Adventure Park Zip line tour
11/11/09

How many times have you been to Puerto Vallarta/Bay of Banderas?
This was our first time, but we will be back!!

Where did you stay?
We were aboard the NCL Star ship

What was the highlight of your trip?

We definitely loved the zip line canopy tour.
The guides were fantastic and the thrill of the zip lines and repells were great.  I thought we might be too old or out of shape to enjoy this tour, but I was so wrong.

What other tours would you go on if you had the chance?
I wish we would have had enough time to do the Sierra Madre tour and definitely some of the Snorkeling, Kayaking and other water tours.  The pictures on line are fantastic. We heard many other passengers on the ship talk about the great times they had with their Vallarta Advertures.

What did you think of our crew? Our guides?

The Canopy guides were great.
They made us feel very comfortable, always safe, and yet were professional and fun all at the same time.

Any advice for future travelers to Puerto Vallarta?

Go on a Vallarta Adventure tour, you won’t waste one cent with them.  They make sure you are picked up for adventure on time, That you have a great time and you are returned back when you need to!  This was very important for us on the cruise.  And if we had not been able to get into port because of weather, etc.  we would have been refunded our money.  Not all tour companies will even think of doing that.

What are some of your hobbies? Do you play sports?

We enjoy sailing, biking, snorkeling and swimming.

If you were to describe your vacation with the title of a song, what would that song be? Kenny Chesney’s “We went out last night”

What best describes you? The chips?  Or the salsa? Cindy is the Salsa and Mike is chips!  A great mixture!

What is your favorite part of your job?
When the people finish their program and you see the smile on their faces

Do you have a “crazy” skill that you use with your job?
Training courses for marine mammals and other species,  First Aid, Biological courses, Emergency First Response skills

What is the funniest or craziest thing that you did/seen/experienced?
One time a did a Rocket with two dolphins and my shorts came down in front of the audience

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew -up?
Airplane pilot

What is your favorite(s) food(s)?
All Mexican food and pizza

Would you eat a grasshopper?
I am allergic to fish and grasshoppers!

What do you like to do on your day off?
Walk on the beach, watching movies, or going out with some friends

Would you rather be an eagle or a dolphin?
Dolphin

What do you do to help conserve or protect our planet?
I recycle and separate my garbage and I do not use bug repellant or sprays to help reduce their possible negative impact on nature.

What is your favorite Cabo Adventures Tour?
The Outdoor Adventure, Dolphins and 4X4 Desert Safari

If you were given 200 Pesos right now, what would you do with it?
Save it!

Any advice for  future adventurers that will go on your tour?
Never give up! And have fun- the dolphins are amazing!

How many times have you been to Cabo San Lucas?
Hayley and Danny: We have only been once but will definitely be coming back!

Where did you stay?
Hayley and Danny: We were staying on the Mariner of the Seas Cruise Ship that took us into three different ports in Mexico.

What was the highlight of your trip?
Hayley and Danny: The highlight of our trip was swimming with the dolphins! It was the best thing we have ever done. It was an unforgettable experience.

What was your favorite part of the tour(s) you took with us?
Hayley and Danny: The dorsal ride with the dolphin was our favorite part of the trip. It was so exciting being able to ride with the dolphin, he was very gentle and as all dolphins are, highly intelligent. When we held onto the dorsal of the dolphin and he began swimming, it was the best feeling ever. We have wanted to swim with dolphins for a long time and now we have done it we want to do it again! It was fantastic!

What other tours would you go on if you had the chance?
Hayley and Danny: We would love to go on the “Trainer for a Day” program most of all. We would also like to go on the sunset cruise and the jeep safari – they look a lot of fun!

What did you think of our crew? Our guides?
Hayley and Danny: The crew were fantastic, very helpful and friendly. They made sure that everybody got one-on-one time with the dolphin and they made the instructions very clear. Because they were so friendly and professional, it made everyone feel at ease including some of the children who were in our group who were a bit nervous. The nerves soon went away!

Any advice for future travelers to Cabo?
Hayley and Danny: Our advice would be if there is one thing that you need to visit when in Cabo – go and swim with the dolphins!

Have you traveled to other parts of Mexico? Where?
Hayley and Danny: We have been to Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan but only to the ports.

What are some of your hobbies? Do you play sports?
Hayley and Danny: Danny is a scuba diver and also likes to play football, go to the gym and swim. We both love to travel  and experience new adventures.

If you were to describe your vacation with the title of a song, what would that song be?
Hayley and Danny: Here, There and Everywhere by The Beatles

Favorite Spanish word(s) or phrase?
Hayley and Danny: Vamos a tener otra aventura!

What best describes you? The chips?  Or the salsa?
Hayley and Danny: The salsa!

