Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. So we've put together a brief overview of some of this week's news headlines from local Spanish language publications, a few breaking news stories, and some not-to-be-missed upcoming events.

Vallarta Restaurant Week Returns May 15-31st

From May 15th-31st, for the ninth year in a row, some of the most recognized restaurants in Puerto Vallarta will once again be offering special three-course menus, with three choices per course, at fixed prices of either $189 or $299 pesos. Thirty-five restaurants will participate in this year's edition of one of Vallarta’s most important culinary events, seven of which are first-time participants. Many venues will also feature live entertainment to enhance your dining pleasure. Stay tuned to Banderas News for more information and restaurant menu previews.

Puerto Vallarta Sweepstakes Promotions

The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board started promoting seven sweepstakes as of April 1st in an effort to increase its presence in the niche markets the tourism board has identified as natural or potential markets for the destination, including adventure, boomers, family travel, gastronomy, Latinos, LGBT, and romance. The sweepstakes will be promoted in consumer media read by different niche markets the destinations is looking to attract, including Afar Magazine, Outside Magazine, Zoomers, International Living, Healthy Aging, USA Today, NBC, Telemundo, Spanish Broadcasting Systems (LaMega and Amor in NYC), Out Magazine, Passport Magazine, Xtra! and The Knot.

GMC Vallarta 2013 Triathlon, April 28th

Over 1000 athletes will take part in this year’s GMC Vallarta 2013 Triathlon on April 28th, which will include an Olympic triathlon, in which participants will swim 1500 meters, cycle 40 km, and run 10 km., and a Sprint triathlon, in which participants will swim, cycle, and run half those distances. The triathlon will get underway at 8:00 am at the API (Integral Port Administration) with the swim portion of the competition. The biking and running segments will tentatively close the center lanes of Francisco Medina Ascencio from Plaza Neptuno to the Agustín Flores Contreras Sports Complex. There will also be closings on the lateral road from Plaza Neptuno to Plaza Península, as well as Río Amazonas, Grandes Lagos, and Tules Streets in the Fluvial neighborhood.

El Salado Digital Photography Workshop

From May 8th through 11th, local biologist and the founder and manager of Viva Natura, an online source on the Biodiversity of Mexico, Petr Myska, will lead a digital photography workshop at the Puerto Vallarta Convention Center with hands-on training at the adjacent Estero el Salado. The workshop will consist of four sessions, covering everything from photographic equipment, theory and light management to field practice on the trails and channels of Puerto Vallarta's ecological protected area, the El Salado Estuary. Registration fees are $900 pesos if paid before April 30th. Fees go up to $1,600 pesos on May 1st, and the class is limited to 20 participants - so register TODAY! For more details and/or registration information, call (322) 226-2878 or email info(at)esterodelsalado.org.

Upcoming Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around the Bay
Click on titles for more information

• 7th Annual Puerto Vallarta Folkloric Dance Festival

• La Santa Cruz Festivities Through May 3rd

• 9th Altruism Festival for Vallarta Charities

• Vallarta Bugambilia Festival, May 17-25th

Don't forget to vote for your favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurants in our 2013 Best of Banderas Bay Awards, right HERE on BanderasNews.com. We'll be collecting your votes in categories ranging from 'Best Breakfast' to 'Best Margarita' through December 31st, and the Puerto Vallarta restaurant with the most votes in each category will be named 'The Best of Banderas Bay' at an awards ceremony in early 2014. Click HERE to vote NOW!