The Mayan Palace Blog

Very Best of Mexico for a Vacation Beyond Expectations

January 4

Destinations Travel Magazine chose Vida Vacations and Grupo Vidanta resorts as the cover story for their January issue! The spread is beautiful and we are so pleased they chose to feature our resorts. "For generations, people have marveled at Mexico's white sand beaches, rich culture, and fantastic shopping. Mexico has countless beaches along its eastern and western coastlines. With over 5,000 miles of beaches and six Mayan Palace locations, there is a perfect vacation spot for you." Click on the link below to read the article: http://destinationstravelmagazine.com/2012TravelPlanner/#/Vida_Vacations... Read more...

Things to Do at The Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico

December 28

USA Today featured an article on things to do at The Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta this month! The list includes Brio Spa & Fitness Center, Nayar Golf Course, Wining and Dining, Tie the Knot – Vidanta Weddings, and Accommodations at The Grand Mayan. “The Grand Mayan resort in Nuevo Vallarta is the perfect combination of sophistication and casual comfort.” Click on the link below to read the article: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/things-grand-mayan-nuevo-vallarta-mexico-... Read more...

Scrumptious Buñuelos

December 16

Buñuelos are small deep-fried puff pastries traditionally served during the holiday season; originally from the Iberian Peninsula, the recipe was adapted and introduced to Latin America by Spaniards. Buñuelos have since become a classic dessert in Mexican households. Sweeten up your festivities with a scrumptious Buñuelo. Ingredients: For the buñuelos 3 1/2 cups of wheat flour 3 eggs 1 teaspoon of cornstarch 1 cup of milk 2 spoonfuls of butter For the syrup: 1/2 kg. (2 cones) of piloncillo (brown sugar candy) 1 or 2 cinnamon sticks 3 whole cloves 2 cups of water Preparation: Buñuelo Mix all the ingredients and make small balls out of the dough. Flatten then with a roller until they lay as flat as possible. Next, deep fry the flattened dough until golden on both sides. Carefully scoop out and place on a napkin to allow the excess oil to soak. Dip or cover your Buñuelos with piloncillo syrup. If you don't want to make the syrup, cover them with cinnamon sugar! *Piloncillo Syrup Place Read more...

Authentic Mexican Tamales

December 16

The history behind the authentic Mexican tamale recipe makes this tasty dish very exciting. In order to make tamales, modern cooking techniques must take a backseat to traditional skills. In the history of Mexican food, corn has long been staple; and nothing honors that history like flavorful tamales wrapped in corn husks and cooked to be eaten on the road. Tamales were actually the original "fast food," since their corn husk wrappers kept them warm and made them easy to carry. Tamales are typically made with a corn masa dough and a filling of beans, meats, corn, or chiles and cooked over an open fire. Today, these little packages of perfection are simply steamed in their corn husk wrapper. The wrappings provide a portable device for the filling and add a little flavor. Tamales can be considered the Mexican version of a sandwich and are open to many interpretations. (Makes 15 tamales) Ingredients: 4.4 lbs. (2 kilograms) of Masa Dough (found at Mexican groceries or specialty shops) 15 Read more...

Apply Sunscreen Daily!

August 17

As we all know the sun in Mexico is strong and it’s important to protect our skin and prevent sun damage. Did you know hands and neck show age the most? Follow these tips about sun protection for vacation and everyday! Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before you head outside to give enough time for the lotion to absorb. Put it over ALL exposed areas! Make sure you reapply waterproof and water-resistant sunscreen- if you are in the water for an extended time the protection wears off and you can rub it off with a towel. Remember to use protection even when you are under an umbrella or in the shade. Rays can pass through clouds and reflect off surfaces like sand, water and concrete. Wear sunscreen EVERYDAY! The sun is at its strongest midday so try to give yourself a break from the sun during that time. Remember that glass doesn’t protect you from harmful UVA rays, so wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun while in the car and inside by windows. If you get sunburned Read more...

