Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - What sort of person is it that would open their heart and their home to a group of total strangers to visit for an hour or so a few times a season? The homeowners who support the Home Tours run by the International Friendship Club (IFC) are all very kind, charitable and supportive of the less fortunate people who live in Puerto Vallarta.

They all realize how lucky they are to live here in beautiful homes and so have decided to give back to the citizens of Puerto Vallarta. They know that all of the profits from the Home Tours are used by IFC to support medical, educational, social services and cultural organizations in town.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday mornings comfortable, air-conditioned buses, with knowledgeable docents aboard, take visitors to four different homes around town each one of which is unique in its architectural style, furnishings and setting. It's a great way to visit secluded parts of town and get a taste of life in the tropics. See ToursForVallarta.com.

Sam Leonard, the owner of the amazing Hacienda Mosaica, recently told me that she has been opening her home to the IFC Home Tours for about ten years. Not only does she want to give back to this wonderful city but also she gets a gets a rush from all the compliments she receives from the visitors. They are all in wonder of her beautiful property, pool, fountains and gardens. She enjoys meeting new people and helping the IFC.

Jean-Daniel Kermelly told me, "The reason why I open Villa Bahía to the International Friendship Club is because I believe it is important for everyone to give back to the community. We are very fortunate to call Puerto Vallarta home. Many people and organizations need our help so I like to help different charitable causes. The Home Tours have been very popular for many years. People like to discover different types of architecture and interior décor. Villa Bahía provides a Mexican contemporary architecture with a transitional décor to accentuate the Mexican artworks throughout the villa. Every year I open my doors to the IFC. I'm very happy to help the community through them."

Lionel Cunningham and Garin Bakel own two homes in Puerto Vallarta (Casa Owaissa and Casa de la Hoja). Not only do these gentlemen open their homes to the tours but when the medical team come to PV to operate on our cleft palate kids, the homes are used as accommodation by the surgeons and nurses. What a great contribution they make to the life of others!

Pat Bendix mentioned that she and her husband first started opening their two-bedroom home to the Home Tours in 1998 and have always appreciated all that IFC does in this community. Pat considers that she is a goodwill ambassador for Mexico and loves answering the many questions that people have about living here. During their travels around Mexico Pat and her husband purchased many items of Mexican folk-art such as woodcarvings, textiles, ceramics & masks and she enjoys discussing these with visitors.

Although IFC has wonderful support from our Homeowners, we are always appreciative of any new homes that can be added to our inventory. If you, or someone you know, is willing to open your home to the IFC Home Tour for just an hour or two once a month please contact Ann Boughn at aboughn(at)yahoo.com.

The IFC Home Tours leave at 10:30 every Tuesday and Wednesday morning from the Sea Monkey Restaurant, on Aquiles Serdan at Los Muertos Beach. It's best to book tickets before the tour as seating is limited and this can be done through the website ifctoursforvallarta.com.