HO, HO HO, We Have No Snow in Sunny Puerto Vallarta

Is it time to trade your white Christmas for the white sands of Garza Blanca? Santa is always overheated in Puerto Vallarta with more than 320 days of sunshine each year and temperatures that average around 82ºF (28ºC). Not a chance of snow or frost, unless you count the effect of your frozen margarita on your tongue. But children never fear (and that includes the big kid inside), Santa arrives bearing gifts nonetheless, alongside the Three Kings, who have their own day on January 6th in Mexico to commemorate the biblical story that tells of the Three Kings delivering gifts to the baby Jesus, which is the time when Mexican children traditionally receive their main presents.

Just because the sun is shining outside, doesn’t mean to say that tradition is thrown out of the window. Garza Blanca Signature Residences homeowners still enjoy setting up their Christmas tree in the tropics and placing decorations to provide that traditional feel. Here are some tips on how to put a new touch on your Christmas in Puerto Vallarta:

Paradise Trees

Did you know that one theory has it that the original Christmas tree was in fact in honor of the garden of Eden, known as the “paradise tree” decorated with fruits? Why not decorate your tree with tropical fruit, or decorate a palm tree with traditional decorations for a humorous twist.

Nature’s Decorations

Make your decorations out of natural products that you might find around the resort or on the beaches in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Paint coconuts, shells, pods from tropical trees or cut shapes out of the canvas that falls from the palms. For some tips, watch Garza Blanca’s head gardener, Gregorio, make coconut sculptures at the next Coco Expo.

A Fishy Christmas Dinner

Plan ahead and try something different instead of the typical turkey. A sarandeado fish served on the beach can make for a most memorable dinner! Most Mexican’s serve bacalao (cod) for Christmas dinner, which is usually celebrated on December 24 in the evening.

Hire a Private Chef

There are so many chefs that you can hire in Puerto Vallarta to serve up a magnificent meal for you. Garza Blanca Resort also has a private chef service that homeowners and guests can hire for special occasions such as birthdays, Hanukkah and around Christmas* . You might just love sitting back and letting someone else do the preparation for a change.

Donate Your Gifts

Rather than exchange presents, why not give to local charities in Puerto Vallarta this year. You can also take your giving that one step further and spend the special day helping at a local charity. Click here  for a list of charities that would welcome your generosity.

Sand Angels

Be creative and make a sand angel or sand santa with your grandkids on the beach. If your creative abilities are not up to scratch, you could always walk the Malecon and watch the experts create life size nativity scenes and santas out of sand.

* Private chef service at Garza Blanca is not available for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.