Costa Azul Adventure Resort
The 27 suites and villas at this hotel in San Francisco, 30 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport, come with ocean views, tiled bathrooms and air conditioning. An open-air restaurant serves Mexican and American cuisine, and there's a 20,000-gallon swimming pool with a swim-up bar. Start the day with a relaxing yoga session on the beach, then check out a boogie board and hit the waves.
To get your adrenaline pumping, ride the Costa Azul's zip line through 2 kilometers of treetops or bungee-jump 120 feet off an ocean-side cliff. The resort also offers excursions like surfing tours, sea kayaking trips, whale watches and horseback outings. But perhaps of most interest to trails.com readers is the Alta Vista hike through an area sacred to the Huichol Indians, which contains more than 90 engraved stones dating back 2,000 years.
Costa Azul Adventure Resort
Carratera 200, Km. 118
Amapas y Las Palmas
San Francisco, Nay., Mexico 63405
(800) 365-7613
www.costaazul.com
Bungalows de Los Arbolitos
Fans of fine craftsmanship will appreciate the bungalows at this establishment in Sayulita, just a few miles south of the Costa Azul resort. The colorful thatched-roof cabanas were built by local carpenters using local woods, river rocks and Mexican tiles. They all have terraces and kitchenettes and come with air conditioning and WiFi. Bicyclists will appreciate Los Arbolitos' proximity to mountain bike outfitters Lorenzo's, located next to the El Cafecito café, and WildMex, situated on Avenida Revolucion a few blocks from the beach (see "Resources").
Bungalows de Los Arbolitos
Calle Marlin 20
Sayulita, Nay., Mexico
(011-52) 291-3111
www.sayulitabungalows.com
Unelma Bungalows
An ideal low-key option in the small fishing village of Bucerias, beachside Unelma Bungalows has three one-bedroom units with open-air kitchen designed in a colorful Mexican style. It's a pet-friendly establishment with WiFi and full maid service, and there's a thatched roof "palapa" hut on the beach where guests can enjoy a drink and the sound of the waves. Unelma is affiliated with the Luna Azul Surf School, which offers lessons and board rentals. It's located about 15 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport.
Unelma Bungalows
Lazaro Cardenas 51
Col. Dorada
Bucerias, Nayarit 63732 Mexico
(011-52) 329 298-0080
www.unelmabungalows.com
Villas Buena Vida
Located on the beach in Rincon de Guayabitos, 45 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport, the air-conditioned suites and villas at Villas Buena Vida have kitchens and private terraces. A swimming pool and seaside restaurant complete the picture. In terms of recreation, the Villas Buena Vida rents bicycles and organizes bird watching excursions and canoe trips for its guests.
Villas Buena Vida
Retorno Laureles
Rincon de Guayabitos, Nay., Mexico 63724
(011-52) 327 274-0231
www.villasbuenavida.com
