Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The first stage of the new Puerto Mágico passenger terminal that is being built at the Puerto Vallarta cruise ship port will be operational this month, while the second phase of the project, which includes the "El Nido" shopping center and a 400 car parking lot, is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

According to the general director of Puerto Mágico PV, Carlos Gerard Guzmán, upon completion, the company will have invested around 200 million pesos in this passenger terminal that will welcome the thousands of international cruise ship passengers, in addition to better serving the thousands of tourists that use the services of local cruise companies that offer tours of Banderas Bay.

Guzmán, who is also a consignee agent of international cruises and president of the local National Chamber of Commerce (Canaco), said that this month's delivery of the first stage of the project conforms with the commitment made by President Enrique Peña Nieto and the federal government to modernize the port - back in 2015.

The Maritime Terminal renovation project comprises three phases: the Puerto Mágico passenger terminal and tourist services area, scheduled to open this month; the shopping center and parking area, expected to be fully operational before the end of this year - possibly in the month of November; and a world-class aquarium where more than 300 species will be exhibited, scheduled for completion in February of next year.

When completed, Puerto Vallarta's maritime terminal will become the first cruise ship port that is open to the general public, allowing both tourists and locals to enjoy the Hacienda, the shopping center and the aquarium; and a unique place that's sure to become another Puerto Vallarta icon.