If you look at Puerto Vallarta and see only beach The crown of Sierra Madre mountains that wreath the historic city and loom over the sweeping Bay of Banderas are just as important a part of the Puerto Vallarta package are dozens of hiking trails beckoning the intrepid to get away from the sand and cobblestones and deep into the verdant jungle Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding towns have many excellent hiking trails of varying levels whether you’re looking for a leisurely beach stroll or a vertical ascent to pump your heart rate Here are a few of the best hikes in Puerto Vallarta If you’re looking for a perfect blend of adventure the hike from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Animas in Puerto Vallarta is my favorite hike As you set off from the trailhead at the back of the parking lot in Boca de Tomatlán you’ll quickly immerse yourself in the jungle The trail meanders along the stunning coastline opening up to view after view of the Bay of Banderas One of the best parts of this hike is the series of pristine undeveloped beaches you’ll encounter along the way offer the perfect spots for a refreshing dip or just to bask in the sun The beaches are quiet and untouched and frequently empty of many other tourists making you feel like you’ve landed on uncharted islands The hike itself is moderately challenging but worth every step the sounds of the waves crashing and the vibrant tropical birds singing create a natural soundtrack that is nothing short of magic After about an hour and a half to two hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at the lively and colorful Playa Las Animas. Here you can kick back and enjoy a well-deserved break. Consider stopping for lunch a few beaches prior at Casitas Maraika a rustic-chic beachfront day club and bungalows that serves delicious seafood and incredible views you can continue past Las Animas to Playa Quimixto a relatively quiet beach that is the perfect spot to unwind after a hike and a small village with a gorgeous waterfall Remember that forging on to Playa Quimixto will add another two miles retrace your steps and hike back to Boca de Tomatlán hop on a water taxi for a quick and scenic ride back allowing you to enjoy the coastal views from a different perspective The remote community of Yelapa is a favorite for Puerto Vallarta residents Yelapa is a small beachfront village surrounded on either side by towering mountains and sliced by a river If you want to experience the beauty of Yelapa the Palo Maria waterfall hike is an adventure Getting to Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta is part of the fun — you’ll need to take a water taxi either from Los Muertos Pier in Zona Romantica or from Boca de Tomatlan The ride is a scenic journey along the southern coast of the Bay of Banderas Once you arrive in Yelapa, you’ll feel the laid-back vibe that feels worlds away from Puerto Vallarta. Before you head off on the hike, consider fueling up at one of the delightful beach restaurants. Cafe Bahia and Sirena Morena are great options freshly prepared seafood right on the sand spending the night in Yelapa is a fantastic idea — several cozy guesthouses and bungalows are available The hike to the waterfall is a journey through Yelp’s lush landscape the trail winds through dense jungle with vibrant green foliage and the sounds of exotic birds but be prepared for some rocky and uneven terrain the more you’ll feel like you’ve entered a hidden paradise You’ll cross a few small streams and might even encounter some local wildlife along the way making it a pleasant hike even on warmer days you’ll reach the Palo Maria waterfall a cascading force of gushing water that plunges into a cool you can push yourself a bit further to keep going to a second waterfall The hike to the second is a bit more challenging Once you’ve soaked it in, make your way back to Yelapa. When you return to town, consider unwinding at one of the beach bars, like Chico’s Cantina If you’re looking for a quick but rewarding adventure without leaving Puerto Vallarta the hike up to Mirador Cerro de la Cruz is a perfect choice Atop a hill right in the heart of the city this viewpoint has some of the most beautiful views over downtown Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas The ascent to Mirador Cerro de la Cruz is short but challenging making it an ideal option for those who want to get their heart pumping without committing to a full-day hike you’ll navigate cobblestone streets and traditional houses before the real climb begins you’ll encounter a series of steps that wind up the hill Take your time and enjoy the journey — there’s no shame in stopping to catch your breath and admire the views along the way you’ll be greeted with visas over the entire city Be sure to bring the camera — it’s a view you won’t want to miss Strolling along the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta is a great way to get moving without having to travel far or work too intensely you can soak in the city’s sights and energy while enjoying a leisurely walk The iconic seaside promenade stretches about a mile along the downtown waterfront you’ll have uninterrupted views of the Bay of Banderas on one side and the colorful streets of Puerto Vallarta on the other it’s one of the must-do activities in Puerto Vallarta Be sure to head all the way to the northern section of the Malecon to see the sculptures that line the shoreline created by Mexican and international artists My favorite is “Nostalgia,” by Jose Ramiz Barquet but there are about a dozen others to admire and choose your own The Malecón has restaurants, cafes, and bars, each offering something different. