Con el sol apenas asomándose por las majestuosas montañas de la sierra madre, una familia de  gélidas latitudes comienza una travesía en las pacificas aguas de la bahía de banderas, se dirigen al sur de la bahía , al paraíso escondido llamado las Caletas, su viaje no puede ser más ameno, cuidando que su experiencia sea placentera, trabajan diligentemente un pequeño grupo de hombres nacidos en la costa, tras el timón uno de los capitanes con mas horas  en altamar, su mirada vigilante observa el mar que ha sido la cuna de sus ancestros, y sus arrugas dejan ver la acción del sol , la sal y el trabajo duro a través de los años, sin embargo el y su tripulación  no pierden el sentido del humor y muestran siempre una sonrisa aperlada.

El desembarco es mágico, los sonidos de aves, y palmas mecidas por el viento crean una atmosfera mágica para esta pequeña familia, mientras papá se dirige al centro de buceo a explorar las maravillas de Neptuno, mamá disfruta de una sesión con un colaborador poco común, un lobo marino que hace las delicias de los niños, en el corazón de este bosque tropical, otros niños hacen amigos mientras atraviesan las instalaciones mediante tirolesas custodiadas por un selecto grupo de exploradoras que harán que los pequeños vivan su primer experiencia extrema,.

Los colores del mar, en contraste con el verdor del bosque crean un lienzo perfecto para que familias como esta se sientan inspiradas por la naturaleza.

Canopy Adventure Park guide since May, 2007

I'll start by describing the experience that working at this company has provided and the maturity I have gained working at the incredible Canopy Adventure Park.

When I was training to become a zip line and rappel guide, I had the opportunity to learn about different equipment, technology and techniques that I had never heard of before in my life.

It was amazing to get into the harness for the first time, climb the platforms and see everything from the treetops - 20 meters high being held by a simple harness, well for me it seems like a simple harness. But, this amazingly simple harness can hold tons and it made me feel safe; the little fear of heights I used to have, started to fade.

As time passes, and I work with more experienced guides, I realize the specialization the company offers and that the guests are, and always will be, the most important part of the tour.  Our guide's charisma and attention to details are outstanding.

Shortly thereafter I wanted to bring my friends and let them see the job I was performing. Most of all because I wanted them to see that my job was full of fun, and professionalism - all that characterizes Vallarta Adventures or course.

Almost one year had passed when suddenly we were told about a new route for the zip line tour - the Outdoor Adventure in CABO SAN LUCAS.  Immediately I joined for a chance to be in this new part of the company in Baja California Sur, Cabo Adventures.  To my surprise, I was one of the lucky ones that went to Cabo and started the Outdoor Adventure program; it was a six-month experience I'll never forget.

Working in the desert in the middle of nowhere, in 40 degrees Celsius temperatures almost made me say, this is not my thing. But to see the effort and will my mates showed made me want to continue and be part of the successful opening of this tour in a canyon know as the mouth of the mountain.

After being in Cabo for six months, I returned to the canopy tour team in Vallarta once again to be part of a new transformation. There was a total renovation and a reopening of the canopy tour now known as CANOPY ADVENTURE PARK.  It's not just the zip lines and rappels that already distinguished the tour, but a multi-activity park with hanging bridges, ladders over 20 feet high, and a Tarzan swing.I continue working with this exemplary company - a company that has allowed me to grow as a person and professional.

We are very pleased and proud to announce that our sister dolphin programs, Dolphin Adventure in Vallarta and Cabo Dolphins in Cabo, have jointly donated $100,000 USD to help complete a brand new assisted-living facility built to house the poorest and most destitute senior citizens of Baja California Sur.

The facility, San Vicente de Paul in La Paz, is scheduled to open in early March.  Very much in need, the facility will provide modern amenities and services to people who previously were facing desperate, uncertain and lonely futures.  The residents will now spend their remaining years in a secure, handicap-friendly assisted-living facility with all their needs met, including access to medical services, healthy meals and social programs.

Felipe Diez Canedo, CEO of Cabo Dolphins and Cabo Adventures, and Eduardo Segura, Managing Director of Cabo Dolphins and Cabo Adventures, met with the Governor of Baja California Sur, Ingeniero Narciso Agúndez Montaño, at San Vicente de Paul last week to present the check for $100,000 USD. "We give monthly free dolphin therapy to kids with disabilities (through DIF).  With this donation to San Vicente de Paul, we also focus on needy senior citizens at the end of their lives, helping to give them care, comfort and certainty in an otherwise gloomy, desperate future" said Diez Canedo.  "We are very happy to be able to give back to our community, and will keep doing it as best we can."

