Puerto Vallarta, Mexico guide: hotels, restaurants, things to do
Ah Mexico. Donald Trump would possibly need to build a wall between you and america, but in my view we would knock one right down to get on your beaches. Particularly Puerto Vallarta, a city inn on the dreamy Pacific Coast, in which the palm tree-covered stretches of sand curve across the glowing blue Baha de Banderas and cocktails float at sundown within the bars along promenade El Malecón. Once not anything greater than some untouched beaches and coconut groves, after being forged because the setting for cult 60s movie Night of the Igauana (us neither) there was a tourism and building explosion and it became a pinnacle vacation spot for Mexican's, American's and now us.
Where we stayed?Casa Velas is adult-only, set in fantastic tropical gardens overlooking a gold sand seashore and (this is critical) ALL-INCLUSIVE. Yep, this is right, all of your food and liquids are loose (well good enough, now not loose, but you've already paid up front so no awful invoice on the cease, yippee) together with pinnacle nosh at Emiliano (greater of which later). Cocktails on the poolside Aqua Bar are a should at sundown, or you can get within the pool as it has a swim-up bar.
Our master bedroom had a tropical Spanish vibe with wood beams, ceiling fan, ocre-colored walls, tiles and a massive balcony with sea view. Some of the suites have Jacuzzi's and plunge swimming pools, however while you're this near the swimming pools and seashore, who's stricken?
It might be impolite now not to go to the spa, which has more than 60 treatments to pick out from, so we booked a stone remedy huge and white tea organic facial, which left us glowing and blissed-out.
One of the high-quality matters about Casa Velas are its daily organised sports so that you don't ought to clearly reflect onconsideration on what you'd like to do (constantly worrying on excursion whilst you just need to veg out). Monday was yoga, Tuesday a Cuban night, Wednesday a cooking class, Thursday tequila tasting, Friday more yoga, Saturday a on line casino and Sunday? We chilled on Sunday. Double rooms from £289pn.
Other alternatives? Luna Liquida is a boutique lodge inside the heart of downtown PV with14 personally styled rooms unfold throughout 5 hillside villas, boasting balconies, color-washed partitions and no TVs. The fourth-floor terrace with sea perspectives, infinity pool and Jacuzzi and loungers is so lovable it is hard to tear your self away to sightsee. Doubles from £146pn.
It's mainly about the seashores in PV, however Playa de Quimixto has the delivered bonus of a nearby waterfall, which takes about 30 minutes to attain, trekking upwards via lush jungle. And yes, we did bounce in when we arrived.
We also spent a day exploring the Spanish colonial town: first rate churches, white-washed houses with orange roofs and placing baskets of bright flowers, cobbled streets. Basically a photographer's dream, so recollect your cellphone. Tip: some of the streets are pretty steep as the town's on a hillside, so put on residences and take a bottle of water.
But TBH we in particular ate at Casa Velas - why wouldn't you when it is all covered? Emiliano, which serves gourmand Mexican, changed into our favorite restaurant - the red snapper roasted in garlic oil served on a creamy Champagne sauce became so delicious we had to go back two nights in a row.
Asian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes at the Ocean Club are outstanding too, platefuls of satiating calamari, lemon chicken and prawns on pesto spaghetti (make certain you put on something free across the stomach).
?And drank?ask for a coco melange at the Aqua Bar as Casa Vela: vodka, Bailey's, coconut cream and vanilla ice cream. It's basically dessert in a pitcher.
FYI
- To plan your journey and for more details, go to the go to Puerto Vallarta internet site.
- Thomson Airways flies direct from London Gatwick direct to Puerto Vallarta, it takes around 12 hours.