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, traditional Mexican dishes, or international cuisine, there’s something for everyone. La Dolce Vita is a favorite for Italian cuisine, while La Bodeguita del Medio is great for authentic Cuban food and live music If you’re up for an adventure that rewards you with spectacular views hiking up Monkey Mountain in Sayulita is a great way to spend the day The Monkey Mountain trailhead is a short drive from Sayulita in the nearby village of Higuera Blanca You’ll start by following a dirt road into the jungle you’ll be surrounded by dense foliage so be sure to wear proper shoes and bring plenty of water you’ll reach a clearing that offers a sneak peek of what’s to come — panoramic views of the coastline and the rolling green hills below you’ll have 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the landscape below It’s the perfect spot to take pictures and breathe in the stunning Nayarit coastline After designing, head back to Sayulita to celebrate with a post-hike treat at ORGANI-K Sayulita. If you’re in the mood for something more lively, grab a seat at the beachfront bars. You can also use our weekend guide to Sayulita for more ideas on what to see and do in this popular beach town Meagan Drillinger is a New York native who has spent the past 15 years traveling around and writing about Mexico. While she’s on the road for assignments most of the time, Puerto Vallarta is her home base. Follow her travels on Instagram at @drillinjourneys or through her blog at drillinjourneys.com ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC It’s been a few years since I visited Rio Tomatlán in Canandaigua I was eagerly anticipating what the fresh spot would add to the food that I once raved about An eclectic mix of art and décor showcases colorful and lively pieces that encourage conversation and fun Colorful check tablecloths add cheer while wood floors beams and a rustic open ceiling evoke a rural finish The new spot offers generous space for diners and drinkers at the large bar fully stocked with the agave spirits for which they’re most known Margaritas come in eight varieties from fruity and sweet in the form of the La Parka with pomegranate liqueur to spicy with muddled jalapeños in the Rayado On the evening of our visit they were serving a vanilla mojito special ($9) I ventured down a plainer path and decided on a tequila mojito ($9) which was prepared just as you would guess — the rum is ditched for tequila and the mint I would have preferred that it have a bigger citrus and sweet herb punch We started with fresh guacamole and pico de gallo ($3.50) golden tortilla chips perfectly scooped the creamy avocado goodness that was topped with vinegary cilantro and onion married effortlessly and exuded freshness Served tostada-style on an open-face fried tortilla Ceviche del Dia ($7) showcases the chef’s daily choice of fresh seafood The fish is treated in lime juice to “cook.” I would have appreciated a shorter curing time allowing the raw fish’s natural tenderness to come through Another appearance of vibrant pickled onion cilantro and cherry tomatoes piqued the dish’s overall flavor while a large slice of avocado made a welcome presence on the plate $9 full) soup with pork and hominy was pleasantly satisfying puffy grains of corn were filling and flavorful A complex broth made from red guajillo chili pepper was smoky and not overly spicy Shredded red cabbage and fragrant cilantro topped it all off for garden-fresh add-ons Two thick corn cakes sat beneath our choice of shredded pork to make up the sopes ($8) threads of cotija cheese and bright red cabbage once again brought beauty to the plate through vibrancy and freshness I was expecting the masa (corn flour) cakes to be crispier and more tender chocolate flan ($6) and traditional flan ($5) A perplexing chocolate sauce on the plate hinted at a warm spice while a saturated chocolate cake base was layered beneath the classic version complete with a decadent caramel sauce and dusting of cinnamon our server handled our party of five graciously throughout our dinner Rio Tomatlán’s vivid plate presentations live on and its friendly setting was reformed which was the heart of soul of the old Rio vegetarian items on menu; Special requests can be accommodated Handicapped accessible: Yes; Wheelchair friendly; Entrance on Bemis St Parking: Ample parking in lot behind the building Take a 30-minute drive along the coast from Puerto Vallarta and you'll reach Boca de Tomatlán boutique hotels and ocean-side restaurants this secluded fishing village is Mexico's best-kept secret Get your weekly dose of armchair travelling CANANDAIGUA — “All people and tequila are safe and sound however we will be closed for a week or so....” That was the post on Rio Tomatlán's Facebook page after a May 20 fire that shuttered the tequila Mecca's Beeman Street restaurant last spring The closure tested die-hard Rio fans who spent the next seven months jonesing for the pub's signature Mexican food and party atmosphere. The fire prompted a change for the Beaman Street site, now Nick's Chop House who had to decide if he'd hang up his apron or launch out into a new location With “a little help from his friends” — staff patrons and property owners Dave Genecco and Ralph Gullace the former location of the Lumberyard Restaurant Floor manager Tamarie Cataldo who's been with Rio Tomatlán since the beginning “I love it because it's bigger and you can stand at the bar,” said Cataldo “I like the open feel — it has a city vibe We did the same themes: We wanted it to be cool and rustic They nailed it: open ceilings and ductwork deep rich wall colors and art pieces featuring local artists like Nancy Lyon and Rochester's Wall Therapy graffiti gurus It's got all the funk and feel of the old Rio with double the space: The Bemis street restaurant seats 215 The seven-month construction process on the building Guevara and team redid the tile on the floor “It was Pops and I that were doing the construction — he's an electrical engineer,” said Guevara and Tamarie was here and friends were in here helping out we never got the insurance money like we were supposed to — it was a trickle here Everything was made with recycled material found or donated “It was six months of eating Ramen Noodle soup and drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon eating chicken thighs and ghetto rice made on one burner plugged into the wall,” said Guevara A testament to the family vibe at Rio — nearly all of the 25 bartenders “We all got seasonal jobs to try and stay afloat because we knew it was coming We only want to work here because it's the best.” and we want to get really crazy and creative outdoor movies and a raised-bed vegetable and herb garden that will produce heirloom tomatoes chayote and herbs for both the kitchen and bar “It's the community why we're here,” said Guevara “When Dave Genecco and Ralph Gullace came to me they really convinced me and gave me a great deal really over-extended themselves to support and help me out a lot Now Rio's authentic Pacific Coast cuisine made with locally grown/crafted ingredients and imported spices “They're the ones that put up with my (expletive) it's the random-(expletive) parties that we do here As for Rio's seven-month-long resurrection Guevara has this to say: “I had so much fun — I'd do it all again.” CONTACT (585) 394-9380; www.riotomatlan.com; www.facebook.com/riotomatlan an evening of locally brewed craft beers paired with a delicious course CONTACT (585) 394-9380 to make a reservation The death toll after a confrontation between armed civilians and marines yesterday