About Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a top tourist resort location that still retains the true flavor of Mexico. It features Colonial architecture and world-class hotels, and sophisticated amenities. Not to mention the dream-like natural setting between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the deep blue Pacific waters. It’s considered the ideal vacation spot for the first-time Mexico visitor, while also boasting enough diversity of activities to keep people coming back again and again.

Once a sleepy fishing village, the town has grown along with the development of the hotel zone without losing its original charm. It still retains the typical flavor of its cobblestone streets and the contrast of its white houses and red-tile roofs. It also offers exciting activities: big-time sport fishing, golf, motorcycling, whale watching, art, diving, hot air balloons, surfing and more. It’s a great place for epicureans, offering gourmet restaurants for the upscale diner as well as affordable cafes for the budget traveler.

International Convention Center

It is located only 5 minutes from the International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown. It is constructed over 13 acres, comprising 4,522 sq-mt for expos in 9 halls, for events from 10 to 1,600 people. It boasts a theater, and an interactive library. It is surrounded by a large area of mangroves.

Why Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a top Resort Destination that truly bears the authentic Mexican identity. It features Colonial architecture and world-class hotels, sophisticated amenities and a dream-like natural setting between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the deep blue Pacific waters.

It’s considered the ideal vacation spot for the first-time Mexico visitor, while also boasting enough diversity of activities to keep people coming back again and again.

Puerto Vallarta Roster

Jaime NELO, DMCP, CMS, CES, CCM
Destination Managıng Director

Joaquin Mota
Business & Planning Executive

Erick Añorve, CMS, ccm
Operations Manager

Roberto Mondragon, CMS
Operations Coordinator

Hello, I'm Jaime Nelo

Destination Managing Director

Jaime was born in Puebla, Mexico. Ever since he was little, he has had an inborn desire to serve others. He left home with a backpack and a pair of boots when he was 17 and started a career in the Hospitality Industry. He earned a degree in Hotel Management, and has accumulated experience in first class hotels and resorts, as well as with meeting planner agencies and DMCs in Cancun, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta. Jaime has specialized in marketing, sales, planning, and gastronomy. Traveling is one of his passions. He speaks seven languages and is a big fan of international fine dining, either at a restaurant or in his own kitchen.

Personal Favorites

Local Attraction:He really loves to see the sunset from the boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta or while sailing across the Banderas Bay.

Recreational Activity: Reading is his passion, as well as being creative as he cooks.

Restaurant: Café Des Artistes and De Santos are his favorite restaurants in Puerto Vallarta.

Local Event: Puerto Vallarta´s Gourmet Festival is his favorite local event. It takes place yearly. Amazing new dishes are created exclusively by the host chefs and their guests from all around the globe. Anyone who claims to be a genuine bon vivant would not want to miss this event!.

Hello, I'm Joaquin MOTA

Business & Planning Executive

Born in Monterrey, but raised in Puerto Vallarta when since the age of 6. Here is where Jeremy Mota went to school, and where he was exposed to the significant transformation the city has experienced from the romantic small town to the modern city is today.He began his career along with his studies in the sales field inside the family business. Later he joined the operations team at the ASA group in Puerto Vallarta's International Airport, which then propelled him to enter the hospitality sector in 2008. His role began in the front desk department, where he fell in love by providing customer service and promoting the endless possibilities the destination has to offer. His career in hospitality has extended into the operational and administrative areas. After finishing this chapter in hospitality, at the start of 2020 he joined the great team of IVI DMC as Planning and Events Executive where there is not a day that he does not learn something new from this industry and from his colleagues. With a cordial, sociable, and fun personality, he sees no limit to having professional growth at IVI DMC by contributing his knowledge, skills, and experience but at the same time acquiring new teachings from the entire team.

Personal Favorites

Local Attraction: He enjoys visiting the beaches of the bay, the viewpoint of the cross, the Cerro del Mono, and walking around the city.

Recreational Activity: He likes to play soccer, exercise, participate in the racing circuit that grows every year in the city, ride his bicycle, and watch movies.

Restaurant: Being a meat lover, his favorite is La Vaca Argentina, where he likes to go for special occasions. He also fancies local food such as seafood at Las 8 de Tostadas and the wide variety of tacos that exist throughout the city.

Local Event: As a good patasalada (Puerto Vallarta native), pilgrimages are a must as they render a unique ambiance that envelopes the town for 12 days, including some of the most exquisite gastronomy. Also, the Taco Festival and Restaurant Week.

