Daniel Lopez Tarragato joined us in June as the new General Manager for Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta. Daniel is from Spain, and he knows the Mexican Hospitality Industry quite well.  During his career he has held positions in customer service, solution management, sales and operations. He has worked internationally in four other countries including Switzerland before coming to Mexico, so he is well versed in the requirements for the position of General Manager at Garza Blanca. Read our interview with Daniel to learn a little bit about him!  How would you define this amazing resort? I would define it as a paradisiacal spot in the middle of the jungle, for a million reasons, among which I will point out the sublime views and enclaves and what is no doubt one of the best sunsets on the planet; although what really makes this place great is the people who work here, and it’s not just me saying that, it’s what most of the “fans” who stay here and keep coming back …

Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Four Diamond Certification by AAA again in 2019! This is the fifth year in a row that Garza Blanca has received this prestigious award.  This outstanding achievement reflects our consistent mission to provide the highest quality service, and to be the most refined luxury resort in the Puerto Vallarta area.  The Four Diamond distinction is a metric for the property and our dedicated team – something we strive for every year – and when we achieve it, it is a sign that our team is working to its full capacity. What is AAA? The American Automobile Association, also known as AAA (pronounced “Triple A”) was founded in Chicago in 1902 by nine American motoring clubs, and is now a federation of regional clubs located throughout North America. In the early days, AAA’s mission was to make roads and road trips better for drivers, as people throughout North America started buying cars and driving around the continent.  …

Agave Fest is a tequila, mezcal and raicilla tasting in a small group setting, presented by our bar manager Ivan Aguilar. Ivan has an extensive education in tourism, hospitality, nutrition, mixology, and everything related to running a bar. That’s why we hired him as Bar Manager for Garza Blanca and Hotel Mousai, where he is in charge of all of the bars on both properties. He has created the Signature Drinks menus at all of the bars and restaurants on both properties, and he trains and supervises all of the bartenders. He knows how to prepare specialty homemade syrups and bitters from scratch, which we use in the Signature Drinks. Ivan is a Tequila Master, certified by the biggest authority in tequila regulation in Puerto Vallarta, Consejo Regulador del Tequila. A Tequila Master is similar to a wine sommelier. He knows how to smell, taste, and recognize the authenticity of tequilas and other agave liquors. He knows everything about tequila, mezcal, and raicilla, and he will teach you how to recognize good quality 100% agave …

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2019! This is one of the highest accolades available on the travel review website, awarded only to businesses that provide excellent experiences to their customers. TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Each May, TripAdvisor issues Certificates of Excellence to the top 10% of businesses on the site. An overall rating at least four out of five “bubbles” and consistent positive reviews from guests are requirements to earn a Certificate of Excellence. Garza Blanca carries an overall rating of “Excellent” (four and a half bubbles), and is rated in the top 8% of hotels in Puerto Vallarta. About the Resort Garza Blanca is one of the most luxurious resorts in the Puerto Vallarta area, offering deluxe rooms, luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, lavish penthouses and grand residences to visitors seeking the utmost quality, elegant comfort, and the most relaxing seaside Mexico vacations on the Pacific coast. Spectacularly flanked by the vibrant blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the verdant tropical …

Did you know that the beach at Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa in Puerto Vallarta has the international Blue Flag accreditation? This means that Garza Blanca’s beach is recognized as environmentally healthy per the strict standards of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The FEE is a nonprofit non-governmental organization that started in Europe but is now a worldwide organization. The Blue Flag is a trademark used by the FEE to indicate that beaches and marinas around the world are environmentally friendly, clean and safe. The Blue Flag program started in France in 1985, grew through Europe starting in 1987, and began expanding outside of Europe in 2001. Today, the Blue Flag program has become a global program with 44 countries participating. The Blue Flag has become a highly respected and recognised eco-label working to bring together the tourism and environmental sectors at local, regional and national levels in cities throughout the world. Mexico has a total of 20 Blue Flag beaches. Eight of them are located in the Puerto Vallarta area, making Puerto …

Save Your Money for Vacation not for Tickets Numerous statistics have been accumulated to determine the very best seasons, time frames and days to fly if you are a budget savvy traveler. Getting to your destination is not how you want to spend all of your vacation budget, so taking the time to research and plan can make a big difference. If you truly want the lowest cost airfare, it’s important to remain flexible. Start following flight prices 8 – 12 months in advance, so you can put in your request for time off with a good idea about what day you will fly. These tips will help you get started. Choose Your Season Summer, spring, winter and fall all have varied price points depending on your starting location and your final destination. If it’s peak tourist season, you will pay more than if it was the down season. Though holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year are obvious, it’s important to check your dates and avoid extended weekends and holidays or events that may …

Mexico is a land rich in culture and tradition, but few are as fascinating and deeply cherished as El Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. Contrary to the name, this is more than one day. The celebration begins on October 31st and continues through November 2nd. This time of year pulls customs and rituals from the depths of indigenous history and its mergence with the Catholic Church. What has evolved is an authentic practice that embodies the beauty and beliefs of the Mexican people. You will see the somber reverence of loved ones who have passed on and the joyous celebrations with La Calavera Catrina! History and Tradition October 31st has been tied into this holiday due to the religious influence mingling All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day, but the true celebrations are November 1st, el Día de los Angelitos, Day of the Little Angels and November 2nd, Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead. In the evenings, you may see processions of family and friends …

