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Secluded Resort near Waterfall and Jungles

Majahuitas Resort clearly caters to those in need of a little seclusion—it's only accessible via a 15-minute panga-boat ride through Banderas Bay near Puerta Vallarta. The resort powers its beachfront casitas solely with solar energy, and there are no televisions and no telephones, making the rest of civilization seem blissfully distant. At night, dozens of candles twinkle along the shore, just one facet of the retreat's romantic allure. With unspoiled jungle and rushing waterfalls at its back, Majahuitas Resort presents visitors with an idyllic escape from hectic daily life—prompting MSNBC to call the resort a “not-to-be-missed experience for nature lovers.”

Inside the resort's open-air casitas, padded wicker chairs and brightly colored hammocks overlook the shore. Rooms are designed to let in the ocean’s soothing sounds, and you’ll find locally made crafts inside each. Majahuitas’s chefs craft daily meals with fresh-caught fish and fruits harvested onsite. Chilaquiles and huevos rancheros await those waking up for breakfast, and octopus, shrimp, and other seafood tapas make for a midday snack. For dinner, guests can choose between dining in their private casita, at an ocean-side table, or in the dining room beneath the glow of a 25-candle chandelier.

This deal includes a guided trek through the jungle to Quimixto's waterfall, which crashes into a crystalline lagoon. Back at the resort, guests can use complimentary kayaks and snorkeling gear to explore the ocean. For an extra fee, you can soar over the jungle on a zipline canopy tour, fish with the locals, or unwind with a full-body massage next to the river.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Tropical Paradise with Cosmopolitan Flair

While there is enough to do at Majahuitas Resort for one vacation, you may want to spend some time in nearby Puerto Vallarta before or after your stay. Puerto Vallarta is perhaps Mexico’s most sophisticated vacation destination, with expansive beaches, trendy restaurants, and cobblestone streets leading to beautifully preserved 19th-century churches. A 16-block boardwalk known as the malecón offers unobstructed ocean views as it extends from the city center, past fountains and a famous 9-foot-high statue of a boy riding a seahorse.

Called “the most gay-friendly city in Mexico” by Frommer’s, Vallarta draws a diverse crowd of vacationers intent on relaxing during the day and living it up at night, bouncing between the city’s numerous dance clubs and bouncy castles. For a glimpse of the city's history, head to Viejo Vallarta, also known as Old Town, where artists peddle shawls and piñatas and mariachi bands serenade couples dancing on Plaza Principal.