BUCERIAS

Bucerias, Jalisco, Mexico

Bucerias Beach

Kyaking With Grandpa

 Netfishing
Several Manta Rays Were in the Day's Catch

Watch Ou for the Puff Fish
JFitch Photo

Beach Caligraphy
Winona, Jackson, and McKenna

Katie Shopping at Mega in Puerto Vallarta
Jim Fitch photo

On to Bucerias to a family celebration of our 50 years of marriage with children and grandchildren.  We were somewhat anxious upon arrival because we had made all lodging arrangements online (6 months earlier).  We hoped the location and comfort would be suitable for all.

Located in the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta, Bucerias is a warm water beach location with time-share, condominium, and hotel haven for mostly Canadians, North Americans, and many Mexicans.  The beaches are lovely, the town area is filled with boutiques and art, the pace is leisurely, and the weather in December, January, February is marvelous.

Corner of Main Street Bucerias

Mexican Craft Market

Our time in Bucerias was spent enjoying family and beach activities at our incredible house right on the beach, Casa Coco.  It was incredible - a beautiful Mexican art filled home with 7 beautiful bedrooms and bathrooms to match, a lovely pool setting, and a a convenient kitchen.  Included were all the beach toys anyone needs: a kayak, surf boards, beach balls.....  

Beach View from Casa Coco

Patio Paradise
TFitch Photo

Another Place to Swim

Team Work in the Kitchen

Second Floor Library

Third Floor Game Room and Bar

Fernando, Our Muffin Man
Who Delivered Fresh Daily

The 5 children, ranging in age from  5 to 12 years were ecstatic with the warm water of the ocean and the pool.  We filled our days with swimming activities, kayaking, beach architecture, Old Maid, Loteria (Mexican Bingo), talent shows, and  lots of drama.  

Ted and Katie, Our Children

Grandchildren at Work

Kristen and Katie with Delila and Jackson
Playing Loteria

Getting Ready For Talent Night
TFitch photo

Ted and Kristen
JFitch Photo

Joe, Our Chef, Serving His Guacamole

Harrison

McKenna and Adoring Cousin
JFitch Photo

Jackson

Joe

Katie

Delila Observing Cousins
JFitch Photo

Winona

A major highlight was sailboating in the Bay of Banderas to the nearby Marieta Islands. En route we watched humpback whales breaching and playing around our boat.  Arriving at the Marietas, we put on snorkeling equipment and swam among many schools of fish, coral, colorful eels. Then we proceeded to swim through  a dark cave which opened onto a sandy beach area.  If that wasn't a great  adventure...for all of us. It was a fabulous day ending with a hearty lunch aboard the sailboat.

WOW.......
TFitch Photo

Crocodiles?  Impossible.....
T Fitch Photo

  Another highlight was to visit Puerto Vallarta and visit with Kristen's colleague, Shirley, who works at Virginia Mason Clinic and commutes via email.  Below are photos of Shirley, Kristen, and all of us at her lovely PV condo. 

Shirley and Kristen

Enjoying Puerto Vallarta life.....

 Meals were fabulous with Mexican creations by cooks, Lupita and Nacho. The ribs, sopes, and guacamole were memorable!  Nights were filled with games, storytelling, talent shows, and Olympic watching,. The week passed like a beautiful sunset.  We will always remember the sun and fun in Bucerias.

50 Years Together

Good-bye Bucerias

Adios, Bucerias, Mexico

Adios Bucerias

      It is hard to say good-bye to the wonderful stay at Casa Bella Maria, our B&B in Bucerias. Nadine and Kasey Valkenburg are fabulous hosts and think of every detail to make their guests comfortable and feel at home. They met us at the airport, welcomed us to their home with with a refreshing Margarita and nachos, provided a banquet of a breakfast, left a bottle of wine with wine glasses in our bedroom, and provided us with local transportation when necessary. There were always snack items and fruits available during our stay. Our room was most comfortable and was furnished with much storage and hooks to hand beach towels and other items.