in Tomatlán, Jalisco, has risen to two — one innocent bystander and a suspected aggressor Mayor José Luis Tello García said the clash began at about 8:00am when five blockades were erected almost simultaneously at different points and gunfire erupted between suspected members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and navy marines The first casualty was a soft drink delivery truck driver who died when armed civilians hijacked his truck and shot the young man in the head after he was forced out of his vehicle The truck was set on fire and used as a roadblock The second victim has not been identified but the marines believe he was one of the gangsters involved in the attack the clash brought life in Tomatlán to a standstill People chose to stay at home yesterday morning and stores remained closed until the afternoon the Coastal University Center and the preparatory schools run by the University of Guadalajara Tomatlán is the home of a military base but that appeared to be no deterrent for those who instigated the events an army helicopter was shot down 120 kilometers away in Villa Purificación Source: El Universal (sp), Milenio (sp) The day that smoke billowed out onto the intersection of Beeman and Main streets in Canandaigua it seemed everyone was talking about it: Rio Tomatlan was burning For the many fans of the fusion eatery—so beloved that patrons had come to refer to it as simply "Rio"—it was a dagger to the heart and its future immediately came into question Would owner Raphael Guevara stay in Canandaigua the former site of The Lumberyard restaurant on Bemis Street had been sitting empty for four years When the building's owners made an offer to Guevara Rio Tomatlan Tequila Bar & Kitchen has now been reborn in a much larger space with larger crowds—and even bigger plans and dreams than the old location could hold work had to be done to a space that had clearly suffered from four years of vacancy friends and staff members from the old Rio seven months to transform the empty building into the open Floor manager Tamarie Cataldo and her friends pitched in People donated materials or they recycled materials hauled rocks unearthed from a nearby house rehab to construct a raised garden on the large property surrounding the restaurant although he'll still get the 4,000 or so pounds of fresh tomatillos grown for Rio Tomatlan by Robert Aguilera at Red Jacket in Geneva He also plans to plant some heirloom Iroquois White Corn in the garden which is more than twice the size of the original Rio opening up the ceiling and exposing ductwork and rugged supports They added a wall in the new kitchen area and built spacious The large bar displays only a portion of Rio's vast tequila collection the new Rio Tomatlan simply posted on Facebook There wasn't even a sign on the building yet and the seats filled up fast—so fast that floor manager Cataldo revamped the reservation system "We only take reservations now for tables of six or more," Cataldo says "It improved the wait times greatly." The new location seats 215 in three large dining areas or ground by hand by chef Andrew Turk and Guevara Ingredients are either locally grown or crafted The Guevara family is from Tomatlan on the southern Pacific coast of Mexico Guevara deliberately avoids calling the restaurant "Mexican." This isn't your stereotypical Tex-Mex chain-style food though everything about the restaurant expresses love and celebration of his heritage doors and posts are the warm pops of color Rio is known for: lime There are hanging lanterns and grinning Dia de Los Muertos sculptures from framed pieces to the giant murals by artists such as Shawnee Hill A huge Madonna-like figure presides over one room—but she's a fan of art The warm weather will offer diners a chance to relax on the outdoor deck area There's room for a party tent and a roasting pit Then there are the theme dinners for 35 to 40 people "There's an almanac of things that have happened in cuisine that we can present," Guevara says citing the "Like Tequila for Chocolate" dinner he put on in February inspired by the Laura Esquivel novel Like Water For Chocolate It featured a five-course meal of Mexican dishes from the book "We'll do dinners in collaboration with local chefs like Larry Aikens of Rise and Shine Café & Bakery Twisted Rail and Heron Hill Winery," says Guevara Guevara will explain the wine or beer pairings It lets us explore more…We can bring in things that might be funky to them but are normal to us in Mexico." 106 Bemis St., Canandaigua; 585-394-9380; www.riotomatlan.com within the tourism region known as Costalegre the first stage of this project will begin which is considered fundamental for that area “The idea is to build a comprehensive project whose initial investment is going to be 27.7 million pesos Any kind of plane will be able to land on this runway,” added Alfaro the governor of Jalisco pointed out that this work will be key to promoting the region’s tourist offer as well as the urbanization projects and the development of different international hotel chains that are already or are planning to build here The Costalegre airport was announced during the presentation of the Costalegre Regional Strategic Plan where businessmen and the government plan to promote this Jalisco region to make it one of the most outstanding tourism developments in the Mexican Pacific We’d been to Rio Tomatlan in downtown Canandaigua before but in the old location After rebuilding and renovating a few blocks away So here we are: back to an old favorite in a new place The new Rio Tomatlan opened its doors in December 2014 at the former Lumberyard Grille on Bemis Street The first thing we noticed at the new Rio was the ample off-street parking a more spacious dining area and more seating exposed beams and character—lots of character—thanks including the large Madonna figure that hangs on the wall in the main dining room While we were happy to see that the Madonna survived the fire we were even happier that owner Raphael Guevara’s culinary philosophy survived—namely providing Pacific Coast Mexican cuisine based on fresh HE: The pico de gallo and guacamole were the first to arrive One taste of the pico de gallo made me not want to eat any other salsa ever again It had a lot of texture—it’s not pureed—and tasted fresh A warning: Order the guacamole and pico de gallo and you risk not being able to eat your entrée because it will be nearly impossible to stop eating those appetizers ► Review: Trying Vive Bistro's French cuisine. SHE: It had been a while since we’d eaten at Rio Tomatlan but not so long to have forgotten that amazing guacamole And it was every bit as