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Resort Properties - Complements of Aimfair members.
Resort Properties - Complements of Aimfair members.


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Beauty On Nature - BON At Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit

Nature surrounds us at every turn, creating a serene backdrop to our recent two-week retreat at Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit.

Look at those eyes. The color is amazing.
Look at those eyes. The color is amazing.


The Kiddie's Club is wonderful, friendly and perfect for children up to 10 years old.
The Kiddie's Club is wonderful, friendly and perfect for children up to 10 years old.


Secluded pool areas are all over. Perfect for those wanting privacy and quiet.
Secluded pool areas are all over. Perfect for those wanting privacy and quiet.


Sunsets are beautiful. We have seen the Green Glare a couple of times. There is nothing better than enjoying sunsets from the beach.
Sunsets are beautiful. We have seen the Green Glare a couple of times. There is nothing better than enjoying sunsets from the beach.

Our initial week was a whirlwind of delightful encounters, both with new acquaintances and cherished friends. Days were filled with leisurely strolls across the expansive property, adventurous crossings over the suspension bridge to enjoy meals at the Brezza Restaurant, scenic rides on the SkyDream Gondola to the BON Entertainment Park, and time spent at the iconic sales breakfast and update.

The second week was a shared experience with friends from home. It was their third year at Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit. Their return, like ours, was met with resounding success, a testament to the enduring allure of this destination.

What force pulls us back to Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit year after year? Perhaps it's encapsulated in a single word: freedom. As guests, we revel in the liberty to explore the vast property, traverse the sprawling beach that extends for over a mile, indulge in various pools, engage in daily activities, bask in the sun's warmth, and venture off to the nearby marina.

Amidst the luxurious and spacious accommodations tailored to diverse preferences, the staff, despite language barriers and ongoing training challenges, readily extend their assistance. Unforeseen events over the past three years have impacted staffing levels, prompting management to replace seasoned associates to maintain high qualities of service. The repercussions of Covid and the recent hurricane in Acapulco have presented obstacles, yet the commitment to rebuilding and refining remains unwavering.

Despite the preceding challenges, the enduring BON at Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit and other Vidanta oceanside properties continues to captivate us daily. It serves as a constant source of tranquility and joy, with staff members transforming our interactions into friendly exchanges as we pass through halls and walking paths.

From the warm smiles of gardeners tending to the lush foliage to the diligent housekeepers attending to our rooms, and the supportive concierge staff reaching out to assist, the spirit of hospitality prevails.

Join us won't you as we move into another vacation season in the warm Mexican sun and enjoy the beauty nature provides at Vidanta Nuevo Nayarit and the other pristine resort locations in Mexico.

Cheers!!

Dia de Muertos - Origins

By now, Puerto Vallarta's popular boardwalk is decorated with more than 40 monumental Catrinas, complemented by 38 altars that will be strategically placed around the municipal presidency building.

Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a colorful and vibrant Mexican holiday with deep historical and cultural roots. This annual celebration, observed on November 1st and 2nd, is a time for families and communities to honor and remember their deceased loved ones. Did you know the origins of Dia de Muertos can be traced back to a rich blend of indigenous Mesoamerican traditions and Spanish colonial influences?

Long before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, the Aztecs, Mayans, and Purepecha, had their own unique ways of commemorating the dead. These ancient civilizations believed there is a cyclical nature of life and death, and they had rituals and festivals dedicated to death deities.

The Aztecs, in particular, celebrated a month-long festival known as "Mictecacihuatl," dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, who presided over the afterlife. This celebration took place in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, which corresponds to modern-day August. It was a time when they honored deceased ancestors and believed that the spirits of the dead returned to the world of the living.

Spanish conquistadors arrived in the early 16th century. They encountered these indigenous traditions and attempted to convert the indigenous peoples to Catholicism. Eventually the ancient traditions merged with their own creating a fusion of indigenous beliefs and Catholicism. This fusion gave rise to the modern Dia de Muertos.

The Spanish introduced the observance of All Saints' Day (November 1st) and All Souls' Day (November 2nd) to Mexico. These are Catholic holidays dedicated to honoring and praying for the deceased. In Mexico, they became intertwined with the existing indigenous traditions, and Dia de Muertos was born.

