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Welcome to our monthly newsletter,Riviera Partners Realty, designed to keep our clients and friends informed of news in the Punta Mita/Bay of Banderas region. Our objective is for this communication to be an anticipated tool for staying in contact with your resort home community, so please feel free to share with us any ideas for information you would like to receive.
Partners Brock Squire, Wally Lopez and Jonathon Smart are pleased to announce and welcome Riviera Partners Realty Punta Mita’s newest Sales Executive, Mauricio Romandia.
Mauricio is originally from Mexico City, educated as an architect, and who has worked on numerous projects throughout Mexico. As an architect, he most recently worked on a project in Nuevo Vallarta. He moved from architecture to real estate in 2006, when he joined the acclaimed Los Veneros development as a Sales Executive. We are pleased to welcome Mauricio to our formidable team of luxury real estate experts. Mauricio also brings with him a collection of select listings available for re-sale in Los Veneros' premier building, the beachfront Super Condominiums. Mauricio may be reached at: mauricio@rivierapartnersmx.com.
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 THE APRIL MARKET REPORT – Safety Concerns and Market Trends by Brock Squire
Over the past several months we have been repeatedly asked ‘Is it safe here’? Well, it depends on who you believe – and your sense of geography. If one was to listen to the certain segments of the sensationalist US media one would quickly come to the conclusion that the entire country of Mexico was in a state of civil war. That the drug lords were in shootouts with government troops on every street corner. The truth is that the Calderon government has drawn a line in the sand against the drug cartels that have operated with impunity for many years in Mexico. At the same time, the severe tightening of the US/Mexican boarder crossings has put the cartels between a rock and a hard place. The result is that now the cartels have a two sided battle to deal with – the Calderon government bent on eradicating their operations in Mexico – and – each other with rival cartel groups vying for the very limited cross-boarder smuggling opportunities. Certainly the media coverage of these battles sells, but what has not been properly reported is that these battles are limited to the boarder areas of Mexico adjacent to the US and contrary to these media reports, there are daily reports of significant progress by the Mexican government against the cartels at their very highest levels.
The more immediate question for our customers and owners then arises ‘Is this conflict affecting other areas of Mexico – and specifically the Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit areas’?
Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest travel destination stretching along 192 miles of pristine Pacific coast framed by spectacular mountains to the north of renowned Puerto Vallarta. Mostly undeveloped, the destination extends along the entire coast of the Pacific state of Nayarit including the resorts of Nuevo Vallarta up to the historic, colonial town of San Blas and includes exclusive Punta Mita and the spectacular Banderas Bay. The region features luxury resorts and eco-tourism boutique hotels, world-renowned surfing, four professional golf courses, rare native wildlife including sea turtles and tropical birds, mountain and island adventures, shopping for local artwork and traditional Huichol handicrafts, charming fishing towns and miles of serene beaches.
This coastal area is now among the strongest tourism regions in Mexico as well as investment from Mexican and North American investors for tourism expansion which is an important source for job creation. Furthermore, a recent study by the Center for Research for Development (CIDAC) reveals that the state of Nayarit has one of the lowest crime rates in the country. This independent institute cites all of these features as part of their evaluation of Nayarit´s competitive climate as among the best in the country. This combination of positive factors demonstrates an unprecedented level of confidence, image and interest in this new destination.
In 2008, the average occupancy of hotels that are members of the Riviera Nayarit Convention & Visitors Bureau topped 79%, with highest occupancy in the months of January, February, March and July. Riviera Nayarit maintains its momentum in 2009 with an impressive January occupancy rate of 78%.
A 2008 Mexican Tourism Investment Study showed that investors have confidence in this new destination, as Nayarit has the second highest tourism investment by the private sector, totaling US$778.5 million dollars. A wide range of new resorts, condominiums, golf courses and retail services are currently underway. The St. Regis Punta Mita and the second new Jack Nicklaus championship golf course in Punta Mita have just opened and soon to come in 2009 is Los
Veneros, a $126 million dollar resort in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Given the substantial tourism developments in the state of Nayarit, the regional employment sector continues to grow.
According to a study by the National Employment Institute, Nayarit garnered first place in job creation. So far in 2009, 1,555 jobs have been created, a 1.12% increase from the same period in 2008.