wonderful as we remembered: that spiced-up avocado with chili oil drizzled on the plate for a little extra zing and pepita (pumpkin seeds) on the side for a little extra texture jalapenos and bacon all came together in a marvelous new taste combination The cilantro added some interest and brightness where multiple flavors all joined together in a perfect marriage SHE: You were still working on your soup when our entrees arrived There isn’t a lot of blue food in the world but there they were: three lovely blue enchiladas filled with chicken I chose shredded pork to top the sope (a thick corn patty) a veritable cornucopia of vegetables: corn tomatoes and shredded cheese sprinkled on top it was hard to separate all of the flavors on my plate I’m with you: A little cilantro goes a long way and I also found just the right amount of it in my entrée And it’s noteworthy that the beans were not salty (as refried beans often are) and the entrée was not drowning in melted cheese ► Restaurant review: Latin lovers head to Ox and Stone. HE: Pollo chipotle is much like Chinese mushu—tortilla and filling come separately; it’s up to you to construct your dinner I used the flour tortillas to make wraps of the chicken in creamy chipotle sauce The chicken was tender and flavorful with a pleasant smokiness A little spiciness kicked in about a minute after the initial bite My one suggestion is that they time the delivery of the main course for when diners are done with the first course I would have liked the time to finish my soup before getting my entrée so we skipped it and went straight for the traditional tres leches (three milks) cake The sweet condensed milk sat on the bottom and a big layer of whipped cream—sprinkled with toasted coconut—sat on top A neat touch was a little tequila mixed into the whipped cream I would have liked a more interesting coffee than the standard fare with a drizzle of Grand Marnier; and an Autentica with an uptick on the tequila While the Cadillac was sweeter (Grand Marnier does that) whisking away empty plates and making sure we had all that we needed full—and glad that a fire couldn’t extinguish Rio Tomatlan 106 Bemis St, Canandaigua; 585-394-9380. www.riotomatlan.com​ 6:00    We approach the hostess station and learn a table is available so we head to the bar to wait for a different spot 6:04    She orders a Cadillac margarita with a Grand Marnier drizzle ($10) 6:13    Our new table is ready; we pay our tab and head to the next room over 6:15    A server introduces herself and goes over the day’s specials For appetizers we order the guacamole ($8)—which we knew about from a previous visit—and tortilla chips along with some pico de gallo (salsa) ($3.50) She has her eye on the Tampico combination plate ($14.50)—which consists of three enchiladas and one sope He’d like a half bowl of the lentil soup ($6) to start with 6:53    We order a second round of drinks: La Autentica with a tequila uptick ($10) for her and another Negra Modelo ($4) for him 7:12    For dessert we quickly settle on the tres leches cake 7:18    One tres leches and two forks appear which doesn’t include the initial bar bill 7:30    We pay the bill and head for the door A hydroelectric dam project that will allegedly divert one of Puerto Vallarta’s last pure rivers leading from the sierra to the ocean is not only illegal and unethical but reeks of high-level corruption and threatens to further endanger protected flora and fauna in the region Residents of Boca de Tomatlán and areas surrounding the Los Horcones river say they were surprised when about a dozen workers appeared with excavating equipment and dynamite in January about 40 minutes south of Old Town Puerto Vallarta The river is part of a canyon ecosystem where jaguars macaws and rare orchids remain in their natural habitat surviving at the border of encroaching sprawl from Puerto Vallarta’s tourism and real estate developments “My concern is that the Los Horcones riverbed has been untouched by humans for years,” said Mario Morga resident of Boca de Tomatlán and president of a local defense committee He claimed that the damming of the river is directly related to a local resort which intends to expand its property and the number of inhabitants and tourists “The mini-hydroelectric plant intends to make a dam and pipe out as much as 60% of the water from the natural tributary from 2,200 meters above the riverbed thus modifying the natural environment in a drastic way and this is the place of thousands of species of flora and fauna some of them protected by law,” Morga said “The residents of the town of Boca of Tomatlán depend directly on the water provided by the Los Horcones river for daily use It has been maintained as a sustainable tourist area and would turn into an industrial development with this type of work.” A bilingual petition on Change.org to declare the canyon a protected area has gathered more than 434,700 signatures at which point organizers plan to request a meeting with federal Environment Secretary Victor Toledo Manzur regarding federal protection of the area Six protests against the damming of the river have been held two in downtown Puerto Vallarta and four in Boca de Tomatlán where the Horcones river empties into the sea about five kilometers downstream from the dam While the purpose of the hydroelectric dam has not been officially divulged some observers suspect it is for the benefit of Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa on Highway 200 about 15 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta’s city center a biologist and researcher at the National Polytechnic University said that due to deep secrecy surrounding the permits and construction it has been difficult to officially tie Garza Blanca to the dam project and more difficult still to show proof of corruption between city governments that certain resources such as water are appropriated by private companies shielded as being ‘green projects,’ but completely pass over the rights of the population by obtaining commercial economic benefits,” Bonilla said “The particular point of the project in Los Horcones is to unmask the lack of sustainability self-supplying project as one that does not take into account cultural conservation of the area be it the environmental or the natural risks already identified by specialists.” that what initially alarmed the nearby communities is that they had not been consulted about the project and that some of the dam construction is taking place on private property “They were trying to build a dam without consulting any member of Boca de Tomatlán and the company processed all the permits at the federal and municipal levels