Favorite Restaurant in Puerto Vallarta

One of our favorite restaurants in Puerto Vallarta is the River Cafe. The setting is on the River on the island called Isla Rio Cuale. There is all sorts of wildlife living in this jungle like setting. As you sit there if you really look you will see iguanas in their natural habitat. Beautiful birds hide in the trees. It is funny to watch some people dine here that don't have the slightest clue of what is hiding in the trees and the river all around.

The food here is also great. Breakfast is fabulous! The coffee is rich and full bodied. You know Mexico has some of the best coffee grown right there in the mountains. They serve this little breakfast sweet breads one of which is like a croissant but with a creamy and delightful filling. They offer healthy choices like yogurt and fruit, Crepes and of course full blown eggs with pancakes. The Chef always puts a little spin of his own on his dishes and you will not be disappointed.

Lunch and dinner you will find fresh and lush salads, Steaks, lamb chops and just about anything you could possibly desire. When I am in Mexico I eat very little meat except when I dine here at this restaurant. At night the candle light with the river and jungle backdrop is so romantic. The Iguanas and other wild life are hidden and tucked in at night so if you are squeamish go at night.

The walk along Isla Rio Cuale is filled with little stores with people selling all sorts of things. There are artists that bring their work to sell on the street daily. Keep your sense of humor because these people are salesman and they will try to get you to purchase something, anything from them timeshares included!

Website is www.Rivercafe.com.mx

Searching for Organic back to basics lifestyle?

Have you ever thought you'd like to just get away from it all! Get away from all the Advertising, hustle and bustle of everyday life? A place where the noise is the sound of birds and feel the crisp breeze of fresh clean smelling air? Change to an organic lifestyle where big box stores are miles and miles away.




Well you can live this way in San Sebastian Jalisco Mexico. This is a mountain top village about 5085 feet above sea level. It has a wonderful robust mountain climate. Hot and sunny in the day and cool at night. The mornings often have a mist that burns off as the day settles in. This town was cut off from the world until 2004when the Mexican government put an road and incredible bridge span over the huge gorge that separates this from the main land. Before this road and bridge were installed the only way to get there was by horse or mule.

Can you imagine how the people here survived life on their own! Every thing they lived on, for the most part was made or grown right there. The village is surrounded by orchards of fruit trees and coffee plants. Yes they have tequila plants too and a tequila brewery. It is really pretty big, far bigger than what I had imagined. When you enter the village you drive up a very long, probably 5 mile cobble stone street that rolls up the mountain.Just thinking about all the man hours of making this road is something to ponder! The main street is lined with Adobe style homes with real red clay tile roofs. This road isn't straight and it is about a mile long. Eventually you will get to the town circle. There is an old church that is magnificent. One of the most beautiful little chapels I have ever seen.

You can stay over night here as there are a few Hotels and about 5 restaurants. The food is fantastic! Everything is fresh and made from scratch. You know they aren't shipping in mass produced chicken here. The people are a little shy as this is new for them to have people coming through their town on a regular basis now.

The town just recently got electricity. You can see where they have just installed the lines to there homes. I didn't see one Television set here, but they may have one somewhere. I don't know how they would get a signal because I didn't see any radio towers anywhere. No sounds of radio or airplanes.




As we walked through town a boy was coming home from a day of hunting. He had three dogs running alongside of him and a small mule. I felt like someone dropped me right in the middle of a history book. The entire town is like a museum. Sadly I'm sure this will change, now that access is available.

The drive to San Sebastian is incredible. If you are afraid of heights be ready to take something to calm your nerves. The drive is along a winding and twisting mountain side road with dramatic drops with breathtaking views! The road being so exhilarating makes it a less traveled one for trucks. This town doesn't have them rolling in and out daily. They do have tour buses in daily and they have learned to use this to their benefit and profit. But the people here don't seem to be changed by this at least yet.

You can buy property here,there are a few properties for sale. You will have to be ready to do some work unless you are ready to adapt to the old fashioned way of life. The Government permits outside residents to own Mexican property as long as you meet the distance criteria.


