Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Carnaval season is here and what a great time to be in Puerto Vallarta! Beads, candy, and king cake - all things that incite excitement and wonder to newcomers and old faithfuls alike.

Whether you choose to watch the CarnavalPV 2016 parade along the world-famous Malecón, on Olas Altas or other locations on the three-kilometer route, safety is our first and foremost concern. With that, Puerto Vallarta's transit department, in conjunction with the police, felt that our new route was potentially dangerous, with low-hanging wires, several turns, and major intersection crossings.

Since safety is our first and foremost concern, we have decided to keep our original route. (See map) Several of our long-time supporters in Colonia Emiliano Zapata are having CarnavalPV 2016 after-parties and dinner specials. We hope that you will support your favorite establishments.

The parade is just one of several activities taking place during the busy week.

CarnavalPV 2016 kicks-off at Art Vallarta (San Franciscan Hotel, Pilitas 213, Zona Romantica) with a Mask Making Workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 10 am. You'll design two special masks with the help of our artists for just $300 pesos.

Later that evening Art Vallarta will offer a FREE screening of Black Orpheus, a 1959 film made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus and starring Marpessa Dawn and Breno Mello. It is based on the play Orfeu da Conceição by Vinicius de Moraes, which is an adaptation of the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice, set in the modern context of a favela in Rio de Janeiro during Carnaval. The film was an international co-production between production companies in Brazil, France and Italy. The free film, showing at 7:00 pm, will be shown in Portuguese with English subtitles.

On Saturday, January 6th, the Jazz Foundation will hold a Jazz and Beer Festival from 5-8 pm to get you in the carnaval spirit. Additional activities for the kids, pet-lovers and 'party animals' round out the CarnavalPV festivities. For more information on these events as well as the Tuesday, February 9th parade, visit CarnavalPV.com.

Limited edition tee shirts are also on sale for just $150 pesos at PVRPV, Pino Suarez #210 at Francisco I. Madero, Zona Romantica, and at Saturday's Farmers' Market in Lazaro Cardenas Park.

For those participating in the parade, please respect this holy season of Lent and refrain from any entries displaying obscenity themes and nudity. If you haven't registered to be in the parade, visit our website and join in the fun!