November 2010 newsletter

Welcome to our November edition of the Riviera Partners Realty (RPR) monthly newsletter. It is our intention through our newsletter to bring you, our fellow Punta Mita and Riviera North Shore residents, friends, families and visitors up to date with the latest market information, trends, social events, clubs, and activities in our region.

RPR Plaza Ollin/Punta Mita offices are open Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00pm & Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Call us at: +52.329.291.5442 / US&CAN: 1.323.521.3353 / 1.760.298.4413 – RPR web site: www.RivieraPartnersMx.com. The relocation of our offices to the street level of Plaza Ollin is nearing completion, and we are looking forward to being in this easily-accessible, convenient place for everyone in the Punta Mita area to stop in for information on the latest news about Punta Mita, Nahui, Los Veneros and the North Shore. We are excited to announce that we have now come to an agreement with respected local real estate agent Don Bachmann and we are pleased to announce that Don has now become an important member of our growing RPR team. Don has a street front location located next to the El Dorado restaurant on Avenida El Anclote number 8 that has now been branded as our second RPR office within the Punta de Mita Village. In addition to our two new street front locations we also have an exhibition window next to the walking entrance into the Hacienda de Mita community with our friends at Punta Mita Expeditions.

We are also proud to announce our new high-end travel agency service company ‘Riviera Partners Travel Services’. We have partnered with Sara Vega and have expanded our professional services to offer a more complete one-stop rental company service company for the Riviera Nayarit, Punta Mita & North Shore region. Once again offering additional exposure and re-affirming that RPR is the number one real estate company in our region offering the best potential exposure and professional services to our clients.

In addition to our main office in Plaza Ollin, we also have sales offices in the master planned community of nahui (on the beach) and at the exclusive residential community of Los Veneros, as exclusive Listing Agents for these exceptional residential communities along the North Shore / Costa Norte.

Our nahui onsite sales office is located on the beach at nahui, Playa Destiladeras. It is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. www.nahuivillage.com; +52.329.291.7010.

Our Los Veneros onsite sales office and Discovery Center is located just past the gated entry of this community, at Km.9.5, Carr. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle – Punta de Mita. It is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturdays 10am to 2pm, and Sundays from 10am to 2pm; LosVeneros.com; +52.329.291.7085

The weather has cooled, many of our friends and neighbors are returning, and we are looking ahead to a great winter season in the Riviera Nayarit, Riviera North Shore and Punta Mita. Despite the fact that the summer is traditionally a very slow time, we are pleased to announce that Riviera Partners Realty has closed four transactions in the past month and we have other offers pending agreement as we go to press with this edition of our newsletter.

We are optimistic about this coming season, and we’re not the only ones. You may have read in the news lately that an upbeat report from the Mexico Ministry of Tourism is showing a nearly 20% jump in international tourist arrivals via air to Mexico this year. According to the report, from January to August of this year, the number of international tourists arriving in Mexico by air increased by 19.2%, compared with the same period last year, one of Mexico's worst-ever tourism years, and was up 6% compared with 2008, one of Mexico's strongest years on record. The U.S. continues to be the main market for travelers to Mexico. In the first eight months of 2010, 4.3 million Americans arrived in Mexico, a 15.7% increase over the same period in 2009 and a 1.9% jump over 2008. Some 61% of international tourists to Mexico are Americans, the ministry said.

Both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times reported this news, noting the increase is in spite the widespread – and sensationalist – reporting in the media of narco-related violence in Mexico, as well as the August bankruptcy of Mexicana Airlines, which was an important contributor to international air flight lift. Further, the growth in tourism has been primarily experienced in the beach resort areas—such as Puerto Vallarta and the North Shore—which have not experienced the same incidents of violence. Mexico is warmly welcoming the return of tourism after such a challenging year in 2009, and there are still abundant vacation – and real estate – values available, including here in Punta Mita. Make your plans to visit us here in paradise again soon.

Four Seasons Private Villa 14

With almost 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, what makes Four Seasons Private Villa #14 special are its majestic views of the Pacific Ocean and Marietas Islands, as well as its full access to the services and amenities of the neighboring Four Seasons Resort. The residence artfully combines contemporary coastal architectural design with traditional colonial Mexican interior detailing, creating a true sense of place, and celebration of the open air, relaxed lifestyle of Pacific Mexico.

