Where Mexico meets the Pacific is the land we call the Mexican Riviera. From Baja California down to Central America, this land of otherworldly beauty has embraced modern luxury. Between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific wait over a thousand miles of beaches and coves waiting for you to vacation.
Ports-of-Call dot the Pacific Coast from Ensenada to Salina Cruz, with a single purpose: hospitality. Whether you cruise, drive or fly to an all-inclusive resort, the Mexican Riviera is a must-visit locale. You don’t just visit bucket list destinations. You experience them. And then collect the endorphin rush from crossing them off the list.
So, just for you, I’ve compiled a list of activities, sights, food & libations to personalize your Mexican Riviera bucket lists.
Get your pencils ready (or just record a voice note on your phone) and read on…
BUCKET LIST
Whale watching in the waters of Cabo San Lucas
I know what you’re thinking. Whale watching is usually an ordeal where you get hit by sea spray and feel lucky just seeing a fin breach the surface.
Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas is a different story. Charter a boat in the Sea of Cortez and chill as Humpback whales frolic in the warm waters.
Sierra Madre Hiking in Puerto Vallarta
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a newbie, there is a Sierra Madre hike for you. Hike up the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range to the Canopy River. Walk through the tropical flora and fauna rife with orchids. Cross rope bridges and cap your hike with a lazy swim in the Rio Cuale.
Bird watching in Mazatlan
Take a birding tour to the pine and oak forests housing the Tufted Jay Preserve in Mazatlan. These most peculiar birds were the last species discovered in Mexico.
Enter a Mexican Cooking Class
Mexican Cuisine is so much more than the fast food staples north of the border. Sign up for an authentic Mexican Cooking Class to discover the finer aspects of real Mexican cuisine.
Marvel at the famous cliff divers at La Quebrada
In Acapulco, a team of cliff divers leap from between 50-130 feet to the waters below. It’s as breathtaking as it is unforgettable.
Go surfing in Playa Zicatela
Surf some of the world’s biggest waves in Puerto Escondido of Oaxaca. Unless you’re the kind of surfer who packs their board, maybe you better just watch.
Foods To Try
Pozole. A soup dating back to the Aztec days, Pozole combines hominy, meat and spices.
Tacos al pastor. Spanish for “shepherd style”, tacos al pastor is the Mexican take on Greek shawarma meats on a spit, with pork instead of lamb.
Chiles en nogada. Stuffed peppers covered in a walnut-based cream sauce called “nogada” and topped off with pomegranate bits.
Elote. Grilled corn on the cob, sprinkled with sauce and seasoning.
Mole. Originating in Puebla and Oaxaca, depending upon who you ask, this delicious sauce has many varieties.
Drinks To Try
Agua Frescas. Refreshing fruit juice mixed with water and sugar.
Café de Olla. Mexican coffee brewed in a special clay pot with cinnamon added.
Atole de Elote. A hot corn drink sprinkled with cinnamon as a garnish.
Next week–
I’ll walk you through the ins and outs of Sandals La Toc resort in St. Lucia. There, luxuries await from butlers, to a private plunge pool to helicopter transport and white glove service.
Come join me, tell your friends and fill out your bucket lists together.
Safe Travels,
Andrew
Andrew Burns Travel Co.