The Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya Hotel is a AAA four-diamond award winning resort that allows guests a romantic getaway, a honeymoon experience of a lifetime, and a gateway into Vallarta art and culture. The 316-suite property is bent around the stunning curves of the Mismaloya Bay. As if beauty has no bounds the recreational area of the hotel looks out to sea amidst peacefully docked boats. The four pools sit atop the bay and overlook the limitless watered horizon. Everything is at your fingertips here at the Barcelo La Jolla De Mismaloya Hotel. Water sports and family oriented activates run throughout the day in the close-knit setting of waterfalls, restaurants, and romance. The size of the resort is not overwhelming. Guests can navigate with ease through the comfortable interior of the Hotel and find peaceful solace or extravagant pleasure with the Premium Club Service, which includes: chilled wine at arrival, a complementary fruit basket and access of the hotels VIP Lounge.

A brand new spa is just nearing completion at the resort. It will include an array of treatments for the guests and a new look indoor/outdoor experience with many new water features and gardens. This resort is indeed a couples paradise. Barcelo La Jollas wedding package is hard to resist for the couples looking to say -I Do-. It is all exclusive with an ocean view, an expert wedding coordinator, a 3-hour private dinner, which includes a cake for up to 10 people and an open bar option for another 3 hours. There is a his-and-hers half-hour massage and the wedding night is spent in the presidential suite, ending beautifully with a relaxing champagne breakfast in bed. This Under the Stars option goes for only $1,400 and makes the Barcelo La Jolla one of the most romantic wedding resorts in the world.

The authentic Spanish restaurants leave nothing off limits, including the delicacy of Mexican hot chocolate in the morning next to endless buffets. For lunch you can spice it up with dishes from the Old country or Modern Italian choices. There are also excellent outdoor steakhouses and seafood grills that face the Pacific Ocean. After Dinner the night continues in the beautiful outdoor cantina where nightly entertainment will never let you down.

Outside of the resort can be just as pleasing, romantic, and comfortable as inside. The international Airport is a breeze for vacationers, as it boasts a new hassle free luggage retrieval system with a recently modernized customs area. In the city computerized interactive modules can be found on the sides of extravagant bronze sculptures creating an interesting clash of technology and tradition allowing the viewer to find out information about the city in several languages. Walking along the boardwalk you will notice the importance of art and romance to the city. Puerto Vallartas seaside has over 30 art galleries that have been around since the 1950s. Make sure to catch Art Walk a one day a week celebration of Vallarta Art when you book your romantic getaway to Barcelo La Volla de Mismaloya.

Before escaping into one of the 484 extravegant Junior Suites to sit atop either a balcony or terrace and take in the beautiful Pacific Coast sunset glimmering off the teal/blue ocean.  Make sure your day is filled with the many diverse accommodations The Riu Palace Pacifico Hotel has to offer.

The Riu Palace Hotel has something for everyone.  Whether you enjoy kicking back and relaxing across the expansive white Mexican beach sand, entering into a fitness program, enjoying a nightly show, or dancing at a dicotheque - this luxurious hotel has it all.  While you are taking in all the views the Hotel has to offer or stopping into one of the many hotel bars the kids can roan free splashing the day away in their own separate kid’s pool.  Your relazation can be taken to a new level at the Riu Palace as you let your worries slide during a deluxe spa and steam bath.

If you want to get out for a while look no further than the 18-hole-course.  This course is one of the best in Puerto Vallarta and located less than a mile away
from the Riu Palace Hotel.  Before, after, or during all the various activities and rounds or golf and relaxation pleasing the palate at beakfast, lunch, and dinner
or many specialty resaurants to choose from.  You will not be disappointed with The Riu Palace Pacifico Hotel and the many diverse amenities it has to offer.

 The Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers unlimited luxury and accommodations just steps away from sands of the Bahia de Bandera.  Here you can experience an all-inclusive pampered vacation with excellent perks.

 All of their 337 rooms and suites feature contemporary Mexican décor, marble floors, private balconies, 24-hour room service, bathrobes and slippers, 27 inch satellite TV, electric safes and a daily refreshed mini bar.  You can upgrade to the Preferred Club, which offers VIP amenities, privileges, larger suites, expansive penthouses, solarium terrace and private pool.

 Throughout the resort’s ground you will find their state-of-the-art fitness center, their spa, many land and water activities, and a wide array of dining choices.  Among activities on land are:  rock climbing, hiking through the jungle, and their Explorer’s Kids Club (where children can take part in both educational and entertainment programs such as arts and crafts, sand castle competitions, ocean trampolines and movies on the beach).  Among water activities, there are:  kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, jet skiing, and more.

 When it comes to dining, you can take your pick out of their five restaurants and four bars.  Among their restaurants are: the buffet-style World Café, the a la carte Seaside Grill, causal dining at El Patio, fresh seafood with great bay views at Oceana, or have a romantic culinary experience for two on the beach.  Among their bars, there is: Barracuda bar, Manatees Swim-up Bar, Desires sports bar.

