    
Seeing Things On Basilio Badillo
Have you been seeing things on Basilio Badillo street lately? You are not alone. This street is a very popular thoroughfare from the gay bars to the gay beach in the Romantic Zone. Last year a group of charitable Puerto Vallarta business owners started meeting to discuss ways of seeing things on Basilio Badillo improve the street and make it standout.
They also want to encourage other businesses to take a more active role in seeing things on Basilio Badillo done . The businesses joining forces were Studs Bar, ThrIVe IV and Med Spa, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry, Galleria Dante ,Di Vino Dante. with the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club .
The collective improvements include
- new overhead string lights on the street from Ignacio Vallarta to Constitución streets that are on at night
- new trash cans strategically placed on both sides of the street to give pedestrians easy and convenient garbage disposal
- replaced and repaired planter boxes (with support of the Garden Club) and adding the recent murals on the planter boxes
The first successful project was the installation of overhead lights. Mike Owens, owner of Studs saw the need to lighten Basilio Badillo at night adding both security and beauty. Studs Bar was able to obtain the permit and supplies the electricity while the cooperating businesses share the electricity costs.
Mikel Alvarez, owner of ThrIVe IV, tells GAYPV “The lights have made a noticeable impact on foot traffic at night. The enhanced illumination creates a vibrant and inviting atmosphere that draws attention from several streets away, encouraging people to visit and explore the area. The lights are not only visually appealing but also stay on until 3 AM, which adds a layer of security and increased visibility for those out late. This combination of attraction and safety has definitely contributed to a boost in nighttime activity and made the area feel more lively and welcoming.
The first 4 planters on Basilio Badillo were added in 1989 by the Pizza Joe restaurant owners Joe and Claire Guarniere. Claire and her daughter Gena now operate Galleria Dante, Di Vino Dante and recently opened Pizza Joe 2.0 at #269 Basilio Badillo.
Galleria Dante was one of the principal organizers of the popular every other Friday Southside Shuffle (2014-2020) bringing huge exposure to the street and currently with the “Meet the Artist Night.”
Since opening in 2007, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry has been supporting Basilio Badillo by active involvement in maintaining the original planters as well as being a main sponsor of the Southside Shuffle. Cassandra Shaw and her sister Candace also bring huge community awareness to the street via their involvement in the Match Dog Com Puerto Vallarta.
Through this dog rescue and adoption charity over 500 dogs have found their forever home in Canada, the US, and Puerto Vallarta. Cassandra’s business also promotes and sells tickets for every worthwhile Puerto Vallarta charity event like the Fashion Shows for the Pasito de Luz, Colina Clinic, IFC, IAMPV organizations, Vallarta Girl’s School and RISE.
We would also like to highlight the tremendous contribution of the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club for their involvement in the planters and trash cans on Basilio Badillo. In 2013 the Puerto Vallarta Garden Club was formed and adopted the project that maintains and builds new planters in the city. The cost of a new planter is about $500 USD now and the club maintains approximately 500 throught out the city.
In high season they provide a team of volunteers that prune and fertilize the planters every other week. They pay a private gardener to hand water them daily. He pushes a red wheelbarrow and siphons water from gas like cans as he walks down the street.
GAYPV is proud to recognize these businesses that have joined together and given back to the local community. You can also be a part of giving back by supporting them. For more news and lifestyle stories of gay and gay friendly businesses giving back to the Puerto Vallarta community visit the GAYPV website.Â
Photos courtesy of Studs Bar, Cassandra Shaw Jewelry and PV Garden Club.
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
