For the seventh year in a row, we plan to have the Mexican Feast in beautiful sunny Puerto Vallarta. It will be held at the same place, Hotel Friendly Puerto Vallarta, a very nice four-star hotel that is offering an all-inclusive package at very reasonable prices. Translations to English will be available during services.

Puerto Vallarta is considered a safe zone in Mexico with thousands of tourists from cruise ships visiting the city every week and the hotel is close to the downtown area with plenty of transportation available. We have had the Feast there for six years and have had no safety or security problems. Also since it’s on Pacific shores, it’s drier and less humid than the Atlantic side and has very few mosquitos. Temperatures are normally in the 70s or 80s Fahrenheit.

Chefs prepare excellent buffets from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (with other food available round the clock, and no pork or shellfish will be served during our stay). There are also free drinks available, including wine, beer, tropical juices, cocktails, soft and diet drinks. There are five restaurants within the premises, including an elegant Italian restaurant, two standard restaurants, a subway type sandwich shop and a beach restaurant that also serves pizzas baked in a brick oven. Also a coffee and ice cream station is in the lobby. All these services are included in your nightly rate, and children up to 6 years old don’t have to pay.

Transportation to Hotel:

We can arrange transportation from the airport that is 15 minutes from the hotel for anyone that has signed up and given their flight information three weeks prior to the start of the Feast (the return is normally cheaper by taking taxis or vans directly from the hotel to the airport). The cost from the airport to the Hotel Friendly is $10 per adult and $5 for the first child (the second child is free). The payment is to be made to the taxi and van company Aeromovil VIP Services at the airport (tips not included).

Activities:

The hotel is on the oceanfront with a nice sandy beach and the seawater is warm. It includes three pools (two are adult pools), two Jacuzzis, a full-spa and gym, with one hour Swedish massages at 30 percent discount for our group! There is also a free tennis court, a children’s play center and several Mexican shows in house which will be provided. The meeting hall is within the premises so there is no need to rent a car.

Just as the previous years, we are planning a pirate cruise around the bay that goes to a private beach with snorkeling and meals included (this activity will be available at an additional cost and is subject to change).

In addition, you can arrange different activities on your own such as Swim with Dolphins water park, a trip to the zoo, deep-sea fishing by contracting a boat at the beach and zip lining. All these arrangements can be made directly with the hotel’s tourism office.

Reservations and Information:

As of April 13, 2017 we are at full capacity. We are currently taking sign-up forms for the waitlist. Please make your reservations following these three steps:

Step 1-Sign up: Please fill out the initial sign-up form by going to https://www.jotform.com/vallarta/mexico2017

Step 2-Registration: Once your application is reviewed, if approved you will be contacted via e-mail within three weeks and sent a link to fill out the registration form. There will be a housing deposit of $300 per room. The deadline for deposit payment is June 1.

Step 3-Final payment: The remainder of your housing payment is due Aug. 15. Please send deposit to the same address as the initial room deposit. For those interested in attending the pirate cruise, you will be receiving more information in May on how to register.