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Hello New Arrival, 
Let us be the first to welcome you to paradise!
On behalf of Jiggies.com, if we have not been formally introduced my name is Diane Morgan and I would like to extend our warmest welcome to you.
We have put together this welcoming package in hopes that this information will be of value to you.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions as we will certainly do our best to answer them. Feel free to email Diane: dianelacruz@gmail.com
If you would like to recommend anyone to our list that you feel does a wonderful job and would benefit us all, please send an email to Diane. There are no commissions or benefits to this publication or your referrals. It is strictly for the benefit for our owners, renters and guests. All of your suggestions are welcome.
Again, welcome to bay and we are truly pleased to have you, and look forward to meeting you.
Home Decor
Word of advice you can get some awesome deals in low season (June thru September) all the snowbirds have left the coup and business is down.
- Costco Fluvial Puerto Vallarta just past the hotel zone in Puerto Vallarta
- Liverpool Department Store and Mall downtown Puerto Vallarta. Ask for the pink discount card for 15% off.
- Home Depot located just before Puerto Vallarta
- Walmart located just past Mezcales
- Malecon downtown Puerto Vallarta has several fabulous swimsuit shops next door to each other, plus jewellery stores, tequila tasting shops and much more
- Plaza Neptuno – shopping center at the entrance to Marina Vallarta with specializing in home décor and design, furniture and fabrics, be sure to check Arte Primitivo and Nomada for fabulous imported furnishings.
- Visit one of our homeowners swimwear boutiques on the malecon in Punta de Mita. La Pecera boutique offers a chic selection of bathing suits.
- There are many wonderful boutiques, shopping malls, art galleries and jewellery stores in Puerto Vallarta
Grocery Shopping Recommendations
- Mega, Go to customer service and apply for the orange card. You will receive points for gifts and if you have a credit they will put it on the card to spend. Try the cold cuts!
- Merkabastos, just pass Mega - More of a convenience store but they have an awesome selection of fruits and vegetables. (some organic)
- Costco, in Puerto Vallarta - Has it all but in bulk of course. Lots of home furnishings but you have to go often to see what`s new.
- Sam`s Club, next to Liverpool Mall is similar to Costco, we do recommend Costco as the goods are better. ($500 pesos to join Sam’s).
- Beto’s, if you’re looking for something special try Beto`s in Bucerias they have a good selection of Canadian goods, but be prepared to pay more.
- Walmart, has it all as well, fruits and veggies not always the freshest so you really have to pick through. There is also another Walmart in Puerto Vallarta next to Sam’s Club.
- La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Fish Market located at the Mercado Del Mar directly to the left of the marina offers an array of fresh fish daily. Enjoy mouth watering mahi mahi, sea bass, snapper, pompano, sierra, mackerel, prawns, crabs, lobster, mussels, and much more.
Who to tip, Whom not to tip, and how much
- The following are most of the individuals you are likely to encounter, who work for tips, and what the customary tip is.
- Fuel attendants: 12 pesos (one American dollar)
- Supermarkets: 5-10 pesos is appreciated (baggers work solely for the tips)
- Restaurants & Bars: For service in restaurants a tip of 10-15% of your bill is the average amount, for good service.
- Taxi: You do not need to tip taxi drivers (unless they help you with luggage or groceries).
- Tours and Excursions: $100 pesos
- Parking Attendants: Can be found in public parking lots and on the street. These individuals will direct you to available spaces and keep an eye on things while you are away. 10 pesos is an appropriate tip.
- Beauty Salons: Depending on the service 10% to 15%
- Pedicures and Manicures: 50 pesos
A special word about restaurant musicians: More often than not, the folks that begin to serenade you as you dine are not paid by the restaurant. Therefore, they will expect to be paid (by the tune) after they are finished. So, if you do not want to be serenaded just simply say "No, gracias." (usually 50 pesos per tune)
Area Codes and Dialing Instructions
The area codes in Puerto Vallarta and the North Shore are 322 and 329, respectively.
