Things to do for non-participant guests at a Casa Workshop – Golf, Deep Sea Fishing and more…
Aside from joining in all the meals and the wonderful excursions that we provide as part of the Casa Workshop experience, (click here for more details of what’s included), non-participant guests may want to partake in some of the myriad of activities available other than sun bathing on the beautiful Boca beach, (additional fees for activities may apply). There are numerous, simple, adventure activities right at hand in the Boca, just out of the Casa’s front door, such as hiking the jungle paths to a secluded beach or waterfall, take our sea kayaks out in the bay, go snorkeling or scuba diving, (bring your own or contact Boca Divers at www.BocaDivers.com .
Many people enjoy surf casting or fishing off one of the docks in the Boca or photographing the incredibly picturesque village. You can also take a water taxi to one of the more remote villages further along the coast such as Las Animas or Quimixto, were in recent years they have been hosting a local surfing tournament. For those a bit more adventurous, not far from the Casa there is horseback riding along the river, that takes you through the jungle to beautiful waterfalls or you might try a zip line tour across the jungle canopy.
Here we will focus on 2 of the attractions that have helped make the Puerto Vallarta area a world class vacation destination :
Golf and Deep Sea Fishing
Deep Sea fishing can be chartered right out of the Boca, (at a more reasonable price than P.V.), after all, the Boca is a fishing village, give us a call if you’d like us to help set up a fishing trip with one of the local captains, (see more info about fishing in the Bay of Banderas at the end of this article). World class golf is as close as a 35 minute taxi, (about $25.) at the Marina Vallarta Golf Club and other options abound at various distances, see the details below.
“Move over Cabo San Lucas. This port city on Mexico’s south central coast wants the crown as King of South of the Border golf.”
Steve Pike PGA.com Senior Writer
While Puerto Vallarta is best known for white sand beaches, tropical weather and beach vacation getaways, one of its most striking assets is the wide range of golf courses found here. With 6 world-class golfing facilities in the Banderas Bay area, and 3 exclusive golf resorts just a few hours’ drive south, Puerto Vallarta is quickly becoming one of Mexico’s leading golf destinations.
With the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Mexican Pacific providing a stunning tropical backdrop, it’s no wonder that some of the world’s greatest golf course architects have chosen to design golf courses in this region, including Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf and Robert von Hagge.
The first golf course in Puerto Vallarta was built almost 20 years ago at the Flamingos Hotel located in the Bahia de Banderas municipality in the state of Nayarit. This golf course was renovated and reopened last November to the delight of Vallartans and visitors alike. For several years, the Flamingos Golf Course was the only one in the area. It was not until the Marina Vallarta mega construction project that Puerto Vallarta could claim its own Marina Vallarta Golf Course.
With time, additional golf courses were designed and built: Golf great Jack Nicklaus designed the one at Punta de Mita, as well as one of the two Vista Vallarta Golf Courses, where the World Golf Championship was played last December – the other was designed by Tom Weiskopf.
Excerpted from BanderasNEWS.com:
Golfing in Puerto Vallarta
Read more: http://www.banderasnews.com/travel-outdoors/golfing.htm
We will describe the Marina Vallarta Golf Course here, but you can see the others by
visiting: http://www.vallartaonline.com/golf
Marina Vallarta Golf Club Starting at $129 USD $95 USD Taxes included
A Joe Finger designed course, located in the prestigious Marina Vallarta area.
About the Course
Marina Vallarta is a 18 hole course designed by the famous American architect, Joe Finger, and located in the marina area of the district of Puerto Vallarta. As some of you may know already, Joe Finger is the founder of Finger Dye Spann, Inc., a company with over 40 years in the practice of golf course architecture that creates harmonious blends of artistic and technically sound designs. Ranking as one of the leading golf course architectural teams with more than 20 “Best” rankings by various golf publications, the firm has created more than 100 golf courses in the Americas, in mountains, marshlands, deserts and parklands.
This year-round, challenging 18-hole, 6,500 yards, par 71 layout features lush vegetation, natural lagoons alive with herons, sea geese, iguanas, alligators, and the scenic shores of Banderas Bay.
It is a marvelous mix of typical tropical ambience of the Pacific coast with views of the Sierra Madre and Banderas Bay. Marina Vallarta Golf Club, each year hosts the International Pro AM; one of the largest Pro Am in the world each December. Take in the sites of lush vegetation, natural lagoons alive with wildlife; including herons, sea geese, iguanas, alligators, and the scenic shores of Banderas Bay. Just minutes away from downtown Puerto Vallarta, and just a step from the airport, Marina Vallarta Club de Golf, its a must on your Vacation.
Visit our sister Course Vistavallarta, which features a Nicklaus and a Weiskopf design course, for 36 holes of championship golf.