without us being considered,” said Morga a Puerto Vallarta native who has lived in Boca de Tomatlán for more 23 years and guides tours in Bahía de Banderas “This type of work requires a public consultation as well as being able to show that an environmental impact test has been conducted and that correct permits have been obtained legally The dam project was temporarily shut down on July 19 on orders from Puerto Vallarta’s office of Urban Development and Environment for not having the required permits The action was taken the Committee of Defenders of the Los Horcones river had presented information questioning the validity of permits obtained by the company after Morga says it was proved that the work was being conducted within Puerto Vallarta on permits authorized by the neighboring municipality of Cabo Corrientes The companies associated with the dam have released statements insisting that the project will not cause any damage to the river or the surrounding jungle areas Bonilla met with officials at the environmental protection agency “We have been able to get the authorities to listen to us and we look forward to the results of their analysis,” he said There were other concerns raised earlier this year when the resort allegedly cut down thousands of trees and relocated about one kilometer of Highway 200 after being given permission by the federal Transportation Secretariat Local officials were unable to intervene in the matter which reportedly limited public access to the beach Former Puerto Vallarta mayor and CEO of the Garza Blanca resort has said that the area that was logged will be reforested Grupo Hidrogenerador de Occidente and municipal officials in Puerto Vallarta were unsuccessful Sources speaking on condition of anonymity due to concerns for their personal safety have reported being intimidated by representatives of the companies involved and noted that work on the dam project has taken place even during the shutdown that was ordered Individuals who have tourism-based businesses around the Horcones river allege that the dam is a threat to their businesses Some area residents have expressed concern that property values could plummet as the region’s eco-tourism assets such as the river and the surrounding jungle The concern about the Los Horcones river has attracted attention because it is representative of greater water shortage concerns throughout the Puerto Vallarta region and beyond “Puerto Vallarta is facing a critical situation; there is no water left,” said Gómez professor at the University of Guadalajara They started to build at a fast pace: homes The problem now is how much water these people need and require we have to consider how many inhabitants Puerto Vallarta has we have to consider how many people are visiting because now we see that tourism is using a lot of water This is another point: how are we treating the wastewater from the hotels and where is it going and in what quality is it being released?” Gómez asserts that many of the aquifers in the region have been depleted and that the rivers that used to provide water are doing so less and less now as climate change is resulting in less rain each year “The Los Horcones river is an important river here in the Sierra Madre Occidental it has a privileged position in terms of climate conditions “The exchange of saltwater and freshwater is very important for the life of plankton which is consumed by a number of marine animals at the mouth of the river Therefore it’s very important that the rivers in these areas are not altered Given that there are no population areas above the river and no potential for pollution clean water runs into the surrounding area and into the sea.” Marines and armed civilians clashed in Tomatlán Federal authorities said the victim appeared to be one of the aggressors thought to be members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel Gangsters blocked federal highway 200 near the village of La Cumbre with three vehicles which they set on fire in an attempt to stop the movement of security forces One of the vehicles was a bus that the serves the Manzanillo-Tomatlán route It was parked across a bridge and set on fire The aggressors exchanged gunfire with navy marines An operation to capture the rest of the gang was unsuccessful Source: Informador (sp) The army has shut down 23 narco-labs in Michoacán since 2018 over half of which were found in the state’s notoriously violent Tierra Caliente region The detection and seizure of the synthetic drug laboratories occurred in a period of almost 4 1/2 years to April 30 according to information from the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) The newspaper Milenio, which obtained the Sedena data via a freedom of information request, reported that most of the dismantled labs were making fentanyl a potent synthetic opioid that Mexican criminal groups make with precursor chemicals from Asia that are smuggled into the country via Pacific coast ports It also said that the people who operate the labs have usually fled by the time the authorities arrive Five of the 23 labs were located in Buenavista Tomatlán a Tierra Caliente municipality on the border with Jalisco The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations, and the Cárteles Unidos, a criminal alliance led by Los Viagras, are engaged in a war over control of Michoacán’s Tierra Caliente region After Buenavista – one of several Tierra Caliente municipalities where improvised explosive devices laid by the CJNG have been detected in recent months – the highest number of narco-lab seizures occurred in Parácuaro It borders Múgica, where soldiers were forced off a checkpoint by presumed cartel henchmen last week Sedena data also shows that the army shut down one lab in each of the Tierra Caliente municipalities of Huetamo Milenio reported that the manufacture of illicit drugs also occurs in urban areas of Michoacán A narco-lab was detected in March 2021 in Acuitzio a municipality that borders the state capital Morelia Some 230 kilograms of chemicals used to manufacture synthetic drugs as well as drug-making paraphernalia were seized at the lab Illegal drugs have also been made in Uruapan The only state where more narco-labs have been dismantled in recent years is Sinaloa Milenio reported that 53 labs where drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine were made have been shut down since 2018 in the northern state Citing Sedena data, the newspaper reported last December that the army dismantled 113 synthetic drug laboratories in the first 34 months after President López Obrador took office in late 2018 – a 70% decrease compared to the same period of