Our Neighborhood in Bucerias

   
   Most fun was the birthday party for one of the guests on our last day there. Sharon's husband had asked Nadine and Kasey to prepare her favorite breakfast of blueberry pancakes in the morning. Then all of us visited a neighboring port of La Cruz de Huanacaztle for their Sunday market. When we returned our hosts had a wonderful birthday dinner of grilled shrimp, pilaf, caesar salad, strawberries with chocolate. I don't think that I have ever been treated with such consideration and care in any other B&B. Nadine and Kasey really go out of their way for their guests. And, what a fabulous day we all had. I was sad to say good-bye to them when they left us at the bus station in Puerto Vallarta for our next destination. We will always remember our stay and return some day. FYI -Casa Bella Maria in Bucerias on 13 Constituyentes casabellamariamexico@yahoo.ca See you soon in Colima.

B&B

Another Beach View

Casa Manana 

Nadine and Kasey

MEXICAN SUN 2012 --Bucerias, Mexico

BUCERIAS, MEXICO

Beach Views

     The warmth of the sun is so delicious after the freezing days and nights of the north. How unbelievable to board a plane in Yakima's snowy and icy setting and be transported in a matter of hours to a land of palms and bougainvillea. Bucerias, a lovely beach town, lies along the Bay of Banderas, about 15 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. The name means the place of divers and seems to be a second home for many Canadians and some from our USA.


      It appears to be a relatively new resort town within the last ten to twenty years. There is everyting one would need here: bakeries, great variety of restaurants, clean beaches, clean air, lovely Mexican architecture, artesania, and very sweet local people as well as visitors. This is our second visit and it provides a wonderful gateway into Mexican life. Walking along the beach is always a joy as is the extensive walk along the main street called Lazaro Cardenas. Here you will find most of the fine restaurants, art galleries, night life, and lodging.

Bucerias Housing

Artesania Market

Residencial Wall Near Market

      Bucerias seems to be divided into two areas by the Calle Arroyo. Both sides have provisions for the many visitors but the west side seems to have more galleries, bakeries, and amenities for the visitors. The east side has great seafood restaurants on the beach front, the zocolo, the church, and beyond the commercial section is more upscale beach condominium development. We are always exploring the commercial side of the housing market here. It seems that at least 30% of the standing buildings are for sale. It is so tempting to think about having a lovely Spanish style hacienda on the beach here. Then reality strikes us: maintenance requirements in the humid beach climate, who would be there during the stormy summer months, and how much time would we want to be in this one setting....

Our  B&B  CASA BELLA MARIA

Near the Pool

Fabulous Innkeepers: Nadine and Kasey

      Our B&B here is Casa de Bella Maria, located on Calle Constituyente, Kasey and Nadine are the owners who only recently purchased and then developed the house into a B&B. They have had many tribulations and disappointments with the project but are beginning to take more pleasure from the business. They are extremely hospitable and helpful, and go beyond the basic requirements, such as picking us up at the airport. Their breakfasts are excellent and the bed is good and hard.

Eating at Sandrina's

      But, as we wander along the fascinating housing of Bucerias, we come across some fun restaurants. Some of the restaurants include: Ixta and Sandrina (great red decor and colorful plates and my dish of chicken curry salad was delicious) are located on Lazaro Cardenas. Karin's on the main beach area was much fun with nice portions of taco salad. La Lomita, located in a home patio was very ordinary and the price of wine was exorbitant. Mar y Sol on the beach front near the church was a delightful experience with fabulous margaritas and red snapper with their mar y sol specialty sauce.

Plate with Elegant Katarina

Shop Wall on Main Street

      A lovely dayof walking, browsing, and eating....then a dip in the pool and reading in the beach lounges....What a gift is this life. I never did imagine that we would be having so much fun a this point in our life. Tomorrow will be our last day here in Bucerias. We're going somewhere, not sure where. Will let you know.