Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - It's the time of year many of us look forward to annually: the summer vacation, which has us thinking about traveling. So we are doing something a little different with this week's Banderas News brief. We are dedicating it to travel... to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, of course!

Whether you are looking for a great deal on flights or the perfect place to stay on your Vallarta-Nayarit vacation, we've got the scoop! And to get you so excited that you can't wait to book your trip, we are also including a couple of upcoming local events that you won't want to miss!

Alaska Introduces Flights from Portland to Vallarta

Customers can now book travel on Alaska Airlines new nonstop flights from Portland, Ore., to Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Pending approval by the Mexico Direccion General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC), the airline plans to begin seasonal service between Portland and Los Cabos from November 3, 2014 through April 27, 2015, and between Portland and Puerto Vallarta from November 4, 2014 through April 26, 2015. Alaska is offering introductory fares of $176 one way from Portland to Los Cabos, and $186 one way from Portland to Puerto Vallarta, on tickets purchased by July 14, for travel from the service start date through February 10, 2015. Restriction apply. Visit alaskaair.com for more details.

Casa Velas Makes Expedia Insiders’ Select List

Casa Velas has been named one of the select properties on Expedia Insiders’ Select list for 2014, an annual ranking of the best reviewed hotels as determined by one of the world’s largest full-service online travel sites. Pulling from nearly two million annual verified guest reviews, the Insiders’ Select list recognizes the top ranked hotels available worldwide on Expedia. The 2014 list names only 650 hotels as Insiders’ Select hotels from among the more than 290,000 bookable properties available on Expedia, Inc. websites worldwide. "The hotels included in the Insiders’ Select list represent the best of the best in the eyes of Expedia travelers," said John Morrey, Vice President and General Manager, Expedia.com. "This list recognizes the hotels around the world that have worked to provide outstanding value and customer service, as well as regularly exceed guest expectations. Expedia strives to empower travelers with the best possible accommodation on any budget, and the Insiders’ Select list is another tool they can use to make more informed travel decisions," he added.

Interjet, the low cost Mexican airline, has launched a new seasonal route between the beach town of Puerto Vallarta and the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende. This new direct flight will take travelers from the city of Leon, an hour and a half from San Miguel de Allende, to Puerto Vallarta in ninety minutes. Flights, which start at $100 USD each way, will depart from El Bajio on Thursdays at 8 am and arrive in Puerto Vallarta at 9 am; flights from Puerto Vallarta will depart Thursdays at 9:25 and Sundays at 9:15, arriving an hour later in El Bajio. Tickets may be purchased at interjet.com, by calling 1-866-285-9525 toll free, or through travel agencies.

Matlali, The Riviera Nayarit’s Preferred Boutique Hotel

Matlali Ocean Front Villas is the newest hotel to open on the Riviera Nayarit positioned within the Premium Segment. These luxury villas are located in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and are the only ones in the area to belong to the exclusive Preferred Boutique group. There are 650 Preferred hotels around the world, divided among six different brands. In Mexico there are a total of 39 properties branded by the Preferred Hotel Group, among them the Four Seasons Punta Mita and Villa La Estancia Nuevo Vallarta. Matlali is part of the Preferred Boutique group, of which there are 162 on the planet and only six in Mexico. "We belong to this category because we’re a small hotel with a very high level of service and excellent facilities," said Raúl Núñez, General Manager of Matlali. "We believe and have faith the luxury market we cater to is ample enough to receive us and the destination and the property have the required amenities to reach it," he added. For more details on the hotel, visit matlali.com.

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

• 2014 Optimist North American Championship at VYC

• Second Annual Punta Mita Beach Festival July 17-20

• Puerto Vallarta Hook the Cure Tournament, Nov. 6-9