 And, as Dreams Puerto Vallarta is located only minutes away from downtown Puerto Vallarta, you are given the chance to take part in activities outside of the resort.  Some of the more popular are eco-adventure tours, zip-lining through the jungle canopy, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, secluded beaches nearby, golf (which can be arranged for you by the Dreams concierge, and shopping at boutiques downtown.

 The Grand Velas all Suites & Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta sits on the Bandera Bay, along the Pacific’s beautiful waters.  As one of the new premier destinations in Mexico, this oceanfront property offers private and exquisite luxury within 267 spacious suites.

 Their suites come in either one or two bedroom styles, along with more advanced and cavernous styles.  The rooms are decorated with tropical accents and Balinese teak wood furnishings, and every suite offers wide terraces and grand ocean views, along with wireless internet access, DVD/CD/MP3 players, bathrobes and slippers, daily turndown, a pillow menu comprised of eight services and goose-down comforters.  The Imperial SPA Suite has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an oversized living room, formal dining room, a grand terrace, an exclusive private spa (with steam room, table massage area, outdoor Jacuzzi for 12) and more in the suite’s 3,300 square feet.  You will have no need to leave this suite, the expert therapists come right to your private spa room.

 With the activities included in the resort, you won’t ever get bored.  Here they offer tennis, paddle tennis courts, non-motorized watersports, scuba diving demonstrations, infinity pool and Jacuzzi area, and free use of the world-class golf course.  At the resort’s spa offers their signature “Grand Velas Ritual,” Pilates, Capoeira, Tai Chi, meditation classes and more.  They also feature a world-class convention center featuring state-of-the-art technology, expert technical services and a knowledgeable banquet and catering team.

 And not only are all the activities included, but so are the meals.  Among their restaurants are Azul (with oceanfront dining on innovative international dishes), Frida (which combines innovative Mexican cuisine with art), Lucca Gourmet (serving Italian-Mediterranean tastes in their rich meats, fresh pastas and delicate seafood), and Piaf (serving classic French gourmet).  And all of Grand Velas dining venues have a house sommelier on hand to guide you through their impressive wine list.

 Surfing is popular on Mexico’s Pacific coast, especially the small coastal fishing village of Sayulita, located 30 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.  This destination is ideal for beginning surfers, or well-learned surfers looking to perfect their technique.  But the more advanced of the riders head south to Puerto Escondido, where you will find the rougher waves.

 Most boarders spend there time in Sayulita’s Bay, just off a curving white-sand town beach.  Along this beach, longboarders will find the more advanced waves, and further down the beach, beginners will find smaller waves.  Here you will find a small but colorful population of local fishermen, hippies, and more.  And the city offers a charm, that the closer Puerto Vallarta doesn’t offer, that would be that the town puts into action a control over development, allowing no big hotels of big chain stores around.  Almost everything in the town is within walking distance, and is far from being overrun by tourists, therefore, the beaches are rarely crowded, and the foreign travelers tend to be in their 20s and 30s.

 Beginning in 2006, Access Trips Adventure Travel Company started a small group surf itinerary to Sayulita and its surrounding breaks.  They offer seven-day surf safaris that are led only by locals, and by one local surfer in particular, Javier Chavez.  The packages include lodging, instruction, all breakfasts, a lunch and two dinners, yoga and transportation (including airport transfers).  In the winter, humpback whale center in the bay, and are a bonus when surfing in the area.  You can also find Las Olas Surf Safaris, who runs surf camps for many. 

 Sol Melia has seven brands and more than 350 hotels around the world, but only two of their brands, Melia and Paradisus have all-inclusives.  These all-inclusive hotels are in Mexico in locations like Cozumel, Ixtapa, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya.  Among their resorts, Melia Puerto Vallarta, Melia Cabo Real, Melia Cozumel, Melia Azul Ixtapa and Paradisus Riviera Cancun are all-inclusive.

 Included in their all-inclusive plan is breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, night shows and entertainment, daily activities (like bartending lessons, aquaerobics, and dance classes), non-motorized watersports, access to the fitness center, kid’s club with supervised activities throughout the day, and taxes and gratuities.  Also, the Paradisus Riviear Cancun also offers ‘Life Enriching’ classes, such as candle making, painting, photography, wine tasting, Zen philosophy, star gazing, flower arranging, and tango classes.  They also have shopping trips to cancun throughout the week.

 AMResorts offer many resorts in Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya.  They also plan to open five more in Hautulco, Nuevo Vallarta and Puerto Morelos this year.  AMREsorts has three branches; Secrets, Dreams, and Sunscape.  Secrets offer soft luxury with a sense of intimacy with their adults-only policy.  Dreams still appeals to couples with a romantic offers and amenities, while providing convenient extras for their children.  And Sunscape appeals all-out to children and targeting for families with excitement, activities.  And all of these properties offer modern, full-service spas.

 Secrets and Dreams feature 24-hour-room service, daily refreshed mini-bars, full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, snacks, lounges and bars, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tennis clinics, daytime activities (from dance lessons to water activities), non-moterized watersports (such as kayaking and windsurfing), nightly entertainment (such as evening shows and beach parties), fitness center and all taxes and gratuities.  All these things are included in their ‘Unlimited Luxury’ plan, and Sunscape’s ‘Unlimited Fun’ plan features similar benefits, but for both children and adults. 

