Puerto Vallarta was chosen as one of the best places to retire by Katie Brockman in an article she wrote named The 3 Best Places to Retire Abroad on Less Than $1,500 Per Month for investment website The Motley Fool.

Besides providing the chance to start anew and try something different, retiring abroad offers a host of other benefits including being exposed to a new culture, paying far less for healthcare, and even enjoying a lower cost of living. In fact, according to expatriate resource Expatistan, the U.S. ranks as the 17th most expensive country out of the 106 countries on the list -- and there are dozens of countries that offer a more affordable lifestyle without having to sacrifice quality of life.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

If you're looking to retire abroad while staying relatively close to home, Mexico is a fantastic option. You'll need to do some research to make sure you choose the right city as some towns have higher crime rates than others, but one promising choice is the tropical destination of Puerto Vallarta.

The city is a popular tourist destination, so it's also very retiree-friendly with plenty of restaurants, shops, theaters, and, of course, miles of sandy beaches. While housing can be more expensive than other Mexican cities, it's still more affordable compared to many U.S. cities -- the average furnished 900-square-foot apartment in an expensive area of the city costs just under $1,000 per month, according to Expatistan. However, there are less pricey options, and if you choose to move to a less expensive part of town, you could pay just $500 per month for a furnished apartment.

You'll also find quality healthcare in Puerto Vallarta at an affordable price. Once you become a resident of Mexico, you are eligible to participate in the country's public healthcare system. You can also buy private insurance, and while costs vary widely depending on the city and hospital, it's usually more affordable than U.S. plans.

Source: The Motley Fool

The 7th Annual Charity Chili Cook-Off is set for Saturday, February 23rd from 1-5 pm at El Rio BBQ Bar in Paso Ancho. Jim Sullivan will again chair this year's "All you can eat" chili feast, featuring recipes from some 18 popular PV area bar restaurants and sponsors - all competing for trophies and bragging rights. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

There will be two categories of chili judging - one by popular vote from attendees and one by professional judges. We still have space available for a couple more entries. Anyone interested in participating by making their own 5 gallons of chili, please contact Donna Wong at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tickets to the Chili Cook-Off cost just $250 pesos per person prior to the event and $300 pesos at the door. In addition to all the chili, an order of El Rio's famous smoked riblets and an agua fresca are also included. Regular El Rio menu items will also be available for purchase. Entertainment will be provided by several cookin' musical groups, including Dave Whitty, Da Crew, Mikki Prost and The Texas Embassy Blues Band.

Pearl Burrus and Vera Carp return to Emcee the event again this year. These two characters—two of the 22 zany characters from Greater Tuna, a satirical comedy about small towns, small minds, and big hearts—had the Cook-Off crowd in stitches with their off-the-cuff and sometimes off-color quips. They appear courtesy of Incanto, where their play returns soon.

All proceeds from the cook-off go to local charities and community projects, including:

• Supporting DIF in their support to Senior Citizens, DIF - A Mexican public institution of social assistance that focuses on strengthening and developing the welfare of the Mexican families.
• Jay Sadler Community Relations Projects A.C. – In 2018 38 projects were completed; in 2017 30 projects; during the past 5 years, 140 projects.

Tickets to the Chili Cook-off can be purchased at the door or in advance from many of the event's sponsors: All-Access, Café Roma, Captain Don's, DZ Route 66, Escondida Sports Bar, Gringo Loco, Kelly's Pour Favor, Los Muertos Brewery, Murphy’s Irish Pub, Nacho Daddy, Que Pasa, The Salty Caesar, Refugio Infantil Santa Esperenza A.C. RISE, Suriya Events and Winston’s Bar & Grill. Also Making chili Coco Tropical Restaurant, El Torito Sports Bar and Marriott Champions Sports Bar. Doors open at 12:00 pm. Chili will be served from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and voting will run from 1:00-3:00 pm. Confirmed Professional Chili Judges include Gary Beck (Puerto Vallarta Shows: More of Beck’s Best: Theater, Cabaret and More; Puerto Vallarta Restaurant Guide Beck’s Best; Gary’s Groupies), Paul Mayer (Vallarta Food Tours), Madeline Celeste (Vallarta Tribune Editor) and Jim Lee (Living Vallarta).

Riverfest 8, two days of music and great food benefiting Pasitos de Luz, will take place at El Rio BBQ Bar on March 2-3, 2019.

