Live your best villa vacation life just north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico…
Photos and story by Karen Kwan
When you’re desperately seeking Puerto Vallarta’s sensational sunshine and seaside views but are over the all-inclusive vibe (and your hard-partying days are long behind you)–villa vacationing in this Mexican destination with all of your best buds may be just what your travel-loving heart needs right now. The growing trend of traveling as a large group (whether you’re getting away with all of day ones or going on a multigenerational family trip) has translated to an uptick of memberships to travel clubs such as Exclusive Resorts, which gives members access to exclusive villa properties and luxe services that elevate the entire vacation experience. Here’s how to make the most out of a Mexican getaway by escaping to your own private Puerto Vallarta villa.
Where to stay
Less than an hour’s drive north of Puerto Vallarta, the gated community of Real del Mar, blissfully peaceful and complete with hilly cobblestone roads, boasts luxury villas with views of the sea and Sierra Madre mountain range. At Casa Risco villa at Real del Mar: Think tasteful coastal decor, high ceilings and glass walls that open up so you can welcome the outdoors in. With an expansive living room, well equipped kitchen and large dining areas (both indoors and on the terrace), you can happily gather as a crew for games night or for a movie (did we mention there’s a screening room?), but with just as spacious and luxuriously appointed bedrooms, you can easily escape when you need some alone time. And the villa’s private pool offers the perfect spot to cool off in no matter what time of day or night.
What to eat
Before your arrival, be sure to provide you Exclusive Resorts Brand Ambassador a list if you’ve got special dietary requests in terms of groceries so that your kitchen is well stocked with the staples you can’t live without (they can also take care of requests for other items, such as if you’re looking for certain watersports equipment or specific pillows). Once you’ve settled into your villa and are inspired by your surroundings, though, you may want to make the quick trip to the market at nearby fishing village La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to pick up your own ingredients to cook up a feast (we scored some tuna and jumbo shrimp and whipped up a refreshing ceviche for cocktail hour and a bowl of shrimp linguini for dinner). While in town, grab a bite on the patio of the restaurant at La Cruz Inn–everything we had (from the baja fish tacos to the coconut shrimp) was extra fresh and flavourful. Back at the villa, don’t miss taking a night off or two and book a private chef–choose from learning all about tequila and mezcal through a tasting or feast on a taco dinner complete with incredible fresh salsas and guacamole.
What to do
If you combine fresh sea air with warm sunshine, relaxing stretches and soothing chimes, you’re guaranteed some peak R&R–so make a private morning yoga and sound bath session at your villa a non-negotiable when it comes to planning your itinerary. Sure, you won’t get to sleep in, but, as the sun starts to shine down on your cliffside villa, you’ll get to ease into the day by generating some internal heat with some gentle movement–and getting up and active will feel good after one too many tostadas the night before–accompanied by the healing and meditative notes of a sound bath. Looking for something more exhilarating to get your heart pumping? Head 20 minutes north to Punta Mita for a surf lesson with Mictlan Surf; they’ll take you by boat to where there are rolling waves gentle and safe for beginners, but also with breaks challenging enough for those with a little more paddling and wave-riding experience. Tip: If you’ve been jonesing for some retail therapy, spend some time in Punta Mita post-surf lesson to pick up some local crafts or a piece to add to your coastal-grandpa wardrobe.
