Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Check in to an ocean-view master or parlor suite at the Grand Velas All Suite & Spa Resort on Banderas Bay, and there’s room for all in the spacious, all-inclusive accommodations. Enjoy strawberries and chocolates upon arrival as well as a special Valentine’s Day dinner for the whole crew at any of three a la carte gourmet restaurants.

While the children are playing at the Kids Club or enjoying the Kids Cooking Classes, mom and dad can pamper themselves with a free 45- to 60-minute guided hydrotherapy ritual at the Grand Velas Spa.

Also included: meals, beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, in-suite mini bar, fitness facility, workout programs and more. Children up to age 16 stay and eat free when sharing the rooms with their parents.

Contact: 888-320-7579; www.grandvelas.com.

Puerto Vallarta is a popular sun destination in Mexico — and for good reason. From the slick all-inclusives of Nuevo Vallarta, to the charm of the old part of town, to the gay beach, it seems there’s something for everyone. And that includes people who want to leave the comfort of town for a bit of adventure. Yelapa is a fishing village on the coast on Banderas Bay just south of Puerto Vallarta, and it is the starting point for an easy hike through the jungle to waterfalls on the El Tuito River.

There was a significant storm that blew through here the other evening. Winds were clocked at 60 kts. I had to move two time because my anchor was not holding. Not much sleep that evening for anyone. Today is sunny and warm with a slight breeze.

Barra de Navidad is about 200 miles south of Puerto Vallarta. One of the stops along the way is call Tenacatita. There is a small and short river that runs through the Mangroves where you see and hear several birds and an occasional crocodile. The day we went though there were no crocodiles looking for handouts of dead chickens or sailors. Photos to follow. I stopped at a couple of other anchorages going south but only spent a day at each since there was little there to do and the boat rocked and rolled most of the evening. The names of these two anchorages are Ipala and Chamela. I took a few photos which I will add later.

Vallarta Yacht Club in Banderas Bay hosted the Jan. 27 seminar, convenient for boaters in the Puerto Vallarta region. Dozens of southbound boaters learned about the route from Mexico to El Salvador in Central America. Questions answered by Bill and Gene Strain and other veteran cruisers focused on weather, anchorages, marinas, fuel and provisions en route to El Salvador, as well as security, buddy boating and safely navigating the bay’s entrance bar with the aid of a free pilot boat.

More seminars on the El Salvador rally may develop in Mexican cruising ports on an impromptu basis while the southward migration of yachts continues. Although Bahia del Sol has long been a popular anchorage with sailboaters, rally organizers also hope to attract powerboaters and sport anglers. Marina slips and a fuel dock are available, as well as the hotel’s pool and restaurants.

One of the world’s rare sex-selected zoological species, a Pacific bottlenose dolphin, was born Dec 4th, 2009 at the Dolphin Adventure Center, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

The birth represents the first calf in Mexico to be born after using sperm sexing and artificial insemination technologies. The calf is the result of a recent collaboration between Dolphin Adventures and SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Reproductive Research Center in San Diego, CA.

SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Reproductive Research Center (SWBGRRC) is the only organization in the world to apply preferential sex-selection reproductive research to exotic animals.

“Our artificial insemination program has now produced 10 sex-selected dolphin calves worldwide, this birth further proves that assisted reproductive technology can be applied successfully for species management in a zoological setting,”said Dr. Todd Robeck, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment(SWPE)corporate director of Theriogenology (the study of animal reproduction).

“I am delighted that Nayarit has got on the boat in the promotion of our food culture. Is a land that has a vast culinary heritage, a product of geographical diversity, the pervasiveness of their traditions and the prodigality of its coasts, a heritage shared with the rest of the states of the Pacific coast and a kitchen that has generated fresh, imaginative and refined,” says chef Thierry Blouet.

The French-born chef is demonstrating this new wind that runs around the shores of Nayarit at Café des Artistes del Mar in Punta Mita: extension of the legendary setting of Puerto Vallarta, where the chef Gerardo Sandoval, local talent, presents the classic accents accredited by the gastronomy Blouet, with notes of originality supported products that provides the region.

“The wealth of this land is amazing, but even more surprising is the craft and dedication that exists in the kitchens. The people you speak of traditions, unalterable respect to products and a continuing ability to surprise and learning what nature gives them, “said the German chef Peter Durst, who has participated in food festivals in the region.

If lives are fueled by searches for sanctuary, contentment, and adventure, then arguably, few activities reveal as much about those dynamics as do our travels — and the destinations and domiciles we choose. Such choices say much about lifestyle-investing preferences and it is perhaps this desire to invest – not in high yielding stocks, but in high yielding personal and family attunement time, that the private residence club concept has remained popular, even in this capricious economy. The most successful ones provide exceptional amenities (private chefs, town car services, yacht usage, dedicated concierges, maid service, pre-arrival and daily grocery shopping, etc.) as well as a deeded part ownership in the residence itself. The most successful ones also have a balanced design template where the destination combines sanctuary and adventure, and where the architectural and interior designs reflect the uniqueness of the area.

Imanta Punta de Mita, set to be one of Mexico’s premier sustainable resorts, will make its grand debut to guests later this month.

Situated on a 250-acre private reserve on the pristine beaches of Mexico’s Rivieria Nayarit, this intimate cliff-side property is a 45-minute drive from Puerto Vallarta and provides guests with the ultimate remote getaway.

Resort guests have the option of staying in one of seven unique accommodations, each carefully constructed with locally sourced and environmentally friendly materials. Five, free-standing, one-bedroom Casas feature spacious living areas, indoor/outdoor showers, pools and terraces.

Additionally, guests may choose from two, two-bedroom Casonas, each including a full kitchen, living room, dining room, pool and terrace.

Surf ‘n’ sand has long been the main attraction drawing Canadians to Mexico. Now add surf ‘n’ turf.

Steeped in history and vibrant flavours, Mexico serves up some of the world’s best cuisine. Yet, if you’re like most Canadians, your Mexican experience dining begins and ends with tacos, nachos, salsa and guacamole, while the country’s true, rich culinary scene remains a mystery.

For clues about what awaits your taste buds, let’s venture beyond the taco on a culinary journey south to the land of chiles, ceviche and chilled Corona.

In Mexico’s 32 states, techniques and seasonings are tweaked to suit local ingredients. Regardless of where you go, you will eat corn, beans and chilies, the holy trinity of Mexican cookery.

February is the month of love. With Valentine’s Day in the middle of the month, love is in the air. When the mercury heads south the whales make their winter trek to warmer weather and warmer waters. The Whales could choose from many locations up or down our beautiful coastline, but they choose the Bay of Banderas. With the plentiful food, mild water temperatures and safe environment for the young, we have many pods of Bottle Nose Dolphins in the bay, which is a safeguard against sharks which provides a little extra protection from a long lost cousin. If you don’t know, sharks and Dolphin are mortal enemies so having them around is good for family life in our bay. With a safe environment like the bay provides the adult male Whales will Breach, showing off his strength and stamina, it makes for spectacular pictures of nature at its best. And who knows, this breaching may just get him a girlfriend!