With 13,263 new jobs registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute in February, a total of 31,557 new jobs were created in Jalisco in the first 2 months of the year. During this period, 287,573 new job openings were recorded nationwide, of which Jalisco contributed 11%.

With Semana Santa just around the corner, the Puerto Vallarta tourism sector is preparing for the massive arrival of visitors. Hoteliers are confident that occupancy rates will be similar to those registered a year ago, which vacillated between 85 and 90 percent.

Good news for Puerto Vallarta residents and visitors. The municipal government negotiated a deal with the telecommunications company Izzi to install open and free internet networks in high-traffic areas, including the Malecón, and they are now up and running!

Another section of the highway that will eventually create a shortcut from Guadalajara to Puerto Vallarta opened on March 1. This 30.8 kilometer stretch between La Florida and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle saves travelers another 30 minutes and further reduces travel time between this port city and the capital of Jalisco.

Puerto Vallarta will welcome twenty-two cruise ships in March, according to the API’s arrival calendar. This is in addition to the Mexican Navy ship Buque Zapoteco MI, which will berth in our port March 13-15, and the Attessa V super yacht, which will remain through March 16.

Despite the fact that cars whose license plates end with a 1 were required to have their vehicles inspected by February 28, the Responsible Vehicle Verification Center located at Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 244 in Puerto Vallarta has seen very few drivers complying with the requirement.

During last Friday's Comisión Edilicia de Hacienda (Building Finance Commission) work session, a proposal to provide free and mandatory English language classes to tourist police officers, and other public servants who are in direct contact with foreign citizens and tourists, was approved by a simple majority.

On Tuesday, February 28, SEAPAL will simultaneously connect new water lines at five points on Basilio Badillo street, which will cause water shortages from 9:00 am until 10:00 pm in the Emiliano Zapata, El Centro and 5 de Diciembre neighborhoods. At the same time, Basilio Badillo will be closed to traffic.

Due to the fact that, up until now, there has been no agreement between the Federal Commission for the Protection of Sanitary Risks and the Puerto Vallarta City Council on how to apply the new Anti-Tobacco regulations, municipal public servants - including Police officers - are prevented from enforcing it.

Puerto Vallarta is on the list of the most sought after sun and beach destinations by international travelers looking for a spring break getaway. According to Expedia analysis, Puerto Vallarta has been searched over 25% times more this year than it was last year.