Morning Walks

August 10

Vacations are the perfect time to slow down and enjoy a more relaxed pace, which includes sleeping in on the comfortable Mayan Palace beds! I get into a leisurely routine every time I return. My mornings start off with a walk through the grounds and beach. The Nuevo Vallarta resort has 2.5 miles of beachfront property so I can take nice long walks. In the morning, the beach is quiet and calm. The natural beauty of the ocean and Sierra Madre Mountains is absolutely breathtaking. If only I could start every morning this way! I’m sure you have seen advertisements for tennis shoes that promise to tone legs and glutes. Did you know the idea behind the original shoes was to mimic walking on sand? Walking on sand compared with hard surfaces makes your muscles and tendons work harder and uses 20-50 percent more calories. I think that evens out a delicious breakfast at Café del Lago! I always take my camera because I never know what special things I could see. This picture was taken from my Read more...

Nayar Golf Course

August 2

When the Nayar Vidanta Golf Course opened almost a decade ago in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico, it was regarded as one of the country’s absolute best. Now, after a four-year renovation by the renowned Nicklaus Design Group, it is sure to gain even higher acclaim! Grupo Vidanta announced the course’s reopening August 1st. The 18-hole par 70 course with nearly 7,000 yards, 7 lakes, and 49 sand traps will be a treat to play while still being a challenge for players of the highest caliber. This stunning course is situated between the Pacific Ocean and the meandering Ameca River with the Sierra Madre Mountains serving as a spectacular backdrop. Golfers will find room to roam off the tee, but approach shots require a tad more precision thanks to the lakes and strategically-placed bunkers. A keen putting touch comes in handy to navigate the manicured greens. To give a highlight, the par four 13th stretches 426 yards from the back tee with a lake to the left and a waste area protecting Read more...

Great Music and Drinks at Lobby Lounge & Bar

August 2

The Mayan Palace’s outdoor Lobby Lounge & Bar is a fantastic spot to sit and sip while entertainment plays from 8-11. We enjoyed two nights in a row on our last stay in Nuevo Vallarta! The sun doesn’t set till late so you catch the music starting on your way back from the beach and watch the sun set on the lake with a view of the ocean. Lights border the pathways and candles light the tables- it is a great spot! Our first night, Julie sang and played the keyboard. She had a great voice and was perfect to listen to before and after our tasty dinner at Café Del Lago. The following evening, we returned to the bar after dinner at Punta Arena, the incredible seafood restaurant on the ocean, and enjoyed an entirely different musical experience. Jacqueline had people on their feet dancing to a variety of upbeat songs. I always love to dance and she played all the right songs! Our server remembered us from the night before and suggested some delicious Read more...

Spa Special: Temazcal

July 25

Most people overlook the strong Native American Indian culture that existed long before the Spanish arrived in Mexico. Since the Spanish language took root, tourists routinely overlook the native cultures. Well the Mayan Palace strives to educate and incorporate the unique trades, cultures, foods, and lifestyles of the native cultures while still offering the sophisticated luxuries of our current lifestyles. At Mayan Palace Acapulco, the Brio Spa and Fitness Center offer a special local experience called, Temazcal. Throughout the Brio Spa and Fitness Center, the staff strives to improve your health and wellbeing with exercise routines and relaxing spa treatments. Temazcal incorporates your body, mind, and spirit as it cleanses and restores you to the maximum capacity. This Mexican sweat-bath has been around long before the Spanish arrived in Mexico. The indigenous people of Mesoamerica created the Temazcal practice within their caves. It has transformed into a ceremonial Read more...

The Secret Garden

July 22

Hidden within the Nuevo Vallarta property of the Mayan Palace rests not one but two secret gardens. For an adventurous spirit, one can wonder through the miles of wooded pathways in search of the hidden gardens. When I stumbled upon the secret gardens, I was quickly reminded of the book, The Secret Garden and the search for freedom within nature. Although this is a summer school read that most kids skim through, The Secret Garden is a classic book that should be remembered as such. Much like the character Mary, I found the hidden gardens of Mayan Palace a place of great freedom and inspiration. While there is continual activity at the Mayan Palace pool and constant waves crashing into the Mayan Palace beach front, the hidden gardens are a fabulous escape where I could enjoy the flora and fauna. I usually take an afternoon stroll whenever I am at the Mayan Palace. After sitting most of the day, a little refreshing walk is always welcomed. I wondered over the wooden bridges, down by Read more...