Making Lifelong Friends in Puerto Vallarta

Tony Balam and Armando Diaz have been friends for over 50 years . Tony was born in Puerto Vallarta 59 years ago, while Armando came from Cabo Corrientes with his family at seven years of age . I have known both of them for over 30 years as we were part of the same posse when I first lived in PV years ago .

Armando’s family rented a casita from Tony’s father across the street from where now is the the restaurant El Torito in Emiliano Zapata . These Pata Saladas became fast friends , body surfing at Olas Altas beach , attending primary school and getting into fist fights on occasion .

Armando is one of Eleven children and Tony one of seven . Both at twelve years of age left school in order to help support their family . This was quite common in the day . Tony went into construction earning 50 pesos a week with Armando working six months as an unpaid apprentice in a hotel kitchen , though after his trial period he was granted a pay check . Armando enjoyed learning to cook and about the hospitality industry which would serve him well in years to come .

Tony tells me at the time the city was divided economically with the ” better off ” living in their neighborhood and the less privileged across the bridge . This statement floored me ! If these men came from a prosperous area and had to leave school at twelve years old what choices did the children from the other side of the tracks have ?

As young adults both Tony and Armando left Vallarta to work abroad . Tony traveling and working in California , New York and Canada . Armando,  Los Angeles and San Francisco . Both worked in Los Angeles as waiters at Carlos & Charlie’s on the Sunset Strip along with eight other Vallartenses . This was 1981 and the party never stopped . In fact Tony lived in a shared apartment nicknamed ” El Embajada ” ( the embassy ) in West Hollywood because all the young men were Mexican mostly from Vallarta . You can imagine the crazy fiestas and antics that happened there !

Armando mostly desired the experience of living outside of Vallarta and Mexico to broaden his perspective . Tony needed to earn money to send home to his mother and six siblings though it certainly didn’t stop him from having a good time . I know I was there , having moved back to L.A with my Vallartense boyfriend .

Both men picked up excellent English language skills as well as a sophistication which traveling provides . As good as the economic opportunities were elsewhere they both returned to PV , missing family , community and the natural beauty of Vallarta .

Armando went on to work in top flight restaurants in PV marrying his U.S. born wife Linda and together raising their son Michael . Armando has a very zen like approach to life . He values nature , contemplation and exudes a quiet joy . Armando often says his greatest life accomplishment was raising his son Michael who now lives in New York with his wife Gaby . Armando and Linda were happy to make sacrifices to give their son the best education , not to mention oodles of love and attention . Linda and Armando now work together supplying the elite home and fashion designers in Puerto Vallarta .

When Tony returned from his years abroad he worked at Carlos O’ Brian’s on the Malecon arguably the most popular and fun restaurant / bar at the time . This was a top gig for a head waiter . When Tony left O’ Brian’s he opened his original Balam restaurant on Basilio Badillio , along the way marrying his wife Rosanna and raising two beautiful and intelligent daughters . Tall and lanky like their father .

Due to different circumstances over the years Tony opened and closed three separate restaurants never due to low turn out and always featuring the freshest seafood . Unceasingly persistent and an entrepreneur , Tony just opened his fourth venture Balam Balam .

Between bites of octopus tostadas and fish tacos Tony , Armando and I spoke about some of the negative changes in Vallarta over the years , though as Armando explained they are accepting of these changes because firstly , they are out of their control though mostly they desire a peaceful mindset and life . And of course Vallarta still has its charms and beauty . Cobblestone streets, lush tropical mountains , beautiful beaches , friendly people and much , much more .

A worthwhile practice is to always focus on the good in life which includes family , friendship and great seafood !

I invite you to try Balam Balam . A charming outdoor restaurant on the Rio Riviera . A natural setting featuring lush foliage and sounds of the river Cuale . Fresh and delicious seafood , just a block from the Emiliano Zapata market . On Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BalamPV

Tony Balam and Armando Diaz have been friends for over 50 years . Tony was born in Puerto Vallarta 59 years ago, while Armando came from . . .