Dolphin Adventure, Cabo Dolphins and their affiliate companies, Vallarta Adventures and Cabo Adventures, are committed to "giving back" locally and globally. Whether we are working to help disadvantaged people, protect the world's fragile environment or provide the best vacation adventures for our guests - we take great pride in all of our efforts and are proud of our employees and the company.

Last May 8^th, once more Peace invited us to help!!!

Along with San Francisco people, Peace, and Home Depot we spent two days helping a small community school next to Punta de Mita.

Everyone had different tasks: dig, cut, paint... at the end we changed old tires and wire reels into beautiful chairs and tables, we were really excited as the school looked so beautiful with its colorful painted and decorated walls.

It was tons of fun and we learned that recycling such things as old tires helps us create useful products that can benefit our environment.

While most visitors to the Puerto Vallarta area have heard of Vallarta Adventures, the majority never know that one of the tour company's main objectives besides giving back to the ambient world around them is to continually work directly with local social programs and services for the less fortunate.

On Sunday, January 31st, Vallarta Adventures invited 450 children from Puerto Vallarta, Banderas Bay and Tepic, Nayarit to join them on a Humpback Whale Watching Adventure.

The young guests came from various backgrounds; children's homes, boarding schools, assisted living homes and children's shelters, many with physical or emotional challenges.In the morning you could feel the energy as the children from Tepic arrived on the buses that Vallarta Adventures arranged to transport them to their adventure.

Many of the children had never been on a boat before let alone had the enormous pleasure of going out on the ocean to see observe the Humpback Whales, dolphins and other marine life.The children excitedly boarded the catamarans and their voyage began with the staff presenting an educational program about the visiting whales and the importance of the protection and conservation of the inhabitants of the bay. The children participated by asking questions, intently listening and expressing amazing interest about the marine life and environment.

As they toured the bay, they enjoyed lunch and juice as they were greeted by many whales and their offspring, dolphins, sea turtles and birds.The children expressed that they had an unforgettable day and the true testament at the end of their adventure was the giant smiles that adorned their beautiful faces.

Participating Organizations:
Refugio Infantil "Santa Esperanza"
"Manos de Amor por Bahía"
"Arturo y los Hijos de Dios"
Casa Hogar "Agape"
"New Life Mexico"
"Children of the Dump"
"Pitillal busca un Amigo"
Asociación "Down"
Grupo CANICA (Centro de Atención de Niños con Cáncer)
DIF Bahía de Banderas
DIF Nayarit
Casa Infantil "Mojoneras"
Casa de Niños "Frank González", Tepic, Nayarit
Casa "Nana", Tepic, Nayarit
Internado "Juan Escutia", Tepic, Nayarit

What started out as a normal morning of whale watching out on the Bay of Banderas turned into a rescue mission to release two whales entangled in an illegal fishing net.

Around 11:00 AM, on January 28^th, 2010, a tour boat on the way to Islas Marietas spotted a humpback whale and her calf appearing to struggle and behave abnormally on the top of the ocean's surface. After approaching the whales cautiously, the boat crew confirmed that the whales were indeed entangled in a giant fishing net and would need to be rescued.

Vallarta Adventures, an eco-tour provider in Puerto Vallarta, heard the radio call about the distressed whales and their team of Marine Animal Rescue staff immediately sprang into action to assist in the rescue and recovery of the trapped whales.

Enroute, the Vallarta Adventure's team met up with the Mexican Navy, where Lieutenant Luis Vidal boarded the Vallarta Adventures' boat to assist in liberating the pair.

Once they reached the distressed whales they were able to asses that the mother was entangled from tip to tail in the illegal fishing net and that her calf was also becoming entangled as it swam closer to its mother. 

With all hands and arms into the water at once, everyone began grabbing the fishing net, ropes and buoys that encompassed the pair. Once the whales started to get untangled from the net, they began to move about which made the effort to free them completely even more difficult and dangerous.

With persistence and quick action, the staff and Naval officer quickly removed the offending net from the whales and within an hour, the pair was safe and free, gloriously swimming off into the Bay.

Vallarta Adventures has in the last decade assisted many entangled or trapped sea turtles, whales, dolphins and manta rays as well as providing rehabilitation and veterinary assistance to marine and land animals. Most recently, Vallarta Adventures has been rehabilitating a sea lion found on the beach in Nuevo Vallarta.

To learn more about the whales that visit our area, year after year, please see our whale watching guide.

