Three Days in Paradise: Riviera Nayarit, Mexico Sonya - Pretty Prudent
go to original May 30, 2014

The video promoting Riviera Nayarit begins with “I can’t get this place out of my mind…” It’s easy to understand why Visit Mexico would promote this beautiful state on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Riddled with gorgeous beaches and majestic mountains, a visit here is likely to stay with you for quite some time.

During my stay in Riviera Nayarit, I was invited to stay at the brand new all-inclusive resort, Iberostar Playa Mita. A chain based out of Spain, Iberostar owns ten hotels in Mexico, but this is their first offering on the Western coast. Iberostar, the 5-star “Premium Gold” destination,  offers deluxe family-friendly accommodations. Kids will love the ocean front beach, pool, splash park, playground, and youth activities. Parents can take advantage of drop off at the kids’ club, babysitting services, spa, gym, entertainment, and multiple options for dining and cocktails. Iberostar Playa Mita proves that family fun and luxury can coexist.

The journey from the airport in Puerto Vallarta to Iberostar Playa Mita gave hints of what lie ahead. The landscape is decorated with the Sierra Madre Mountains, palm trees, small towns, and the sea.

Guests must offer proof of reservation to pass through the gates, insuring maximum security. At reception, we were greeted with welcome cocktails in the resort’s stunning entranceway, before being whisked off to our ocean front rooms via golf cart.

The room offered a king bed and seat/daybed, perfect for a small family. The view from the private balcony of the ocean was magnificent and there were nice details, like a drying rack for wet bathing suits and dual capable outlets.

Wifi was spotty within the resort but worked like a charm in my room. Staying in my room was the problem…

Iberostar Playa Mita offers a multitude of activities including a variety of water sports from kayaking to windsurfing, a gorgeous infinity pool with a swim-up bar, fitness and dance classes, entertainment, spa services, gym, and a 9-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course. I started my trip right with a quick dip in the ocean before meeting for drinks at the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop bar, Sea Soul, before dinner.

My first full day in Mexico started with some exercises overlooking the ocean, followed by breakfast at the El Nopal buffet. The choices were overwhelming, with enough options to please any palate, including a variety of fresh tropical juices.

Mid-morning, our group met for a tour of the resort. We had a chance to check out all of the gorgeous views, special event spaces like the wedding gazebo overlooking the sea, and intricate design details like thatched roofs, landscaped walkways, and cozy resting spots.

The kids splash park, playground, and kid’s club had me missing my family terribly! Luckily, there were non-stop fun activities to distract me from their absence.

After the waves proved to be too choppy for kayaking, we split up to enjoy the afternoon however we chose. I made a dash for the salsa lesson that was about to start and managed to drag half of my fellow travelers with me. They paid me back by nominating me to partner with the instructor. Too. Much. Fun.

Hot and sweaty from all that dancing, I took a dip in the pool and had cerveza at the swim up bar because, you know, it was there.

Before getting ready for happy hour and dinner, I made a pit stop at Spa Sensations for a fantastic pedicure. I may or may not have fallen asleep in the massage chair. I’ll never tell.

The crew met for drinks in the lobby and then enjoyed a delicious meal at the steakhouse called La Bahia. The evening ended with a fun show at the theater and a little dancing at the adjacent disco.

Read the rest and see all the photos at Prudent Baby.