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minutos del centro de Puerto Vallarta. En este paradisia-
co destino se entrecruza un sistema de vías navegables
interiores que conectan muchos hogares majestuosos
con el puerto deportivo y el mar abierto. Los grandes ca-
pitales del mundo han descubierto Nuevo Vallarta y lo
consideran un campo recreativo ideal y por consiguien-
te el área ha visto crecer la inversión en residencias de
lujo y hoteles.
Sin embargo, la calma prevalece en Nuevo Vallarta.
Es una zona tranquila, a tan sólo unos minutos del albo-
roto de Puerto Vallarta, por lo que los dos ofrecen a visi-
tantes y residentes lo mejor de ambos mundos.
“Boom náutico”
La apertura comercial y el TLC provocaron importantes
cambios y avances que propiciaron el inicio del desarro-
llo náutico en México. No obstante, el cambio más so-
bresaliente se da en la legislación marina, donde el
conjunto de leyes dan permiso a que las embarcaciones
puedan internarse en el país sin pago de impuestos y
permanecer hasta 20 años.
Estas modificaciones propiciaron que la inversión
turística se volteara a un sector antes nunca visto y sin
explotar, motivando la creación y desarrollo de marinas
turísticas a lo largo de la costa del Pacífico mexicano. En
su conjunto formarán una cadena o escalera náutica que
posibilitará el disfrute de la naturaleza, del mar y de que
se pueda ir de un lugar a otro con toda confianza y segu-
ridad. Los desarrollos se dieron en Cabo San Lucas, La
Paz, Loreto, San Carlos, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Barra
de Navidad, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Acapulco y Huatulco.
Hoy en día México cuenta con casi 3000 muelles
ubicados entre el Mar de Cortés y la costa del Pacífico.
Comparado con otras partes del mundo el mercado na-
cional aún es pequeño. Se estima que en 1995 había
nautical development. The biggest change, however,
was in marine legislation allowing vessels to enter
the country without paying taxes and remain here up
to 20 years.
These modifications allowed tourism investment
to focus on a sector that was largely ignored, sparking
the creation and development of marinas along the
entire coast of the Mexican Pacific. They came up with
a nautical ladder that allows sailors to enjoy nature,
the sea, and to sail from one place to another with
complete confidence and safety. Developments
sprang up in Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, San Carlos,
Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Barra de Navidad, Ixtapa-
Zihuatanejo, Acapulco and Huatulco.
Today, Mexico has almost 3000 docks located
between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific coast.
Compared to other places in the world, the domestic
market is still small. Estimates show that in 1995
there were about 500 yachts in the marinas in
Acapulco, Vallarta and Zihuatanejo occupying barely
16% of the available docks.
Growing Investment
Estrada Virgen commented that another important
trend that Puerto Vallarta is trying to address is that
of extended vacations which, in time, could become
full-time residences. The imposing residential com-
plexes that are being developed in Puerto Vallarta
attract both visitors and residents with purchasing
power, and also motivate the construction of mari-
nas. Nowadays, there are more marinas in Puerto
Vallarta than in any other destination in the country
and more will be built.
Development booms of this kind also attract the
major hotel chains, restaurants, malls and other
Shopping
Shopping in Puerto Vallarta is
fun thanks to the great variety
of merchandise that is avail-
able and because of the places
where they are displayed. The
work of artisans from all over
Mexico are waiting to be dis-
covered in ultramodern shops
and in the more traditional
stores and galleries, hidden
intriguingly along the length
and breadth of Puerto Vallarta.
The Mercado Municipal
(Municipal Market), with its
colorful stands, laden with
merchandise, is a must as is
the Malecón (seaside prome-
nade) and the streets down-
town, lined with jewelry
stores, famous designer bou-
tiques specializing in casual
clothing, and striking gal-
leries. Naturally, there are also
shopping centers, department
stores, supermarkets and a tra-
ditional open-air market.
compás mx •
compass mx
En Vallarta existen alrededor de seis campos de golf de talla internacional. •
There are around six internacional-level golf courses in Vallarta.