I loved this place, but only to visit because I am a city girl who loves all the convenience of easy care lifestyle like a dishwasher!

Rivera Cuale mountain side condos

Have you ever thought of living in the Jungle alongside a babbling creek just a short walking distance to the Ocean? Well I know just the place. Rivera Cuale is a new development up the side of the mountain right in the center of Puerto Vallarta Mexico. This little jewel has been delicately slipped into this green canopied paradise. This construction crew kind of sneaks in and out not leaving a bunch of dust and ruin. They've built this gorgeous first building about 10 stories tall. The units range from 9959 sq ft to 3983. Prices start at $125,000.00 us dollars.

There is a walk way along the River with all the wild life still intact. Iquanas, and gorgeous birds make their home alongside this comfy home nestled in the jungle.
The outdoor pool is nicely located above the walk way. The open air entrance to the common area is very warm and friendly.

The best thing about this place is you can get away from it all with out really leaving. The condo location is a bit challenging to find at first, but once you know how to get there you will find the location is very desirable. To get an ocean view you have to purchase one of the higher floors. The higher your unit, the higher the price is of course. Just outside the parking lot are two of the coolest little restaurants in town. Uncommon Grounds serves organic simple healthy dishes and has stage entertainment on designated weekend nights. Red Cabbage is the other great restaurant this has been written up in Bon Appetite and Gourmet!

Walk down the street and you are in the middle of the Romantic Zone where all the action is and the best restaurants in town. Ocean front dining and little Al fresco spots. For your guests that come to visit there are some really old and quaint hotels in this area as well.

Great place to retire because your dollar goes a lot farther here than the U.S. You won't be alone this area is full of Expats waiting to be friendly. The old neighborhood people are a little different. This was their home before all the Expats started moving in. It may take a little longer for them to warm up to you. Once they bring you something from their garden or kitchen you return the gesture and this means you are welcome!

Advantage International expanding across the borders into Mexico

Advantage International is an extension of a small United States Real Estate firm located in Cleveland, Ohio.

The companies goal is to transact Real Estate purchases through the saftey of a United States Company. We've done the research and will help guide you to a successful purchase. "Don't leave your brain at the border" is one of the catch phrases in the Mexican Real Estate market. Using qualified professionals and making sure that you have clear title are just the tip of the iceberg when purchasing over the border. We will be posting a weekly report regarding a different location in Mexico. We have explored the areas and price ranges with all the amenities that they offer. Stay posted to hear about great locations for a second home.
Owning a home in Mexico will have a few hurdles to overcome. First you have to decide how to take title. If you are purchasing within 50 kilometers of the ocean or 100 kilometers of one of its borders. These are called restriced zones. You can not hold title if you are not a citizen of Mexico. The way to own property in the Restriced Zone is to take Title in a Trust called a Fideieomiso. Only a bank can hold your Trust and it will charge a yearly fee to do so. After your Trust is established any change to the Trust (changing heirs) will be an extra cost. The other way to own in the Restricted Zone is to own as a business. With this type of ownership you have title in your name but you aren't supposed to live in it.
The benefits of living in Mexico far outweigh the hassles of setting up your residence. Prices are extremely low compared to the United States and Canada. One of the surprising benefits is the food supply. While it isn't as pretty as the picture perfect fruit you see in an American store it sure tastes better. We attribute this to the fact that a lot of the products sold in the stores are locally produced. You can't always get everything you might want. Sometimes butter is hard to find. You will see loads of property under construction. As long as they do not finish constructin the taxes remain low. Well the taxes are dirt cheap anyway. Most of the country supports itself of oil. Gas is double of what you pay in America. You don't really notice it because when you fill up your rental car the price on the pump is for liters. So its looks the same, plus to differenc in Peso the Dollar well you get my point Metric to Peso it can get confusing. Stay tuned or sign up as a follower as we take you for a tour of Mexico and its Real Estate.