 Among the Secrets Resorts is Secrets Capri in Riviera Maya, Secrets Maroma Beach in Riviera Maya, Secrets Silversands in Riviera Maya, Secrets La Romana in the Dominican Republic, Secrets Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and Secrets Montego Bay in Jamaica.  These resorts all offer a high level of romantic luxury, all with gourmet restaurants.  Also, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun offers daily shuttles to Playa del Carmen for offsite shopping and exploration.

 Among the Dreams Resorts is Dreams Cancun in Mexico, Dreams Riviera Cancun, Dreams Tulum and Dreams Puerto Aventuras in Riviera Maya, Dreams Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Dreams Villamagna in Puerto Vallarta, Dreams Los Cabos in Mexico, Dreams Huatulco in Mexico, and Dreams Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  The Dreams Resorts offer activities and arrangements for couples and families alike, with an array of day and nighttime activities and spacious rooms, everyone is sure to be pleased.  They promise “Unlimited Luxury” to all their guests, be them young or old.  Among the services specific to a resort, Dreams Tulum offers bike tours of the ruins of Tulum, Dreams Puerto Vallarta features a sea turtle conservation program, and Dreams Cancun has a dolphinarium where you can interact with the dolphins for an additional charge.  The Dreams Resorts also offer the Explorer’s Club, where they feature supervised activities for kids ages 3-12.

 Among the Sunscape Resorts is Sunscape Casa Del Mar in La Romana, Sunscape Puerto Aventuras in Riviera Maya, and Sunscape Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  The Sunscape Properties boast their ‘Unlimited Fun’ promise with activities that appeal to every one of all ages.  They also offer multiple specialty themed restaurants and bars.  They too offer an Explorer’s Club along with activities like rock n’ roll parties, scuba lessons, and sports.

            I recently went on a trip to Puerto Vallarta early this October, my first since I traveled there in 1998.  Since then, this area has grown tremendously and there is a new area now, called Nuevo Vallarta, which is about 20 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta.  Once I arrived I had to be aware of time share representatives that tried to lure me to their gimmicks.  After clearing immigration, I proceeded to collect my luggage and went directly to the airport taxi where taxis were available to take me to my resort.  Once to the resort I was on guard for time share representatives again, as airport passenger arrival and the airport exit corridor are popular spots for time share activities.  They usually posed themselves as passenger assistance/information representatives.  If this happens to you, all I can recommend is saying “no thank you,” and you will most likely have to repeat it again, as they are very persistent.

         I stayed at Marival Resort and Suites in Nuevo Vallarta.  We had two bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a kitchenette, a living room and an oceanfront suite with balcony.  I recommend this all-inclusive resort for families, couples and singles alike.  They offer a great beach perfect for water sports, tennis games on one of their four outdoor courts, or many organized games and activities offered throughout the day.  If traveling with children, they can enjoy their own playground, pool, and supervised activities program.  You can also enjoy the nightlife at Cesar’s Club Disco, where there is no cover charge for hotel guests.  The food was excellent, I loved the buffet breakfast that offered a variety of eggs, pancakes, French toast and even Mexican food like tacos and burritos.  And another convenient aspect was that there is always a restaurant open from early morning until late at night.  The one drawback of my stay at the resort was the cold shower in our suite.  I mentioned it to the front desk, but it was never resolved by the time we checked out.    

            When in Puerto Vallarta, take advantage of the activities at this destination.  One I recommend is the Konkik adventure.  On this tour you glide along the water in a trimaran as dolphins, whales, and bird life surround the boat.  You can also enjoy the deli lunch and continental breakfast, along with snorkeling and kayaking.  This tour offers an English speaking tour guide and staff, open domestic bar, and drinks on the beach, along with snorkeling equipment.  This tour takes approximately 7 hours and operates Monday through Saturday between 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  I recommend taking comfortable walking shoes, a swimsuit, towel and an extra t-shirt.  This costs approximately $85 a person, $40 fro children, reservations are required 48 hours in advance, and pregnant women cannot participate in this activity.  A second thrill-seeking activity I recommend is the Canopy La Vista canopy tour.  In taking part in this, you can zip from tree to tree on 15 zip lines about the tropical canopies of Puerto Vallarta.  From up high you can overlook one of the largest bays in North America (Banderas Bay) and gaze upon the tropical trees, wild orchids, and native birds and reptiles.  This tour offers the most up to date and safest equipment, is approximately 3 hours long, and operates daily with the exception of local and national holidays.  They recommend you wear shorts or pants, closed toe shoes and insect repellant.  You must be at the meeting point 30 minutes prior to the tour time, the minimum height requirement is 4 feet and the maximum weight limit is 250 lbs.  Children must be a minimum of 7 years old, and this tour is not recommended for people who are pregnant, those with heart trouble, seizure disorders, or those with back, neck or shoulder disabilities.  Reservations are required 48 hours in advance.  These tours are $75 per adult, $65 per child, and $25 to just observe but not take part.  Both of these activities, in effort to preserve the environment, limit the use of sunscreen to those which are ecological/environmentally safe.