MND Local Puerto Vallarta: Eat, dance, swim, run, repeat!

One of the things I love most about living in Puerto Vallarta is the variety of entertainment and activities on offer. Case in point, this month you can 1) taste cuisine from some of Mexico’s top chefs at the 31st International Gourmet Festival; 2) listen to live jazz, rock and mariachi at one of Vallarta’s many great music venues; 3) compete in an open-water swimming race; or 4) run a half-marathon. OK, so the last two might not be for everyone, but you can cheer on the racers instead.

Read on to learn more about these exciting events.

31st International Gourmet Festival

Puerto Vallarta’s reputation as a culinary destination is on the rise. Earlier this year, two local restaurants, Icú and Pancho’s Takos, earned spots on the prestigious Michelin Guide’s recommended list, a first for the city. This month, Vallarta will host the 31st International Gourmet Festival from Nov. 12-22. The festival brings some of the most celebrated Mexican chefs together for 11 days of culinary events at more than 25 top-rated restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Tepic.

Events include tasting experiences featuring food and wine from more than a dozen restaurants, dining “safaris” where you travel to a few selected restaurants in one night, multicourse fine dining at single restaurants featuring guest chefs and even a drag brunch.

On Nov. 17, the Technological University of Bahía de Banderas (UTBB) will host a panel of chefs who will discuss the latest trends shaping the culinary scene in Mexico. The panel discussion is free and open to the public. Tickets for the dining experiences are available for purchase on the festival website.

Live music up close and personal

I love listening to live music, especially in intimate settings where I can watch the performers up close. In my last events roundup, I promised to share some of my favorite venues. True to my word, here you go:

The Social Club: The Social Club is a modern-day speakeasy located at 447 Basilio Badillo in the Romantic Zone. Just a narrow black door marks its spot. If you’ve never been before, you could easily miss it. I feel transported to another era every time I visit. After entering the front door, you climb up a narrow staircase, pass through red velvet curtains and enter a small parlor-style room with tiny tables lit by tiny lamps. The “stage” is at the back of the room, just a few feet from the tables. Waiters clad in Prohibition-era outfits serve bespoke and classic cocktails. Doors open at 9 p.m., and music starts around 10 p.m., featuring many of the best local jazz musicians and many special events. This is one of our favorite date-night spots in all of Vallarta.

Aquí Nomás: In the mood for a Mexican folk music singalong? Then you want to go to Aquí Nomás in Versalles. On Friday and Saturday nights, the neighborhood cantina hosts a live mariachi band that plays all the classic songs that Mexicans seem to know by heart. On our first visit in early October, we had only planned on staying for dinner and venturing someplace for music. But, being early season, the other venues in Versalles were closed. Our waitress convinced us to stay, and we’re so glad we did. Around 10:30 in the evening, the band showed up — a full 10-person mariachi ensemble — and the tables filled up, too. Pretty soon, the band was passing the mic, and everyone was singing along. It was such a friendly, local vibe; we are looking forward to returning soon with the whole family.

Casita & Garden: Casita & Garden in the Romantic Zone offers a variety of live music from jazz to funk to rock and pop every night of the week except Sundays. Shows are held in its lovely outdoor courtyard during the winter season starting at 7 p.m. In addition to live music, you can sample wine and sake selected by their in-house sake sommelier, and fill up on sushi and wood-fired pizza. The venue also hosts private dinners and wine tastings, but they are popular, so it’s best to reserve well ahead of time.

For the sporting type

Coming from Boulder, Colorado — arguably the sporting capital of the United States — where every summer weekend is packed with running, biking and triathlon events, I was astounded to find a similar enthusiasm for sports in Puerto Vallarta. It seems there is a race of some sort every weekend. Yet I’ve found the events way more chill and the athletes much friendlier than in Colorado. (Even though they still crush the course.)

Since moving to Mexico, I’ve become an avid open-water swimmer, and recently joined a local swimming group. They convinced me to sign up for the Cruce Vallarta, a 4.5-, 3.1- and 1.5-kilometer open-water race on Nov. 14. Swimmers of the 4.5 km and 3.1 km distances will take off from Playa Holi and end at the beach in front of Hotel Rosita. Swimmers of the 1.5 km distance will take off and end at Hotel Rosita. There are still a few spaces left if you want to sign up, or come cheer me and the other swimmers on!

Swimming holes in Western Mexico: Hot, cold and just right

If running is more your speed, the next day, on Nov. 15, Puerto Vallarta is hosting its 22nd Annual Half Marathon. The 21-km run is a grand tour of the hotel zone and the Marina, starting at the Sheraton and heading north along Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio (aka the 200), winding through the Marina and returning to the Sheraton via Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio. There is also a 5 km distance. You can register for either distance online.

I hope to see you out there, enjoying great food, good music and fun sports.

Debbie Slobe is a writer and communications strategist based in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. She blogs at Mexpatmama.com and is a senior program director at Resource Media. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.