We receive a lot of emails from guests wanting to know what to wear or what to pack for when they participate in our Outdoor Adventure or visit our Canopy Adventure Park. And while we do have this info within our website I am going to expand a little bit further in this blog article.

The #1 rule is to dress comfortably and correctly. While the sundress or flip-flips may look great on you at the beach, neither are going to work for you when you zip from tree to tree or rappel down a waterfall.

We suggest you wear shorts, (but not too short as the harness and equipment sometimes make the shorts “ride up” and that is just not pretty or comfortable) and a cool top or T-shirt. And not “cool” as in; “Hey now that’s a really cool shirt!” but as in lightweight and light in color. But, if you happen to have one that is both, be sure to wear it because then you’ll be double-y “cool” for all of the photo opportunities.

If you are going on the Outdoor Adventure, you can bring with a change of clothes and we will provide a place to store them. We encourage this as you probably will get wet and if you want to do some extra exploration in town or a grab cold beverage after the tour, you may want to change clothes.

Next: closed toe shoes. You can wear tennis shoes, hiking boots, even bowling shoes if you like as long as they have a little traction. Keep in mind that they may get wet, so I wouldn’t pack the Prada sneakers if were you.

While we recommend closed toe shoes in general, we also allow any kind of strap-on athletic sandal like a Teva or Keen.

Basically flip-flops are a “NO-GO” but anything that is comfortable, stays on and protects your feet is what is important.

We want to make sure you do not lose your shoes when you zip line or rappel and stub your toe on a platform or a rock. If by chance you forget to pack proper shoes, there are plenty of stores in town that sell appropriate footwear and we also sell water shoes at our two gift shops that work well for this adventure and most others.

The next item on our list is insect repellent.

Yes, we have mosquitoes all year long in the area, although certain times of the year we have more than other times. Out in the lush tropical jungles where our adventures will take you, there will more than likely be some mosquitoes. You can buy insect repellent all over Puerto and Nuevo Vallarta. Most stores from OXXO, to a farmacia (drug store) to your hotel gift shop will have it. No need to pack it unless you have a brand you prefer.  Brands here are Off, Bye-Bye, Autlan and a few others. All are safe to use.

Keep in mind you may want to give yourself a good coat of it before you dress because mosquitoes are sneaky and seek out any exposed skin. Bring the spray with and give yourself another dose before you do the tour. The guides will give you a “Last call for Bug Spray” warning as we do not allow any insect repellent to be used after a certain point as it can damage the safety equipment.

We provide a lock-up bin and secure lockers for items you cannot or do not want to bring with you on the actual zip line tour, such as insect repellent, camera, hats, sunglasses, change of clothes and other personal items.

Other suggestions are if you are planning on going on either tour in the early morning from December through April, you may want to wear a light jacket or sweater, especially for the boat ride or ride to the Canopy Adventure Park in the back of the Unimog as it can be chilly sometimes.

If you wear glasses or prescription sunglasses, you may want to wear an eye-glass bungee to keep them secure especially if they are loose. Non-prescription sunglasses are not allowed and not needed and can be locked up with your other personal items.

You can wear a hat to and from the tour but we provide you with a bandana and a zip-line helmut to wear during the actual tour. The hat can be locked up in the secure bin/locker.

The other thing we suggest you pack and wear are your “Adventure Boots”. This is the invisible footwear that is spirited, spunky, curious, energetic and goes with any outfit, tour and fits all sizes.

NUEVO VALLARTA, MEXICO
JAN. 24, 2009 – Mexican Navy officials, along with local marine mammal experts, teamed up to free a Humpback whale from a life-threatening entanglement Friday afternoon. Members of the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), Vallarta Adventures and Instituto Technológico del Mar (ITMAR) collaborated and successfully disentangled a fishing line from the whale. The rescue mission took place in the North part of the Bay of Banderas, near Destiladeras beach.

Click on the image to start playing the video (10 min.) of the rescue operation.

The whale was entangled in 1/8 inch diameter “longline” and had hooks in the tail, pectoral fins and baleen (whalebone in upper jaws). A longline, also known as ´simbra´, is a high resistance commercial deep sea fishing line that uses hundreds or even thousands of baited hooks hanging from a single line, sometimes over a mile in length.

The whale was first spotted Jan. 22 around 2pm CT in front of Four Seasons Resort (near Punta de Mita) by Mexican Navy – Military Zone 8, lead by LT Luis Vidal. After a quick evaluation by PROFEPA (Mexican Environment Enforcement Agency), it was decided to set-up a rescue network and request assistance from Vallarta Adventures and ITMAR, local marine mammal experts.