Enrique Peña Nieto’s presidency It said Sunday that Jalisco ranked third for narco-lab seizures adding that most were detected in two municipalities that border Michoacán’s Tierra Caliente Sinaloa, Michoacán and Jalisco are all Pacific coast states, meaning that precursor chemicals don’t have to travel far to reach clandestine fentanyl and meth factories. After manufacture, large quantities of the drugs are shipped to the Mexico-United States border via states such as Durango and Zacatecas, which has been described as a fentanyl nexus The synthetic opioid causes tens of thousands of overdose deaths annually in the United States A recent organized crime study that determined that Mexico has the fourth highest levels of criminality in the world acknowledged that Mexican cartels are involved in the production and transportation of drugs such as methamphetamine and fentanyl The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime a Switzerland-based nongovernmental organization also said that Mexico’s drug-trafficking organizations are among the most sophisticated mafia-style groups in the world With reports from Milenio The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) appears to have diversified into humanitarian aid A video posted online shows suspected members of the powerful criminal organization distributing packages of food aid in Tomatlán which lashed the coast of western Mexico last weekend “Here we are with all the people giving them aid The people are very grateful for this support “This aid . . . comes from the boss, our boss, the señor Mencho,” another man says, referring to CJNG leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, one of the most wanted men on the planet “[I’m telling you] so that you know where it comes from so that you don’t think that it’s from the [family services agency] DIF or another company,” he adds with a laugh Two pickup trucks filled with large aid packages appear in the video Several residents of the community of Morelos accept the packages from the suspected cartel members The CJNG, considered Mexico’s most powerful criminal organization, has previously handed out toys to poor children in Veracruz on Children’s Day Children in 15 municipalities in the state’s mountainous central region received gifts accompanied by a card that read “the CJNG wishes you a happy Children’s Day.” The Sinaloa Cartel, whose gunman responded to the arrest of a son of former leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán last week with an unprecedented show of strength in Culiacán has also shown that it has a charitable streak Just before Christmas last year, dozens of trucks turned up in several rural towns in the Sinaloa municipalities of Salvador Alvarado and Mocorito and delivered holiday gift baskets The baskets came with a card bearing a short message from the Sinaloa Cartel’s former chief lieutenant and security boss Orso Iván Gastélum Cruz: “Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year from your friend Cholo Iván.” also received a charitable visit from suspected Sinaloa Cartel members stoves and other appliances bearing a logo consisting of a black baseball cap with the initials JGL written in gold The donation of the disaster relief supplies was attributed to the former chief of the Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquín Guzmán Loera, who was convicted by a United States court on drug trafficking charges in February and sentenced to life in prison in July Source: Infobae (sp)  an impressive residence overlooking Boca de Tomatlán beach on the Banderas Bay south shore (located approximately 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s downtown) Vallarta Lifestyles attended an open house where we had exclusive access to this property and learned more about its amenities two swimming pools and an amazing 60-foot waterfall Thanks to its privileged location on the mountain this residence is multilevel and features an elevator a classy and sophisticated hall welcomes guests and connects to the hotel’s main area guests enjoy the views toward the cove Boca de Tomatlán: its traditional pier Each suite at Villa Armonía has its own design and décor sculptures and paintings; resulting as elegant as welcoming The residence features one- and two-bedroom units so there are plenty options to choose depending on the accommodation desired the Grand Master Suite stands out due its size and views toward the coast there are several living rooms and common areas throughout the property which are perfect to enjoy the natural landscape Another big attraction at the boutique hotel is the gourmet restaurant La Mer Bleu this is a perfect place to delight the palate and watch the sunset there are two swimming pools: one of them featuring a spectacular waterfall; while the other features sundeck and an adjacent outdoor dining room overlooking the sea culinary offerings and indoor and outdoor facilities Villa Armonía is also a good option for weddings For more information about the hotel and/or reservations Reservations are also available through the platform Airbnb CANANDAIGUA — Who makes the best chili in town The answer may come at the end of the day Saturday A chili cook-off is among the “fire” activities planned Saturday as part of the downtown Canandaigua Fire and Ice Winter Festival Eddie O’Brien’s and The Dalai Java are in this heated race Judges will be tasting chili concoctions throughout the competition co-director of the downtown Business Improvement District But the restaurants and chefs already are on their game “They’re talking smack to each other,” Chaapel said “Everyone wants to walk away with number one,” Turk said Trophies will be awarded in several categories who is chef and co-owner with Dale DeVinney of Casa de Pasta is taking a low-key approach to the competition “I’m saving all of my talking after it’s over — when I’m holding my trophy," Caito said He makes chili more often at home than he does at work but he has a few tricks that may sway tasters his way chili is the kind of dish in which people enjoy tasting different recipes to see how theirs measure up or just to try something new “A lot of people have their own way of doing it.” chorizo and cascabel chilis — do it for anyone said he has all the confidence in his chef based on what he’s done in his three years at the restaurant “He knows how to play the flavors and spices,” Guevara said And with so many Canandaigua favorites competing downtown visitors can’t help but walk away satisfied “That’s what separates real chefs from not real chefs The downtown Canandaigua Fire and Ice Winter Festival kicks off at 9 a.m Saturday with breakfast at Simply