A Mexican dancer performs at El Meson de Los Laureanos in El Quelite, Mexico.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that John Wayne used to keep a boat at the Playa Olas Atlas in Old Mazatlan and Ernest Hemingway used to travel there. Are you planning to visit Mazatlan? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in “the Pearl of the Pacific.”

When I have a visitor from out of town the first place they want to see are the beaches, but I also take them to Plaza Machado – for a more local, authentic experience where he or she can see the famous Angela Peralta Theater or pick up local handicrafts.

Romance in Mazatlan, Mexico

When I want to escape the tourists, my favorite place to visit is Mexico’s Stone Island for some serious R&R.

If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Hotel Jonathon’s rooftop for kissing with a view. For more information on Mazatlan’s newest boutique hotel, visit http://www.jonathonhotel.com/

The best place to go snorkeling is Deer Island — check with El Cid Resorts for excursions to this island.

Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit the Mazatlan Aquarium where you can see more than 200 species of fish spread across more than 50 tanks.

Mexican food in Mazatlan

Meat platter El Meson de los Laureanos

If you are looking for typical seafood cuisine, I recommend El Shrimp Bucket.  The restaurant, started by the creators of Senor Frog’s, is located on Mazatlan’s scenic Malecon at the Olas Altas Beach. Another fun place to dine with friends is La Puntilla.

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is Molika Bakery in old Mazatlan. Run by a French-trained Mazatleco, the bakery offers a variety of pastries and treats.

Looking for cheap food in Mazatlan? Go to Los Arcos in the Zona Dorada (Mazatlan’s Golden Zone) for seafood and Mexican food. Get the stuffed shrimp and wash it down with sangria or head to La Costa Marinera over looking the water. Delicious!

The Centro Historico is the spot for late night dining – Pedro y Lola, which has been featured in a number of international publications, offers a variety of Mexican dishes — and is open until 1am. Order the banana cream pie, it is the best I have tasted!

Mazatlan is home to the world’s largest shrimp fleet

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to Topolo Restaurant and Wine Bar, a five-star restaurant in Mazatlan’s Centro Historico.  Be sure to make a reservation!

Seeing a lot of shrimp? Mazatlan is home to the world’s largest shrimp fleet and offers shrimp dishes in most, if not all, restaurants. On my trip I ate baked shrimp, stuffed shrimp, sauteed shrimp, fried shrimp and ceviche shrimp.

When you come to Mazatlan, get your picture taken with the destination’s famous cliff-divers past the Malecon and in front of Cathedral in Centro Historico.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Lookout Hill, which offers a panoramic view of the city.

Olas Altas offers great views, and the Malecon is the best place to watch or experience Mazatlan’s cultural events, from Carnival to the Festival of Lights.

Mazatlan, Mexico’s famous cliff-divers

In Mazatlan, outdoor enthusiasts will be in heaven!  Mazatlan is a great destination for adventure, from surfing and snorkeling to some of the best ziplining in Mexico.  There are several great hikes around town.  The destination also recently debuted whale-watching excursions — great for kids!

Looking for a little exercise? Walk along the 7-mile Malecon for an ocean-side view and a stroll through Mazatlan’s cultural district.

If you are a museum lover, Mazatlan’s best museum is the Archaeological Museum nearby the Plaza Machado which features pre-Hispanic Sinaloa exhibits.

Looking for night life in Mazatlan? Go dancing at Fiesta Land, home to many bars and nightclubs in Zona Dorada, and find live Latin music at Mundo Banana’s at the intersection of Ave. Camaron Sabalo and Ave Rodolfo T. Loaiza.
Mazatlan My City (www.mazatlanmycity.com) will keep you posted on the latest happenings.

Mazatlan has the third largest Carnaval celebration in the world

You can tell a lot about Mazatlan from visiting and taking part in celebrations around Carnaval!  The destination has the third-largest Carnaval in the world, following only Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.  A family-friendly celebration, Carnaval offers a wonderful showcase of Mazatlan’s rich cultural offering — don’t miss the dancing, music, parades and fireworks during the festivities in February.

In the spring you should attend Mazatlan’s Temporada Primavera, the springtime cultural festival.  Last year’s spring season offered over 70 cultural activities, including ballet, contemporary dance and operatic performances, as well as musical, theatrical and film events.  The festivities include activities for children, from musical performances to arts and crafts.

