Visiting the North Bay is so much more than beaches, sunshine and margaritas. I reached out to a few members of our community for some different experience options and am excited to share them with you.
Food tours
Many folks have told me about food tours, so I connected with Travis and Edgar at My Mexican Kitchen in Bucerias about what they had to offer. And after listening to them, I really need to book one of their tours!
“Our original venture was to hold traditional Mexican cuisine cooking classes,” they told me. “We kept getting asked where to get more of the style of food we prepared in our classes. That led us to start our latest project: walking food tours in Bucerias. Often the great mom-and-pop restaurants in Mexico can be intimidating because folks don’t know if anyone will speak English or if they’ll be able to read the menu or if the food is safe to eat. That’s where we step in. There are so many great little eateries here in town, so we created a Mexican experience that connects travelers with locals.
“Our ‘Omnivore Tour’ takes participants to various stops that include meat and some vegetable options, while discussing salsas and the beautiful and intricate food culture in Nayarit. On the ‘Seafood Tour’ we visit several local watering holes to sample the delicious seafood we have at our doorstep. The ‘Night Taco and Mezcal Tasting Tour’ is for those wanting to experience mouthwatering Mexican dinner options. It ends with a talk and tasting of a few mezcals.
“All our tours are full-on meal and Mexican experiences. We never request discounts, as we relish bringing these businesses more clients, believing their businesses will grow with participants returning to eat and bringing their friends.
“If you are a traveler who likes making a connection with the locals and their way of life, or if you are someone who wants to try what is being prepared in that little courtyard where the delicious smells are wafting from, or if you understand that pretty food is not always soul-satisfying food, then join our tours as we take to the streets in search of that next amazing meal.”
See mymexicankitchen.com/food-tours for more information.
Butterflies
My friend Kaila told me how much she and her children enjoy the Mariposario Jardin Magico, the butterfly reserve near the Corona factory about 15 minutes from Bucerias, close to the Vista Vallarta Club de Golf.
“Visiting the butterfly reserve was an amazing experience for my kids and me,” Kaila said. “The guides have such an extensive knowledge and passion for what they are doing and make it an unforgettable day. My kids were delighted when butterflies landed on their hands, to see eggs recently laid, and to release a butterfly of their own. This is truly a hidden gem! Plan to visit the little restaurant. Walk around the pond and surrounding area while you are there, as it’s all beautiful!”
Charros
My friend Charity enthused about the charrería, the dynamic equestrian activity that bears some similarities to the rodeo.
“I have a real love of horses and horsemanship,” Charity said. “The teamwork and skill that the charros employ as they perform their competitive tasks is unparalleled and a real joy to watch. The quality and beauty of the horses, truly, I’ve never seen anything like it. The women’s teams (escaramuzas) dress up in colorful matching riding outfits to show off gorgeous, synchronized performances. These beautiful women in fabulous costumes on magnificent steeds doing tricky maneuvers are a sight to behold.
“Some of the events look similar to rodeos and in my opinion what these guys do is even harder than rodeo stunts. Expect to see bull riding, bronco riding, roping, etcetera. Check it out. It’s really, really fun!”
You can experience a charreada on Sunday, February 6, beginning 1 p.m. at the Arena Vallarta, located at El Higueral 630, in the pueblo of El Colorado, about 30 kilometers south east of Bucerias on Highway 544 heading east of Ixtapa. Information and tickets (500-700 pesos) at HaciendaSerena.mx or Facebook/haciendaserenaPV.
Live music
As always continue to support live music in La Cruz and Bucerias at The La Cruz Inn, Jax, The Tree House Bar, Encore, Britannia Bar, Los Arroyos Verdes, Ballena Blanca and so many more venues.