Are you dreaming of a destination with either mountains or ocean and can’t decide between the two? Well, now you don’t have to choose! At Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, you can have both!
Imagine a sandy beach with a landscape of gorgeous mountains on either side. You don’t have to keep fantasizing any longer because there is such a place—and I was lucky enough to experience it firsthand. Along with 50 other Macaroni Kid publishers, I enjoyed a trip of a lifetime!
We stayed at three hotels, visited five amazing beaches, and enjoyed five incredible pools while being spoiled with delicious food along the way.
Our first hotel was the Reflect Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta, which offered amazing views from our 10th-floor room and its Sky Lounge. The rooftop lounge had a pool that we simply couldn’t resist!
While staying at the hotel, we had front-row seats to the most stunning water show. It was called Aquatic Special, and it was every bit as entertaining as a Disney or Cirque du Soleil show. The acrobats were incredibly talented as they performed to music, but the best part was the fire show at the end. We were right next to the flames and could actually feel the heat and smell the kerosene. At one point, we were a little nervous because of how risky some of their fire tricks were! My boys would have absolutely loved to see this show!
An Amazing Race Adventure
Our most exciting adventure was a scavenger-hunt-style race, similar to The Amazing Race, hosted by Vallarta Adventures. We had a blast competing against the other publishers while completing tasks from our clue cards.
Some of the challenges included finding our truck driver, taking a group photo with everyone squeezed into a stranger’s taxi, and collecting ingredients to make tacos at a local store. Once we collected all the ingredients, we learned how to make authentic Mexican tortillas, pico de gallo, and salsa for our scrumptious tacos. After we ate one taco, we begged for another!
Then came our next challenge: take three tacos and deliver them to local firefighters. Our final task ended at the beach with a delicious lunch. It was such a fun adventure filled with laughter, competition, and opportunities to learn more about the area.
A Culinary Experience in San Blas
Our second stop was two hours north in San Blas, home of Riviera Nayarit’s Culinary Ambassador, Chef Betty Vazquez. Her restaurant, El Delfin, served us one of the most amazing meals I have ever experienced!
We enjoyed one-of-a-kind appetizers, authentic Mexican soup, breads that were out of this world, melt-in-your-mouth chicken, delicious vegetables, and decadent chocolate squares that were almost like fudge. But the best part of all was the hospitality.
This family-owned hotel and restaurant is run by three charming sisters who give the property such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I couldn’t wait to wake up the next morning and do it all over again with breakfast. In fact, I think the morning food might have been even better than dinner!
While in San Blas, we also went on a boat tour where we saw alligators, turtles, and dozens of different types of birds in their natural habitat. The ride was peaceful and relaxing as we glided through the mangroves of the La Tovara National Forest.
After the boat tour, we entered more of a zoo-like atmosphere, where we saw all kinds of alligators, birds, lynx, and cheetahs. It was fascinating to learn about the native animals of the area.
Mountains, Ocean, and Luxury
If you are looking for a beautiful beach and an upscale atmosphere, Punta Mita is the place for you. The W was our last hotel, and it took my breath away with its stunning ocean views, chic décor, and hip vibe.
Our room was absolutely the coolest room I have ever stayed in! It was nestled in the lush jungle hills and surrounded by the sounds of frogs, birds, and waterfalls. The room even had its own waterfall feature that lulled me to sleep at night. My mouth dropped when I discovered that the shower had a glass door that opened directly to the jungle!
The service at the W was top-notch. Whenever we needed something, it arrived within minutes.
My most enjoyable time at the W was relaxing in the cabana while looking out at both the pristine pool and the white-sand beach. I truly felt like a VIP and kept waiting for someone to pinch me and bring me back to reality.
The Best of Both Worlds
My all-time favorite part of the trip was taking in the views of the ocean and mountains at all the different locations we visited. But if I had to choose my absolute favorite moment, it would be swimming at the edge of the infinity pool at the Reflect Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta while staring at the mountains and ocean at the same time.
It was hard to leave those magnificent views while cooling off in the pool. At one point, I almost fell asleep as I soaked in all the tranquility.
The morning we had to leave, I made sure to wake up early enough to walk along the beach and bask in God’s magnificent beauty. What a blessing it was to be part of such an amazing trip—to experience a place where the mountains meet the ocean in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico!
Lafayette Macaroni Kid was compensated for this review. All opinions are our own.
