Puerto Vallarta Real Estate Articles

Within the Bay of Banderas, there are private villas and a few select penthouses for sale for one million US dollars and up. To qualify for this exclusive category, these homes offer the ultimate luxury in finishes, furnishings, and location. These properties compare with high-end real estate anywhere in the world. The north and south ends of Banderas Bay currently have the majority of million dollar homes for sale.

On the edge of the cove at Mismaloya, a villa is perched on the cliff overlooking the ocean. This contemporary, sleek white sculpture has five bedrooms with staff quarters, infinity pool, and an enormous sun deck. The furnishings include native fabrics and furniture, with eclectic accents from Africa and Bali. Priced at $2,750,000US.

On the road to Boca de Tomatlan, villas spilled down the hillside offering views from every room. Their value is based on their unique location and limited supply. These homes have three or more bedrooms, swimming pools, and separate staff quarters. Prices begin at a million dollars. There are now several ocean front lots for sale near the set of the “Night of the Iguana on the south end of the cove.

The shoreline on the south is steep in most places, laden with granite. Some of the massive boulders become an architectural element to the home. The complexity of design of the foundations and water systems limit successful construction to experienced, professional architects, engineers and builders.

One example of a successful collaboration is three magnificent villas clustered on the granite hillside overlooking Los Arcos. The youngest sister is most colorful with native fabrics in vibrant hues, pastel walls, and sculptured metal staircase railings. She is $1,950,000US. One of her most unique features is the clear glass folding doors spanning the living and dining area, allowing unobstructed views of the bay.

The middle sister provides privacy for her guests in the four beautiful bedroom suites. Her large living area overlooks the infinity pool out to the ocean. Her price is $1,750,000US. The eldest sister is the largest of the three. Her palapa architecture fits perfectly into the Cliffside boulders. She can be purchased for $2,195,000US. Perhaps some enterprising type will see the advantage in buying all three villas, thereby owning a unique 12-bedroom boutique hotel.

A few building sites are available on this south side . These villas will overlook the Los Arcos national park where pelicans roost and snorkeling and scuba diving are popular.

Driving north from Mismaloya into Vallarta, you pass a luxury, gated community across from the Los Gemelas Beaches. This private enclave provides large green spaces and a children’s playground within its common areas. Building sites are designed to protect view and privacy. The beaches of Gemelas are within a short walking distance.

Within this private community, an existing hacienda home where all the four bedrooms feature views, can be purchased for $1,195,000US. For under $1,000,000US each, two custom designed four bedroom homes are also on the market. Two new stunning villas of 5,600s.f. -6,700 s.f. rest on large lots. They are professionally designed, built and furnished down to the silver and glassware in the kitchen. These two new homes are priced at $1,695,000US and $1,795,000US.

As you drive closer into downtown Vallarta, you approach Conchas Chinas. On the waterside, there are some large estates, some 30 years old with as much as 1,121 square meters of land. With five bedrooms and 7 baths, one estate is $2,200,000US and can be further developed if the new owner chooses. Another selection is a waterfront estate of over 4,000 square meters of land at $2,800,000US. The Mexican colonial style villa on this parcel of land has four terraced living levels with five and a half bedrooms, seven baths.

One of the new homes on the Conchas Chinas beach includes three master suites, a gourmet kitchen with limestone counter top, hand carved stone fountains and infinity pool. A private elevator and staircase take you to the sandy beach. This home is$1,750,000US and is almost 5,000 s.f. of construction, including terraces.

Nearby is a luxury duplex with both sides large enough to be estates in themselves. Tropical gardens accent the inside- outside living of the four bedroom, five-bath villa. Much of the7,500 s.f. within the home showcases the large original art collection. The art is included in the $2,750,000US price.

Nearby, priced at $5,750,000US is one of the most luxurious beach estates in Vallarta. With 15,000 s.f. of construction, it includes seven bedrooms and 9 baths, two heated pools and one of a kind furnishings.

High in the hills of upper Conchas Chinas, you may select a luxury estate of over 22,000 s.f. which has 11 bedrooms and 14 baths. This Riviera-style villa has 4 jacuzzis, a palapa patio, large swimming pool, and a large, gracious living area with fireplace. There is a trained staff of 6 to provide top end service, and a 6 car parking area for your friends and family. $3,300,000US.

In upper Conchas Chinas, you can enjoy the breath-taking view from a huge palapa roof spanning five bedrooms for $1,075,000US. Your choices also include a home tucked away at the end of a private street with over 10,000 s.f. of living area, including an enormous terrace with pool and swim up bar.