One activity that works great for people who like a variety of activities as well as adventure is Las Caletas.
The Las Caletas tour alone offers different levels of activities from kayaking and snorkeling to learning how to prepare Paella as well as nature hikes and children’s programs to simply finding a hammock and watching palm trees sway in the breeze. But, the really cool thing about this tour is that people who love to scuba dive can enjoy their favorite water sport while their partner has a plethora of other things to do to occupy their time.

These tours can be booked together with one person choosing to take the Las Caletas by Day Tour and the person who wants to add a two tank dive to their trip to Las Caletas should select the Las Caletas Two Tank Dive Tour, making sure to select the same days and times for both tours when reserving.

The other thing to mention is that this is a great scuba value, as the Las Caletas Day tour is normally $85.00 US and a two tank dive that includes Las Caletas is only $105.00 US. In essence, only $20 US more for a two tank dive and on top of all of that, if you reserve these tours online right now, you will save !

Puerto Vallarta itself seems to have been built on romance. From the white washed Mediterranean architecture seemingly flowing down the mountains to meet the ocean to the sculpture lined boardwalk that parallels the ocean, the cerulean ocean and soft sandy beaches that beckon you to soak up the sun to the jasmine scented nights and clear star filed sky that beg you to dance beneath.

Yes, Vallarta is romantic. The music played by strolling trios, mariachi bands, even lone guitar players tugs at your heart, the sumptuous candlelit dinners implore you to share the decadent flavors from fork to tongue with someone you favor while the balmy nights with a slight chill in the whispering breezes entice you to move closer to your partner.
There are many amazing restaurants in the area that are perfect for couples and romantic dinners, from mountainside with amazing views of the city below to a linen draped table on the beach with a five star “toes-in-the-sand” menu. Inland or Oceanside, downtown or out of town, you have hundreds of choices but one of the best options for one of your nights is the Rhythms of the Night experience which features a wonderful catamaran ride down the magical southern coast of Vallarta to the exclusive cove and former home of John Huston. Las Caletas is one of those magical places that envelops all of your senses and opens the doors to imagination.

The sights of the performers lining the torch lit paths to the secluded dining areas, the tastes of the divine dinner selections, the sounds of nature and ancient rhythms, the feel of the tropical air caressing you and the smell of the night flowering blooms and ancient offerings being burned create a juxtapose of elements that set your emotions on fire.

Rhythms of the Night is a professionally choreographed show that combines acrobatics, modern dance with the ancient musical rhythms of the Pre-Hispanics in a natural amphitheater in the jungle.

There is nothing else like this in Puerto Vallarta, let alone anywhere else in Mexico, so if you are planning to visit Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Nayarit, this is one of those “must do” activities to add to your agenda, and if you are planning on proposing to the love of your life, there is no better place to get engaged. In fact, it is so perfect; you can even come back and get married here at Las Caletas.

Lucky for us in Puerto Vallarta, Hurricanes in the Pacific Ocean tend to not only skirt by us but evade us all together. It’s all about topography, baby, and we have some of the best topography on the planet!

Puerto Vallarta is situated pretty much smack dab in the middle of the coast of the Bay of Banderas and is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains. These lush tropical mountains flow all the way down to the Pacific Ocean south of Puerto Vallarta in an area known as Cabo Corrientes. This topography is what helps to cool down and push incoming storms from the south (where they come from) and push them away from the entrance of the Bay and further out to sea, which is what happened to Rick. Luckily he fizzled when he took a sharp right after heading past us and will barely affect the Baja Peninsula.

Now that it is mid-October and the rainy season is almost over, this is a great time to get out and explore some of our fabulous topography. The Sierra Madre Mountains not only protect us, keep us cool and provide a bounty of flora and fauna; they also house some of our most magnificent tours.

Get off the beaten path and tourist scene and explore real Mexico on the Sierra Madre Expedition, or for those that love a multi-activity adventure, check out our the #1 rated Outdoor Adventure which comes an Apex Speed Boat ride, a 4X4 Unimog ride into the mountains, a mule ride up the mountain and then some of the fastest and longest zip lines in the area. Not to mention rappelling, including next to a waterfall and the fun trip back to town with your new best friends.

The perfect tour  for someone in the middle of the two is our Canopy Adventure Park, which is not just a zip line tour but a genuine eco-friendly canopy tour that combines zip lines, suspended walkways, the Crazy Ladder, Tarzan Swing with rappelling.

And while everyone dreams of cloudless sunny days for vacations, I have to say that a little of our warm tropical rain on any of these three tours actually enhances them!  The zip lines go faster, the waterfall is more bountiful, the temperature is cooler and nothing smells better than rain mixed with the tropical lushness of Puerto Vallarta.