"We are very proud of the growth of tourism, business and investment to Nayarit as well as the positive response from residents, tourists and media regarding our new region of Riviera Nayarit. During this challenging economic climate, we are also dedicated to making tourism development in the region well planned and protective of the environment as well as welcoming, safe and affordable for our visitors," said Nayarit Governor, Ney Gonzalez Sanchez. Recognizing the extraordinary potential for this region and its abundance of affordable accommodations and activities, Riviera Nayarit has recently received glowing accolades from North American media. In late 2008, SmarterTravel.com listed Riviera Nayarit among five destinations to watch for 2009. In early 2009, Riviera Nayarit was also cited as a top destination for 2009 by Hideaways Magazine.
On the Economic Front, the Mexican government’s efforts are aimed at limiting the social impact of the global recession. The fiscal measures should save up to 150,000 jobs, says one official. Even so, with about 900,000 joining the workforce each year, unemployment is bound to rise (it climbed from 4% to 4.8% in November alone) and migration to a recession-hit United States no longer offers much of a safety valve.
In past recessions Mexico has had to cut public spending. That it is different this time is tribute to the health of public finances. Public debt is only around 30% of GDP (and a fifth of that comprises contingent liabilities that the government may never have to repay). Only $3.2 billion of foreign public debt falls due this year—and the government has already raised $2 billion in a bond issue last month. Skillful hedging by the finance ministry has softened the fall in the price and production of oil, which provides a third of government revenue. Mexico presold its oil output for 2009 at $70 a barrel—almost twice the current market price!
If recession persists into 2010, the government can still stimulate the economy, albeit on a smaller scale, points out Alejandro Werner, the deputy minister of finance. When the economy was growing, the government saved a sum equivalent to 1.8% of GDP in stabilization funds which have not yet been spent. And the devaluation of the peso means that dollar oil revenues will go further in pesos. Furthermore, Mexico saw inflation rates drop last month, giving the Central Bank room to cut interest rates. A recent Economist analysis examines how the country plans to gird itself to weather the storm, saying that, “for the first time, Mexico’s government is in a position to lean against the economic cycle with expansionary fiscal and monetary policies,” which include stimulus measures and counter-cyclical moves.
So in the end as crime scares may keep some tourists away, a weakened peso draws others!
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 Riviera Partners Realty Punta Mita is proud to announce its exclusive representation of the exquisite Casa Mataiza, the initial estate residence to be constructed in the privileged Kupuri neighborhood within the gated Punta Mita resort. With over 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, what makes Casa Mataiza special is its dramatic architecture that has been conscientiously designed to fully integrate with the surroundings, maximizing the ocean views, natural breezes and sun exposure of this particular site.
The residence has been lovingly designed and constructed by a father-son team of builder-architect, to artfully combine modern coastal design with the very highest quality of construction and finishing details. The home is a true celebration of the open air, relaxed lifestyle of Pacific Mexico. It was named for the Mataiza tree, endemic to the Kupuri and Careyeros area. One such tree is the centerpiece of the home, located in the central plaza from which the three main structural walls of the home extend out. Views from the home look across to Careyeros Mountain and tranquil Litibu Bay.
The residence, will offer five exquisitely designed bedroom suites, each with a spacious signature bathroom, ample closets and private garden areas or terraces. The Main House features the 1,000 SF Great Room with inviting seating, complete home theatre/entertainment center and wet bar. Also part of this space is a large dining area and open exhibition kitchen, with teak finishes and quartz countertops. Oversize glass pocket doors fully open up to the interior water wall as well as to the sizeable pool area, and feature expansive ocean views. Also located in the Main House is the Master Suite, with 180-degree ocean views and direct access to the outdoor Jacuzzi—also accessible from the Great Room. The Master Suite’s oversize bath has a double rain shower, steam option, massage tub and patio with outdoor shower. An interior garden connects this Suite to a flex-room with full bath, which can be used as an intimate fitness room, study, nursery, or additional bedroom.
A separate structure is home to the remaining three Bedroom Suites, each thoughtfully integrated with the lush landscape and topography of the home site. The largest of the three is a double-level Suite complete with a pergola-covered living and dining area with wet bar, grill, mini-fridge and icemaker. Each of the three Suites feature ocean views. Throughout the home is a distributed, zoned audio system, as are iPod docking stations.
Surely to be the center of activity at Casa Mataiza is its 904-sq ft, infinity-edged swimming pool and adjacent covered lounge area. This wood-decked living space has all the required comforts including a service bar with a 36” Viking grill, wet bar, mini-fridge, icemaker, and powder room. At night, a striking fire pit provides dramatic lighting.
Notable details of the home include its use of intelligent lighting systems, as well as energy-efficient roofing system and air-conditioning systems, all designed to minimize energy consumption requirements. Use of sustainable wood furthers its eco-sensitivity.
