So a few months back there was an all-inclusive resort deal to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that Groupon had posted. Of course my friends Kristin, Heidi and I snatched it right up and before you know it, we were leaving for MEXICO!
October 12, Sunday night the three of us (Kristin, Heidi, and I) drove to Sioux Falls and stayed in a hotel for the night because our flight to Puerto Vallarta was on Monday morning at 7 AM.
October 13, Monday morning we flew into Dallas, TX for our first stop. Next stop PV, Mexico! We landed in Puerto Vallarta around 3 PM. After de-boarding the plane I felt a gust of hot humid air. It felt really nice to know I was in a warm climate location for my quick five day get-away. After exiting the airport we hitched a cab ride to our resort,
Vamar Vallarta. The ride was short because we were there within five minutes. We pulled up to the resort that was a completely open space, no doors, just a lobby nestled on the first floor of the resort in the open. It reminded me of my hotel I stayed at in St. Lucia! Walk through the lobby and the pool is 20 feet in front of you, inviting you to get wet! It was incredible. The resort was located on the marina littered with yachts. On the other side of the resort, across the main road, was the Pacific Ocean. The water was so warm it felt good on my toes. The room I stayed in was on the seventh floor, very spacious, a great view of the mountains/marina/pool and also had a nice kitchen (a kitchen we never used because the stay was all inclusive - who needs to make food when the food is prepared for you?!). Monday evening was spent discovering everything our resort had to offer; food, beach, pool, and views.
October 14, Tuesday morning I woke early and saw a beautiful sunrise over top the mountain from our balcony. I was up early most likely due to excitement of being in a tropical place and I wanted to get moving. We made our way to have a tour of the city. Downtown had many great characteristics, it was older with a few modern updates. We were able to see the artists work on the walk along the Pacific Ocean, The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and of course a few touristy shops that I can't stand to miss! I bought a few trinkets for my family and then we set off to a tequila tasting. I know what you're thinking - tequila is gross - but let me tell you, tequila is DELICIOUS! Tequila needs to be made of 100% BLUE agave plant. This is what I learned from tequila tasting at Tequila Don Tadeo in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and the tequila was exceptional! We bused into the mountains and ended at the movie set of Predators in 1987. There was an outdoor restaurant there with the best food I had tasted yet in Mexico. We bused back to our resort, had dinner and hit the hay.
October 15, Wednesday morning we had breakfast and taxi'd to the Marina Terminal for our adventure to the Marietas Islands. Before we hopped on the boat we took pictures with the most adorable 22 year old sea lion named Flash. He gave me hugs and kisses and I wanted nothing more than to take him home with me! The Marietas Islands are off the coast of Puerto Vallarta and are covered with plants that look close to the pineapple plant. The islands are populated with a bird known as the blue footed boobie, haha. Funny name but the birds have baby blue feet! We jumped ship and swam into one of the islands that used to be a volcano. There was a hidden beach inside the cave that was spectacular! Pretty spacious and absolutely amazing to say that I was there. We swam back to the ship and jetted to another island near by to do some snorkeling. The fish were colorful and I'm sure the under water camera I used won't do the darn things justice. After our snorkeling adventure on the islands we headed back to shore but not without the crew members entertainment! The tour was provided to us by Vallarta Adventures. The service and quality of the tour was impeccable and would recommend everyone one I know to tour with them when in Puerto Vallarta. Once we were back at our resort, we freshened up and went to dinner and passed out around 9 PM from the long day in the sun.
October 16, Thursday was our relaxing day. All of us ladies were pretty sun burnt from the day before and just wanted to be at the resort with nothing to do but lay by the pool and drink beer and margaritas. So that is exactly what we did! It was a wonderful day of relaxing, swimming in the pool, and eating everything the resort had to offer.
October 17, Friday was our last full day in PV. We tried to make the most of it! We went to the beach and took pictures, we laid by the pool, and freshened up for our last night and tour of the hidden beach known as Las Caletas! It was our final tour with Vallarta Adventures called Rhythms of the Night. We boated to Las Caletas around sunset and watched a show based on stories of an ancient civilization being told through live music and modern dance. The group was extremely talented. After the entertainment we dined under the stars in candlelight. Our table was located right on the beach. After dinner we boated back to the marina and taxi'd back to the resort. The evening was incredible and I wouldn't change our last night in PV one bit.
October 18, Saturday morning we had breakfast and made it back to the airport where we departed and arrived back in Dallas around 6 PM. We didn't make it back to Sioux Falls until 10 PM and drove back to Pierre. I was home in my own bed at 2 AM on Saturday night.
My trip in a nut shell ;)
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