Puerto Vallarta, Mexico guide: hotels, restaurants, things to do
Ah Mexico. Donald Trump would possibly want to construct a wall among you and the USA, but personally we'd knock one right down to get to your seashores. Particularly Puerto Vallarta, a town resort on the dreamy Pacific Coast, where the palm tree-lined stretches of sand curve across the glowing blue Baha de Banderas and cocktails waft at sunset in the bars alongside promenade El Malecón. Once not anything extra than some untouched beaches and coconut groves, after being cast because the placing for cult 60s movie Night of the Igauana (us neither) there has been a tourism and building explosion and it became a pinnacle excursion spot for Mexican's, American's and now us.
Our main bedroom had a tropical Spanish vibe with wooden beams, ceiling fan, ocre-colored walls, tiles and a big balcony with sea view. Some of the suites have Jacuzzi's and plunge pools, but whilst you're this near the swimming pools and beach, who's troubled?
It might be rude no longer to visit the spa, which has extra than 60 remedies to pick out from, so we booked a stone remedy big and white tea organic facial, which left us sparkling and blissed-out.
One of the satisfactory matters approximately Casa Velas are its each day organised activities so you don't need to absolutely think about what you'd like to do (constantly annoying on holiday whilst you simply want to veg out). Monday changed into yoga, Tuesday a Cuban night, Wednesday a cooking magnificence, Thursday tequila tasting, Friday more yoga, Saturday a casino and Sunday? We chilled on Sunday. Double rooms from £289pn.
Other alternatives? Luna Liquida is a boutique hotel inside the coronary heart of downtown PV with14 for my part styled rooms unfold throughout five hillside villas, boasting balconies, shade-washed partitions and no TVs. The fourth-floor terrace with sea views, infinity pool and Jacuzzi and loungers is so adorable it's difficult to rip your self away to sightsee. Doubles from £146pn.
It's specifically approximately the beaches in PV, however Playa de Quimixto has the brought bonus of a nearby waterfall, which takes approximately half-hour to attain, hiking upwards via lush jungle. And sure, we did soar in while we arrived.
We additionally spent an afternoon exploring the Spanish colonial metropolis: remarkable churches, white-washed houses with orange roofs and putting baskets of vivid plant life, cobbled streets. Basically a photographer's dream, so remember your phone. Tip: some of the streets are fairly steep because the town's on a hillside, so wear residences and take a bottle of water.
What we ate?Ceviche (marinated seafood) and plenty of it. Specifically ceviche tostadas with our toes inside the sand at Mi Ranchito, a laid-again eating place in Boca de Tomatlan (Boca to locals), a sleepy beach village simply south of PV (you could arrive by way of water taxi). The splendid backdrop - jungle-clad hills, boats bobbing on the Tomatlan River and golden seashore - had us Instagramming like mad.
But TBH we specially ate at Casa Velas - why wouldn't you when it's all protected? Emiliano, which serves gourmet Mexican, was our favourite restaurant - the crimson snapper roasted in garlic oil served on a creamy Champagne sauce turned into so scrumptious we needed to go back nights in a row.
Asian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes at the Ocean Club are great too, platefuls of satiating calamari, lemon hen and prawns on pesto spaghetti (ensure you put on something free around the stomach).
- To plan your experience and for extra details, go to the visit Puerto Vallarta website.
- Thomson Airways flies direct from London Gatwick direct to Puerto Vallarta, it takes around 12 hours.