Situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is the Riviera Nayarit, a vacationer’s paradise with nearly 200 miles of award-winning beaches and some of the finest resorts in the country. On a recent visit I stayed on the Punta Mita strip at the luxury Iberostar Playa Mita as well as Marival Residences in Nuevo Vallarta. Both offer a great stay for different reasons.
Iberostar’s lobby is exquisite, lined with sculptures and seating alcoves, while outdoors the grounds are well-kept and beautiful with manicured gardens. The two-year old hotel boasts five restaurants, a nightclub, beach bar, golf course and full-service spa. For families, the children’s facilities are just as impressive with a kid’s club and pool. Guests can also take advantage of its prime location and participate in outdoor activities such as kayaking, windsurfing and beach volleyball.
My room was an Ocean Front Junior Suite, a spacious 538-square-foot space with two double beds, a walkout balcony and complimentary bathrobes and slippers. Right outside, the beach seems to stretch for miles, inviting guests to take long lazy walks along the coast. It’s totally unspoiled. The water was rough during my visit so I didn’t venture too far, something to be cautious of if traveling with young or novice swimmers.
Most of my evenings were spent in the lovely Sea Soul Bar relaxing on comfortable lounge furniture with a made-to-order cocktail. This is the perfect spot to catch sunsets over the pacific and simply unwind. The resort staff was gracious and very attentive. The food, especially breakfast, was superb. The first night I enjoyed a delicious steak, grilled to perfection, topped with a fabulous chimichurri sauce in the La Bahia, an à la carte steakhouse.
Following my stay at Iberostar, I headed over to the Marival Residences in Nuevo Vallarta. If you’re looking for a vacation with laid-back luxury, you can’t do any better than Marival’s four-diamond residences. They are quiet and serene, compared to their sister, all-inclusive property, Marival Resort & Suites, down the street. The residences offer a high-level of personalized service.
This is an all-inclusive resort with three dining options including the Sky Lounge and Wine Bar. The suites have a fully-equipped kitchen where guests can cook their own meals or, if you prefer, a gourmet meal can be delivered. The spacious residential-style suites and villas come in one- to four-bedroom options with either a rooftop deck or private terrace, and some with a private demi-pool.
For lunch I was joined by Sales Manager Armando Jimenez for a tasting menu from both Omaggio International and Lemon Grass restaurants which included individual pizzas, crab cakes, fish dishes, tuna tartar and a Mexican version of Caesar salad. I was very impressed by the skills of the resident chefs.
When it comes to amenities, the property offers Melange World Spa which also holds a full-service beauty salon.The spa rooms are decorated according to each country it represents—Italy, Russia, Mexico, Bali, Thailand, India and American. I spent some time getting an exquisite American-styled massage and facial treatment, which left me very relaxed, and enveloped in the luxurious fragrance of lavender and honey.
Outside of the residences, guests can embark on an excursion to Marietas Islands. This not-to-be-missed trip is offered through Punta Mita Expeditions. They are a tour and activity operator, with adventure-based trips and excursions for people of all ages. Their tours offer activities such as zip-lining, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling and whale watching. One tour also allows travelers to explore the Marietas Islands National Park and its surrounding waters. Ride through gregarious groups of wild dolphins, snorkel through swarms of King Angelfish and giant Pacific manta rays, explore the islands' many caves on a paddle board or photograph the rare blue-footed booby birds—their trips offer it all.
Nearby, the quaint little village of San Pancho are charming streets lined with trees bearing breadfruit, mangoes, almonds and avocados. Resting in the heart of San Pancho’s cobblestoned streets is the Hotel Cielo Rojo, here you can participate in a tequila tasting. This boutique property has a unique collection of artisanal wines and cocktails as well as a fine organic housemade tequila.
After San Pancho, head down the road to Sayulita, a somewhat bohemian art colony with a thriving expat community and recognized internationally for its outstanding surfing. Visitors enjoy browsing the fine art galleries and stylishly-colorful shops where you can purchase clothing, handicrafts, decorative items, handmade cosmetics and jewelry. You can also find colorful art objects displayed by the Huichol Indians in the plaza, right in the heart of the town. There are also several beachfront restaurants, cafés, luxurious villas, small hotels and spas. It’s noisy, busy and super hip.
While in Sayulita, enjoy lunch at Don Pedro’s, a beachfront restaurant owned by Nicholas Parrillo and Damien Porter. It’s the perfect spot to watch surfers, which is exactly what I did while enjoying a chicken club sandwich and mojito cocktail.
In my three-day visit I got a brief taste of what Riviera Nayarit has to offer, but there’s no doubt there are so many more areas to explore. If you’re headed to the area for a quick visit, either hotel will be a great choice, it all comes down to preference. Marival Residences starts at around $500 a night and Iberostar Playa Mita begins at $200 a night.