Stay up to date with the current weather conditions to see if it affects your stay at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta. Featured image, current view of Puerto Vallarta’s Weather, October 23, 2018. Update October 23, 2018 – Hurricane Willa Has Passed We are delighted to share that Hurricane Willa was dropped to a category 3 and has now passed by Puerto Vallarta. Last night’s gentle rainfall was all that occurred, and weather reports suggest sporadic light rains through tomorrow. These are lovely this time of year as they cool the air and nourish the lush jungle before the dry season. Puerto Vallarta took every necessary precaution and placed extra lifeguards and security along the beach to keep onlookers and adventurous, boogie-boarding teenagers safe from the large waves. The city is fully active today with tourists visiting shops and restaurants with open doors. It has been pleasantly dry with light breezes making it the perfect weather to wander the streets and see the sites without concern for heat or sunburn. There are …

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa’s very own Pedro Palomera Pichardo’s took home the prize for prize for best bartender in the region at the 7th annual Gastro-Hotel Bartenders Tournament in Puerto Vallarta! The tournament took place October 7-9 within the framework of the 11th annual Gastro-Hotel Worker Week, organized by CTM Vallarta, and featured 48 bartenders from all over Mexico. This event has been growing each year, and this year saw the largest participation so far, with 45 male contestants and 3 female contestants. During two-day competition, the contestants prepared specialty cocktails and exhibited them before the judges, and the public. The cocktails could be either variations of classics, or unique cocktails developed by the contestants. They were judged on originality, neatness and technique. The first day of the competition was a marathon elimination day, which reduced the number of competitors from 48 to 11 semi-finalists. The second day the 11 semi-finalists competed before the judges and Pedro Palomera Pichardo was crowned the winner of the tournament! Pedro has competed in this tournament for seven …

You’re finally here. That long-awaited vacation. It’s been a long day. Airports, flights, transportation. You settle into your gorgeous 2 bedroom suite, grab a glass of wine and sit down on the couch to relax and take in the view. Everything is calm. For a while. Then… you hear it… the dreaded… “Mom!” We’re bored!“ Luckily, you have the answer. “I’ll take you guys down to the kids’ club!” “Ok!” “Awesome!” “I’ll come pick you up at dinnertime.” Ahh. Peace and quiet. In our never-ending pursuit to be the best family-friendly beach resort in the Puerto Vallarta area, we are now in the process of building our first ever kids’ club at Garza Blanca. The Kids’ Club will open in mid-July of this year, and it is for kids ages 5-12. We are working hard to make sure there is something for everyone in those age groups. Ages 5 and Up For younger kids we have a tumbling area with large foam blocks in fun shapes, sizes and colors, an indoor playground set with slides …

On Tuesday May 15, 2018, the peak of Kilauea on the main island of Hawaii began to erupt, forcing thousands of residents to shelter in their homes or evacuate to safeguard themselves from the ash cloud that reached heights of up to 30,000 feet. The ongoing disaster is not only impacting the daily lives of Hawaii’s 1.4 million residents, but impede travel via air and sea for the many visitors that have come to enjoy the state’s welcoming nature and characteristic hospitality. The eruption is expected to increase in intensity at this time, producing plumes of volcanic debris that present a perilous threat to everyday activities and the local way of life. Our most sincere goodwill goes out to of our guests from the Hawaiian islands, their families, and those staying in the area during this dangerous and developing situation. Hawaii and Puerto Vallarta not only share a latitude, but an attitude. The people of Hawaii have always been highly resilient, consistently thriving in scenarios that have demanded the most of their courage. We at …

Meet Philipp Real, Garza Blanca Resort & Spa’s brand new General Manager who joined the team at your home away from home in December 2017. The youngest of four siblings, father of one daughter and a doting husband, Philipp is a man whose smile and positivity is both contagious and inspiring. Read what he had to share about both his professional and personal life. When did your passion for hospitality begin? I grew up in a hotel. Quite literally! My parents built a small hotel in the Principality of Liechtenstein. It began like a small bed and breakfast and they built it up over time to become a luxury boutique hotel. We lived at the hotel; the lobby was my front door. Every day after school or on the weekends, I would help carry luggage, wash dishes, serve tables and so on. When I left school, you could say I rebelled against the hotel business. At first I studied finance at Commercial and Financial College, but, after a while, I realized that I couldn’t escape …

If you are the type of traveler who likes to take things up a notch during your vacations, you will surely want to sign up for the TAFER Rewards program before you head to your luxurious getaway at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta. Savvy travelers from around the world are taking advantage of the perks that come with this sensational program which offers its members access to great deals on exceptional trips to Mexico! Be wise and register for amazing privileges! When you register now and become a Savvy Traveler, you can begin to enjoy attractive benefits including early alerts about savings on luxury vacations at our Pacific haven Garza Blanca as well as other popular destinations in Mexico. Garza Blanca Resort & Spa belongs to the prestigious Tafer Hotels & Resorts collection, which offers the Savvy Traveler Rewards as an exclusive loyalty program for its guests. Enjoy a number of benefits as one of our most treasured guests including early notice of promotions, special deals with incredible discounted prices, the option …

Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination for vacations in Mexico for a great many reasons, and traveling there in the winter months is particularly delightful. In fact, Business Insider has named Puerto Vallarta as one of its best places to visit in February. Along with twelve other exotic destinations, ranging from Beijing (where Chinese New Year celebrations are extraordinary) to Rio de Janeiro (where Carnival festivities reign supreme), Puerto Vallarta was chosen by Business Insider as a wonderful choice when you are looking for an unforgettable winter escape. According to Business Insider, February is one of the best months out of the year to get out and travel. So why is Puerto Vallarta one of the top destinations for the best February vacations you could dream of? Let’s take a closer look at some of the elements that make Puerto Vallarta a remarkable vacation spot: Splendid Weather The weather in Puerto Vallarta is lovely during the winter months, with high temperatures typically in the 70s and 80s and low temperatures in the 50s and 60s. …