LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 17, 2021 | BY: KIMBERLY EVANS

If you know me well enough, you will know that I would rather do anything than sell my soul, posting about products that I don’t even like. This post contains affiliate links which I am so excited to recommend to you (and make just a little money from) and would hope that if you have the opportunity to recommend products you love, you would do the same.

A few years back, we took an extended holiday and lived in the Riviera Nayarit area of Mexico for a month and it was incredible. Mexico is a beautiful and diverse country, with it’s friendly people, amazing coastal areas to superb Mayan sites, there is something for everyone. There are so many hidden gems that you will want to check out. You might even find yourself trying something new. I crossed off Parasailing on my bucket list, and it was incredible!

While all inclusive resorts in the Riviera Nayarit are often the easiest and most common vacation options available when traveling to Mexico, there are lots of incredible condo options that offer weekly and monthly stays that make travelling to Mexico, much less expensive.

1. Parasailing

• I had the delight of Parasailing in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Adventures. It was the most thrilling, scary and liberating activity! Flying over the ocean and breathing in the fresh air high up in the clouds will be an experience I will never forget.

2. Cooking Class

• From beginning to end, I had so much fun in my cooking class with Cookin’ Vallarta. Chef Enrique started with a visit to one of the town markets and to the “Tortilla Factory” to get the fresh dough to hand-make our own corn tortillas. At the market, we learned about the spices, chiles and the different produces cultivated in the area and how to pick them and also about the cultural legacy  behind the Mexican recipes. Following the market, we got to visit Chef Enrique’s home, where he and his family welcomed our group for an authentic “Mi Casa es Su Casa Cooking Experience.” We cooked, learned, had fun and got to enjoy an authentic Mexican feast!

3. Surf Lessons

• My girls had such a fun time learning to surf in Sayulita with Costeno Surf School. (I took the opportunity to enjoy some much needed peace + quiet time on the beach while they surfed.) The instructors were so helpful and both of them were able to get up on the board many times throughout their lesson.

  
  

4. Local Cuisine

• 3x3 Restaurant will be the best breakfast experience you have on vacation. This little gem is tucked away in Nuevo Vallarta and once you go, you will be back. Start with warm bread served on a wooden board, followed by a delicious fruit cup. Plus you get coffee + a drink of your choice (smoothie, juice, mimosa) and a main entree for breakfast- all of which are so incredible + delicious. And this is only $ 10 CAD.

5. Jorges Torgues

• If you haven’t had a chance to listen to Episode 64 of Celebrating Simple Life the Podcast where I chat with Jorge the Bartender from Bachelor in Paradise who now runs Jorges Tourges, you are missing out! He has such an incredible energy and I can hardly wait to experience his incredible tours of hidden gems around the area.

6. Swim with Mermaids.

• This just might be a figment of my imagination, but we really did enjoy swimming with mermaids! These authentic and delightful mermaid swim tails brought hours of enjoyment in the swimming pool + ocean.

7. Rescue Sea Turtles

• One of the hilights of our times at the beach are when we have stumbled upon sea turtle nests. The entire process of the sea turtle hatching and finding its own little way from the sand to the ocean is just so miraculous.

8. Sunset Cocktails

• Not sure if there is a better way to see the sunset then cocktails on the beach. With many bars + restaurants to choose from, the experiences are endless. We had delicious cocktails and incredible service at Mariscos el Gordo on the beach in Bucerias.

There are undoubtedly, a million amazing things to do in the Riviera Nayarit area of Mexico. Have you visited these destinations and found any gems? Comment below!

Cheers to Celebrating Simple Life!