Ricardo Rebolledo, Marine Mammal Specialist of Vallarta Adventures stated:  “Thursday we were alerted by PROFEPA who told us of an entangled whale that was entangled by a large quantity of deep sea fishing line. The Authorities were coordinating the rescue operation of the whale and asked us to join the rescue effort. We arrived on location at 4:30pm CT.”

A second evaluation took place in order to thoroughly determine all circumstances. The condition of the animal was assessed as life-threatening. The situation appeared to be even more delicate than expected, since the whale happened to be a nursing mother.  Fortunately her baby was swimming freely, unwrapped, around her. However, the lives of both animals were still in risk because of the calf being in the critical stage of learning how to breathe.

The process of cutting a large, free-swimming whale, is also extremely dangerous for the people involved. Many amateur rescuers have either died or been critically injured in attempts to free animals. Despite good weather conditions, the timing (only one hour left till dusk) and the rough waters combined with high tide made the operation too risky for both animals and humans. At 6:20pm CT the operation was postponed and a buoy was attached to the whale, to accurately keep track of the position for returning rescuers the following day.

Thanks to the tracking buoy, no precious time was wasted and the whale was located quickly Friday morning by the Mexican Navy. She was swimming in front of Destiladeras beach. Vallarta Adventures and ITMAR, each supplying a boat, joined the Mexican Navy at 9:00am CT. While the Mexican Navy coordinated the movements of the whales with two boats, three diving instructors and a marine mammal expert of Vallarta Adventures tried to get rid of most of the material that was handicapping the whale. The whole operation had to be done with extreme care to avoid any stress on her calf.

Friday at 1:30pm CT the mother was successfully disentangled and swam away free with her baby. This is the 1st successful disentanglement in Bay of Banderas this whale season. For Vallarta Adventures it is the 3rd time to be successfully involved in a disentanglement operation since the start of their Marine Mammal Rescue Program 5 years ago.

While the sight of a helpless animal wounded or dying can be touchingly painful and provoke feelings of frustration or “the need to help”, please be aware that in Mexico it is illegal for anyone without a governmental authorization to handle a marine mammal.

Each winter, Humpback whales migrate south from their Arctic feeding grounds to bread and rear their young in the sheltered waters of Banderas Bay, making it one of North America’s premier whale watching sites. Every year when the Humpback whales come back they arrive singing their latest hit!

A Humpback Whale (megaptera novaeangliae) flukes down in Banderas Bay.

Males sing during the breeding season
Both male and female Humpback whales produce sounds to communicate. However, only males produce the more complex songs for which the Humpbacks are famous. The long, complex songs can only be heard during the breeding season (from mid-December untill the end of March in Banderas Bay).  The song lasts more than 10 minutes and is repeated constantly, sometimes for over 24 hours. The whale comes only to the surface every 15 minutes to breathe.

Why are they singing?
Even though Humpback whales are the most studied of the large whales and have been studied for over 50 years, the purpose of their song is still not well understood. The purpose is most likely sexual: attracting a mate and displacing or deterring competitors. Or it might function to keep other whales away from a mother and calve while a male is escorting them during the migration journey.

How can whale songs be heard and recorded?
The Humpback whale song can be heard at distances up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) by using hydrophone. A hydrophone is a device which can be used to listen to underwater sounds and record those.
 

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Hydrophone (underwater microphone)

Vallarta Adventures has a hydrophone and records the singing Humpback whales every season. Whale songs are often used in music for mediation because some people believe the Humpback whale songs have an healing effect on humans.

Sit back, relax and enjoy listening to “the most elaborate single display of any animal species” (Wilson, 1975).

 Click here to listen to Singing Humpback Whales in Banderas Bay

(Source with this article: ´Singing Humpback Whales Associate with Mothers and Calves´by The Whaleman Foundation , Ocean Mammal Institute and Albright College.)

Vallarta Adventures GUARANTEES whale sightings!
Banderas Bay is approximately 500 square miles in area. Finding whales in this massive territory is challenging every time again, since the whales keep moving. Vallarta Adventures is convinced in its ability to find whales. We GUARANTEE whale sightings in January and February. If you book one of our Whale Watching tours and don´t see a whale, you can come for FREE again!

Book online NOW and save 10%!

Vallarta Adventures Whale Photo Safari

Whale Photo Contest: Win $500 USD!
A photo captures a single moment in time, and Vallarta Adventures Whale Photo Safari is a specialized excursion designed to capture the magical moment when you encounter wild dolphins and majestic Humpback whales in Banderas Bay. The essence of the Whale Photo Safari is to find the wildlife and enjoy those precious moments when you can sit peacefully and watch the whales and dolphins play, breach, or just hang out.
Did you know that many of the photos used in our articles were actually taken by our guests during one of our whale watching tours?