Distinguished by a private infinity-edge heated pool, spacious covered terraces and patio areas, gourmet kitchen and an inviting design, Villa #14 radiates Four Seasons quality and detailing. Situated on a coveted hillside setting, Villa 14 is a single-level Verano-model Four Seasons Villa with four bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Fully furnished in finest quality classic Mexican decor, Villa 14 features a private entry with hand-carved antique Mexican wooden doors into an atrium, complimented by a striking water feature and firepit. The spacious living and dining rooms open up to the covered terrace, providing the sense of open-air living at its finest. Both the oversized Master Suite as well as the Secondary Master bedroom offer integrated sitting areas, spacious and elegantly appointed bathrooms, walk-in closets and ocean views. The Master Suite also features an outdoor shower, and a Jacuzzi on its terrace.

Ownership in FSPV#14 includes membership in the private Club Punta Mita, with its 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. Additional benefits include full access to the neighboring Four Seasons Resort, including the Apuane Spa and Fitness Center, pool areas, Kids for All Seasons activities, and Four Seasons restaurants, bars and in-room dining. A five-minute stroll or short shuttle ride from Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Villa #14 provides owners convenient access to the Resort and all its amenities. Explore this villa online at: Four Seasons Private Villa 14.

Hacienda de Mita #305

This third floor Hacienda de Mita condo #305 has recently had its offering price reduced to $1,350,000 US. The condos in Hacienda de Mita are among the most popular residences and rental properties in Punta Mita, and this particular residence represents an exceptional value. Featuring 3BR, 4½ bathrooms plus a “flex” room, it features stunning golf and garden views across to the water, from its ample balconies. Hacienda de Mita community amenities include an oceanfront Beach Club with pool, plus access as a resident member to Punta Mita amenities. View it now at: Hacienda de Mita #305.

Just how special is it to own a home in one of Pacific Mexico’s premier resort communities? As someone enjoying our “Experience the Dream” package you’ll get a taste...

Now for a limited time Riviera Partners Realty & Riviera Partners Travel Services Punta Mita are inviting select guests to come visit Punta Mita and discover why so many other discerning travelers decided to choose this as their preferred choice for a second home. As a guest you’ll experience the luxury and attentive service typically reserved for property owners.

During your visit one of our team will arrange with you a personal showing of a selection of exquisitely appointed residences, based on your preferences and objectives.

This visitation program is designed for someone who is seriously considering the purchase of a resort home in the coming 12 months, and includes:

• 2 night /3 days in a luxurious Punta Mita residence, selected based on your preference and number traveling in your party. Options range from stylish 3-BR condos to sumptuous 5-BR oceanfront residences.
• 1 round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Pacifico course, at the private Punta Mita Golf Club.
• Lunch or dinner at the private Punta Mita Resident’s Beach Club for two.
• Round-trip ground transportation from the airport.
• Pricing begins at $1,500.00* for the 2-night stay, including tax, for a 3-bedroom villa or condo (low season rates, considering 2 people). Pricing for other options is available upon request.

To reserve this package, please contact us at info@rivierapartnersmx.com.

Not applicable during Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Years Eve. Subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita was highlighted during special media presentations taking place in New York the week of October 25, hosted by the Riviera Nayarit Visitors Bureau and the Mexico Tourism Board. A special press event took place at Zengo Restaurant, Chef Richard Sandoval’s New York venue, in which he featured a menu that will be part of his offerings as the invited Guest Chef of Ketsi restaurant during the XVI International Gourmet Festival Riviera Nayarit. Sandoval designed the Four Season’s Ketsi menu. Participating media at the luncheon included The New Yorker, The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Departures, National Geographic, Fodor’s Travel, American Spa, Elite Traveler, and Travel Weekly, as well as more than 40 other journalists. Four Seasons also participated in an active agenda of one-on-one interviews with these same respected and influential publications.

