Day One – The Grand Mayan and Fire Show
Our first day started with checking into the beautiful Grand Mayan, then wandering the grounds to get a feel for everything. There are so many great restaurants, gorgeous pools, and of course the beach. That evening we headed down to the shore for a fire show on the beach, which was very entertaining, and grabbed dinner and drinks from the food trucks.
The food truck area at Vidanta World, Salum, is such a fun experience. It feels like a little street market, with music, lights, and the smell of amazing food drifting through the air. There is a taco truck serving freshly made tacos and quesadillas, dessert trucks with churros and ice cream, beer trucks, and specialty stands offering creative cocktails. We sat at one of the tables that looked over the beach. It was a perfect evening.
Day Two – A Day of Relaxation
Our second day was wonderfully laid‑back. We started with a delicious breakfast buffet at the Samba restaurant next to the pools, then we went to the market and got some snacks and breakfast food for our room. Next, we drifted along the long, winding lazy river. It was so peaceful and relaxing – exactly what we needed. Later, we spent a little too much time at one of the swim‑up bars – but it was a lot of fun, and we made some new friends. That evening, we simply wandered the grounds of Vidanta World, taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying the warm weather.
Day Three – More Relaxation and Mexican Fiesta
The next day, we enjoyed some time in our room and then walked around to explore more of Vidanta World’s beautiful grounds. We had an delicious lunch at Oh Mulata, a seafood restaurant on the property – the dishes were delicious, and the ocean view beautiful. After lunch, we headed to the beach for a relaxing nap in the shade. That evening, we went to the Mexican Fiesta Show on the beach at Vidanta World. The performances were full of energy, with traditional Mexican dancing, comedy, and, once again, lots of delicious food.
Day Four – Relaxing and Dining with Friends
We relaxed in our room and caught up on some work and emails most of the morning and afternoon. Then we hung out with our friends Leslee and Terry who also stayed at Vidanta World. We ate dinner at Bistro Blu French restaurant on the grounds. It is one of their higher end restaurants. The meal was delicious.
Day Five – Whale Watching
We had an incredible experience on Mike’s Whale Watching Cruise in the Bay of Banderas. After boarding in Nuevo Vallarta, we were welcomed with a continental breakfast and drinks, setting the perfect tone for the day. We made a quick stop in Puerto Vallarta to pick up a few more passengers before heading out into the bay.
Our guide was both entertaining and knowledgeable, sharing insights about the whales throughout the trip. The captain did a great job positioning us to get amazing views of the whales. At one point we were watching a pod of five or six whales together, and later two males breached right next to the boat. It was amazing to see!
Lunch was a delicious spread of sandwiches, ceviche, and other Mexican dishes, and the crew made sure our drinks were always full. From start to finish, it was a fantastic day on the water.
That evening we all went to the food truck area and enjoyed the sunset and fire show. I got a drink from a stand where they make drinks right inside a fresh coconut. I went for one with coconut water, rum, and gin. It was delicious and refreshing. We got Esquites which is a Mexican street food consisting of corn kernels and served in a cup with a creamy, tangy mixture of mayonnaise, lime juice, chili powder, and crumbled Cotija cheese. I finished off the meal with a chocolate filled Churro. So yummy!
Day 6 – Pool Time and Rhythms of the Night
In the morning, we relaxed at a couple of the pool bars, enjoying drinks and then lunch.
That evening, we headed to Rhythms of the Night with Vallarta Adventures. While waiting to board the boat, we got to see dolphins at the pier. The experience began with a gorgeous sunset cruise across Banderas Bay, taking us to Las Caletas—a secluded beach cove accessible only by boat. As we walked in, we passed performers in stunning costumes before being led to our candlelit table right by the water. The setting was beautiful. We enjoyed a candlelit buffet while musicians played nearby, and the food was delicious. The whole atmosphere felt incredibly romantic.
After dinner, we wandered through the beautiful grounds to the Pyramid Amphitheater for the Alma Show. The performances were truly amazing.
On the ride back, the crew surprised us with a hilarious and creative show that had everyone laughing. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable night.
Day 7 – Puerto Vallarta
On our last full day, we headed into the city of Puerto Vallarta with our friends Leslee and Terry. It’s such a beautiful city. We walked along El Malecón, the beachfront promenade that is lined with contemporary sculptures. Across the street are bars, restaurants and shops. We visited the stunning Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe church, browsed through countless shops, and ended the day at a beachside restaurant for a delicious Mexican meal. The people were incredibly warm, and the city was clean with so much to do! It was another perfect day, and we can’t wait to return.
Day 8 – Pool Bar Time and Heading Home
On our last day, we lingered at the pool bar, soaking up the warmth and dreading the thought of trading 83°F sunshine for 8°F cold and piles of snow back home. At least we had time to enjoy one final drink by the pool before facing reality again.
💃Tours we loved while in Nuevo Vallarta 🐳
