World Domination… Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Firstly, I’d like to start out by stating that going to Mexico in January is more expensive than I expected. Looking back now, it makes sense since people that can afford to travel after the holidays are not only able to pay full price but they also face a luxury tax for vacationing while everyone else is covered in snow. Puerto Vallarta was the beach town that I needed even though I was underwhelmed by my overpriced yet overcrowded beach resort choice. I won’t be focused on that but will focus on the adventure that was had zipping through town.
Puerto Vallarta is everything you want and need when escaping the cold winter weather. It’s large enough to get lost in town while also small enough not to be overwhelmed by the bustling of the city. On a quick getaway I found myself sitting hours on end on bus rides to the outskirts of town. After one of these drives I ended up going on a relaxing horseback ride which had scenery so beautiful that it would have been insulting to try to snap it instead of just enjoying it. The horses couldn’t walk across the broken bridges so a hike was required. This hike ended under a waterfall that made this urban traveler stop and stare in awe until the guide insisted that it was time to walk back to the horses. Afterwards, la abuela made freshly pressed tortillas that fed my soul. Outside of Guatemala, I’ve never tasted such a delicious masterpiece.
Another bus ride away led to zip lining, using Indio Adventures, across the jungle which was insanely fun. It was fast paced and exhilarating, especially when the guides encourage you to do the superman upside down and upright. Soaring over the jungle is the closest that I would ever get to bungie jumping. A walk through town afterwards was filled with scouring the local shops and also a snack before riding back to the resort area for a nightly dinner. There is something about traveling outside of the U.S. that makes me appreciate fresh food. In other countries food isn’t fast, it’s simmered and prepared to be savored, not merely to be scarfed down.
A day in Puerto Vallarta is everything you need for a quick getaway. There you can walk along the beach during sunrise, followed by a non-packaged breakfast before starting an exciting day of adventure if you want to. If instead you prefer to do nothing but be a beach bum all day, no one will put up a fuss! The resorts have games and hype people if you choose not to leave the resort. Outside of the mediocre hotel accommodations, my only regret was purchasing excursions at the airport. I found out afterwards that it actually turned out to be a scam to get me to sign up for a timeshare disguised as a breakfast. However, Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful old town full of beautiful beaches, great food, and everything that you need in between.