Local calls on landline’s consist of seven digits; the area code does not need to be included.
To call local cell phones from another local cell phone, you must dial the area code + seven digits.
To call a local cell phone from a local landline, you must dial 044 + area code + seven digits.
Please check with your cell phone service provider for specific information regarding coverage and dialing instructions.
*You can purchase cell phone minutes at all OXO’s, Mega, and Walmart. They will ask you for your cell phone service provider and telephone number.
Driving Tips In Mexico
Welcome to Mexico! Driving in Mexico is safe and fun, but you must understand some of the customs that drivers use in Nayarit. Because Nayarit is basically jungle and agriculture based farms, driving here is much different than anywhere else in Mexico. Here are the key differences:
Only Use Your Left Blinker When You Want Someone to Pass You! This one is a killer. If you are following a truck and he turns on his left hand blinker, he is telling you that it is safe to pass....he is not going to turn left. NEVER use your left turn blinker to turn left, as the cars behind you will immediately speed up to pass you.
Always Pull Off to the Right Hand Shoulder to Turn Left! If you wish to make a left hand turn, pull off to the right hand side of the road and wait until the traffic is safe to make the turn, NEVER make a left hand turn from the center lane. If you do not understand the customs in Nayarit and decide to make a left hand turn from the center of the street and turn your left hand blinker on, expect to get crashed into...and it will be your fault if it happens! (There is an exception to this rule you will notice Walmart is a left hand turn.)
Always Make Turns From The Side Roads In Cities When They Are Available: While driving in Jalisco you will see side roads that parallel the main road. If you wish to make a turn, pull onto the side road and then wait for the left turn signal to allow you to turn. NEVER try to make a left hand turn from the main road! This is especially true in Puerto Vallarta.
Always Carry Mexican Auto Insurance! NEVER drive in Mexico without it! Mexican laws are different than in the United States or Canada. If you are involved in an accident, you are required to take care of the damages right on the spot unless you have special insurance guidelines with your insurance company. If you do not have insurance, be prepared to be held in custody until you have paid for your damages.
Always slow down if you see yellow tape or cloth tied to a bush along the roadside. This is the Nayarit way of warning you.
Be careful and have fun.
You will notice Mexico does not employ the same construction techniques when constructing or maintaining their highways. Road surfaces are usually very rough and full of deep potholes.
BEWARE OF TOPES. Speed bumps can range from rippled concrete "Vibradores", to square concrete 8-10 inches high. They are even on some high speed toll roads. About 1/4 of them are not marked in any way. Where they are marked with a sign, the sign is usually nowhere near the speed bump. Speed bumps often blend in with the roadway and you can not see them. Really big speed bumps must be approached by first coming to a complete stop, then by easing your car over them. They are known as "Topes" (TOW-pays). Very few solitary topes are encountered, so beware of successive topes. It takes just one scare encounter with an unexpected tope and you will remember them forever.
Ninety percent of the fatal accidents in Mexico occur between dusk and dawn. Drinking drivers, obstacles, and hazards that challenge your daytime driving skills are still there but you won't see them as well. Mexican cars often have either no lights or blazing high beams that do not dim for oncoming traffic.
The grades of PEMEX gasoline are:
PEMEX Magna is unleaded gasoline - 87 octane.
PEMEX Premium is unleaded gasoline - 93 octane.
PEMEX Diesel for diesel engines.
PEMEX accepts Mexican Pesos and U.S. Dollars and fills vehicles in liters. Credit cards are not accepted. All gas stations are full service and we recommend you check your tire pressure monthly.
Gas attendants have been known to pump your fuel before clearing the machine so be sure to check that the meter reading is in fact at zero.
Needless to say, defensive driving is the order of the day. However, I must add, in spite of the seemingly reckless attitude of Mexican drivers, it is amazing how few serious accidents you see.
Our Preferred List of Service People and Vendors
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