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • Where do foreigners come from and where do they live in MexicoMexico City Protest on July 5 Challenges Gentrification and Airbnb’s Impact on Housing Residents of Roma and Condesa will gather at Parque México on July 5 to protest gentrification, rising rents, and Airbnb’s effect on local housing. This Saturday, July 5, Mexico City will witness its first organized citizen protest against gentrification—a peaceful but urgent gathering taking place at 3:30 p.m. at the Lindbergh Forum in Parque México,…
  • raw-sewage-playa-los-muertos-puerto-vallartaMore Raw Sewage Dumping at Playa Los Muertos Appear to Come From Local Hotel Business owners in Puerto Vallarta are demanding action after raw sewage was discovered leaking onto Playa Los Muertos, raising public health and tourism concerns. A raw sewage leak at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta has sparked outrage among local tourist service providers and business owners, who say the contamination is driving away visitors and…
  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • puerto vallarta lettersPuerto Vallarta needs a new image to create meaningful reasons for travelers to visit Business leaders at Jalisco Tourism Secretariat forums stressed the need for renewing Puerto Vallarta image and diversifying attractions to appeal to national and international markets. Local business leaders and tourism specialists agreed this week that Puerto Vallarta needs a fresh look and a broader range of attractions to compete at home and abroad. In a…
  • José Luis Velázquez RodríguezSEAPAL Official Reported Missing in Puerto Vallarta Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have launched a search for José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, SEAPAL's head of transparency, who has been missing since June 30. Family and officials are urging the public to report any information. Local authorities and civil protection units have launched a search operation for José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, head of the Transparency…
  • mexico city real estateGentrification in Mexico City is not the reason for the high cost of housing City housing shortage, not gentrification, drives prices skyward as planning lags behind demand and foreigner influence remains minimal. High real estate costs in Mexico City stem from a deep and persistent housing shortage—exacerbated by land constraints, tangled regulations and speculative investment—rather than by the presence of foreign residents. Despite headlines blaming “gentrification,” foreign-born residents make…
  • no-damage-jalisco-hurricane-flossieNo Damage Reported in Jalisco as Hurricane Flossie Moves Away While Mexico's Weather Service predicted heavy rains, Hurricane Flossie causes no damage along Jalisco’s coast. The Category 3 storm brings light rain and moderate waves as it moves away from the region. The coasts of Jalisco remain calm and largely unaffected following the passage of Hurricane Flossie, a powerful Category 3 storm that is now…
  • hurricane-flossie-strengthens-july-1-2025Hurricane Flossie will bring tropical storm conditions to parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco Hurricane Flossie intensifies off Mexico's Pacific coast with winds near 90 mph. Heavy rain, flooding, and tropical storm conditions expected in parts of Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco. Hurricane Flossie continued to intensify early Tuesday morning as it moved west-northwestward off the coast of southwestern Mexico, prompting tropical storm warnings and watches across multiple states.…
  • cancun-sargassum-environmental-fund-responseWhich Quintana Roo Beaches Clean From Sargassum and Those Covered Today July 4 2025 Daily sargassum tracking for July 4, 2025: see which Quintana Roo beaches are clear of sargassum and which have landings, with ongoing cleanup efforts keeping the coast visitor-ready. Welcome to the daily sargassum tracker for the Mexican Caribbean coast. Each morning, we tally which beaches in Quintana Roo remain free of sargassum and which have…
  • protestProtest graffiti and smashed windows mars anti-gentrification rally in Mexico City Residents and activists joined an anti-gentrification rally in Mexico Park, but the anti-gentrification rally Mexico Park turned destructive as masked youths defaced local shops and broke windows. A rally against gentrification held yesterday in Mexico City’s Parque México drew residents from Juárez, Roma, Condesa and Hipódromo alongside local activists. Organizers billed it as the city’s…
Scroll to Top