Hello, I'm Erick Añorve

Operations Manager

Erick was born in the beautiful Port of Acapulco, in 1981. At the age of 6, he moved to Puerto Vallarta where he studied and started his early stage of life.

He is the father of 2 beautiful children, an 11-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old toddler. He enjoys going on long walks, to go to the movies and loves to practice music and sports.

Personal Favorites

Local Attraction: Erick loves the splendor of Rhythm of the Night, a show with over 50 artists on stage, performing a musical and circus show created by the co-founder of Cirque du Soleil.

Recreational Activity: He loves soccer and music which he plays 3 times a week and practices music every 2 or 3 days a week.

Restaurant: The cuisine of Puerto Vallarta offers a unique variety, without a doubt Vallarta has select restaurants, but his favorites are the Sonora Grill Prime & La Madalena.

Local Event: The processions in December are a very “Vallartense” tradition in which, the first 12 days of December the streets are closed and all the local businesses, hotels, and restaurants walk praising the Virgin of Guadalupe for a prosperous year and a better upcoming year.

Hello, I'm Roberto Mondragon

Operations Coordinator

Roberto, born in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico, moved with his parents to Puerto Vallarta at the age of 9. He studied Hospitality & Gastronomy and later started working in the Travel Industry as an Airport Supervisor in the transportation sector, and soon started working at Aerocaliforia Airlines for some time.

Afterward, he joined the Travel Agency and today he is sharing his talent working as Operations Coordinator in IVI, since October 2018. His mission in IVI is to ascend to a higher rank. He enjoys his job and is a very sociable person that likes to help everyone around him plus he loves to exercise.

Personal Favorites

Local Attraction: He loves getting lost in the mountains and partaking in boat voyages.

Recreational Activity: He enjoys living with his mother, wife, and brothers.

Restaurant: Roberto enjoys seafood at the La Palapa Restaurant by the shore.

Local Event: He loves to partake in the Celebration of the Virgin of Guadalupe in December.

1

Pacific Jewel

Considered the most Mexican of all tourist beach destinations that has stayed true to its heritage and local culture.

2

Born and Raised

Home of the mariachi, tequila, charro, and folklore traditional dance. Experience pure Mexican products with real Mexican roots.

3

Touch of the World

Puerto Vallarta has been named the second greatest destination in Mexico for fine cuisine from all spectrums of the world! We have options for all pallets and budgets.

4

Service

This beautiful city doesn't only cater to young, single travelers, or families, rather it also offers the latest for groups with bilingual, professional staff providing everything from audiovisual to convenient ground transportation.

5

Vegetation Meets Ocean

With the abundance of the Sierra Madre Mountains as its back drop, Puerto Vallarta also known as Banderas Bay is the second largest natural bay in North America. A site to see!

6

Natural Habitat

All year round Vallarta is home to dozens of sea turtle sanctuaries. From July through December the hatchlings are released back to the ocean.

7

Safe Haven

During the months of December through March Vallarta also becomes the home to many humpback whales who seek refuge in the cool waters and safe Banderas bay. Also the home to many dolphins which keeps the sharks out!.

8

Convention Services

With Puerto Vallarta's brand new state of the art Convention Center, located just minutes from the airport, our destination now has the capability to hold conventions in the thousands with the greatest of ease.

9

Locals Bond With Visitors

Puerto Vallarta's locals pride themselves on sharing their city with thousands of tourists each year. As you explore the downtown boardwalk "Malecon" you will pass by peoples homes with open doors and aromas of home cooking!.

10

Culture with a Modern Touch

Puerto Vallarta hosts many events each year attracting people from all over the world. Enjoy Gourmet Festival towards the end of summer with chefs from all around the world, and deep sea marlin fishing tournaments in late November with prizes to fit a king! Don't forget the local cultural events ranging from art to entertainment.

Testimonials

Very helpful! Full of a variety of suggestions and options. Everyone at IVI was great to work with during the pre planning. Flexible with the adjustments we made! Also very quick to respond.

Laura Anderson / Program Manager / ITA Group

Helped me know what was possible and what would fit my client’s needs best. Helped me get the quotes I needed to make my plans happen. Program went well and client was happy.

Breck Laing / Director, Groups and Incentives / Destinations Inc.

Program Great to work with to make plans. Very Knowledgeable of area. Your staff knew the plans and everything was executed well.

Jessica Nelson / Director of Operations / Destinations Inc.

Ibhone was very responsive and worked to provide us multiple options with everything. Erick was great on site kept in communication always decor and entertainment were enjoyed by all. Thank you!.

Mary Wine / Program Manager - Event Operations / ITA Group

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