Also in upper Conchas Chinas, there are two large, multi-level homes for $1,200,000US and $1,749,000US, which feature views of downtown Vallarta and the bay. For $1,950,000US you can own an 18th century style new hacienda built on one of the highest points in Conchas Chinas. Four plus bedrooms and 7.5 baths are just part of the charm. Gourmet kitchen and courtyard pools are important features in this antique-furnished home.

Driving toward the plaza and the malecon, you pass a new 6 bedroom, 6.5 bath, four level-home with elevator and indoor pond. On this beach, the snorkeling is great. Offered at $2,395,000US. You also drive past a 10 bedroom, 14- bath estate, with a water fall feature within the large swimming pool. A double-gated drive marks your entry into this villa. The master suite takes up an entire floor and has its own private pool as well as wide terraces to enjoy ocean views. $1,750,000US.

As you reach downtown, the mountain of Alta Vista rises above the city. Here the views include the entire bay and the village of Vallarta. Five bedroom and 6 baths are designed for gracious living in this contemporary villa with barrel - vaulted roofline. A private office and large parking garage sit underneath the home. The enclosed adjacent space can become a private art gallery, library or gymnasium. This new home $1,500,000US furnished, including original art, and has a pool large enough to swim laps.

There are at approximately 25 homes to select from in this price range on the southside of Vallarta.*

Midway up the north end of the bay, just past the fishing village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, is a private community with an exclusive beach club of ocean- side pools, tennis courts and gym. There will be 56 residences here when this gated community is completed. The infrastructure includes underground services, and high-speed telephone lines. Interior roads and pathways are lined with stone designs created by Mexican artisans. The architecture tends toward the openness and bright colors of Carreyes. Home sites range from $360,000US up and homes are from $1,300,000US.

The jewel of the north end of Punt Mita is a vast planned community of 1,600 acres on a peninsula, surrounded by white beaches and native plants. Sports facilities include a private beach club, tennis center, equestrian center, skeet shooting, jogging and hiking trails. One 19-hole championship golf course is already built and two more 18-hole private courses are planned. Sixty-five private villas are currently offered from 3,000-4,000 s.f. at $1,600,000US-$2, 600,000US. Rancho estates include 20 residential home sites. Lagos Del Mar Estates offers 32 homes sites.

In the north end of the bay, there are some beautiful large tracts of land for sale. 20,000 square meters of oceanfront has blue-green water, and white sand beach with utilities to the site. $2,950,000US.

In La Cruz, there is a 12,239 square meter site with 125 metes of beachfront. $1,950,000US.

On the Pacific Ocean, you can own 17,303 square metes of a secluded site with 600 ft. of sandy beach frontage for $1,730,000US. Near Sayulita, there are 7 hectares of land with views of the mountains for $1,477,000US.

One of the most unusual and aesthetic homes on the north has been built with multiple buildings, and several water features. The owner wanted a feeling of coming upon a ruin that would become a unique home for he and his family. The new and the old are combined to create a unique compound overlooking the cliff in this gated community of less than a dozen homes. 10,000 s.f. with 5 bedroom, 6 baths, this very unique home is priced at $2,750,000US. Other choices on the south end include a 12-bedroom 14-bath ocean front hotel for $1,400,000US in La Cruz or two estates in Bucerias. One of these estates has 7 bedrooms, 7.5 baths and is prime beachfront. The open floor plan of the main house is enjoyed separately from the guesthouse. The large swimming pool and landscaped garden are shared by both homes. The estate is walled in with a gated entry and is offered for $1,400,000US.

Also in Bucerias, there is a new home featuring massive arches made by an artisan from Guanajuato. Splendid gardens and sidewalks compliment this 4 bedroom, 4 bath home resting on over 23,00 s.f. of land $1,125,000US.

In Nuevo Vallarta, there is a stunning villa of modern architecture on the canal. Four bedrooms suites offer privacy from each other. The dramatic pool flows from the street entrance through the villa to the canal frontage. This unique contemporary home has a kitchen outfitted with Italian and Swedish appliances. The canal location will provide a dock for your private boat. $1,100,000US. Unfurnished.

There are a number of choices in the north end of the bay for the discriminating buyer who wants a unique home and can afford to spend a million dollars or more for his choice.

This article is based upon legal opinions, current practices and my personal experiences in the PuertoVallarta-Bahia de Banderas areas. I recommend that each potential buyer conduct his own due diligence and review. *Information has been furnished from the Vallarta Multi-List.