Ready for a party?

Visit Mexico during an annual festival and you will have special insight into the country’s cultural traditions and heritage.  Mexico, of course, is a lot more than the sum of its beaches, as wonderful as they are.  And there’s no place better than Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Festival Capital, to experience that first hand, celebrating with locals as well as visitors.

Consider visiting:

Oct. 31-Nov 5 for Dios De Los Muertos complete with parades of skeleton dolls, traditional Day of the Dead observances, themed    art workshops and even an altar competition in the city square sponsored by the City of Puerto Vallarta.

Nov.12-23 for the International Gourmet Festival featuring 30 chefs, 350,000 foodies and a full schedule of tastings, culinary tours and themed nights—perfect for a couple or girlfriend getaway.

Dec 12 for the Fiesta de Guadalupe which honors the appearance of the “Queen of Mexico” in 1501 as well as the founding of Puerto Vallarta. There’s a midnight ceremony as she is serenaded by Mariachis and other performing artists. Hotels throughout the city honor her with statues and flowers; Celebrations include fireworks and all varieties of special Mexican foods.

Christmas is celebrated starting nine days before with Las Posadas processions that take place all along the streets.  Everyone gathers at El Centro, in the heart of historic downtown on Christmas Eve at Our Lade of Guadalupe church with pinatas and live music.

New Years means all of Puerto Vallarta gathering on the Malecon walkway along the ocean,  to watch the fireworks followed by music and dancing  in the streets of the Romantic Zone. Locals  honor the Catholic traditions of the Spaniards who first came centuries ago by eating the 12 grapes of happiness, one grape every time the clock strikes midnight.

The best part: The chance to be part of the community’s celebration.  Feel like a local—for a few days anyway!

Join us Thursday, October 8 from 8pm-9pm EDT to learn why @PuertoVallarta is ideal for that relaxing, yet active and healthy, family vacation you’ve been dreaming about.

Join us @TakingtheKids as we co-host the night with Kyle McCarthy @familytravel4um and TMS Family Travel (@TMSFamTrav) plus other great panelists and the Puerto Vallarta team.  All you have to do is follow the hashtag #FamTimePV to follow along, or add it to your tweets and comments so that everyone can hear your tips.

YOU CAN WIN A TRIP TO PUERTO VALLARTA

There will be great prizes, too: Chat participants will have the chance to win one of six prizes.  We will be giving away 4 Visit Puerto Vallarta Swag Bags as well as two Grand Prizes! The Grand Prizes* are a 3 night stay for 2 at The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta and a 3 night stay for 2 at the Hilton Puerto Vallarta. Both properties are all-inclusive.

NOTE!  To enter the prize giveaways, participants must follow @PuertoVallarta,@HyattPVZiva, and @HiltonVallarta.

Swag Bag winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Chat on October 8th.
Trip prize winners will be announced on Monday, October 12th.

*Trip does not include airfare

HOW TO JOIN A TWITTER CHAT

Here’s how the chat works:

1. Log in to Twitter at http://twitter.com before the chat starts at 8:00 PM ET.
2. Enter the hashtag #FamTimePV into the search bar and select the “All” search option to follow the char in real time (you will see all of the tweets coming in that incorporate that hashtag).
3. Remember to always add the hashtag #FamTimePV to your tweets.

We’ll see you there and look forward to hearing your tips.