Mexico
The Soul of Place
Personalizing the Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit Experience
Article and photography by Steve Gillick
The ‘Soul of Place’ is the distinctive spirit and energy that makes a destination memorable for travelers. In Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, this feeling—whether calm, adventurous, or anything in between—reveals itself everywhere: on the beach, by the pool, at the bar, through cuisine, in the city, or in nature surroundings. Each visitor connects to this unique atmosphere in their own way.
Meeting local people is often what makes travelers fall in love with a place. That’s why it feels so welcoming when Michelle Fridman Hirsch, the Minister of Tourism for Jalisco, greets visitors by saying, “Welcome to the friendliest nation on the planet.” For newcomers and returning guests alike, this greeting confirms what many already feel about the area.
Las Palmas Restaurant & Bar sits right on the sandy beach in San Pancho, Nayarit. People come here to surf and sunbathe from morning until sunset. The beach is alive with surfers waxing their boards, surf schools, meditation classes, and souvenir stalls. Lively conversations and the sound of Pacific waves fill the air.
The restaurant offers a laid-back vibe, fresh seafood, and friendly service. A cold Pacifico Beer goes perfectly with thick, chunky guacamole, before tostados are topped with ceviche, tuna aguachile, coconut shrimp, pulpo zarandeado, and other seafood specialties.
After savoring these flavors, a stroll on the beach leads to a feathered surprise. The San Pancho Estuary is a home and a drop-in spot for an estimated one hundred species of birds. On this hot March afternoon, there were Northern Jacanas, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, Black-necked Stilts, Spotted Sandpipers, Coots, and Tern Seagulls.
Wildlife encounters continue throughout Banderas Bay, which hugs the Pacific coast of Jalisco and Nayarit. The bay stretches from south of Puerto Vallarta to Punta Mita. Whale watching runs from early December to mid-March. During this time, Humpback Whales breed, give birth, and nurse their calves in the warm, calm waters. On popular Vallarta Adventures excursions, guests see and photograph whale flukes (tails) and whales breaching. They also hear the “popping” sound of manta rays leaping from the water and may spot bottlenose dolphins, orcas, sea turtles, and other sea creatures.
When the boat docks at the Marina in Puerto Vallarta, the nearby city core offers its own energy and spirit to visitors. The Malecón begins at the Hotel Rosita and stretches for about one mile (1.2 km) to the Romantic Zone. On one side, Brown Pelicans dive into Banderas Bay. The Papantla Flyers perform the traditional pole-flying ritual. Visitors enjoy exploring the Art Walk sculptures, seeing the colorful city sign, admiring the famous Boy on the Seahorse statue, and experiencing the vibrant scene around Los Arcos Amphitheater.
Across from the Malecón, the trail of souvenir shops, craft stores, bars, and restaurants, leads to the iconic Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. In the main square, Plaza de Armas, stands the statue of Ignacio Vallarta, the city’s namesake.
Just beyond, the Romantic Zone is famous for its sail-shaped pier at Los Muertos Beach, a mix of international and local restaurants, and a lively LGBTQ+ community. One favorite is the Almar LGBT Luxury Resort, where guests can dine and watch a colorfully costumed, high-energy musical show at the Top Sky Bar, framed with ocean views.
Everyone has their own preferred way to recharge. At the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, a Magic Chair in the lobby welcomes guests with the phrase, “The magic begins here.” On the enviable white-sand beach, a gong signals when whales or dolphins have been sighted. Each spacious hotel room features an ocean view, along with a complimentary bottle of Mezcal called Olvídame Si Puedes, or “Forget me if you can.”
Mezcal and Tequila, both made from agave, are integral in Jalisco and Nayarit. At The Westin Resort and Spa in Puerto Vallarta, the Mezcal tasting begins by ‘kissing the spirit’ to get a sense of its flavor and then proceeds to ‘appreciate’ the aroma and taste. Chef Kevin Nava created a delicious menu with clams and scallops in serrano chili foam, and shredded duck in a broth with cilantro and lemon. For the final dish, tender wagyu steak with baby carrots and potatoes, Mezcalier Diana Martinez served a sweet, silky Mezcal from Oaxaca, saying, “We want to give Mezcal the traction that it needs.”
Continuing the agave theme the next day, Manilo Lopez hosted a Tequila tasting at the Kristal Grand Nuevo Vallarta. He announced his credentials, that he was 42 years old and had been ‘drinking’ since he was 20. He also pointed out that Jalisco produces 80% of the world’s tequila.
Just a friendly tip to suggest that travelers seeking a great Margarita cocktail, head to the acclaimed rooftop Bar del Patrón at the self-described “Hippy-Chic” family-owned Sayulinda Hotel in Sayulita, Nayarit. There, next to the infinity pool, Hardy Ortiz, the mixologist, animatedly shakes Tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and ice, then serves the drink with a smile.
Craft beer enthusiasts will enjoy venues such as Los Muertos Brewing in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone and Los Cuentos Taproom in the Versailles district, both known for their inventive beer selections and tasty food.
Yet, when the Soul of Place calls for solitude, downtime, or reflection, unique and dreamy getaways await.
“Susurrus” is a calming, nature-inspired English word that refers to a soft, whispering sound, such as wind through trees. Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit, is home to the relaxed, ultra-luxury resort, Susurros del Corazón, which means “whispers from the heart.” The name was inspired by the feeling of the wind from the Sierra Madre mountains mingling with the Pacific breeze. At the resort, clients embrace barefoot luxury instead of white-glove treatment as they indulge in the natural beauty of their surroundings. This ‘soul of place’ experience invites guests to reconnect with their hearts and with the spirit of Mexico.
At the One&Only Mandarina in Riviera Nayarit, guests come to disconnect in a luxury jungle-beach resort with ocean access. A resonant ‘gong’ greets guests on arrival, and they’re invited to toss a wishing stone in a small pool to express gratitude, happiness, or well-being. Secluded Tree Houses and Villas, each with private butler service, offer open spaces, soaring ceilings, privacy, and spectacular canopy and ocean views. The treatment journeys of the spa, designed to help guests unwind and “connect with the movements of the rainforest include ‘Temazcal’ a Nahuatl sweat lodge ceremony led by a Shaman. The hot-rock, steam-filled, dark, stone cone-lodge – symbolizing the womb – serves as the focal point of the 90-minute ceremony, guiding participants through physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual renewal.,
Energy and spirit present themselves in other activities. Cirque du Soleil LUDÕ (meaning “I play”) has a home at the visually stunning, lotus-inspired theatre at VidantaWorld in Nuevo Vallarta. Acrobats, jugglers, aerialists, and swimmers perform in an entrancing atmosphere of sound and light. Meanwhile, across the Bay of Banderas, guests can enjoy ALMA Rhythms of the Night. This natural setting offers dining accompanied by music, jugglers, acrobats, culture, mythology, and whimsy.
Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit exemplify ‘the Soul of Place’ by blending exploration, cuisine, nature, history, and culture, with opportunities to both connect and disconnect. Ultimately, this spirit and energy create memorable personal journeys for every visitor.