In the summer you should head down to the beach!  Summer in Mazatlan is hot and sunny, and there’s no better time to enjoy a locally-brewed Pacifico while keeping cool in the Pacific.

Did you know that Mazatlan is known as a leading cultural destination in Mexico? Plan a visit to the renowned Angela Peralta Theater in the fall.  From October until Christmas each year, the calendar of events at the Angela Peralta is booked solid, and all through the year visitors can enjoy various events at this beautiful theater, which dates back to 1881.

Agave is used to make Mexican Tequila

Come to Mazatlan for world-class fishing in the winter.  Mazatlan is a great destination for fishing year-round, with some of the world’s largest marlin and sailfish, and winter is the best time for catching large numbers of fish.

Insider Tip: Check out La Vinata Tequila Distillery in the Zona Dorada where you can try and purchase locally made tequila.

Just outside of Mazatlan you can visit the charming colonial village of El Quelite.  Make sure to stop for lunch at El Meson de Los Laureanos for a taste of the local flavors.

If You Go:

Visit Go Mazatlan for more information

Article, photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.  I was a guest of Mazatlán Hotel Association.

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Things to See and Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A welcome cocktail and views of Mexico’s Banderas Bay await at Now Amber Puerto Vallarta.

Who doesn’t love a welcome cocktail and and cool towel upon arrival in Puerto Vallarta? This, along with a gorgeous view of Mexico’s Banderas Bay awaits guests of Now Amber Puerto Vallarta. The family-friendly resort, located minutes from the airport, opened April 2012.

Banderas Bay views

All 327 rooms and suites feature Mexican decor and views of Banderas Bay. From king to double beds, the rooms offer air conditioning, nightly turn down service, bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs and showers. The all-inclusive resort means mini-bars are refreshed daily with beer, bottled water and soft drinks – and yes, it is safe to drink the water at the resort.

Now Amber Puerto Vallarta Preferred Club Garden View Jr. Suite 1220

Preferred Club Garden View Room

For families traveling with multi-generations, Now Amber Puerto Vallarta offers connecting rooms.  Preferred Club is for guests seeking a little more exclusivity with a private lounge and suites offering ocean front views of Banderas Bay. This level of service also includes complimentary in-suite internet access, computers and printer in Preferred Club Lounge, upgraded bath amenities, daily continental breakfast, afternoon snacks and name brand liquors in the lounge.

Hang out at Now Amber’s swimming pool overlooking Banderas Bay.

Now Amber land and water

Situated on Banderas Bay, there are plenty of beach and water activities to keep all family members entertained. I watched a young lady lift off from the beach and para-sail over Banderas Bay. She looked like she was having fun, but I prefer to go horseback riding in the rain forest in nearby Las Palmas, Mexico. Don’t get excited about snorkeling off the beach at Now Amber, but do enjoy daily activities at the swimming pool, a dip in the infinity pool or relaxing in the whirlpool.

Now Amber Explorer’s Club will keep kids happy.

Now Amber Explorer’s Club

With beepers for parents and camp nights for kids, Now Amber’s Explorer’s Club will keep everyone happy.  When I visited, one little boy was running up and down the length of the grounds, smiling all the while.  When kids are happy in children’s programs, it creates happy parents on vacation.

The Explorer’s Club is open until 10 p.m. for those wishing to dine without children. Babysitting services are also available separate from the Explorer’s Club and there is also a CoreZone for teens with engaging electronics, a ping pong table and food!

Now Amber Resort dining

Speaking of food, there are five gourmet, reservation-free dining options on property, as well as a cafe, grill, bars and lounges.  Himitsu is an adults-only Pan-Asian restaurant. If you want to dine at the Tepanyaki tables, I was told they were available for reservation, but the brochure states “first come, first serve.”  This restaurant is open for dinner only with a Casual Elegance dress code.

Check in: 3 p.m.

Check out: 12 p.m.

Insider tip

They say variety is the spice of life.  If you want to dine at restaurants on the adults-only  Secrets Resort side, adult guests are welcome at any of the Secrets restaurants.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Now Amber on Twitter.