We absolutely love Riverfest! If you enjoy your live music and want to support our work here at Pasitos de Luz, then Riverfest is the perfect opportunity. Have a great time and continue to help our children reach their full potential.

Last year was our best Riverfest to date, raising over $300,000 pesos, which is a huge deal for us. Our events make up almost 20% of our total income. Let's make Riverfest 8 even more successful!

Entry is just a $100-peso donation at the gate on Saturday and Sunday

Enjoy a full afternoon of fantastic live music, great surroundings and delicious food options at Riverfest on each day. Both days you can enjoy our silent auction, 50/50 draws, great vendors and, on Saturday, hair cutting by Alexander A Salon. Our children will also be putting on a special performance on the Saturday, which you will absolutely love.

Become a Patron Ticket holder

We would like to invite you to become a Patron Ticket holder at Riverfest 8. The Patron Tickets are for guests who would like to give back that little bit extra to Pasitos. There are Saturday and Sunday Patron Tickets.

Saturday Patron Tickets: The Saturday Patron Ticket is $900 pesos per person or a table of 8 for $6,400 pesos (a saving of $800 pesos!). For this you get gate entry, early bird parking, a welcome drink (beer, margarita or lemonade), free snacks and appetizers, one free serving at the fabulous buffet provided by El Rio, Pasta Fresca and Barcelona Tapas from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., priority reserved seating for viewing the entertainment, plus unlimited non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day and great music!

Sunday Patron Tickets: This year we are also pleased to announce Sunday Patron Tickets, which offer gate entry, reserved seating, a welcome drink, plus delicious family-style service Riverfest Parrillada lunch. All of this for just $1,500 pesos per group of 4 people!

We would love to see you at Riverfest 8. Book your Saturday or Sunday Patron Tickets by contacting Barb Bremner by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Unfortunately, we only have limited numbers of patron tickets available and they typically go quickly.

And if we don't see you at Riverfest, we hope to see you soon. Best wishes to all our friends and supporters, wherever you are in the world...

The Vallarta Bird and Nature Festival 2019, hosted by the Vallarta0 Botanical gardens will take place from March 8-10. The proceeds will help purchase and install military macaw nest boxes at the macaw sanctuary.

We are fortunate to have as our host, the Vallarta Botanical Garden, a nonprofit charitable organization that relies on the contributions of their members and donors to sustain this natural sanctuary, continue much needed conservation projects, and further their outreach to the Puerto Vallarta region’s community. Please visit their website for information about membership and donations. https://www.vbgardens.org/visit-us/

The Vallarta Botanical Gardens is surrounded by the beautiful bird-rich mountain landscape of Cabos Corrientes, and are located 24 km (15 miles) south of Puerto Vallarta. The Garden is easily accessible by bus, car, taxi, or Uber. Travel to the Garden from Old Town Puerto Vallarta takes approximately 30 minutes. The bus to El Tuito can be caught in Old Town on the corner of Venustiano Carranza and Aguacate.

2019 proceeds will help purchase and install military macaw nest boxes at the macaw sanctuary!

Admission is $200 pesos/day or $500 pesos for all 3 days, children 4 and under, free. Admission is paid at the entrance to the Vallarta Botanical Gardens.

Source: Vallarta Bird and Nature Festiva

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit reaffirm the quality of their hotels by having been included once again in the Traveler’s Choice Awards, presented by popular travel website TripAdvisor.

The recognitions are given based on ratings, comments and reviews posted on the platform by tourists from all over the world, making these awards highly trusted.

It’s important to note the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit had the best ranking in the region, it placed 4^th among the Top 25 All-Inclusive Resorts worldwide, up from 2018 when it landed in 8^th place. This resort, property of Grupo Vela, also placed 2^nd among Family Hotels in Mexico; 7^th in the Top 25 Most Popular Hotels in Mexico; eighth among the top Luxury Hotels in Mexico and 10^th in Hotels with Great Service in Mexico.

TripAdvisor is the biggest and most trusted travel focused website in the entire world. Its marketing strategy focuses on testimonials from their visitors to positively influence travel decisions, with over 500 million reviews and comments about lodging, airlines, attractions and restaurants, plus handy price comparisons from over 200 hotel reservation websites.

Source: AZ Noticias (Spanish)