Send us your pictures from your whale watching tour in Puerto Vallarta and not only will you have the chance to win $500, you will also help us catalog the whales which visit Banderas Bay each year.

Imagine yourself going "off the beaten track" and navigating the south shores of Puerto Vallarta for a full day on a private, exclusive beach where nature and fun is our top priority.

Explore Las Caletas with the multi activities that are included as Yoga, Snorkelling, Kayaking, Paella Cooking Lesson, Guided Nature Walk, Parrot and Monkey Encounter and more. Relax in a hammock or enjoy a special massage at our Hilltop Spa.

Learn about the history of Las Caletas by visiting our John Huston Museum.  For nature lovers, don’t miss the guided nature walk that visits our Orchidarium.

After a day to Las Caletas you will know what paradise on earth is. Explore Las Caletas with the multi activities that are included as Yoga, Snorkelling, Kayaking, Paella Cooking Lesson, Guided Nature Walk, Parrot and Monkey Encounter and more. Relax in a hammock or enjoy a special massage at our Hilltop Spa.

BOOK LAS CALETAS NOW

Las Marietas is all about whales, wild dolphins, turtles, manta rays, birds, kayaks, snorkel, diving and so much more. Be amazed by the Marine life of the Bay of Banderas by reaching this UNESCO protected nature reserve. Jack Cousteau was one of the people that helped achieve preservation status back in the 70’s.

Now, more than a catamaran day trip you will have the opportunity to discover the marine life with our guided snorkeling or scuba diving tour. Kayak under the islands arches and look for the extensive bird life including the blue footed boobie, brown boobie and magnificient frigate bird.

“For years I have gone on whale watching excursions only to be disappointed. My Vallarta-Adventures trip on Friday was breathtaking and one always to be remembered -Thank you.” - Rebecca Griffith

Early December the humpback whales from Alaska come to the Bay of Banderas to give birth to their calves. This is the best time for whale watching because they are really active and you can see them jumping completely out of the water. Try our Whale Photo Safari tour, the Marietas Eco Discovery and Sea safari tour to feel the real experience. All of our guides onboard have a special training to answer all your questions about the whales. The highlight of the season!

Click here for more information on Marietas Eco Discovery.
Book online now and immediately save 10%!

By day the tropical beach of Las Caletas, only accessible by sea, is the ultimate hideaway to relax under the sound of swaying palms. When the night falls it transforms into a mystical paradise: flickering torches, enticing flavors and aromas, hypnotizing dances and rhythmic drumbeats find their way into the secret places of the visitor´s soul.

The magical change in appearance of Las Caletas from day to night triggered the curiosity of Cynthia Beare of Vallarta Lifestyles Magazine. After exploring Las Caletas by day and swimming with the sea lions last May, she returned August 20th and left no stone unturned. She hunted around Caletas armed with her notebook, digital recorder and camera crew, to personally discover and experience the mystical forces going on behind the scenes of this transformation. 

The secrets behind Rhythms of the Night are unveiled here: ´If It Looks That Easy, It Probably Isn´t!´

Imagine yourself going ¨off the beaten track¨ and navigating the south shores of Puerto Vallarta for a full day on a private, exclusive beach where nature and fun is the priority.

Explore Las Caletas with the multi activities that are included as Yoga, Snorkelling, Kayaking, Paella Cooking Lesson, Guided Nature Walk, Parrot and Monkey Encounter and more. Relax in a hammock or enjoy a special massage at our Hilltop Spa.

Learn about the history of Las Caletas by visiting our John Huston Museum.  For nature lovers, don’t miss the guided nature walk that visits our Orchidarium.

After a day to Las Caletas you will know what paradise on earth is.

To see the Map of Las Caletas go to http://www.adventures-vallarta.com/Imag/Caletas_map.jpg

Vallarta Adventures

Cabo Adventures

Come to chat with your guides on Facebook. Already the page for Canopy, Outdoor and Sierra Madre are available. Post your pictures and your comments.  To become a friend on Facebook send an email to marketing@vallarta-adventures.com

Adventure Weddings offer your ¨dreams come true¨ tropical celebration. Getting married with us is all about having what YOU desire on your wedding day. Go where magic, romance and endless adventures await you.

Contact the Adventure Weddings Team  now or visit our website:  Vallarta http://adventureweddingspv.com/ or Cabo http://www.adventureweddingscabo.com/