A gala event took place the evening of October 25 at Rockefeller Center celebrating the bicentennial of Mexico’s Independence, in honor of the Sociedad Internacional de Valores se Arte Mexicano. Among the gifts auctioned at the event was a three-night stay donated by Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

Look for Four Seasons Punta Mita to be showing up in the media spotlight, helping to shine more attention on Punta Mita and the Riviera Nayarit region.

For additional information or reservations at either Four Seasons Resort or Ketsi restaurant, visit fourseasons.com/puntamita, or call the resort directly at: 1 866/280-9490, or (+52) 329/291-6000.

Explore additional Punta Mita resort special events at The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort at tel.: 329/291-5800, 5844, or visitstregis.com/puntamita.

Punta de Mita Foundation Gourmet Festival Fundraiser

It’s time again for a festive fundraising event in support of the Punta de Mita Foundation. Not only will you be helping a great cause that works to benefit our community but you will also enjoy wine tastings and samples of the delicious treats from Punta de Mita’s most popular restaurants. The date is Saturday, November 27th, starting at 6pm, and the location this year will be the Toki Courtyard, inside the Four Seasons Resort. Among the participants (donating their food and service) are Four Seasons Resort, Cielo, Boca Deli, Cafes des Artistes del Mar, Si Señor, Rosa Mexicana, Sufi, Naef Cuisine and Baron Balche. Tickets are limited, so be sure to reserve your space now, by contacting Graciela Aguilar at Casa Mita (329) 291-6020 or by email to graciela.aguilar@desc.com.mx and paloma@puntademitafoundation.org. Cost is $100 USD per person.

Punta Mita & North Shore Surf & Paddle Club: We will now soon start meeting at 5:00pm every Friday at Plaza Ollin (Boca Deli) for our Riviera North Shore & Punta Mita Surf & Paddle Club. We then head over to the Residents’ Beach Club in Punta Mita to meet a panga that departs at 5:15pm (weather and waves permitting), and head out together to the best break for that day (there is no cost for the panga/surf adventure except to cooperate with a tip for our captain). Should the waves be too large at the Punta Mita Beach Club we will meet the panga in the village to facilitate our departure and arrival at the El Coral restaurant. Come join us one of these Fridays, no matter if you are a beginner (we do not currently have an instructor), intermediate, or advanced surfer or paddle boarder/surfer. Our idea is to share in another spectacular sunset surf session and meet more people in our community that share the same passion for catching a few waves! For more information contact us directly: Office: 329.291.5442 / Cell: 322.105.0243 / Jonathon@rivierapartnersmx.com or wally@rivierapartnersmx.com.

Punta Mita & North Shore Sailing Club: For those that would like to try their hand at entering a regatta and crewing on a boat please let me know and I will send you this year’s Regatta schedule. Alternatively until we get our own sailing boat I can arrange an afternoon twice each month or more often if needed and we all share in chartering (bear boat or with Captain and crew) a sailing boat from La Cruz. For more information contact me directly: 329.291.5442 / 322.105.0243 / Jonathon@rivierapartnersmx.com.

Punta Mita Tennis: Monday evenings at 4:30pm, Punta Mita residents and friends can enjoy an hour of fun play and tips from our resident pro Alex.

Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00pm offers another opportunity to enjoy fun games of singles and doubles with fellow tennis players. These Tuesday evenings are great fun and offer another opportunity to meet and get to know other tennis players in our local community, all ability levels are welcome!

Punta Mita Expeditions: PIPIN Ferreras, 25-times World Champion free-diver and perhaps the most recognizable name in the world’s diving media, spent a week spearfishing in Punta Mita with the Punta Expedition team recently. They were here producing a show for the Discovery Channel called "BACK TO THE ABYSS". When aired, it will showcase to the world the amazing fishing catches and resort facilities available in Punta de Mita. During the filming Punta Mita Expeditions managed to land a new world record for a species never speared before – the name is FORTUN JACK, and it weighed in at 10.6 kg. The trip was such a great success, and the PIPIN team was so impressed with the Punta Mita Expeditions team that a bond was formed between the two. PIPIN`S Deep Quest Institute and his spearfishing brand PERSISTENT will now be offered through PUNTA MITA EXPEDITIONS, enabling divers from all over the world to come down and learn the best techniques for blue water spearfishing, while getting certified at the same time. The PERSISTENT brand gear will also soon be available at the Punta Mita Expedition shop.

