Tight turns, climbs, and splashdowns… we were in for one wild ride in the back of a yellow Mercedes truck as we raced 3 other teams to solve our clues and be the first group to the final location. Working as a team we unraveled puzzles and we were completely immersed in the rural beauty of the communities in Riviera Nayarit in Mexico. With 46 other Macaroni Kid Publishers, it was the opportunity of a lifetime to explore this region in a unique way that opened my eyes to learn about a culture I had never experienced before.
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Vallarta Adventures took us on this off-road, thrilling ride, with guides who were friendly (and bilingual) and shared all their knowledge of the past and present Mexico history. They entertained us with stories throughout the day, and their humor kept us laughing and bonding as a group. The guides were truly a highlight of our tour, so much so that each group argued they had the best guide!
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Our amazing race took us through local towns were we got to sightsee as we bought ingredients from a little family-owned markets and tortilla shops. We followed our clues to the Sierra Madre Mountains where we hiked through the forest and learned about the native wildlife and plants. With the ingredients collected along our route, we eventually arrived at a family farm where Mexican cooking came alive as we learned all about their traditions and culture, cooking our own tortillas over an open flame and preparing delicious salsa.
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Culture is such a strong part of people’s lives, influencing what they believe, their values, and their hopes and fears. Traveling through the different communities within Riviera Nayarit gave me so much perspective and understanding of their culture, especially in the towns of San Pablo and Sayulita.
We discovered a hidden treasure in San Pablo, a community center that was built to increase learning opportunities and skill training for children and families so that they could contribute to change their community in a positive way. Much of this is done through a fascinating recycling program they have put together and it is clearly making a difference within their community. This program is always in need of extra help and support, so I encourage you to read more about it here: https://entreamigos.org.mx
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Sayulita was a lively beach town that we explored, with bright colors and eclectic handcrafts, it was packed with culture and delicious cuisine. This small town is great for just laying on the beach and people watching, or strolling the cobblestone streets and shopping with the merchants.
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All of these adventures and towns are just a short drive from each other in the beautiful region of Riviera Nayarit, just outside of Puerto Vallarta. There are quite a few hotel options, and I would definitely recommend the all-inclusive Reflect Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta for a family vacation. This newly renovated, beachfront hotel provided great accommodations, delicious food options, and nightly family-friendly entertainment.
The Reflect Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta was the ideal location for a hotel, not too far from the airport or any of the excursions. We could just enjoy a day at the beach, at any one of their amazing pools or the spa at the resort, or travel out to the towns rich with culture and adventure. The all-inclusive feature was definitely a plus so that I didn’t have to add in extra budget money for meals and drinks!
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As you plan your next getaway, be sure to check out Riviera Nayarit, Mexico’s newest beach destination with over 200 miles of Pacific coastline and quaint cultural towns, along with lush rugged mountains, offering adventure and relaxation for the whole family! I will definitely be bringing my family back to this area to soak up the culture and adventure as we find our family fun!
*Macaroni Kid Lodi was hosted on this trip, but as always, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
