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When traveling to Mexico there are important considerations to keep in mind. In order to make your trip as relaxing and stress-free as possible it is wise to acquaint yourself with local requirements, rules, and customs to avoid any unnecessary delays or problems while on vacation.

The following is a list of things to help you plan a trip to Mexico.

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Festival of the Virgin of Guadalupe

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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The 12th of December is the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, one of the most important holidays of the year in Latin countries. Puerto Vallarta has one of the largest celebrations for a full 12 days from December 1-12th, ending with an all night spectacular including parades and fireworks.

This is a Religious Festival, but like so many other celebrations in Mexico it is a colorful blend of beliefs from the Catholic Church and pre-Hispanic Indigenous peoples. A similar example is with Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) being incorporated with All Saints and All Souls Days of the Catholic Church. As well as the Festival for the Virgin of Guadalupe is in early December and close to Christmas you might see a bit of Christmas infusion. On any given night during the Festival you might see a pilgrimage to the church with floats with the Virgin of Guadalupe, Indian dancers and a few people wearing santa hats.

It is part of the charm of Mexico and especially Puerto Vallarta. As well The Virgin of Guadalupe is a popular figure in art, from paintings and historic church pieces to T-shirts and even painted fake fingernails.

The History of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The history behind the celebration shows how the Catholic faith was embraced by the Mexican people. It has as much historical significance as religious signfigance, it changed the history yof Mexico. It is a story of faith and miracles that won the hearts of the people of Mexico.

In the year 1532, Juan Diego, a converted Catholic, who had been an Aztec witnessed a vision of the Virgin Mary. In his vision the Virgin Mary told him to advise the local Catholic Bishop to build a church on the site of an old pagan temple. The Bishop Juan de Zumárraga, listened to Juan Diego’s story and but wanted proof of the sighting before he would go forward and build the church. .

On December 12th, while enroute to speak to a priest regarding last rites for his dying uncle, Juan Diego again had the vision. This time the Virgin Mary promised his uncle would recover and that she would send a sign to prove her presence.

In the vision Mary instructed Diego to go to Tepeyac Hill to pick roses and place them in his cloak. It was winter and not a time for roses to be blooming, but Juan Diego found the roses and did as he had been instructed. When he met with the Bishop and opened his cloak it was imprinted with the image of the Virgin Mary. This very item is still displayed in the shrine to Guadalupe at the Basilica.

To commemorate this day, thousands of people travel to Mexico each year on December 12th to pay tribute to La Virgen Morena and party in the square in front of the Basilica. In other parts of Mexico the religious pilgrims walk for 10 or more miles to show their devotion but presenting flowers and gifts to the Virgin of Guadalupe in the church. In 2002, Juan Diego was officially recognized as a saint in his own right for participating in this miracle.

This is a very special time to be in Puerto Vallarta, so make plans now to visit from December 1^st- 12^th. The last days of the celebration are the best, so make plans now to visit. The Celebration takes place in the historic downtown with parades and pilgrims walking from the north or south of town to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and food stalls along the streets selling everything from Tacos to deep fried Bananas a local treat. So if you want to enjoy every minute of this special time you might want to stay in the historic downtown in a luxury vacation rental villa like Casa Tabachin just a few steps from all of the charm of the festival. Or if you want to be close enough to walk to the festival or be able to enjoy from the terrace of your private luxury villa you might choose Casa Paraiso, Casa Ileana or Casa Coco. For more information go to Beston Properties website or contact us at info@bestonproperties.com