Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit are the Mexican west coast’s hidden gems
From surfing in hippy-chic Sayulita, strolling along the cobbled streets of the Zona Romantica, or enjoying the equivalent of a West End show with the Rhythms of the Night concert at Las Caletas, there is plenty to take in
WATCHING a baby turtle, just hours old, make its desperate journey into the sea was something I thought I would only ever see on a David Attenborough documentary.
Yet hours after touching down in Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s west coast, I was the one releasing an olive ridley sea turtle into the wild, observing it flapping its tiny flippers into the waves as the sun set.
Some 50,000 of the creatures have been released from the Marriott’s conservation hatchery this year alone.
But there were even more critters I would come face to face with during my week-long getaway.
For years, Mexico’s east coast, with the sandy beaches of the Mayan Riviera and party towns of Cancun and Tulum, have been hot spots for British travellers.
But 1,500 miles away, on the country’s west coast, picturesque Puerto Vallarta and neighbouring Riviera Nayarit offer a more relaxing alternative.
In the last decade it has become more and more popular with American and Canadian tourists.
Now we are getting in on it too, thanks to weekly direct TUI flights from Manchester and London.
As snow fell back home, it was the perfect winter getaway, with temperatures only dropping to a more-than-balmy low of 25C during the day.
The area is at its best from November to April, avoiding the rainy season and maintaining a near-perfect climate, whether you want to sunbathe or sightsee.
For me, it was a mix of the two, and the day after experiencing the cuteness of the baby turtles, I was swimming with dolphins in the wild.
Wildlife Connection runs boat trips out into Banderas Bay, where I dived straight in to mingle with pods of inquisitive dolphins which clicked and squeaked as they swam around me.
Biologist Maru is part of every trip the company runs, and has become well accustomed to the animals and ensures all dives are done in their best interest.
There are more than dolphins in the bay though, as I discovered days later while relaxing on a yacht with a margarita in hand after snorkelling around the local coral reefs.
Suddenly the boat’s crew ran to the bow and pointed straight ahead, where two humpback whales splashed around.
One of the most widely visited attractions here is the world-famous hidden beach — only accessible by swimming (and with a very necessary hard hat to avoid bashing your head).
Vallarta Adventures operates marina safari trips to the idyllic, secret shore, which has been carved out in the middle of an island, and has rare blue-footed booby birds flying overhead.
From surfing in hippy-chic Sayulita, strolling along the cobbled streets of the Zona Romantica, or enjoying the equivalent of a West End show with the Rhythms of the Night concert at Las Caletas, there are plenty of non-animal activities to keep you occupied.
All of this was more than enough to make it one of the most incredible trips I’ve ever been on.
But the accommodation here takes things to another level.
The coast is full of places to stay and there are infinity pools as far as the eye can see.
I checked into the most impressive hotel, the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.
It promised what they call a “beyond all-inclusive” experience, and it certainly delivered.
Go: Mexico
GETTING THERE: TUI has flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast from £569pp.
A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Hilton Puerto Vallarta is from £1,111 including Gatwick flights on April 20 and transfers. See
STAYING THERE: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is from £234pp per night all-inclusive. See vallarta.grandvelas.com or stay at Casa Kimberly from £207pp per night. See .
OUT & ABOUT: For more information head to visitpuertovallarta.com or rivieranayarit.com.
With personal concierges, sea views from every room, three fine dining restaurants and a gigantic pool overlooking the beach, it was the ideal place to relax.
In the rooms there is even free tequila, wine and more snacks than you can imagine. Perfect.
The Hilton offers a slightly more affordable experience, with some of the most impressive views at sunset from its rooftop bar, complete with another infinity pool. Well, why not?
For a more secluded stay, there is the back-to-basics Casitas Maraika — with its beautiful wooden buildings that are guaranteed to have the Instagram likes pouring in — or the boutique W Hotel with its divine Spice Market restaurant.
And of course, millions of tourists flock to Mexico each year for the food alone, which far exceeds the hybrid tex-mex the British are used to.
I had a go at making a traditional meal, with the help of chef Julio Cesar at Restaurant Gaby’s, which offers very affordable cooking lessons and serves some of the biggest margaritas in town.
There are plenty of opportunities to try incredible street food (but watch out, traveller’s tummy is real).
You can experience Hollywood Glamour at Casa Kimberley, the lavish home given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton
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Or sample a touch of Hollywood glamour at Casa Kimberly, situated in the lavish home given to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton for her 32nd birthday.
Puerto Vallarta’s incredible views, beautiful beaches, picturesque streets, perfect climate and luxurious accommodation makes this an absolute no-brainer for a return trip.
Apart from anything else, the lashings of tequila and mountains of guacamole and chips will have me coming back.