For more information on scuba diving, fishing and other tours contact Nicolas & Sebastian Melani at Punta Mita Expeditions www.puntamitaexpeditions.com / nicolas@puntamitaexpeditions.com / Sebastian@puntamitaexpeditions.com; 329.291.6649. Visit their new location just below the El Faro condominiums.

Pacific Paddle Surf – What’s SUP in water-bound fun...

Pacific Paddle Surf, the premier provider of stand up paddle surfing in Jalisco and Nayarit, has now began the  "Paddle CORE fitness classes" in Punta de Mita and Olas Altas in Puerto Vallarta. This is a great way to get in shape and immerse yourself in nature at the same time! SUPing is quickly becoming one of the world's fastest growing sport and fitness phenomena, and Punta de Mita is a fantastic place to do it. Once you've taken a lesson and learn the proper technique from one of the expert instructors at Pacific Paddle Surf, you can take it back home with you to your local lakes and rivers and mix up your fitness program. 

Pacific Paddle Surf has boards available for rent and for sale, you can check their online store for a detailed inventory. pacificpaddle.net/in-store/ They can also ship boards to your home in Canada or the USA from their warehouse in Seattle WA.

A strong core is a strong body. Get started on your path to better CORE strength, BALANCE, and CARDIO fitness, when you contact them at 329 298 1057 or cell 322 123 3034. Their website also has the whole scoop plus photos from the recent Paddle Safari with Gerry Lopez - pacificpaddle.net

Watch this space for news, coming soon, about the new offerings and events at Plaza Ollin...

Plaza Ollin is located on Ave. de las Redes approximately just 100 meters from the second entrance (Village entrance) into the Punta Mita community, on the main street accessing the beach front restaurants and beach areas.

	Plaza Ollin - Punta de Mita’s premier shopping plaza, offering high-end boutique stores and deli. www.plazaollin.com / 329.291.5442 / US & Can: 1.760.298.4413 / (+52.329).291.5442
	Riviera Partners Realty - Offering the most complete selection of re-sale and direct developer Real Estate opportunities within Punta Mita, nahui, Los Veneros, Hacienda de Mita Punta Mita, Las Palmas de Punta Mita, the Four Seasons Private Villas Punta Mita, La Punta Estates Punta Mita, Lagos Del Mar Punta Mita, Kupuri Punta Mita, Ranchos Estates Punta Mita, and the entire Riviera North Shore (Riviera Nayarit); RPR also holds the largest selection of currently listed re-sale properties within the Punta Mita enclave master planned community. With our intimate knowledge and relationships we are able to be an extremely important component as a buyer’s broker, our knowledge and experience within Punta Mita is unmatched. For Punta Mita, Nahui, Los Veneros, Hacienda de Mita and the entire North Shore; Real Estate and High end luxury rentals. www.rivierapartnersmx.com / info@rivierapartnersmx.com 329.291.5442 / 329.291.5402 / US & CAN 323.521.3353 / 760.298.4413
	Mar de Sueños - Offering an exceptional selection of designer clothing for men and women. By appointment 322.135.6053 info@mardesuenos.com / www.mardesuenos.net / 329.291.5457
	Boca Deli - The Village meeting place; our Boca Deli here at Plaza Ollin is now serving full breakfast and lunch menus and also offers box lunches for those days at the beach or on tours! bocadeli@prodigy.net.mx / 329.291.5012
	Pacific Paddle Surf – Setting the standard in SUP instruction - Pacific Paddle Surf is the premier provider of stand-up paddle surf instruction, tours, and sales in Jalisco and Nayarit Mexico. We offer group classes and one-on-one instruction for all skill levels—from first-timers to expert—and for all ages. In addition to carrying a full line of paddle boards and accessories from Starboard and NSP, we also carry Kialoa paddles and a beautiful line of SUP clothing and swimwear from Myskova - produced in Mexico. Website: pacificpaddle.net / +52.322.123.3034