With a magnificent view of the Bay of Banderas and its natural obstacles such as waterfalls, palms and natural lagoons, along with its abundant wildlife, have made it increasingly popular in the last few years. It has twice been the site of the Governor’s Cup Pro/Am Tournament as well as other important golfing events. The facilities include a driving range and chipping putting green, golf shop and a full-service clubhouse.
Marina Vallarta Golf Club is unique among resort golf courses in Mexico because it has integrated the area’s beautiful natural landscape with a layout designed to test golfing skill. Fragrant tropical plants and an unequaled view of the Pacific coastline often defy golfers’ perceptions of distances and their ability to concentrate on the game – a challenge for all levels of golfers from the advanced player to the casual player. Luxury, recreation, golf – American style. That’s what the new $400 million Marina Vallarta master-planned complex is all about!
The course has been called challenging, but not so difficult that most people wouldn’t enjoy it. Playing the course is like a trip through paradise, as it winds through the local vegetation. Picture perfect obstacles include waterfalls at green sites, a peninsula dotted with coconut palms and a natural lagoon filled with wildlife. White herons, iguanas, multicolored ducks, Mexican sand cranes and 16-foot alligators all call Marina Vallarta home, so watch that slice! If you are looking for American quality, service and operation, Marina Vallarta is the place.
The clubhouse at Marina Vallarta Club de Golf offers all the luxurious accommodations to make every guest feel at home. The Pro Shop is fully stocked with the latest in golf merchandise and can accommodate any needs from top of the line rental clubs to rental shoes. There is a complete practice facility available from the driving range to the chipping and putting green.
Marina Vallarta Golf Course [locate on map]
Paseo de la Marina
Puerto Vallarta, Jaisco
Tel. 011 52 (322) 221-0073
[email protected]
ForeMexico.com http://www.marinavallartagolf.com
Puerto Vallarta: Deep Sea Fishing
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is blessed as one of the finest big game fishing destinations in the world. Puerto Vallarta belongs at the top of the list for big game fish. Last year one of the largest blue marlin in Mexico history was caught in Puerto Vallarta -1155lbs!!
The waters of Puerto Vallarta boasts some of the largest offshore game fishing anywhere and ranks with the best in the world for deep sea fishing. Novice fishermen to professional anglers experience record setting catches of Tuna, Sailfish, Dorado, and undoubtedly the largest Black and Blue Marlin anywhere in Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta is at the center of one of the world’s largest bays – the “Bahia de Banderas”, or “Bay of Flags”. The enormous Bay has over 40 miles of coast along its circumference and measures about 20 miles from land’s center to the open ocean and about 25 miles across, with depths of up to 2 miles. The southwestern third of the bay (past Boca de Tomatlan) is roadless but has wonderful beaches that can be accessed by tour boats, (easily chartered out of the Boca). The depth and relative calmness of the Bay afford the perfect location for some of the best snorkeling and fishing in the world. Deep sea fishing boats leave daily from the Boca and several other points of departure on the bay.
The Banderas Bay fishing tradition goes back a very long time. In fact, long before Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor brought international attention to Puerto Vallarta with a torrid love affair during the filming of The Night of the Iguana, it was merely a sleepy fishing village on the coast. This is the case for many popular destinations in Mexico including Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco. In a place where you now regularly see an influx of millions of tourists annually, just a few decades ago you would have only seen a few. But Puerto Vallarta has maintained it’s strong tradition of fishing, and second only to tourism, this remains the top industry. Banderas Bay fishing is the place for massive tuna, wahoo, sailfish, marlin, and amberjack.
Up until recently, Cabo San Lucas was considered the Marlin capital of Mexico. However, the secret is now out and sports fishermen from around the world now choose Puerto Vallarta as their big fish hotspot. Sailfish are plentifull year-round! Seasonally Vallarta also reels in a great catch of Red Snapper, Rooster Fish, Sea Bass, Mahi Mahi, Black, Blue, and Striped Marlin, Giant Yellowfin Tuna, Bonito, and more!
Catch and release fishing is gaining in popularity as more anglers are becoming concerned about protecting and increasing the sport fish populations in Puerto Vallarta and around the world. Practicing good catch and release techniques provides a first-class fishing experience while recognizing our responsibility to maintain our valuable fishing resource for future generations. When properly handled and released, fish will continue to re-populate the waters for our continued enjoyment.
The annual Puerto Vallarta International Sailfish and Marlin Tournament is held each November. Always an enormous attraction, this tournament is now considered a world-class event and big-time bragging rights for the winners are assured!
Some of the other species that can be caught in the area include Amberjack, Pargo, Snook, Jack Crevalle, Snapper, Grouper, Rainbow Runner, Red Snapper, Rooster Fish, Sierra, Spanish Mackerel, Triggerfish, and many more.
For larger game you will need to allow a full day as you will be going out between 30 and 40 miles so there is some boat travel involved. November is considered the best month of the year in Puerto Vallarta for Marlin, Sailfish, and Dorado. This does not mean the other months are not good it is just not the peak of the season.
