Mexico is a vacationer’s dream. With so many destinations featuring gorgeous beaches, cultural experiences and an immense variety of hotel/resort choices in every price range, a trip to Mexico truly offers something for everyone.
Based in New York City our team has visited Cancun and the Riviera Maya on several occasions with a short 3.5 hour flight, making a long weekend an easy reality. This time we decided to venture to Puerto Vallarta, on the western coast of Mexico to experience what it has to offer.
Puerto Vallarta has been a go to for west coasters for decades as well as midwesterners and Canadians due to convenient direct flights and charters. From NYC there are many convenient connections to Puerto Vallarta VIA Mexico City on Aeromexico, more details on that below.
When choosing a resort to discover in Puerto Vallarta, we wanted to experience a family all- inclusive traveling with a 10 year old, but also wanted to pamper ourselves, relax, and experience the authenticity and charm of Puerto Vallarta. The Buenaventura Grand & Great Moments is centrally located about 15 minutes from the airport and a short stroll from the famous seaside boardwalk know as “The Malecon” featuring many cafes, shops, outdoor clubs and entertainment.
A beachfront property on The Bay of Banderas, the resort offers three pool areas including an adults only area along a beach bar where friendly bartenders mix refreshing cocktails with daily specials and remember guests drink choices by the second day.
The resort is going through a gradual renovation that began in 2016 with all the rooms eventually being transformed to include flat screen tv’s and visually pleasing decor and modern luxuries. The main restaurant Frutas Y Flores and the specialty restaurant Sunset were also renovated late last year along with the resort’s kitchen. Both restaurants feature regional specialties along with an international menu and offer a variety of vegetarian and gluten free options.
The resort offers daily activities, a kids club and nightly entertainment including a weekly themed “Mexican Night” featuring local cuisine and an authentic Mexican Show.
The parent company also owns The Villa Premiere right next door, an adults-only, all suites, premiere all-inclusive, boutique resort that is perfect for a romantic getaway or honeymoon.
Things To Do In Puerto Vallarta:
The hotel concierge can arrange many types of adventures throughout Puerto Vallarta. Here are our favorites:
Dolphin Discovery offers several swimming with the dolphins packages that allow an unforgettable experience for the entire family. These smart and adorable mammals love to interact with guests while trainers teach participants about them. Located in Aquaventuras Park, featuring 10 waterslides, a lazy river, zipline, and a climbing wall challenge. An area dedicated to little ones is also available. Open daily 10 to 5. The park offers a variety of packages, some that include food & beverages.
Vallarta Adventures excursion to YELAPA & MAJAHUITAS. The full day excursion begins with a breakfast onboard a catamaran that departs from marina vallarta. Sailing south along the Puerto Vallarta coast to the peaceful cove of Majahuitas, the catamaran stops in this isolated cove for 1.5 hours of snorkeling and kayaking. A tasty lunch follows as well as an open bar. The afternoon is spent in Yelapa where guests can choose to be beachside on lounge chairs or climb the Yelapa waterfall before hitting the beach. On the way back the bar is once again open and there is rock show on board. As a bonus we saw Whales, not guaranteed!
A few other suggestions are: Vallarta Food Tours Taco Tour, Canopy River’s River Expedition, San Sebastian and Artwalk.
Getting There:
Aeromexico offers daily service to Puerto Vallarta from several cities via Mexico City. The airline recently introduced daily service from JFK to Mexico City aboard The 787 Dreamliner. This state of the art aircraft offers a modern cabin with more oxygen, LED lighting, noise reduction technology and a much smoother ride. The aircraft is also environmentally efficient with a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and thus leaving a 20% smaller footprint. Inflight service includes full meal and beverage service and entertainment options at every seat featuring the latest movies, Netflix, and WIFI.
For the ultimate in comfort and a first class experience book a ticket in Clase Premier, which offers fully flat seats aboard The 787 Dreamliner and comfortable wide reclining seats aboard the 737-800. Enhanced meal and beverage service, priority boarding and the use of VIP lounges and partner Skyteam lounges globally.
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