Crepes and Gateway Grill with characters from the movie "Frozen." An ice-sculpting demonstration starts at 10 a.m A Siberian husky dog sled team will be on hand from 11 a.m Bristol Mountain will have its Aerial Park and snowboard experience in the Chamber lot and Wildlife Defenders also plan to bring along a guest with an awards presentation planned after 4 p.m. If there's anything I've learned in more than seven years of reporting on Rochester's food and drink scene it's that it takes patience and perseverance to open a restaurant Delivery times for essential materials or kitchen equipment can slip New York State liquor licenses are notoriously unpredictable in their timing Getting permits can be a challenge as well Well over a dozen promising new restaurants are scheduled to come to the Rochester area in 2023; a few may even open their doors during the tail end of December Owners have given their best guesses for time frames; take them with a grain of salt Gabe Guevara has been cooking at his family's restaurant, El Rincón Mexicana in Sodus, for many years (it is now open for catering only). He also cooks at his brother's restaurant, Rio Tomatlan in Cananadaigua Soon he will open his own Mexican restaurant in the North Winton Village Tavo's will open at 425 Merchants Road in the former home to Lucca Kitchen & Cocktails which has been known for its authentic fare it will be a full-service restaurant and bar The name Tavo’s is a tribute to his late father Leonore’s is the latest restaurant from the Swan family, who in various partnership configurations owns several restaurants in Rochester The cozy restaurant in the former home to Marty's Meats on Park Avenue will focus on elevated cocktails and Asian street food with dishes like satays cooked over charcoal It promises to be an interactive experience with the cooks and bartenders The owners are Jon Swan, Paulina Swan and Nick Ryan, who also own Swan Dive on Alexander Street Watch for soft openings to begin in late December More:Prolific restaurateur buys popular coffee shop in Park Ave. neighborhood Gabe McNaughton and Sean McSherry will a place where people can socialize without the dim lighting and loud music that's associated with a bar environment Called Junction 361 it will serve coffee and espresso beverages as well as more than 40 craft and local beers in the space that once housed a dry cleaner Its name comes from its proximity to the nearby Fairport Junction and "361" refers to the closest mile mark on the railroad PittsfordA sign for Rosie Nepalese & Indian Cuisine has been hanging in Pittsford Plaza for months The reason: Owner Raju Thapa had unexpected visa issues that dragged on for 10 months ― while he was paying rent all that time. Here's hoping he's up and running soon, as its extensive menu looks fantastic Among its specialties are Nepalese momos and chowmein (The website mentions Toronto because he is also working on a restaurant there.) Romano’s Macaroni Grill's stucco-and-stone building is gone from the Home Depot Plaza on Jefferson Road. Rising in its place is a BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse California-based chain’s fourth location in New York state It was founded in 1978 with one restaurant in Santa Ana The menu includes steaks and slow-roasted entrees More:Popular chain restaurant and brewhouse to open first western NY location in Henrietta Jay Speranza, chef and owner of the popular Tony D's restaurant downtown is working on a new Italian-American restaurant in Elm Ridge Center it will be a full-service restaurant specializing in sandwiches Cotoletta is the Italian word for "cutlet;" watch for crispy chicken cutlet sandwiches Speranza is shooting for an opening in mid-January More:Tony D's chef Jay Speranza to open Italian-American restaurant in Greece getting some of Rochester's most popular empanadas won't be limited to Tuesdays Juan & Maria’s Empanada Stop a Rochester Public Market institution for more than 20 years will open in Marketplace Mall’s food court It will serve the same menu as it does at the Public Market More:Marketplace Mall is adding 5 tenants, including a home-improvement store: What's coming Adam Peterson got his start in the world of competition barbecue before running the food and bar program at the Honeoye Falls Distillery and starting the Normal Food & Drink Supper Club The distillery eventually folded and Peterson took a break from the lifestyle that comes along with running a kitchen he's preparing to open The Normal at 1883 Rochester Street in Lima in a space that previously housed a barbecue restaurant The Normal will set itself apart by adding nods to Peterson's Scandinavian heritage such as lingonberry barbecue sauce and Swedish potato sausage New York and Scandinavian beers will be served The Funky Cow Café is heading to 647 Park Ave. in the original space to Caramel Bakery and Bar (Caramel moved directly next door to the former home of The Jembetat Gallery.) The Funky Cow Café is known for sweet and savory waffle creations; its best seller is a Cuban waffle sandwich It also serves soups and salads and has a kids' menu This is the second location for owner and founder Ricky Alverio; its first is in Hammonton The cow-themed space promises to be quirky Bozza Pasta which makes fresh pastas in many shapes and flavors will move from Hilton to Elm Ridge Center in Greece allowing it to expand its production of fresh pasta for restaurants The new location will have a larger retail shop and a glass wall for watching pasta making in progress It eventually will offer pasta dishes with a fast-casual approach The estimated opening is now March or April More:Bozza Pasta moving from Hilton to bigger digs in Greece Raphael Guevara, the owner of the popular Rio Tomatlan Mexican restaurant in Canandaigua (and brother of Gabe Guevara, above) has purchased two buildings in the Rochester Public Market near Flour City Bread Co which will be used in freshly made tacos and will be available for retail sale It also will sell foodstuffs the restaurant imports from New Jersey and Mexico a half pipe for skateboarding and a space for events which came into existence in 1975 as Charlie’s Frog Pond at 652 Park and closed in late summer has been purchased by David and Rene Spallina The Spallinas will give the décor and the menu their own updates and open as The Frog Pond on Park More:‘We are very excited.' Iconic Park Ave. restaurant to reopen under new owners Come summer, the new building that's home to Butler/Till will house The Grove Chop House a steak house that will cook meats over a wood fire and finish them in a 1,000-degree charcoal oven is now chairman and CEO of Buckingham