Palm Trees: check. Waves crashing on the beach below our suite: check. Exotic birds flying overhead and just above the water? Check.
With memories of Chicago’s blizzard quickly fading from memory, we finally arrived at our destination: The Marival Residences and World Spa in Neuvo Vallarta. The area is also called Riviera Nayarit. It is chillier than I imagined it might be, although the difference between standing in the sun and in the shade accounts for a lot of degrees Fahrenheit (although
everything is measured in Celsius, as in much of the world except the U.S.).
We are shown into the resort, but not to a check-in counter. We
are shown to Brunello’s Wine Bar, off to one side of the lobby. We’ve left our bags outside, and are told they will be taken care of and to have a seat. “Would you like something to drink? Wine? A cocktail?” Part of me (the stressed out from the airport part) is waiting for the time-share sales pitch. We’re too comfortable in these nice cushy seats on the couch. Where were the forms to fill out? The map of the hotel so that we might find our way to our room?
A lovely young woman approached, asking for our signatures as we sipped our drinks. Wow. They brought the forms to us? Cool. What’s the catch? She explained that we would be shown around and then to our suite—along with our belongings. And we were. No time share pitch, simply a gracious welcome.
I am writing part of this entry Sunday morning sitting on our stone terrace, six flights up and above the Pacific. Through a clearing in the palm trees below, waves curl one after the next before pounding the sand—the percussive music relaxes. I could be happy to simply close my eyes and listen all day.
This is a quiet resort. There are children around, but not many, and besides the calls of birds whose species I haven’t yet identified, the tide coming in is the predominant sound.
The Marival is an “all-inclusive” resort. There are two Marival resorts on this stretch of beach. The Marival Resort is down the road and is as boisterous and energetic as “The Residences” (as ours is called) is sleepy. Staying here, we have privileges at both. (People staying at the sister resort, however, do not have the same reciprocal privileges here.)
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Article comments
1 - Rick Helberg
Guayabitos, on the Riviera Nayarit an hour north of Puerto Vallarta, is a delightful and tranquil resort destination. [Edited]
The beach at Guayabitos, on Jaltemba Bay, is perfect for swimming. The waves are small and gentle and there are no issues with currents. Jaltemba Bay is called the "largest swimming pool in the world."
Other activities include hiking, horseback riding, fishing, boat tours to Chacala and other villages, bicycling, tennis, and only a short distance to play golf.
Dining out is delightful, with some of the best restaurants to serve you. You'll find everything from excellent continental cuisine to the best Mexican food you'll ever have.
Prices for lodging and dining out are very reasonable, and guests from the USA and Canada are amazed at how far their dollars, or pesos, go.
There's every reason to visit the Riviera Nayarit, and Guayabitos is at the top of the list.