If You Go:

Now Amber +52 (322) 226-2900

Col. Zona Hotelera Las Glorias

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Mexico 483333

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California.

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Things to See and Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Secrets Vallarta Bay is an all-inclusive, all suite property with ocean views of Banderas Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Are you looking to escape the cold of winter? Even in the so-called rainy season (June – October) it’s still sunny and warm in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. What makes the mountains so green? The 59  inches of rain that does fall annually in Puerto Vallarta typically happens at night, so you are good to go in the daytime.

I recently stayed at Secrets Vallarta Bay, a new Secrets Resort that opened in Mexico, April 2012. This 271 all suite, adults-only resort is dedicated to couples and singles with excellent customer service. The family-friendly Now Amber is located right next door and even shares some restaurants, offering guests more dining options on property.

All suites at Secrets Vallarta Bay

Secrets Preferred Club Jr. Suite Garden View #1223

There are six levels of pricing from the uber-lux ocean front swim out rooms (there are two) to master suites and preferred club level rooms. My room, #1223, was a preferred club junior suite, garden view with king-size bed, outside/inside jacuzzi, bathroom with separate shower and bath, bathrobe and slippers, desk, in-room safe, premium bar and Secrets amenities such as sunscreen and a shaving kit – for those of us who fly carry-on and forget these necessary items. All suites are non-smoking.

The rack rate for this Jr. Suite garden view, all inclusive (two persons) was $374. per night, November 1 – December 21 – high season. Check the website for details, as the best rates are found on-line. An ocean view suite rented for $415 per night, with the Jr. Suite Swim out priced at $442.

Secrets Vallarta Bay has multiple pools and a Jacuzzi on property, as well as beach front access to Banderas Bay.

Beach and water activities

There are four swimming pools and Jacuzzi on property with the requisite Manatees Swim-up Bar and Banderas Bay beach front access. The ocean is safe for swimming, but don’t expect to snorkel at Secrets Vallarta Bay. Instead, plan a day trip, via the concierge, to the Southern Zone, where the Sierra Madre meets the waters of Banderas Bay and The Arches.

While I’m not the golfer in the family, I should mention that Secrets Vallarta Bay offers complimentary green fees.

Secrets Spa by Pevonia

I tried the 50 minute Aromatherapy massage, $149. This fee included the water circuit, Jacuzzi, steam room, relaxation room and locker room, so be sure to arrive an hour early with your bathing suit, or save time for the water circuit after your treatment.

Secrets Vallarta Bay dining

No reservations needed to order these mushroom turnovers at Oceano restaurant, Secrets Vallarta Bay.

None of the restaurants require reservations; some have a dress code for the men – long pants required, no sleeveless shirts or flip-flops.

Bordeaux (dinner only) Like the name suggests, this is a French cuisine restaurant.  We had a set menu featuring tuna, which was very moist.

Himitsu (adults-only) on Now Amber side. Asian cuisine with miso soup, sushi, tempura and Temppanyaki. You’ll need to make reservations in advance if you want a private Temppanyaki table.

Oceano is open for lunch and dinner and specializes in seafood. I ordered the mushroom turnovers and beef, chicken and shrimp fajitas – one fajita per serving.

Make time for a treatment and the water circuit at Secrets Spa by Pevonia.

Need to know:

If you prefer VIP and club lounge access, you may want to upgrade to Preferred Club status.  This is an exclusive area providing Concierge service, a private lounge, daily continental breakfast, afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, desserts, private bar, complimentary internet access in suite and up-graded mini-bar service.

In my bar cabinet; single-serving bag of peanut M&M’s and small tin of Pringles potato chips, in addition to a small size bottle of rum, vodka and Jack Daniels. The fridge was stocked with plenty of juice, beer and water.

Check in: 3 p.m.

Check out: 12 p.m.

Insider tip

If you are staying elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta, Secrets Spa by Pevonia offers day passes ($59.) to their water circuit.

For additional insider tips follow Luxury Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown on Twitter and follow Secrets Resorts  on Twitter.

Secrets Vallarta Bay hotel review

If You Go:

Secrets Vallarta Bay +52 (322) 226-2900

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Mexico 483333

Article written by and photos courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. I was a guest of Secrets Vallarta Bay.

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