Properties and will be a partner in the restaurant along with Josh Miles VictorWork is "moving along" at Old Pueblo Grill's long awaited second location in the HighPoint development in Victor He was wary of giving an opening date but hopes to be ready in a "couple of months." Old Pueblo Grill opened in the Neighborhood of the Arts in 2018 and quickly gained popularity for its Arizona-influenced Mexican fare Work started on the Victor location in 2020 with seating for 75 and lots of space for outdoor dining From May:After overcoming obstacles, Old Pueblo Grill is bringing its Arizona-Mex cuisine to Victor The Livingston County-based brewery Rising Storm Brewing Company has purchased the historic Daisy Flour Mill and three acres along Irondequoit Creek in Penfield Construction is underway to convert it into a brewhouse and taproom The plans are to convert the existing ballroom into a brewhouse with eight fermenters The main (and historic) portion of the mill will be converted into a taproom A large deck with outdoor seating will overlook the creek The brewery hopes for a spring opening as long as everything stays on track More:'We're super excited.' Historic Daisy Flour Mill in Penfield to become home for popular brewery The home of some of Josh Allen's favorite chicken wings is on its way to Penfield who along with his family owns and operates the Bar-Bill Tavern assured reporter Victoria Freile that work is under way and folks will begin to see changes as they drive by The family is targeting an early summer 2023 opening Allen, by the way, loves the honey butter barbecue, Cajun style wings This story includes reporting by Marcia Greenwood and Victoria Freile Reporter Tracy Schuhmacher focuses on food from many facets. Send story tips to TracyS@Gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram as @RahChaChow Thanks to our subscribers for supporting local journalism You're mixing martinis and serving steaks and chops to a gathering of friends You hand-rubbed the meat with your own blend of spices Peter Fabbio launched Nick's Chophouse Martini & Wine last year The restaurant is named after Fabbio's son "We're striving for similar dining to what you'd find at places like Ruth's Chris Steak House or Smith & Wollensky's in New York City," Peter Fabbio says Nick has lived in the building his father owns on Beeman Street through the incarnations of two other restaurants But it took a fire in the space formerly occupied by Rio Tomatlan to bring about the creation of this sophisticated dining spot with an uptown Peter has a background as a builder—in Victor and the Virgin Islands exposing one of the original brick walls and enlarged the space dramatically Now the bar area has a ceiling that soars two stories Two wine barrels preside on a ledge above the street-facing windows and main door lit from above by signature cobalt "blue lights" recessed in the ceiling and under-lit with lighting below the bar top Peter built the bar and the large maple wine rack curving cobalt stems of martini glasses and decorative pieces Wall colors are rich and earthy—mushroom gray in the bar deep olive green in the other—with accents of black and burgundy Don't worry about it being too dark to read menus Nick's Chophouse has menus back-lit with LED lights "It's the perfect conversation starter for servers," says Nick Nick has an extensive background in the restaurant and hotel business starting as a teenager doing late-night baking at Cole & Parks in Victor He took a gap year and moved to the Virgin Islands with his dad to Finger Lakes Community College to study hotel and restaurant management An internship at Belhurst Castle in Geneva gave him experience in everything from managing housekeeping to tending bar at Belhurst's Stonecutters Restaurant He gained deep knowledge of wines there—the bar had a library of 600 bottles to study The wines served at Nick's Chophouse come mostly from California with a few vintages from Italy and New Zealand Konstantin Frank and Fox Run represent the Finger Lakes The Fabbios are trying to expand their local selection Wines range from a glass of house White Zinfandel for $6 to a $100 bottle of Caymus Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon The senior Fabbio also imported two cocktail recipes from the Virgin Islands The Bushwacker has seven kinds of liquor in it while the Pain Killer starts with Caribbean rum as its base "People who've been to the Virgin Islands are surprised to find them here," Peter says He says pairing up with Creekstone Farms in Kansas was a perfect match "They came calling before we opened," he says Creekstone beef cattle have verifiable Black Angus genetics and are raised at the only beef plant designed by Dr The cattle are raised and graze only in the United States The menu features appetizers like a twin lamb lollipop and ahi tuna tartare—finely diced tuna fried wonton garnished with veg-sprout and scallion bread and a choice of sides—and you can share those Meats are seasoned with Peter's own spice blend (just like his friends enjoyed in the Virgin Islands) which he creates along with his own recipes for Hollandaise the duo The Way I Am—pianist Greg Davis and vocalist Laura Sprague—perform on weekends Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Hundreds of Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings (Lepidochelys olivacea) have been released into the Pacific Ocean at Tomatlan Mexico as part of the annual programme to boost sea turtle numbers The ecological programme was implemented by Mexico's government over 23 years ago in an effort to protect this endangered species that has been hunted for their shells and meat which runs sea turtle conservation programme seven of the eight species of marine turtles in the world come to lay eggs on the beaches of Mexico the Olive Ridley has one of the most extraordinary nesting habits in the natural world with an estimated 800,000 turtles nesting together with its distinctive olive coloured heart-shaped top shell is the most abundant sea turtle in the world "Large groups of turtles gather off shore of nesting beaches. Then, all at once, vast numbers of turtles come ashore and nest in what is known as an "arribada" (meaning arrival by sea in Spanish)," NOAA explains hundreds to thousands of females come ashore to lay their eggs the nesting density is so high that previously laid egg clutches are dug up by other females excavating the nest to lay their own eggs." The hatching season of November and December are still underway and officials expect that more turtles will be born this year Scroll down to view the pictures of the release of Olive Ridley sea turtle hatchlings in Mexico