A private pathway extending from the home leads you down to a secluded path to an oceanfront, palapa-topped beach cabaña, complete with an open-air living area, kitchenette, powder room, deck and storage room, providing direct access to sandy Kupuri beach.
Service areas include an industrial-quality laundry room, separate 2-bedroom caretaker’s house, and a 3-car enclosed garage.
This exquisite estate residence, to be completed in April 2009, and fully furnished and equipped by July 2009, includes Premier Membership in the private Club Punta Mita, with its two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, Tennis Club (managed by Four Seasons Resorts), and the private Residents’ Beach Club, as well as future planned community amenities. Additional benefits of its Punta Mita location include high-end infrastructure, 24-hour dual gated security, and world-class amenities, including additional planned amenities reserved exclusively for owners within the Kupuri community.
For additional information regarding Casa Mataiza, or to schedule a viewing, contact your Riviera Partners Realty Sales Partner, at: sales@rivierapartnersmx.com
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 Just announced is this special Summer Rental offer at the acclaimed community of Las Palmas Punta Mita, in two signature residences, Villa 2 and Villa 14. Riviera Partners Riviera Partners Realty is offering a special rate of $650 USD per night, in these 3-bedroom private villas. Las Palmas is located in the heart of the Punta Mita resort community, just a 5-minute golf cart ride away from the Residents’ Beach Club or Punta Mita Golf Club.
These three-bedroom villas feature over 3,700 square feet of expansive indoor/outdoor living areas, and embody the open-air lifestyle of Punta Mita. Both border the fourth fairway of the Pacifico Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course at the Punta Mita Golf Club, with views across to the famed “Tail of the Whale” island hole.
The single level, 3-bedroom, 3-bath homes feature a combination living/dining room that opens onto a partially covered expansive terrace, with outdoor dining area and private pool. The primary master suite offers a separate, private terrace, as well as a walk-in closet and large bath with outdoor shower and patio. The second bedroom, also with walk-in closet and private bath, opens up to the main terrace. Just off the large central patio, which showcases a stunning water feature, is a gourmet kitchen and laundry, as well as a guest bath and third bedroom. Included is satellite TV and wireless Internet access.
These homes are ideal for those wanting to explore Punta Mita’s real estate opportunities. To reserve, please contact our office at: rentals@rivierapartnersmx.com.
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 Mark your Calendar!
Riviera Partners Realty Punta Mita will host a Spring Fling Open House Cocktail reception at the stunning Casa El Destino, in the La Punta enclave of the Punta Mita Resort community this coming April 10, from 6-8pm. Come and discover the pinnacle in oceanfront estate living, while socializing with neighbors and friends. For reservations, contact our office at: info@rivierapartnersmx.com.
Snapshots from our most recent event—the Plaza Olin Party and Fashion Show! March 28, 2009.
Click any thumbnail to view the entire gallery.
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 Ocean Report – April 2009 by Jonathon Smart
April is here and with it the strongest winds inside the bay of Banderas. April and May are notoriously windier months within the Bay, normally anywhere from mid Bucerias all the way out until passing Los Veneros. For windsurfer and kite surfers these are the more exciting months of the year when it is possible for us to get the occasional day with winds exceeding 20 mph, and more constantly daily winds of 15 to 20 mph.
These months also see the wind filling in across the bay allowing one to sail all the way to Las Animas, Quimixto or even Yalapa on the southern shores. Sailing last week to the south of town I had the pleasure of seeing a mother and calf whale way inside the southern bay. This year the ocean seems somewhat fresher than in previous years which is the reason for a small number of whales staying into April before they start their migration north to cooler climates for the summer months.
These mornings now passing through spring and into the summer months are perfect for water-skiing and/or wake boarding. Should you be able to get out on the ocean from dawn unto around midday you can water-ski or wake board to your hearts content for the ocean is ideal in these early morning hours and as we head into the summer months this continues.
La Cruz Marina is close, if you have not visited now is a good time to do so, the marina is filling up with many sailing boats and motor yachts from all over and the marina really is extremely well situated, especially for sailors in these windy months as the marina is situated in the middle of the windiest area of the bay. La Cruz marina has a nice clubhouse facility and restaurant, the restaurant is open to the public, and is worth visiting for lunch. The marina also offers dry storage for smaller boats (under 35 feet), there is also a fish market and deli, the deli and boat slip are open from 7am to 7pm daily. Let me know should you have any questions as I know the owner/developer well and can help with the purchase or rental of slips and/or answer any questions that you may have.
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