Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The modernization and expansion of Puerto Vallarta's maritime terminal is underway. Next year, it will resemble a traditional Mexican hacienda that, in addition to comfortable services for cruisers, will house a tequila museum, shopping center, aquarium, walkways with sculptures and fountains, and parking for 400 vehicles.

Based on the federal government's intention to modernize the country's port terminals, a group of investors participated in and won the national bidding contest for three projects - the passenger terminal and tourist services area; the aquarium; and the shopping center and parking area.

Puerto Mágico PV, a sister company and subsidiary of Vallarta Shorex, won the bidding contest for two of the three tenders, the Hacienda, which houses the API/VAL passenger terminal and tourist services area, and the "El Nido" shopping center.

According to the general director of Puerto Mágico PV, Carlos Gerard Guzmán, the company will invest close to 300 million pesos in the 25,000 m² area that will house the Hacienda and El Nido, both of which will generate direct and indirect jobs.

He explained that construction of the new port terminal began two months ago, and the construction of the first phase of the Hacienda began on June 15. He estimates that the first phase will take approximately six months to complete. Then they will begin the next stage, which includes the construction of the "El Nido" shopping center and the 400 car parking lot.

"These projects will generate a greater influx of tourists and locals, which will benefit local tourism service providers, merchants and the community in general. It will also put Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and Mexico in the spotlight, as it will be the only port in Mexico and Latin America with a Mexican hacienda that houses a Tequila museum and a world-class aquarium," Gerard said.

"The modernized port will be world-class with the main objective being more competitive by offering new attractions, increasing cruise ship companies' interest in sailing to this destination; bringing in new, and attracting more, investment; and creating new jobs. But, at the same time, we are making history and a real difference in Puerto Vallarta," Gerard Guzmán added.

The opening of the new facilities is planned for 2018, however, construction times may vary due to diverse factors such as weather. When completed, Puerto Vallarta's maritime terminal will be the first cruise ship port that is open to the general public, allowing both tourists and locals to enjoy the Hacienda, the tequila museum, the shopping center and the aquarium.

The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust congratulates the investors, with the certainty that Puerto Mágico will undoubtedly be a unique place that will substantially improve the cruise experience. With a gastronomic walk, an art center, local crafts and culture in a very Mexican setting, it will soon become another Puerto Vallarta icon that offers visitors a modern and comfortable playground.