We just got back from an incredible trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was so relaxing and we had the best time. Here are the highlights from the trip and the top things I would recommend for a good time.
1. Go With Some Amazing Friends
We went with my cousin Ayrica and her husband TJ. It was so fun having another couple to hang out with and try new things that we might not normally try without someone else recommending it. We were also able to play some games together, which is always more fun to do with friends.
2. Take walks on the beach
This one seems like a no brainer, but not every resort has a beach. The landscape was mostly jungle and mountains with cliff sides coming out of the ocean. We had to make sure the place we stayed had a beach and we were glad we double checked because a walk on the beach is good for the soul.
3. Go Shopping at the Market and have your husbands buy matching shirts
We went to the city center and walked around and shopped for souvenirs. It was a lot of fun and our husbands found these matching shirts for only four dollars, so of course they bought them. You can find some good deals at the market and we were able to get some little trinkets and Mexican blankets for our kids while we were there.
4. Cheer on some baby sea turtles as they journey to the ocean
This was by far my favorite thing we did. It has been on my bucket list for most of my life to see baby sea turtles journey to the ocean. The resort we stayed at had a bunch of baby sea turtle eggs that were laid on their beach and they had a program that would protect the eggs until they hatched. They would release them at sunset within 24 hours of the turtles hatching and we were able to watch and cheer them on as they made their journey across the sand to their ocean home. They were the cutest little creatures and my dream of seeing baby sea turtles came true.
5. Watch the sunset
We had a little bit of rain here and there while we stayed which created some beautiful sunsets. There is nothing like seeing a sunset over the ocean highlighting a rain storm in the distance. It was absolutely beautiful.
6. Go Fishing
We were able to catch some small tuna called Skip Jacks and have the chef at the restaurant cook us some of the fish we caught after we got back. It was delicious. It was also really fun having some fishing guides take us around on their boat and help us catch some fish. It was a nice change to be out on the ocean and see the landscape from a different point of view. I just have to mention that I caught the biggest fish.
7. Go Snorkeling
After we went fishing, we were able to stop and snorkel. The fish were so colorful and we were able to swim through some rock tunnels. It was refreshing to swim and look at the fish after being on the boat for a few hours.
8. Feed the iguanas
There were so many iguanas around town, the resort, and we saw this guy hanging on the cliff ledge when we went out snorkeling. We were able to feed them some left over cabbage from our tacos. They were pretty interesting creatures to see.
That about sums up our trip. There was also a lot of relaxing and hanging out on the beach and all the pools had ocean views. It was a great trip to recharge and feel rejuvenated. Now my husband and I are ready to come back to real life of working, doing school, and raising three kids.