Central to Dia de Muertos is the creation of ofrendas, or altars, that are adorned with various elements. You can see them all over the Puerto Vallarta and in many public and private places and cemeteries. They include items like marigolds (the traditional flower of the dead), candles, sugar skulls, photographs of the deceased, favorite foods, and beverages. Families believe that these offerings help guide the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living for a brief reunion.

Credit puertovallarta.net for the photo.
Credit puertovallarta.net for the photo.


The use of Calaveras, or sugar skulls, and the iconic La Catrina skeleton figure, popularized by artist José Guadalupe Posada, have become prominent symbols of Dia de los Muertos. Calaveras are often made of sugar or chocolate and are beautifully decorated. La Catrina, an elegantly dressed skeleton, satirically represents the idea that death is a universal fate and should be embraced with humor and grace.

Credit puertovallarta.net for the photo.
Credit puertovallarta.net for the photo.


Dia de Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and can vary in customs and traditions from one region to another. For example, in Puerto Vallarta and other parts of Mexico, parades and processions are popular. It others, the focus is on visiting cemeteries to clean and decorate graves.

In essence, Dia de los Muertos is a vivid and heartfelt celebration that reflects the enduring cultural fusion of indigenous and Spanish traditions in Mexico. It is an opportunity to remember deceased loved ones, celebrate their lives, and reaffirm the belief that death is not the end, but a continuation of the cycle of life. It's a powerful testament to the resilience of culture and the enduring connection between the living and the dead.

Make sure you take time to participate in Dia de Muertos wherever you may be. Processions are fun and colorful, and the message of connecting the living and the dead brings back fond memories of loved ones who have passed.

VISITAX - Riviera Maya

Are you paying your VISITAX when visiting Riviera Maya? If so, let us know your experiences. If not, then it appears we all have to pay a tourist tax ranging from $10 US to $50 US per person for each 180 day stay in Riviera Maya. You may have to present evidence of payment to return home.

From https://visitax.us:
  1. Visitax is a tourism tax collected by the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and applicable to each foreign visitor. The new tax is mandatory as of April 2021 and applies to only those who intend to visit the State on tourism.
  2. This fee will be collected by the State of Quintana Roo’s Tax Administration to fund the reactivation of the tourist sector in the Mexican Caribbean.
  3. The process of applying and paying the tourism tax takes no more than 5 minutes. All you will need is a valid passport and E-mail address, and a credit card or Paypal account. You will receive the payment confirmation within the next several minutes to the provided e-mail.
  4. Although the payment confirmation will be sent to the e-mail provided when applying, it’s always a good idea to keep a printed copy among the travel documents too. You may have to show proof of payment for each traveler in your group before boarding your flight back, and before going through security.
When asked what the penalties for non-payment are, here is the answer:
Whats the penalty for not paying Visitax?

All international travelers visiting Quintana Rao (Cancun, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel) must pay a new tourism tax known as vlsltax, This tourist tax is mandatory for all international visitors and can be paid in several ways.

You can pay the new VISITAX online before or during your trip, or in cash at airport terminals when you exit the state. It will cost you between $10 and $38 depending on how you pay it, but it's a must if you're planning a trip to Cancun, Playa Del Carmen or Cozumel.

The official website for the VISITAX is the best place to start, as it offers several features that are designed to make this tourist tax as convenient and easy to pay as possible. They include a mobile application that allows users to fill out the form, check in and pay using their smartphone or tablet, as well as a website where you can choose a secure payment method, such as credit card or PayPal.

Once you've completed the process, you will receive a confirmation email that you can print out or save to your phone. You may also need to show this proof of payment at the airport before boarding your flight and at security checks, so it's important to have this on hand in case you need it.

The VISITAX is not the only tax you'll see when you visit Quintana Roo, but it is one of the most notable. It will help fund the reactivation of the tourism industry in Mexico and is a great way to support the local economy. It's a small price to pay for the opportunity to enjoy a vacation in the sun, and it certainly has the power to make your trip memorable.
Bottom line - no answer. But evidently you have to show proof of payment when you leave Mexico or Arrive. Unclear.

Summary:
Purpose of trip: Tourism, business, and transit
Validity: Single entry. A payment is due for each visitor’s stay
Stay: Maximum of 180 days per visit
Delivery time: Within 1 hour from successful payment
Price: $52.00 USD per VisiTax – each traveler needs his document (Online the payment is between $10 and $38 US)
Application form: Online only: submit your request here.

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