Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Semana Santa is upon us and it is a time of religious celebration and vacationing of the masses. Semana Santa is Holy Week and began on Palm Sunday and will continue through Easter Sunday. Easter Week, or Semana Pascua, will follow the week after. The Holy Week celebrations, which vary regionally, have their origins in Catholic Spain and are at the forefront of the jubilee.

During this two-week period, though, the town of Puerto Vallarta transforms from a charming town to a sea of traffic and humanity. Employers throughout the country typically will close their offices from Thursday to Sunday for Semana Santa and many employees will take the additional time at the beginning of the week to have an extra vacation period. With the ever-improving economy, this provides the coastal communities with a huge influx of beachcombers from the interior of Mexico. And Puerto Vallarta seems to be increasing in popularity amongst some farther off destinations such as Guanajuato, Monterrey, and even Mexico City.

While, as a friend of mine says, "all money is welcome," the number of visitors during these two weeks doesn't always translate into much or any money for some businesses. Restaurants and shops throughout the town have complained that even though there is a significant increase in the visitor population to Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas, not everybody is supporting the local businesses. It is unfortunate, as the local entrepreneurs, small and large, have so much to contribute to the experience of the vacation traveler.

Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas region have so much to offer the short-term traveler to enrich their travel experience. Restaurants in Vallarta, for example, offer a myriad of dining experiences, in all budgets, and suited to all tastes and palates.

While the bars and clubs certainly have a significant spike in activity, there are art galleries to appeal to visual and intellectual senses as well, with local and international art. The natural beauty of Vallarta cannot be ignored and many enjoy our beautiful sandy beaches and access to the ocean, but plenty of tour operators offer unique and interesting opportunities that delight and entertain all ages.

It is easy to come to a place like Puerto Vallarta and want to simply lay on the beach and soak up the sun and surf, especially after working so hard at home. Yet, while that's part and parcel to the joy of being in Vallarta, even as we are a small town, our offerings are much more cosmopolitan and varied. As we see the prosperity in Mexico increasing, I hope too that some of that wealth gets spread to those who have worked so hard during these economic times to survive right here in Puerto Vallarta. My best to everybody for a happy, healthy, safe, and prosperous Semana Santa/Semana Pascua. Enjoy!

Since 1997, Wayne Franklin and his team at Tropicasa Realty have been a trusted name in Puerto Vallarta real estate. Tropicasa Realty is the region's representative for "The Leading Agents of the World" and with over 100 years of combined experience in real estate, all agents of the company are affiliated with AMPI. Wayne Franklin or any member of his knowledgeable team can be contacted in-person at their Romantic Zone Office - Pulpito 145-A at Olas Altas or in their San Marino Office - San Marino Hotel at Rodolfo Gomez 111-4. While in PV they can be reached at (322) 222-6505 or by calling 866-978-5539 (Toll-Free) from the U.S.

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